Abstract: An illustrative example sensor device includes a plurality of range finders that each have an emitter configured to emit a selected type of radiation and a detector configured to detect the selected type of radiation reflected from an object. A plurality of cameras are configured to generate an image of an object based upon receiving the selected type of radiation from the object. A processor is configured to determine a distance between the sensor device and an object based on at least two of the images, wherein the images are each from a different camera.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens assembly, a voice coil motor assembly, an image sensor assembly and a flash assembly. The lens assembly is installed in the voice coil motor assembly along an optical axis direction, the image sensor assembly is located below the lens assembly, the flash assembly is mounted above the voice coil motor assembly and includes at least one light source located around a lens of the lens assembly, and the light source adapted for providing a flash for the lens. The flash assembly can provide uniform and even flashing light for the lens to improve imaging quality, and provide compact structure to meet the development of the electronic products miniaturization.

Abstract: A digital image capture system and method uses a display device to illuminate a target with light for improved image capture under poor lighting conditions. Various characteristics of the flash (e.g., brightness, color, duration, etc.) can be adjusted to improve image capture. Users are provided with feedback (e.g., live video feed, audio and/or visual countdowns, etc.) to assist them in preparing for image capture. The captured images are seamlessly integrated with existing applications (e.g., video conferencing, instant text messaging, etc.).

Abstract: A digital image capture system and method uses a display device to illuminate a target with light for improved image capture under poor lighting conditions. Various characteristics of the flash (e.g., brightness, color, duration, etc.) can be adjusted to improve image capture. Users are provided with feedback (e.g., live video feed, audio and/or visual countdowns, etc.) to assist them in preparing for image capture. The captured images are seamlessly integrated with existing applications (e.g., video conferencing, instant text messaging, etc.).

Abstract: The invention provides a flash light device, which includes a light source, a light diffuser and a light diffuser's driving unit. The light diffuser's driving unit provides the light diffuser with a required driving voltage according to a voltage information, in which the voltage information is determined according to an original image without light-complementing of the light source and a pre-flash image with light-complementing of the light source.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method of controlling light intensity of a camera. The method of controlling light intensity of a camera includes generating a code value for correcting a positional error of the camera to store the positional error in a memory, and then, reflecting the code value for correcting the positional error to generate a code value upon auto-focusing. Next, after measuring a distance to a subject through displacement of a camera lens according to the auto-focusing, light intensity of a flash is adjusted according to the distance to the subject.

Abstract: A tone correcting apparatus includes: a first determination unit that determines which one of first brightness levels that are previously defined a focused region corresponds to, the focused region being selected from among a plurality of block regions that are set to cover an entire area of the image; a second determination unit that determines which one of second brightness levels that are previously defined an adjacent block region corresponds to, the adjacent block region being at least one of the block regions that is adjacent to the focused region; and a correction unit that corrects a brightness of pixels included in the focused region based on a combination of the first brightness level determined by the first determination unit and the second brightness level determined by the second determination unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera with AF auxiliary illumination in which the focus position of an image taking lens is AF controlled to bring an object into focus, based on contrast information of an image acquired from an image pickup device, and if the photometric value of the object is less than a predetermined value, an AF auxiliary illumination is directed to the object, wherein the AF auxiliary illumination reflected from the object is measured, in which if the photometric value is greater than or equal to a specified value, the AF auxiliary illumination is dimmed out, and the emission amount of the AF auxiliary illumination is controlled based on the focus position of the image taking lens.

Abstract: An adjusting method of flash intensity is applied in an image capture apparatus with a flash lamp, where two pre-flash images corresponding the object are retrieved under two different pre-flash lights, respectively, and then a flash intensity of main-flash light is calculated according to one of the retrieved pre-flash images, so as to retrieve a main-flash image corresponding the object under the main-flash light with the calculated main-flash light.

Abstract: A system receives an input with a light sensor of a device, determines a luminance of a subject based on the received input, and adjusts an output of an assist light of the device based on the determined luminance.

Abstract: An auxiliary light source such as a flash is controlled for highly accurately reflecting a lighting condition with less effect of a factor other than the lighting condition such as contrasting density caused by shadow or black compression or white compression. For this purpose, a parameter acquisition unit obtains weighting parameters for principal components representing lighting conditions in a face region in an image detected by a face detection unit, by fitting to the detected face region a mathematical model generated according to a method of AAM using a plurality of sample images representing human faces in different lighting conditions. A flash control unit obtains a flash control condition by referring to a reference table according to the parameters, and controls flash light emission according to the control condition.

