Abstract: A camera includes: a first sensor of a storage type that has a plurality of pixels; a focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state of a photographic optical system based upon a detection signal from the first sensor for a photographic subject; a second sensor that acquires an image of the photographic subject; an extraction unit that extracts a main photographic subject region from image information acquired by the second sensor; and a control unit that controls accumulation of electrical charge by the first sensor, based upon values outputted from pixels of the first sensor that correspond to the main photographic subject region.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of reducing the influence of the one-side blur by the automatic focusing function. The image-taking apparatus comprises a focus detector, which detects the focus state of the plurality of focus detection areas, and a selector, which selects a focus target area from a plurality of focus detection area based on the detection result of the focus detector. In a case where a first object distance to a first object is longer than a first predetermined distance, and a second object distance to a second object, which exists on an outer side of the first object in the image-taking screen, is shorter than the first object distance by a second predetermined distance or more, the selector selects the focus detection area corresponding to the second object as the focus target area.

Abstract: An AF camera includes a focusing lens group; an autofocus system which performs a searching process for detecting an in-focus position by moving the focusing lens group within a predetermined searching range to move the focusing lens group to the in-focus position; and a first switch and a second switch. After completion of the searching process, the autofocus system repeats the searching process over a first searching range closer to a far side than a near-side movable end upon the first switch being turned ON, with a current position of the focusing lens group serving as the near-side movable end; and the autofocus system repeats the searching process over a second searching range closer to a near side than a far-side movable end upon the second switch being turned ON, with a current position of the focusing lens group serving as the far-side movable end.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for calibrating imaging systems are provided. The imaging system has a body, a scene image capture system that captures images using a taking lens system that can be set to a plurality of different focus distances, and a rangefinder that is capable of determining a distance between the imaging system and at least one portion of a field of view of the taking lens system. The method comprises: automatically capturing a first calibration image of a first field of view through the taking lens system with the taking lens system set to a first focus distance setting; identifying a portion of the first calibration image having a predetermined degree of focus; using the rangefinder to determine a first calibration distance from the imaging device to the identified portion. A focus correlation is determined based upon the first calibration distance and the first focus distance setting.

Abstract: An image is divided into areas in accordance with degrees of focusing. As the divided areas, there are a focus area and a non-focus area. With respect to the non-focus area, the image thereof is processed so as to emphasize its blur. In contrast, with respect to the focus area, the image thereof is processed so as to emphasize its sharpness. The processed image is displayed on a monitor so that perspective is expressed like a single-lens reflex.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes a focus detector, an object detector, a selector, a divider, and a controller. The focus detector is configured to detect a plurality of focus adjusting states at focus detecting positions in an image plane of an optical system. The object detector is configured to detect image information corresponding to a specified object in an image of the optical system. The selector is configured to select focus adjusting states among the plurality of focus adjusting states based on the image information detected by the object detector. The divider is configured to find variation in the selected focus adjusting states and configured to divide the selected focus adjusting states into a plurality of groups based on the variation. The controller is configured to find a final focus adjusting state based on a pre-final focus adjusting state in a group selected from the plurality of groups.

Abstract: This invention can increase the focusing speed and quickly focus a camera to an object regardless of the position of the object within the field of the viewfinder. When the position of a main object falls within a range in which phase difference AF is impossible, the lens scan range of contrast AF is determined by referring to distance measurement information of phase difference AF near the main object or immediately preceding distance measurement information of phase difference AF. The scan range of contrast AF is narrowed to increase the focusing speed.

Abstract: An exposure value is determined based on a face region, with high accuracy and with less effect of a background region or density contrast caused by shadow. For this purpose, a face detection unit detects a face region from a face candidate region in a through image detected by a face candidate detection unit, by fitting to the face candidate region a mathematical model generated by a method of AAM using a plurality of sample images representing human faces. An exposure value determination unit then determines an exposure value for photography, based on the face region.

