Abstract: An image capturing device includes an imaging element that captures an image of a photographic subject, an optical member that is disposed over an imaging surface of the imaging element, a vibration application member that applies vibration to the optical member, and a support assembly including a non-metallic first support member and a non-metallic second support member for supporting the optical member. The first support member and the second support member are configured to follow the deformation of the vibrating optical member with individual speeds different from each other.

Abstract: A vibration detection device provided with a vibration detection sensor 51A (51B) that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a detected vibration, a wave filter 52A (52B) that filters a detection signal in accordance with a cut-off frequency, and a controller (64) for changing the cut-off frequency of the wave filter.

Abstract: The invention provides an image detecting module including a base, a carrier movably disposed on the base, an image detecting unit disposed on the carrier, a contact portion fixed to the carrier, and a fixed member fixed to the base. The fixed member has a protrusion movably contacting a recess of the contact portion. When an external force is exerted on the base and the carrier moves with respect to the base, the protrusion slides on a surface of the recess. When the external force is released, the protrusion slides to the bottom of the recess, such that the carrier is held in a predetermined position with respect to the base.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a camera module and a magnetism generating part that is different from the camera module. The camera module includes: a movable portion that corrects camera shake; a magnetism detecting element that detects a position of the movable portion. when the camera module is in a photographing state, the magnetism generating part is arranged at a position distant from the magnetism detecting element by at least the distance of D mm or more, where D = magnetic ? ? force ? ? of ? ? the ? ? magnetism ? ? generating ? ? part ? [ gauss ] .

Abstract: Provided is a digital image processing apparatus that supports a hand-shake correcting function. The digital image processing apparatus includes: a shutter button operating in two stages that comprises a half-shutter state and a full-shutter state; a first filter filtering shock-waves generated in the half-shutter state when a half-shutter signal is in an ON state; and a second filter filtering shock-waves generated in the full-shutter state when a full-shutter signal is changed from an ON state to an OFF state.

Abstract: The invention includes a vibration reduction mechanism, a vibration detecting part, a reference signal generating part, a target drive position calculating part, and a driving part. The vibration reduction mechanism reduces a vibration of a subject image. The vibration detecting part outputs a vibration detection signal. The reference signal generating part estimates a reference signal of the vibration detection part. The target drive position calculating part obtains a vibration component from a difference between the vibration detection signal and the estimated reference signal to obtain a target position to which the vibration reduction mechanism is driven. The driving part controls the vibration reduction mechanism to follow the target position. Particularly, the reference signal generating part corrects the reference signal according to a motion signal obtained from a captured image.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for taking pictures on a mobile communication terminal having a camera module are provided, which can control the photographing of an object in accordance with the motion of the object. The method includes generating a current frame by photographing an object, determining whether blurring has occurred in the current frame, measuring an amount of motion of the current frame if no blurring has occurred in the generated current frame, and storing the current frame if the measured amount of motion is greater than a pre-stored reference amount of motion.

Abstract: An image vibration reduction apparatus comprises a correction lens, a first moving member having a lens frame that holds the correction lens, a second moving member having an aperture portion in which the lens frame is slidably fitted, a first actuator that drives the first moving member, a second actuator that drives the second moving member, and a holding member that supports the first moving member and the second moving member. Driving direction of the first actuator and the second actuator is oriented in a first direction that is perpendicular to the optical axis of the correction lens, and a second direction in which the second actuator displaces the lens frame via the second moving member is perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A portable apparatus, comprising a first detector, a second detector, and a controller, is provided. The portable apparatus has a photographing function. The first detector detects a movement in a first direction. The second detector detects a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. The controller switches the running and suspension of a first and second function according to the combination of movements in the first and second directions. The first and second functions are different from each other.

Abstract: A focus range is determined on the basis of an object distance, focal distance, and aperture value, after an autofocus operation. When SW2 is operated, an exposure is performed only during a period that a displacement of a blur in an optical-axis direction is within the focus range. If an exposure time for one exposure does not reach an exposure time to obtain an optimum exposure, a plurality of exposures are performed until a total exposure time reaches the exposure time to obtain the optimum exposure. When the plurality of exposures are performed, a plurality of images obtained are combined to generate an image with the optimum exposure.

Abstract: A method of string an SMA, method of manufacturing the SMA actuator, SMA actuator and apparatus for manufacturing the SMA actuator, wherein a drive member made up of an SMA is extended between a moving member and wire supporting member via a drive member supporting member, and current is applied to the unnecessary portion of the drive member located between the wire supporting member and drive member supporting member, whereby the unnecessary portion of the drive member is cut off by melting, with the result that the size of the protrusion left behind after cutting of the SMA is reduced, and there is no need of giving consideration to the durability of a cutter otherwise used for cutting purposes.