Abstract: In order to carry out relatively accurate AF control while eliminating the adverse effect on a reproduced moving picture, a subject is imaged every 1/30 seconds, so that subject images are obtained. Image data representing the subject images respectively corresponding to odd-numbered frames are recorded on a memory card as image data representing the moving picture. At timing where the subject images respectively corresponding to even-numbered frames are obtained by the imaging, auxiliary light is irradiated onto the subject. A high-frequency component is extracted from the image data representing each of the subject images respectively corresponding to even-numbered frames, so that focusing data representing the degree of focusing of the subject image is obtained. Since the subject image used for focusing control is bright, focusing control can be carried out relatively accurately.

Abstract: The object recognition apparatus has an active range finder having a floodlight unit which floodlights a light onto a target object, and determines a distance up to a target object on the basis of a reflected light therefrom, a stereo camera to determine a distance up to the target object on the basis of image information from the target object, an object recognition unit which recognizes the target object on the basis of an output signal from the active range finder and an output signal from the stereo camera, and a fill light control unit which controls the floodlight unit to operate so as to irradiate a light floodlit by the floodlight unit as a fill light of the stereo camera.

Abstract: A display device able to give an image giving a good impression such as a sharp contrast in a dark scene and maintaining brightness in a bright scene, that is, a display device comprising a variable aperture iris and a control circuit for controlling opening/closing of the iris in accordance with a state of a level of an input signal forming a screen, wherein the control circuit controls the iris so that a response of an open/close operation of the iris is different between a case where the signal level fluctuates from a dark level to a bright level and a case where the signal level fluctuates from a bright level to a dark level.

Abstract: A system receives an input with a light sensor of a device, determines a luminance of a subject based on the received input, and adjusts an output of an assist light of the device based on the determined luminance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera with AF auxiliary illumination in which the focus position of an image taking lens is AF controlled to bring an object into focus, based on contrast information of an image acquired from an image pickup device, and if the photometric value of the object is less than a predetermined value, an AF auxiliary illumination is directed to the object, wherein the AF auxiliary illumination reflected from the object is measured, in which if the photometric value is greater than or equal to a specified value, the AF auxiliary illumination is dimmed out, and the emission amount of the AF auxiliary illumination is controlled based on the focus position of the image taking lens.

Abstract: Lighting apparatus for an image-gathering device, includes a light frame supporting a plurality of light emitting diode lamps configured to emit light at a tungsten balanced colour temperature, and a focussing frame comprising a plurality of light focussing lenses configured to focus light emitted from said light frame into an elliptical beam. The focussing frame is configured to focus light into an elliptical beam to complement a subject illumination area frame having a ratio 16:9. The light emitting diode lamps are configured to emit light at a colour temperature of 3200 Kelvin or 5600 Kelvin, and to emit light having a colour rendering index of 90. The focussing frame is releasably mountable to the light frame.

Abstract: This invention decreases deformation of a plastic substrate caused by thermal expansion and contraction in an evaporation process of forming a multi-layered film of an ND filter, thus helping prevent wrinkles. The plastic substrate serving as the base of the ND filter is made of a polyimide-based plastic material having a glass transition temperature of 200° C. or more, has a total transmittance of light of 90% or more, and has a haze factor of 0.5% or less. As the multi-layered film, Al2O3 films for reduction of the reflectance and TiOx films for reduction of the transmittance are alternately formed on the substrate.

Abstract: An ND filter is made of a transparent substrate having a plane. An optical film is formed on the plane of the transparent substrate. The optical film has a lamination structure including a light absorption film and a dielectric film, and has a variable transmission density. A thickness of either the light absorption film or the dielectric film of the lamination structure is changed in an in-plane direction of the transparent substrate so that the transmission density of the optical film is controlled to vary in the in-plane direction. The light absorption film is composed of a material selected from Ti, Cr, Ni, NiCr, NiFe, NiTi and a mixture thereof, and the dielectric film is formed of SiO2, Al2O3 or a compound thereof.