Abstract: A photographed body authenticating unit includes a control unit for executing solid judgment processing for judging whether a photographed body is solid or not based on an entire brightness changing amount of an entirety of a photographed body and a partial brightness changing amount of a part of the photographed body. The entire and partial brightness changing amounts are acquired by a difference between photographed image data obtained in different illuminating states. The control unit also executes photographed body collation processing for collating whether the photographed body is already registered with respect to at least one photographing image or not and authentication processing for authenticating that the photographed body is true when the solid judgment processing determines that the photographed body is solid and the collation processing determines that the photographed body is already registered.

Abstract: A focal point detection device includes a focal point detection section which detects a focal point state of an object image corresponding to each of focal point detection regions. A group selection section selects focal point detection regions as a group. A judgment section determines a focal point detection region in which detection of the focal point state is enabled in the selected group. An automatic focal point detection region selection section selects, when detection of the focal point detection regions can be performed in the selected group, a focal point detection region in the selected group, and selects, when detection of the focal point detection regions cannot be performed, a focal point detection region outside the selected group. A control section drives an imaging optical system in accordance with the focal point state corresponding to the focal point detection region selected.

Abstract: Face detection is executed only on an image imaged based on an arbitrary (predetermined) focal point information defined in advance. In face detection, the face of a person is detected based on a relative value of statistics in a plurality of characteristic regions produced by contour or parts of the face of the person. Thus, even if the face in the image used for face detection is blurred, the statistics in a certain region can be acquired, and thus such face is detectable. Therefore, the primary subject to be focused can be rapidly detected without performing focal point control at a stage of preliminary imaging in the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An optical instrument including an AF circuit 12 for obtaining focus detection information, focus position detecting means 14 for detecting a position of a focus lens, an extender optical system 9, position detecting means 16 for detecting a position of the extender optical system 9, and a lens control portion 13 for generating a focus driving signal from the focus detection information, the focus lens position information and the position information, wherein driving of the focus lens is controlled by the focus driving signal via a focus motor 20.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of reducing the influence of the one-side blur by the automatic focusing function. The image-taking apparatus comprises a focus detector, which detects the focus state of the plurality of focus detection areas, and a selector, which selects a focus target area from a plurality of focus detection area based on the detection result of the focus detector. In a case where a first object distance to a first object is longer than a first predetermined distance, and a second object distance to a second object, which exists on an outer side of the first object in the image-taking screen, is shorter than the first object distance by a second predetermined distance or more, the selector selects the focus detection area corresponding to the second object as the focus target area.

Abstract: A multipoint autofocus system in which a pair of object images, obtained by pupil-division of an object light bundle in each detection area, are projected onto different zones of a sensor and are converted into image signals, so that a defocus amount can be determined based on the image signals, the multipoint autofocus system including intersecting detection areas whose detection areas partly overlap and a plurality of sensor arrays of the sensor corresponding to respective the intersecting detection areas; and a selection device for selecting a defocus amount whose absolute value is smallest out of defocus amounts obtained by each sensor array of the intersecting detection areas.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus which includes image acquiring means for acquiring an image of an object; storing means for temporarily storing an image acquired by the image acquiring means; and control means for detecting a portion having changed upon comparison of a first image and a second image which are stored in the storing means, each image acquired by the image acquiring means at a different time, and to focus on the portion having changed.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of reducing the influence of the one-side blur by the automatic focusing function. The image-taking apparatus comprises a focus detector, which detects the focus state of the plurality of focus detection areas, and a selector, which selects a focus target area from a plurality of focus detection area based on the detection result of the focus detector. In a case where a first object distance to a first object is longer than a first predetermined distances and a second object distance to a second object, which exists on an outer side of the first object in the image-taking screen, is shorter than the first object distance by a second predetermined distance or more, the selector selects the focus detection area corresponding to the second object as the focus target area.

Abstract: A portable telephone whose focusing operation is facilitated, with which missing of an opportunity of snapping can be prevented, and whose usability is improved. In the portable telephone, a camera section (101) images an object displayed on a display section (108). An autofocus region selection section (104) has a group of pressing switches that are of the same number as the number of autofocus regions, and the pressing switches are in one-to-one correspondence with the autofocus regions. The autofocus region selection section (104) selects the autofocus region in which the number that is same as the number of a pressed switch is displayed. An autofocus section (105) focuses on an object displayed in the selected autofocus region. The display section (108) displays preview images divided into the autofocus regions and displays different numbers for each of the autofocus regions.

