Abstract: A video camera system comprises an imaging system having a camera lens and an image sensor, and a retractable IR-cut filter, and a control unit for controlling the imaging system. The video camera system has a day-mode in which the IR-cut filter is arranged in front of the image sensor, and a night-mode in which the IR-cut filter is retracted from its position in front of the image sensor. Furthermore, the video camera has a field of view defined by properties of its imaging system, and it comprises a separate light-sensor for measuring an ambient light level so as to support a decision regarding when to actuate a transfer from night-mode to day-mode, or vice versa. The camera system is characterized in that the separate light sensor has imaging optics and is enabled for a variable field of view, which is aligned with a field of view of the video camera system, and in that a current field of view of the video camera system is used when selecting an active field of view of the separate light sensor.

Abstract: An imaging control device includes: a transmittance control unit that controls transmittance of each of a plurality of regions in an optical element for controlling a quantity of light incident on an imaging element to a different value; an imaging control unit that causes the imaging element to perform imaging for light measurement in a state where the transmittance of each of the plurality of regions is controlled to the different value; a light measurement processing unit that measures brightness of a subject based on a captured image signal obtained from the imaging element by the imaging for light measurement; an image processing unit that generates image data for display from the captured image signal obtained by the imaging for light measurement; and an output unit that outputs the image data for display to a display unit displaying an image.

Abstract: Provided is a lens apparatus including: an optical member; an input device configured to perform input for selecting an operation device for operating a state of the optical member; and a controller configured to perform, in a case where a command is input from the selected operation device, a first control of the state of the optical member based on the input command; and perform, in a case where a command is not input from the selected operation device, a second control of the state of the optical member based on a state of the optical member at a time when the input for selecting the operation device is performed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose an iris image acquisition method and a related product. According to the method, a mobile terminal acquires a current ambient brightness value of the mobile terminal. A target working mode of an infrared acquisition device is determined according to the current ambient brightness value. An iris image of a current user is acquired in the target working mode via the infrared acquisition device.

Abstract: A camera security system including a camera housing having a camera therein, a bracket assembly and at least one non-standard fastener. The bracket assembly has at least two bracket members including a first bracket member configured to be securely connected to a second bracket member, with the bracket assembly securely receiving the camera housing therein such that the camera is exposed, but the camera cannot be removed from the bracket. The at least one non-standard fastener connects the first bracket member to the second bracket member. The first bracket member can be disconnected from the second bracket member by removing the at least one non-standard fastener to thereby allow the camera to be removed from the bracket assembly.

Abstract: A lens barrel projects out of a main body of a camera during photographing and is accommodated in the main body of the camera during non-photographing and includes a plurality of lens assemblies including an escape lens assembly to be movable along a reference optical axis of the camera, and an escape unit to control the escape lens assembly to escape from the reference optical axis while the escape lens assembly moves from a photographing position to a non-photographing position, wherein lenses of the escape lens assembly have an optical axis that is in a skew position with respect to the reference optical axis in a position where the escape lens assembly has escaped.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera and an interchangeable lens capable of further improving the operational performance while supporting an old-type interchangeable lens using a communication method in the related art. The camera to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attached and which is capable of switching between a first communication mode and a second communication mode as a communication method between the camera and the lens includes a first terminal and a second terminal used to communicate with the lens. In the first communication mode, the camera outputs a clock signal through the first terminal and receives information about the lens through the second terminal on the basis of the clock signal. In the second communication mode, the camera receives information about the lens through the first terminal and the second terminal without outputting a clock signal through the first terminal.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens camera includes a camera body and a lens unit. The camera body includes: a body-side mount section; a mounting determination section; a body-side communication section; and a body control section. The lens unit includes a lens-side mount section and a lens-side communication section. A specific body-side signal terminal among plural body-side signal terminals of the camera body is connected to a power supply through a pull-up resistor, and a specific lens-side signal terminal, which is capable of coming into contact with the specific body-side signal terminal, among plural lens-side signal terminals of the lens unit is grounded through a pull-down resistor. The mounting determination section determines that the lens unit is mounted on the body-side mount section when resistance values of both the specific body-side signal terminal at time of non-communication and a body-side detection terminal of the camera body are at low levels.