Abstract: Image projection apparatus wherein, a focusing lens is controlled when a shutter is operated so that a contrast signal, obtained when a luminance signal from a camera signal processing circuit is supplied to an auto focusing detection circuit, any become maximum. A laser diode is driven to generate laser beams that are condensed into parallel laser beams by a condenser. These parallel laser beams are applied to a hologram plate and thereby diffracted. The diffracted laser beams interfere with each other, to produce a hologram image with sufficient contrast. Therefore, satisfactory focusing can be made in an auto focus mode of the contrast detection system or in a manual focus mode.

Abstract: Image projection apparatus wherein, a focusing lens is controlled when a shutter is operated so that a contrast signal, obtained when a luminance signal from a camera signal processing circuit is supplied to an auto focusing detection circuit, may become maximum. A laser diode is driven to generate laser beams that are condensed into parallel laser beams by a condenser. These parallel laser beams are applied to a hologram plate and thereby diffracted. The diffracted laser beams interfere with each other, to produce a hologram image with sufficient contrast. Therefore, satisfactory focusing can be made in an auto focus mode of the contrast detection system or in a manual focus mode.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an input that receives a stream of image pixels such as high addressable bits, multiple bits per pixel or binary image bits representing an input image and a processor that processes and directs signals to an LED bar that selectively exposes areas of a photoreceptor. The exposed areas of the photoreceptor form a latent image, controlled by the processor, of areas of varied exposure based on surrounding pixels. The processor examines the pixels to determine an image structure beneficially adaptable to varied exposure and selects a pixel for varied exposure, such as increased or decreased exposure or altered timing to apply the pixel.

Abstract: Image protection apparatus wherein, a focusing lens is controlled when a shutter is operated so that a contrast signal, obtained when a luminance signal from a camera signal processing circuit is supplied to an auto focusing detection circuit, may become maximum. A laser diode is driven to generate laser beams that are condensed into parallel laser beams by a condenser. These parallel laser beams are applied to a hologram plate and thereby diffracted. The diffracted laser beams interfere with each other, to produce a hologram image with sufficient contrast. Therefore, satisfactory focusing can be made in an auto focus mode of the contrast detection system or in a manual focus mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an ND filter having a gradation density distribution, the ND filter, and an aperture device and a camera having the ND filter. A structure thereof is as follows. The method of manufacturing an ND filter having at least two kinds of films on a substrate includes the steps of: forming a film of at least one layer other than an outermost layer having a gradation density distribution while rotating a slit mask integrally with the substrate; and forming a film of the outermost layer without using the slit mask.

Abstract: An ND filter includes a substrate formed in a plastic sheet and a deposit film deposited on a surface of the substrate. The plastic sheet is composed of a norbornene resin and the deposit film is composed of a nickel-chromium alloy. The norbornene resin has a small thermal shrinkage factor and prevents the plastic sheet from wrinkling. The nickel-chromium alloy has a good oxidation resistance and ensures a uniform light transmittance of the deposit film over the entire visible light region.

Abstract: An ND filter includes a substrate formed in a plastic sheet and a deposited film formed on a surface of the substrate. The plastic sheet has at least 120° C. of a glass transition temperature. In producing the ND filter, the deposited film is formed on the surface of the substrate at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the plastic sheet to suppress deformation due to expansion and contraction and to prevent the plastic sheet from wrinkling.

Abstract: When a lamp is turned on and a wafer is placed on a light exposure surface, a controlling unit opens a shutter plate so that light is emitted on the light exposure surface and an illuminometer receives the light. An accumulated light amount measuring unit converts illumination intensity measured by the illuminometer to an accumulated light amount. The controlling unit turns off the lamp by sending a lamp OFF signal to a power supplying unit. At the same time, the controlling unit sends a shutter closing command to the power supplying unit. After the shutter is closed, the controlling unit relight the lamp by sending a lamp ON signal to the power supplying unit.

Abstract: An AF auxiliary light projector for an AF camera includes a focus detection optical system having a first optical axis, and an AF auxiliary light projecting optical system having a second optical axis which intersects the first optical axis, the AF auxiliary light projecting optical system projecting an image having a predetermined contrast pattern onto an object. The AF auxiliary light projecting optical system includes a projector lens, a contrast pattern chart, an illumination lens, and an illumination light source, in that order. The illumination lens has an asymmetrical optical power so that an optical power of a far distance portion of the illumination lens for a far distance region of the contrast pattern chart is greater than an optical power of a near distance portion of the illumination lens for a near distance region of the contrast pattern chart.