Abstract: An auto-focus apparatus, a focus adjusting method, an image capturing apparatus and an image capturing method make it possible to perform accurate focus adjustment on a subject for which the focus should be adjusted. The auto-focus apparatus emits an irradiation wave from emitting means for irradiation to a subject while changing an incident angle of the irradiation wave, detects an incident angle of a reflected wave of the irradiation wave reflected by the subject, incident on light receiving means positioned corresponding to the emitting means, determines based on the emitting angle and the incident angle whether or not the subject is a subject for which the focus is adjusted, and adjusts the focus on the subject when determining that the subject is the subject for which the focus should be adjusted, thereby making it possible to accurately adjust the focus on the subject for which the focus should be adjusted.

Abstract: A camera has a contrast detection section which detects contrast of an object image signal obtained through a taking lens, and a multipoint distance measuring section which ranges a plurality of points in a photographic screen through a pair of optical systems different from the taking lens. A first focus adjustment section focuses the taking lens in accordance with a detection result of the contrast detection section, and a second focus adjustment section focuses the same based on a distance measuring result of the multipoint distance measuring section. A position determination section determines a position of a main object in the photographing screen from the distance measuring result, and when it determines that the main object is positioned on a center, the first focus adjustment section is operated by a selection section, and when the main object is positioned on a periphery, the second focus adjustment section is operated.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit for capturing an image of an object; a focal length storing unit for storing a focal length of the object which is outside of an image capturing region of the image being captured by the image capturing unit by corresponding to a positional relationship between the image capturing unit and the object; an image capturing region variation detecting unit for detecting variation in the image capturing region of the image capturing unit; a positional relationship predicting unit for predicting a positional relationship between the image capturing unit and the object after the image capturing region of the image capturing unit is varied on the basis of the variation in the image capturing region detected by the image capturing region variation detecting unit; and a focus adjustment control unit for controlling focus adjustment by the image capturing unit on the basis of the focal length stored by the focal length storing unit, wherein the focal length is

Abstract: An output from an auto focus sensor is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converting section, and an output from the A/C converting section is stored in a memory section. Further, a second AF arithmetic section is used to concurrently execute a plurality of focus detection arithmetic operations based on data in the memory section.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a detector detecting information used for focus control in each of a plurality of detection areas set in an image-pickup area, a selecting member being operated to change a selected area selected from the plurality of the detection areas, and a controller performing the focus control based on the information detected by the detector in the selected area. The controller determines a selectable detection area among the plurality of the detection areas based on the information used for the focus control detected in each of the detection areas and changes the selected area among the selectable detection areas in response to the operation of the selecting member. The optical apparatus reduces burdens in a selecting operation of the detection area for information used for the focus control and allows selection of an intended detection area quickly.

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

Abstract: Auto-focus in a digital camera is improved by stabilizing successive images. Each auto-focus image is correlated to previous images so that scene movement or motion can be tracked. The area in the scene where focus figure-of-merit is computed is adjusted according to the amount of scene movement. Also, two separate focus frames may be compared to determine the direction and speed of the motion. This improves the accuracy of the focus figure-of-merit which results in fewer autofocus failures.

Abstract: Multiple sets of pixel values representing a captured image of a scene are received, with each set representing an image captured with a corresponding degree of focus. An image processor may identify a region of interest in the captured image, automatically determine the configuration parameters for a lens assembly to provide a desired degree of focus for the region of interest, and generate signals to configure a lens assembly. In an embodiment, the region of interest is a face, the desired degree of focus of the face is determined by computing a rate of variation of luminance of pixels representing the face, and the desired degree is the degree of the image having the maximum degree of focus.