Abstract: A lens device (2) is provided with a first operating ring (11) for adjusting the opening surface area of an aperture device (15) and a second operating ring (12) for adjusting the transmittance of a variable light transmittance filter (16). The correspondence relation between the operational amount for the first operating ring and the rate of change in the amount of light transmitted by the aperture device and correspondence relation between the operational amount for the second operating ring and the rate of change in the amount of light transmitted by the variable light transmittance filter are the same.

Abstract: When a exposure controlling unit changes an aperture value of a diaphragm in a predetermined range, the exposure controlling unit also changes a transmittance of a variable ND filter so as to perform an exposure control and, after obtaining a proper exposure by changing both the aperture value and the transmittance, sets the aperture value after exposure control to Fa, and in a case where the aperture value at which a maximum resolving power is obtained is set to Fb, when a condition, Fa?Fb, is satisfied and the transmittance is neither the minimum nor the maximum, the exposure controlling unit brings the aperture value close to Fb and changes the transmittance so as to maintain the proper exposure after the exposure control.

Abstract: A lens device (2) is provided with a first operating ring (11) for adjusting the opening surface area of an aperture device (15) and a second operating ring (12) for adjusting the transmittance of a variable light transmittance filter (16). The correspondence relation between the operational amount for the first operating ring and the rate of change in the amount of light transmitted by the aperture device and correspondence relation between the operational amount for the second operating ring and the rate of change in the amount of light transmitted by the variable light transmittance filter are the same.

Abstract: When a exposure controlling unit changes an aperture value of a diaphragm in a predetermined range, the exposure controlling unit also changes a transmittance of a variable ND filter so as to perform an exposure control and, after obtaining a proper exposure by changing both the aperture value and the transmittance, sets the aperture value after exposure control to Fa, and in a case where the aperture value at which a maximum resolving power is obtained is set to Fb, when a condition, Fa?Fb, is satisfied and the transmittance is neither the minimum nor the maximum, the exposure controlling unit brings the aperture value close to Fb and changes the transmittance so as to maintain the proper exposure after the exposure control.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a stop having an aperture, two filter members each including a first area that includes a transmissive part and a gradation part having a transmittance that is lower than the transmittance of the transmissive part and that is changed in a moving direction of the filter member, an actuator that drives the two filter members, and a controller that controls the actuator. The two filter members are disposed so that both changing directions of densities of the gradation part and moving directions are opposite and the first area has a size capable of covering a whole of a first aperture. The controller controls the actuator so as to always move in an area between a first position and a second position. The transmissive part has a size that is incapable of covering the whole of the first aperture.

Abstract: A matte box system for a camera is presented, including one or more filter rings each capable of accommodating a filter or filter holder, the filter rings each having a substantially planar forward face and a substantially planar rear face, one face having one or more bearing elements and the other face having a corresponding bearing surface adapted to engage with the bearing element. The bearing surface includes one or more circular or arcuate channels, and the bearing element including a spring-loaded or otherwise biased surface that protrudes from the face and is urged in a generally axial direction to engage with the bearing surface such that the bearing surface and bearing element of consecutive filter rings allow the filter rings to independently rotate about the optical axis, while resisting radial movement of the filter rings.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus that includes a receiving unit configured to receive instructions for focus adjustment; an image-pickup unit configured to perform image-pickup of an object image input through a focus lens; a setting unit configured to set a focus detecting area to be used at a time of detection of a focus state of the focus lens; a light control unit configured to control an amount of light incident on the image-pickup unit; and a focus adjusting unit configured to detect a focus signal representing the focus state in the focus detecting area to move the focus lens based on the focus signal and a position of the focus lens corresponding to the focus signal.

Abstract: The optical path of the light having spread at each point of an object to be shot is limited by an iris unit of a density filter. Since the density filter unit has a desired transmittance characteristic, the amount of the light passing through the density filter unit continuously changes from the center of the luminous flux toward the periphery. After the luminous flux forms an image on the image forming surface, it spreads toward the light-receptive surface of an image sensor, and becomes an image spreading on the light-receptive surface in a predetermined range.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus that includes a receiving unit configured to receive instructions for focus adjustment; an image-pickup unit configured to perform image-pickup of an object image input through a focus lens; a setting unit configured to set a focus detecting area to be used at a time of detection of a focus state of the focus lens; a light control unit configured to control an amount of light incident on the image-pickup unit; and a focus adjusting unit configured to detect a focus signal representing the focus state in the focus detecting area to move the focus lens based on the focus signal and a position of the focus lens corresponding to the focus signal.