Abstract: Where a subject is dark, half pressing of a shutter release button causes an auxiliary light for auto-focusing use to be emitted from an electric flash. If half pressing and cancellation take place consecutively, a power of a main capacitor for the electric flash will become in sufficient, it is charged after emission of an auxiliary light. A camera is to be provided which can prevent charge processing from deteriorating an operating convenience by limiting either a duration of charging or a charging voltage then. Where the subject is dark, half pressing of the shutter release button causes the electric flash to emit an auxiliary light (AF pre-emission) and auto-focusing control to be executed. If half pressing of the shutter release button and its cancellation take place consecutively, charging of the main capacitor of the electric flash is performed alternately for different lengths of time, 150 ms and 300 ms.

Abstract: Provided is a distance measuring apparatus that can cope with the problem of wrong distance measuring attributable to the presence of miscellaneous subjects and minimize the possibility of defocused photographing. In this distance measuring apparatus, passive-type distance measuring is carried out in accordance with a subject image signal for the central portion of a view field. Signal light for distance measuring from an infrared-emitting diode is projected on a subject in the central portion of the view field, and active-type distance measuring is carried out by means of a sensor array in accordance with reflected signal light reflected by the subject. According to the output result of the passive-type central distance measuring, a CPU determines whether or not to effect distance measuring for the peripheral portion of the view field based on an image signal for the peripheral portion.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus in which the quantity of auxiliary light can be precisely controlled regardless of conditions of an object to be taken is disclosed. The apparatus includes a passive AF sensor unit, a flash device and a main CPU which controls the flash device as an auxiliary light source for the focus detection, so that the flash device intermittently emits flashes of light. The main CPU increases emission time and emission time interval stepwise from the minimum value when the flash device intermittently emits flashes of light as the auxiliary light source upon detection of the focused state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a light source that is used during operation of an imaging device (e.g., a camera) and, in particular, during operation of a camera feature/subsystem such as an AF subsystem, a red-eye reduction subsystem, a self-timer subsystem, etc. The apparatus and method include and involve a light source which is configured to emit light in relation to the operation of a subsystem of an imaging device, and a light source control unit which is configured to control an amount of light emitted by the light source based on a preset operating parameter (e.g., a user-selectable camera setting). The apparatus and method may be included within an imaging device such as a camera or in a peripheral (e.g., a flash unit, etc.) configured to operate with such a camera.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera device and a flash device. The camera device has a first mode where a control aperture value and a control shutter speed are automatically determined; and a second mode where the operator is allowed to determine either a control aperture value or a control shutter speed. The flash device is capable of emitting an instantaneous flash light and a prolonged flash light. The camera device includes a distance calculator operable to calculate a distance to an object and a light intensity calculator operable to calculate an intensity of a prolonged flash light for flash photography based on the calculated distance, a focal plane shutter having a front blind and a rear blind, and a controller operable to render the flash device emit a prolonged flash light at the calculated intensity from the start of travel of the front blind to the finish of travel of the rear blind.

Abstract: A camera (10) includes a camera body (12), an objective lens (14) that receives light from a scene (34) and focuses the light on a focal plane (36) in the camera body. An emitter (18) receives power and produces a beam (66) oriented generally along an optical axis (20) of the objective lens such that the beam reflects from an object (32) in the scene. A sensor (22) measures an intensity level of a portion of the beam reflected back from the object to the sensor. An emitter controller (42) adjusts the output power of the emitter when the intensity level measured by the sensor for the reflected visible beam differs from a predetermined level. The beam may be visible or invisible. Corresponding methods of operating such a camera also are disclosed.

Abstract: In a camera adapted to receive and transmit information by means of radiation beams to and from a computer and having an auto focus system and including means for providing a radiation beam and radiation beam sensor means and being effective in a first mode for transmitting a radiation beam, reflecting it off of a subject and the beam sensor means being adapted to receive such reflected radiation beam from the subject for effectively determining the subject distance for auto focus of the camera and, in a second mode, after aligning the camera radiation beam with the computer for determining the distance between the camera and the computer and including means for adjusting the intensity of the camera radiation beam as a function of the distance between the camera and the computer and directly communicating data between the camera and the computer.

Abstract: A lens assembly including a printed circuit board having a longitudinal series of light emitting diodes, a casing mounted on the printed circuit board and covered over the light emitting diodes and having a glass cover, and a lens having a bottom side mounted on the glass cover, a plane top surface, and a sand finished, peripheral surface which confines the light of the LEDs to the plane top surface of the lens.