Abstract: A focus adjusting device in which, when a detecting unit that detects an object image to be focused from a picked up image is capable of detecting the object image to be focused, a setting unit that sets a focus detection area when a focused state of an image pickup optical system is detected sets a second focus detection area after setting a first focus detection area and in accordance with the position of the first focus detection area, corresponding to the object image that is detected by the detecting unit and that is to be focused. Then, on the basis of signal outputs at the set focus detection area, the image pickup optical system is driven to perform focus adjustment.

Abstract: An auto-focus apparatus, a focus adjusting method, an image capturing apparatus and an image capturing method make it possible to perform accurate focus adjustment on a subject for which the focus should be adjusted. The auto-focus apparatus emits an irradiation wave from emitting means for irradiation to a subject while changing an incident angle of the irradiation wave, detects an incident angle of a reflected wave of the irradiation wave reflected by the subject, incident on light receiving means positioned corresponding to the emitting means, determines based on the emitting angle and the incident angle whether or not the subject is a subject for which the focus is adjusted, and adjusts the focus on the subject when determining that the subject is the subject for which the focus should be adjusted, thereby making it possible to accurately adjust the focus on the subject for which the focus should be adjusted.

Abstract: A focus area contains one or more areas, into which an image signal captured by an image sensor (14) is segmented by an image segmentation section (15). The focus area follows movement of an object in accordance with feature point positional information of an image extracted by a feature point extraction section (34) and a feature point positional calculation section (35). Further, after a low-pass filter (36) extracts a low frequency component of a time-series oscillation frequency using the feature point positional information, and a focus area selection section calculates a display position, the focus area is displayed on a display section (17). Therefore, an imaging device, which does not cause discomfort even when the focus area displayed on the display section (17) fluctuates by tracking movement of the object, is provided.

Abstract: Within a digital acquisition device, acquisition parameters of a digital image are perfected as part of an image capture process using face detection within said captured image to achieve one or more desired image acquisition parameters. Default values are determined of one or more image attributes of at least some portion of the digital image. Values of one or more camera acquisition parameters are determined. Groups of pixels are identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digitally-captured image. Corresponding image attributes to the groups of pixels are determined. One or more default image attribute values are compared with one or more captured image attribute values based upon analysis of the image of the face. Camera acquisition parameters are then adjusted corresponding to adjusting the image attribute values.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an obtaining unit that obtains a captured image containing face detection information related to a face of an object detected during image capture, and information related to a focus detection area utilized during the image capture, an extraction unit that extracts an area based on the information related to the focus detection area and the face detection information from the captured image when the focus detection area is determined based on the detected object's face, and extracts an area based on the information related to the focus detection area from the captured image when the focus detection area is not determined based on the detected object's face, and a display unit that displays a partial area of the captured image on a display device, wherein the display unit displays an image of the extracted area on the display device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of implementing dynamic focus zones for cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, a method may include selecting a reference image from a scene being photographed. The method may also include selecting a plurality of difference images from regions adjacent the reference image. The method may also include comparing the reference image and the plurality of different images. The method may also include selecting a plurality of distinct focus zones based on correlation of the compared reference image and the plurality of difference images.

Abstract: An image taking method includes the steps of taking an image of an object to be taken, thereby generating image data. A predetermined objective body is detected from the image data. Exposure and/or focusing position are determined for each of the detected objective bodies. The image taking means is caused to take an image of each objective body according to the exposure and/or the focusing position determined for each of the detected objective bodies in response to one image-taking action.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a face position detection section for detecting at least a position at which is present a person's face inside a frame using an image signal obtained from an image sensor for photoelectrically converting an object image captured by a photographing optical system, a focus control section for controlling the photographing optical system by referencing in-focus positions of the object image obtained inside focus detection areas for detecting focus states of the object image positioned in the frame, and a control section for controlling the focus control section so as to reference at least one or the other of an in-focus position obtained in a first focus detection area in which is present a person's face and an in-focus position obtained in a second focus detection area in which is expected to be present a body of a person determining from the position of the face of the person.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a face detecting section, a focusing section, an area specifying section, and a controlling section. The face detecting section detects a face area within a shooting image plane. The focusing section has plural optional areas within the shooting image plane. Further, the focusing section obtains an image phase difference amount of a pair of images based on luminous flux having passed through a shooting lens in each of the optional areas. The area specifying section specifies a focusing area from among the optional areas corresponding to the face area. Further, the area specifying section changes a method of specifying the focusing area in accordance with the size of the face area. The controlling section performs a focusing operation of the shooting lens on the basis of the image phase difference amount in the focusing area.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a ranging device for measuring a distance to a subject, a device for radiating fill-light to the subject, and a re-ranging determining device for determining as to whether re-measurement is executed based on a measured result of the ranging device, when the re-ranging determining device determines that the re-measurement by the ranging device is required, the fill-light radiating device radiating the fill light to the subject based on the determination of the re-ranging determining device, the ranging device having a ranging element mechanism for allowing a light flux from the subject to image thereon to measure the distance to the subject, a ranging arithmetical mechanism for achieving an arithmetic of the ranging based on outputting data of the ranging element mechanism, and an area selecting mechanism for selecting an area based on an arithmetical result of the ranging arithmetical mechanism.