Abstract: The action camera has a housing, a lens, and an image sensor located in a light path from the lens. A filter is operable to move between first and second positions, with the first position located in the light path and the second position located out of the light path. An actuator moves the filter between the first and second positions. The actuator includes an electromagnet and a magnet. One of the electromagnet and the magnet is fixed relative to the light path, while the other of the electromagnet and the magnet is movable relative to the light path and is coupled to the filter. The magnet has poles that interact with the poles of the electromagnet. As the electromagnet is energized, the magnet rotates. The polarity of the electromagnet is reversed in order to reverse the rotation of the magnet. The camera is also provided with a light source. When the light source is activated, then the filter is moved accordingly. The actuator is small and consumes little electrical power.

Abstract: An external mask-based radiance camera may be based on an external, non-refractive mask located in front of the main camera lens. The mask modulates, but does not refract, light. The camera multiplexes radiance in the frequency domain by optically mixing different spatial and angular frequency components of light. The mask may, for example, be a mesh of opaque linear elements, which collectively form a grid, an opaque medium with transparent openings, such as circles, or a pinhole mask. Other types of masks may be used. Light may be modulated by the mask and received at the main lens of a camera. The main lens may be focused on a plane between the mask and the main lens. The received light is refracted by the main lens onto a photosensor of the camera. The photosensor may capture the received light to generate a radiance image of the scene.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a stop having an aperture, two filter members each including a first area that includes a transmissive part and a gradation part having a transmittance that is lower than the transmittance of the transmissive part and that is changed in a moving direction of the filter member, an actuator that drives the two filter members, and a controller that controls the actuator. The two filter members are disposed so that both changing directions of densities of the gradation part and moving directions are opposite and the first area has a size capable of covering a whole of a first aperture. The controller controls the actuator so as to always move in an area between a first position and a second position. The transmissive part has a size that is incapable of covering the whole of the first aperture.

Abstract: An external mask-based radiance camera may be based on an external, non-refractive mask located in front of the main camera lens. The mask modulates, but does not refract, light. The camera multiplexes radiance in the frequency domain by optically mixing different spatial and angular frequency components of light. The mask may, for example, be a mesh of opaque linear elements, which collectively form a grid, an opaque medium with transparent openings, such as circles, or a pinhole mask. Other types of masks may be used. Light may be modulated by the mask and received at the main lens of a camera. The main lens may be focused on a plane between the mask and the main lens. The received light is refracted by the main lens onto a photosensor of the camera. The photosensor may capture the received light to generate a radiance image of the scene.

Abstract: A coupling system and method for removably mounting filters to a photographic camera lens. The coupling system includes a lens coupling element and filter coupling element. The lens coupling element has a magnetically attractive projecting ring that is telescopically received by and magnetically coupled within the annular body of the filter coupling element. The forward end of the annular body operably supporting a filter material.

Abstract: A filter-moving solenoid system for use with a camera is provided. The filter-moving solenoid system includes a solenoid and an armature that has at least first and second operative positions and at least first and second contact segments. A first contact segment is held against or adjacent the solenoid when the armature is in a first operative position and a second contact segment is held against or adjacent the solenoid when the armature is in a second operative position. The filter-moving solenoid system is configured so that the armature is self-stable in each of the first and second positions, allowing the filter to selectively remain fixed in such positions without requiring the solenoid to be energized in so doing.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of preventing a decline of resolution of a still image while keeping a dynamic range of exposure control. The image pickup apparatus capable of photographing with changing over a moving image and a still image, includes an iris mechanism for changing an amount of light input to an image pickup element by changing an aperture diameter, a filter unit, having a single density or a plurality of densities, for changing the amount of the light input to the image pickup element by its advancing towards and withdrawing from the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism, a unit for driving the iris mechanism and the filter unit independently, and a control unit for setting the filter unit in one of two types of states such as fully covering the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism and fully withdrawing from the aperture diameter in the still image photography.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus that includes a receiving unit configured to receive instructions for focus adjustment; an image-pickup unit configured to perform image-pickup of an object image input through a focus lens; a setting unit configured to set a focus detecting area to be used at a time of detection of a focus state of the focus lens; a light control unit configured to control an amount of light incident on the image-pickup unit; and a focus adjusting unit configured to detect a focus signal representing the focus state in the focus detecting area to move the focus lens based on the focus signal and a position of the focus lens corresponding to the focus signal.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an optical unit for forming an image of a subject, a first light extinction unit present on an optical axis of the optical unit and configured to adjust an amount of light by changing a dimension of a aperture stop thereof, a second light extinction unit to be present on said optical axis of the optical unit and configured to adjust an amount of light passing therethrough by changing a transmittance of the light, and a controller for controlling operations of said first and second light extinction units so as to make an exposure optimum at a time of photographing. The controller has precedence on the adjustment of the light amount with the first light extinction unit until a predetermined aperture stop diameter and has precedence on the adjustment of the light amount with the second light extinction unit in a state that the light is to be reduced beyond a state in the predetermined aperture stop diameter, thereby attaining optimization of the exposure.

Abstract: A switching mechanism for a camera includes: a control unit; a driving device coupled with and actuated by the control unit; a first gear set coupled with the driving device; a second gear coupled with the first gear set and centrally provided with a rotary shaft having a shaft hole formed with threads; a spindle being female-connected to the shaft hole and which has an axial surface formed with outer threads corresponding to the threads of the shaft hole, thus allowing the second gear to move along and relative to the spindle; and a translation member positioned perpendicular to the spindle and provided with a rack for engaging with the second gear and thus driving the translation member to move perpendicular to the spindle. The second gear drives or does not drive the rack as the engagement therebetween is made or broken.

Abstract: A portable communication device having a camera functionality including a camera lens and a UV filter element moveable into or out of a position covering the camera lens. The device includes an apparatus for detecting a light feature associated with an ambient light condition. The UV filter is automatically moved into or out of a position overlying the camera lens based upon the data determined from the light feature associated with the ambient light condition.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of preventing a decline of resolution of a still image while keeping a dynamic range of exposure control. The image pickup apparatus capable of photographing with changing over a moving image and a still image, includes an iris mechanism for changing an amount of light input to an image pickup element by changing an aperture diameter, a filter unit, having a single density or a plurality of densities, for changing the amount of the light input to the image pickup element by its advancing towards and withdrawing from the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism, a unit for driving the iris mechanism and the filter unit independently, and a control unit for setting the filter unit in one of two types of states such as fully covering the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism and fully withdrawing from the aperture diameter in the still image photography.

Abstract: A lens assembly for an imaging device may include a lens member for focusing external radiation towards an image sensor of the imaging device, and a screen member adjacent the lens member. A transparent portion may be positioned between the lens member and the external radiation and may have first and second surfaces. A first mask member may be positioned at the first surface of the transparent portion and may have an inlet therein. A second mask member may be positioned at the second surface of the transparent portion and may have an outlet therein. The outlet may be smaller than the inlet.

Abstract: Glare is reduced by acquiring an input image with a camera having a lens and a sensor, in which a pin-hole mask is placed in close proximity to the sensor. The mask localizes the glare at readily identifiable pixels, which can then be filtered to produce a glare reduce output image.

Abstract: A portable communication device having a camera functionality including a camera lens and a UV filter element moveable into or out of a position covering the camera lens. The device includes an apparatus for detecting a light feature associated with an ambient light condition. The UV filter is automatically moved into or out of a position overlying the camera lens based upon the data determined from the light feature associated with the ambient light condition.

Abstract: Various image-capturing systems are disclosed that use polarized filters to reduce or control glare effects on captured images. In one embodiment, the system includes a light source, a first polarized filter adapted to polarize light emanating from the light source; a second polarized filter adapted to perform polarized filtering on received light; and an image-capturing device adapted to receive the filtered light. In another embodiment, the system further includes an actuator to selectively move any of the polarized filter into and out of the light path. In yet another embodiment, a method of forming a resultant image comprises recording a first image with a filter set to a first polarization angle, recording a second image with the filter set to a second polarization angle, and blending the first and second images. The recording of the first and second images may be performed simultaneously or at different times.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus may include an infrared cutoff filter capable of being inserted into and extracted from an incident light path to an image sensing device, and may further include a first detecting unit configured to, when the infrared cutoff filter is off the incident light path to the image sensing device, detect whether the difference between current illuminance of a subject acquired from an image signal of the subject sensed by the image sensing device and a reference value of the illuminance of the subject determined after the infrared cutoff filter was extracted is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and a filter control unit configured to, when the first detecting unit detects that the difference between the current illuminance and the reference value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, insert the infrared cutoff filter into the incident light path.