Abstract: In the AF processing section, the parameter obtaining section obtains a weighting parameter value for a principal component that represents a sharpness level of a face portion of an image, an example of a predetermined structure in an image, detected by the face detection section by applying the detected face portion to a model generated by a predetermined statistical processing, such as AAM or the like, based on a plurality of images that represent the face portion in different sharpness levels, and the control amount determination section determines the focus control amount according to the obtained parameter value.

Abstract: In a focus detection apparatus, an accumulation-type sensor formed of a plurality of sensor cells accumulates an image signal, and a component of the image signal is read from each cell for a focus detection calculation. A signal is read from a part of the cells in the sensor, and it is determined from the signal whether an image signal has a low contrast. When it is determined that the image signal has a low contrast, reading signals from the other cells is disabled to omit unnecessary signal reading operations.

Abstract: A camera capable of automatically detecting a main object in a sensed image. A distance distribution generation unit discriminates a plurality of areas in the sensed image on the basis of a predetermined condition, and a main object area determination unit automatically determines the main object area out of the discriminated areas. If the determined main object area is different from the area where an operator intends to focus on and the operator wishes to change the main object area, a new main object area is selected in accordance with an instruction inputted from a main object area changing unit. Then, the camera focuses on the selected main object area.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes a plurality of line sensors, a plurality of monitor sensors provided adjacent to respective the line sensors, wherein each of the monitor sensors monitors the quantity of light received by a corresponding the line sensor, and a control device which controls the driving of the line sensors and the monitor sensors in a desired combination thereof. The line sensors, the monitor sensors, and the control device are provided on a common circuit board.

Abstract: A camera is provided which includes a backlight judgment section which determines whether the photographic scene is backlit by comparing the average luminance of the entire photographic screen obtained by photometry with the luminance of the main subject at a distance-measuring point selected by distance measurement. The camera performs suitable exposure control accompanied by illumination, such as supplementary light, at the time of exposure in a photographic scene where the main subject is against light.

Abstract: An auto-focus apparatus, a focus adjusting method, an image capturing apparatus and an image capturing method make it possible to perform accurate focus adjustment on a subject for which the focus should be adjusted. The auto-focus apparatus emits an irradiation wave from emitting means for irradiation to a subject while changing an incident angle of the irradiation wave, detects an incident angle of a reflected wave of the irradiation wave reflected by the subject, incident on light receiving means positioned corresponding to the emitting means, determines based on the emitting angle and the incident angle whether or not the subject is a subject for which the focus is adjusted, and adjusts the focus on the subject when determining that the subject is the subject for which the focus should be adjusted, thereby making it possible to accurately adjust the focus on the subject for which the focus should be adjusted.

Abstract: In a distance-measuring device that measures individual distances to plural distance-measured regions, a selection circuit selects at least one first measured distance value by excluding second measured distance values that are not smaller than a predetermined distance value from the individually measured distance values to the plural distance measured regions. An auto-focusing data value is computed in accordance with the selected first measured distance values.