Abstract: A filter-moving solenoid system for use with a camera is provided. The filter-moving solenoid system includes a solenoid and an armature that has at least first and second operative positions and at least first and second contact segments. A first contact segment is held against or adjacent the solenoid when the armature is in a first operative position and a second contact segment is held against or adjacent the solenoid when the armature is in a second operative position. The filter-moving solenoid system is configured so that the armature is self-stable in each of the first and second positions, allowing the filter to selectively remain fixed in such positions without requiring the solenoid to be energized in so doing.

Abstract: The image taking apparatus of the invention includes a light quantity control device that is arranged on the optical axis of subject light and controls transmitted volume of the subject light. The light quantity control device includes a light quantity control layer and a pair of light-transmissive electrodes. The light quantity control layer expands and contracts in accordance with an electric field generated therein and thereby changes the transmitted volume of the subject light. The electrodes are disposed so as to sandwich the light quantity control layer and generate an electric field in the light quantity control layer, in response to application of voltage, thereby causing the light quantity control layer to expand and contract.

Abstract: A light-quantity adjusting apparatus which can temporarily suppress an MTF (contrast) from being deteriorated by small-aperture diffraction is disclosed. The light-quantity adjusting apparatus comprises a main body in which an opening is formed, a light-blocking member moved with respect to the opening to change an area of a light-passing aperture, an optical filter moved with respect to the opening to insert and remove with respect to a region opposed the light-passing aperture, an actuator serving as a drive source, a drive mechanism for driving the light-blocking member and the optical filter by drive force from the actuator.

Abstract: The invention concerns with an exposure control mechanism for use in an image pickup apparatus in which a diaphragm aperture formed by a plurality of diaphragm blades moving straightforward in opposite directions is covered by an ND filter, and intends to prevent deterioration of image quality caused by diffraction even in an image pickup device having a small picture size and a short pixel pitch. The image pickup apparatus comprises an exposure control mechanism for adjusting the quantity of light flux entering a shooting lens system. The exposure control mechanism comprises a diaphragm made up of diaphragm blades movable on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis in opposite directions to define a diaphragm aperture, and an ND filter made up of at least two ND filter elements having different transmittances.

Abstract: A method for compensating an automatic exposure of a camera in a mobile communication terminal. The method includes determining a presumptive error value based on an average luminance value of an input current image frame and a particular target luminance value, selecting a convergent coefficient value based on the determined presumptive error value, determining a weight value of an adaptive filter based on the determined convergent coefficient value, and determining an exposure value for a next image frame based on the selected weight value, the determined presumptive error value and the exposure value of the current image frame.

Abstract: A camera module for imaging a plurality of types of light such as visible light and infrared light with a single lens unit and sensor unit. The camera module includes a lens unit and a housing capable of attaching the lens unit so that it is in opposition to a photosensitive element. A filter unit, in which there are disposed a plurality of light cut filters having different wavelengths is disposed between the lens unit and the photosensitive element or outside of the lens unit. A filter positioning device passes imaging light from a photographic subject through a desired light cut filter in the filter unit before the imaging light reads the photosensitive element.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of preventing a decline of resolution of a still image while keeping a dynamic range of exposure control. The image pickup apparatus capable of photographing with changing over a moving image and a still image, includes an iris mechanism for changing an amount of light input to an image pickup element by changing an aperture diameter, a filter unit, having a single density or a plurality of densities, for changing the amount of the light input to the image pickup element by its advancing towards and withdrawing from the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism, a unit for driving the iris mechanism and the filter unit independently, and a control unit for setting the filter unit in one of two types of states such as fully covering the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism and fully withdrawing from the aperture diameter in the still image photography.

Abstract: In an image input device including a multistage aperture (13) which reduces a quantity of light by changing an aperture, and an ND filter (15) which reduces a quantity of light by changing transmittance of passing light, if ghosts tend to occur due to the second light reducing means, the generation of ghosts is effectively avoided. An object determining unit determines whether a strong light source is present on an object image formed by an optical unit (10) for imaging based on luminance distribution on the object image. The multistage aperture (13) and the ND filter (15) are controlled in order to obtain a proper exposure to pickup the object image. If the object determining unit determines which a strong light source is present on the object image, the ND filter (15), which reduces the quantity of light by changing the transmittance of passing light, is used as less as possible, and the multistage aperture (13) is functioned preferentially.

Abstract: A collapsible lens mount optical unit comprises a fixed lens mount, a lens mount movable along the optical axis with respect to the fixed lens mount, an infrared ray intercepting filter interposed between the fixed lens mount and the lens mount. The collapsible lens mount optical unit further comprises a move-aside mechanism. When the lens mount is retracted and made to approach the infrared ray intercepting filter, the move-aside mechanism moves aside the infrared intercepting filter out of the optical axis in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The lens can be accommodated in a position on the optical axis after the infrared intercepting filter is moved.

Abstract: A light amount adjuster includes two filter members, each having a gradation ND region where the transmittance continuously changes, disposed such that the two filter members face each other and the direction in which the gradation of one of the filter members changes differs from the direction in which the gradation of the other one of the filter members changes and configured such that the filter members can move in a symmetrical manner with respect to each other.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to independently control the F-number and the number of light attenuation steps of a multi-density ND filter by using a light amount control apparatus using an iris stop and the ND filter. The iris stop mechanism made up of a plurality of aperture blades and the ND filter having a multi-density pattern are stacked in a single unit. This simultaneously realizes continuous control of the F-number, multi-step control of the light attenuation ratio of the ND filter, a substantially circular stop aperture, and a uniform transmittance distribution in the stop aperture. In the first embodiment, the driving region of an actuator is divided into an ND control region and aperture control region. This makes it possible to independently control the F-number and the number of ND steps by the single actuator.

Abstract: An electronic camera comprises a casing in which a photographing section is accommodated; a rotating member mounted rotably to the casing; a plurality of light amount regulating members for regulating a light amount incident to the photographing section; a cover for covering the photographing section; and a rotating member mounted rotably to the casing; wherein the plurality of light amount regulating members and the cover are attached to the rotating member so that each of the plurality of light amount regulating members and the cover member is located at the front of the photographing section in the photographing direction by rotating the rotating member.

Abstract: A photographic lighting apparatus for consistent and accurate exposure control of a subject before a camera. The apparatus comprises a plurality of light sources, a power supply; a plurality of switches, and a controller. The switches are connected to the plurality of light sources for selectively providing power from the power supply to the light sources. The controller sequentially operates the switches and has user-programmed operational control for manipulating the light upon the subject to create a desired illuminating effect. This sequencing operation of said controller produces accurate exposure of film within the camera.

Abstract: In a camera having a camera body part and a lens barrel part, an optical filter arranged to be rotatable around an axis located inside a lens optical path derived from the lens barrel part (for example, around an axis substantially parallel with an optical axis of the lens barrel part), and a filter rotating part having a drive source (for example, an electric motor) for rotating the optical filter are contained in the camera body part.

Abstract: In a lens control apparatus, the performance does not deteriorate even if a filter is inserted and removed. Correction amounts of a focusing lens position which are necessary to eliminate an out-of-focus that is caused when, for example, a filter is inserted are actually measured at several zooming positions such as zm0, zm1, zm2, and zm3 and the results are stored into a predetermined memory such as an ROM or the like in a CPU 36 with respect to a position control of a lens. A correction amount when the filter is inserted at an arbitrary zooming position is calculated by a polygonal line approximation based on correction amounts at the several zooming positions. By adding this correction amount to the focusing lens position which is calculated in accordance with separately stored zoom tracking curve data when the filter is removed, a correct in-focus state can be obtained even when the filter is inserted.

Abstract: A real-time, optical, nonlinear attenuator device situated in the image plane of an ocular of special construction provides a highly sensitive, broad spectral band, selective, glare reduction ocular. This system is suitable for the eye or camera which is directed at scenery with illumination ranging from that of a room interior to outside daylight. Special adaptations from spatial light modulator technology and modifications of optical power limiter art increase the nonlinear attenuator device sensitivity to bright light by orders of magnitude over that in current systems using known passive, optical, nonlinear materials. The ocular concept includes an input lens which gathers more light rays than can pass to the eye in order to further enhance nonlinear sensitivity, contains places for filters, operates with either an absorption-promoting or scattering nonlinear device in the intermediate image plane, corrects image inversion and provides embodiments for transmissive or reflective operation.