Abstract: A camera having a distance measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a photo receiving unit receiving object images focused by photo-receiving lenses; a selecting unit selecting any one of distance-measuring area in a photographing plane; and a determining unit determining whether or not an extreme value exists in outputs from the photo receiving unit, in the distance-measuring area selected by the selecting unit. When the determining unit determines that no extreme value exists, the selecting unit selects a second distance-measuring area having outputs whose inclination orientation is opposite to that of the outputs from the photo receiving unit, in the initially-selected first distance-measuring area.

Abstract: In a camera a pickup element images an object image. An A/D converter A/D converts an output of the pickup element. A processing section includes a night scene judging section for judging whether or not the scene to be photographed is the night scene on the basis of a digital image signal output from the A/D converter. In a distance measuring apparatus of the camera. An area sensor is used for an auto-focus. A first judging section judges that the scene to be photographed is a night scene on the basis of an output of the area sensor. In the case where the first judging section judges that the photography scene is not the night scene, a second judging section judges whether or not the scene to be photographed is the reverse light scene. A main object specifying section specifies the main object in the case where either the first judging section or the second judging section judges the scene to be photographed is either the night scene or the reverse light scene.

Abstract: In multi-point distance measurement, the distance of a distance measurement object is three-way divided into a very short distance range, a short distance range and a moderate to long distance range, and if the distance of an object located at a very short distance is measured in any one of the endmost distance measurement areas of a plurality of distance measurement areas, and all the distances measured in other distance measurement areas belong to the moderate to long distance, the distance belonging to the very short distance range is not employed, and the shortest distance of distances belonging to the moderate to long distance range is employed as a measured distance. On the other hand, if any of the distances measured in other distance measurement areas belongs to the short distance range which is closer than the moderate to long distance range, the distance belonging to the very short distance range is employed, thereby reducing the frequency of erroneous distance measurement.

Abstract: A camera having a distance measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a photo receiving unit receiving object images focused by photo-receiving lenses; a selecting unit selecting any one of distance-measuring area in a photographing plane; and a determining unit determining whether or not an extreme value exists in outputs from the photo receiving unit, in the distance-measuring area selected by the selecting unit. When the determining unit determines that no extreme value exists, the selecting unit selects a second distance-measuring area having outputs whose inclination orientation is opposite to that of the outputs from the photo receiving unit, in the initially-selected first distance-measuring area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distance-measuring device has an AF area sensor that includes an image pick up element formed on a semiconductor substrate for receiving two images having a parallax therebetween, and a photo reception signal processing circuit formed on the semiconductor substrate for processing signals corresponding to light received by the image pick up element. On the basis of sensor data (outline data) obtained by integration executed in the AF area sensor in an outline detection mode, the distance-measuring device detects a main subject in a photography screen, sets a distance-measuring area including the main subject, and measures a distance to the main subject.

Abstract: A distance-measuring device has (1) a distance-measuring part that detects the distance to an object through distance measurements at multiple distance-measuring points in a picture and (2) an operating part that excludes distance-measuring points of a group composed of distance-measuring points adjacent to each other with distance-measured values in a predetermined range from focusing target or lowers a focusing precedence when a distance-measuring point adjacent to a boundary of the picture is included in the above group.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus detects the shortest distance measurement value corresponding to the shortest distance among multiple distance measurements, and selects distance measurement values which differ from the shortest distance measurement value by a value less than a threshold value; calculates a first correction value as a mean of differences between the shortest distance measurement value and the distance measurement values selected; detecting the longest distance measurement value corresponding to the longest distance among the distance measurement values selected, and calculates a second correction value as ½ of the difference between the shortest distance measurement value and the longest distance measurement value; and calculates autofocus data by correcting the shortest distance measurement value, adopting a correction value that is the lesser of the first correction value and the second correction value.

Abstract: A distance/defocus device has a plurality of areas in an observing frame, and time sequentially determines the distance to an object or an amount of defocus for each area by performing a correlation calculation while shifting images of the object with respect to each other. The calculation time can be reduced by determining a shift range of the correlation calculation for subsequent areas on the basis of the result of the correlation calculation for a previous, predetermined area.