Abstract: The mobile communication terminal includes a body, a lens module, a first accelerator sensor, a second accelerator sensor, a range finder, and a processor. The lens module, the first accelerator sensor, a second accelerator sensor, and a range finder are disposed on the body. The lens module is configured to pick up an image of an object. The first accelerator sensor and the second accelerator sensor are configured to measure accelerations of the lens module in different directions. The range finder is configured to measure a distance from the object to the lens module. The processor electrically coupled to the range finder module, the first accelerator sensor and the second accelerator sensor. The processor is configured to restore the image blurred by vibrations of the lens module based on values of the distance, the first acceleration, and the second acceleration.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image via an optical system and generate image data, a regulating unit operable to regulate an exposure amount for the imaging unit; a shake detector operable to detect a shake of the imaging apparatus; an operation unit capable of being in a first operating state and a second operating state; and a controller operable to control the recording unit to record the image data generated by the imaging unit in the recording medium, when the operation unit is in the first operating state. The controller determines whether or not the operation unit is in the second operating state before the first operating state, and regulates an exposure time of the regulating unit based on the determination result and the shake of the imaging apparatus detected by the shake detector.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed which analyzes image data of a subject acquired by an image pickup device to select an appropriate combination of exposure time, aperture, and exposure sensitivity upon shooting in order to perform exposure control. As an example of image data analysis methods, there is shown a method of detecting the movement of a characteristic point in an image, or a method of detecting luminance variations in a specific block or area in the image to detect the subject movement. As another exemplary method, a face of the subject is detected. The present invention can also be combined with a shake reduction mode.

Abstract: An imaging unit, including: a lens housing section to accommodate a lens; a lens driving section, including: a moving member which supports the lens and moves the lens in an optical axial direction, and an electro-mechanical transduction element to drive the moving member in the optical axial direction; a camera-shake preventing section which drives the lens housing section to prevent camera-shake; and a rotation regulating section to prevent the lens from rotating around an optical axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing image blur due to camera motion, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for sensing a camera motion, calculating an amount of the camera motion based on the sensed camera motion, and expressing the calculated amount of the camera motion to a user so that the user can prevent image blur. The method includes: sensing the camera motion; calculating an amount of the camera motion based on the sensed camera motion; and expressing the calculated amount of the camera motion.

Abstract: A camera shake measurement system includes a display unit for sequentially displaying a plurality of distinguishable test patterns, a first storage unit for storing as a template each of the plurality of test patterns to be displayed, a second storage unit for storing a composite image produced by photographing at least two test patterns as still images from the plurality of test patterns to be sequentially displayed by a photographing apparatus, and a pattern recognition unit for recognizing images that match each of the templates from the composite image by calling the templates from the first storage unit, calling the composite image from the second storage unit, and moving, for each of the called templates, the template while superposing the template on the composite image.

Abstract: A shake detection technique which does not mistakenly detect a swing-back component at the end of panning as a shake is provided. A shake detection apparatus includes: a sensor which detects velocity or angular velocity; a high-pass filter which removes a low-frequency component from an output signal of the sensor; a shake detection device which detects shake of an apparatus body based on an output signal from the high-pass filter; a determination device which determines whether the output signal of the high-pass filter contains a swing-back component outputted when a shake continued in one direction stops; and a removal device which removes the swing-back component from the output signal of the high-pass filter based on a determination result of the determination device.

Abstract: There is provided an interchangeable lens, a camera body, a camera system, and a method for controlling the same, with which a highly efficient and stable image blur correction effect can be obtained. A camera system 1 has a camera body 10 and an interchangeable lens 20 that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 10. The camera body 10 has an imaging unit for imaging a subject through the interchangeable lens 20, and a sequence microcomputer 100 capable of sending and receiving information to and from a lens microcomputer 200 and for controlling the imaging operation of an imaging unit 120.

Abstract: A position detecting device, including: a movable section which has an axial section and moves in a direction of an axial line of the axial section; and a supporting section which supports the movable section and allows the movable section to move through the axial section; wherein the movable section includes a basic position section which is arranged on a virtual surface which includes the axial line of the axial section, and the virtual surface is vertically positioned on the supporting section toward the axial section, wherein the supporting section includes a position detecting section to detect a positional change of the basic position section; and wherein the position detecting device detects the position of the movable section relative to the supporting section, based on the change of position of the basic position section, detected by the position detecting section.

Abstract: A recyclable device comprising a chassis supporting a pagewidth print head for printing an image, an ink supply means for supplying ink to the print head, and a supply of print media on to which said sensed image is printed. A casing surrounds and encases said chassis so that the ink supply means is unable to be accessed without destruction of the casing.

Abstract: An actuator driving device includes: an actuator made of a shape metal alloy having a property that a predetermined shape is memorized in advance, and that the predetermined memorized shape is recovered when the actuator is heated to a predetermined temperature; an applier for applying, to the actuator, a pulse current or a pulse voltage at least having a predetermined current value or a predetermined voltage, and a predetermined duty ratio to heat the actuator; and a determiner for determining the current value or the voltage value, and the duty ratio of the pulse current or the pulse voltage to be applied to the actuator by the applier, wherein the determiner is operative to determine the pulse current or the pulse voltage having: the current value larger than a current value of a constant current required for displacing the actuator by a predetermined targeted displacement amount, or the voltage value corresponding thereto; and the duty ratio of making an applied current amount smaller than an applied curr

Abstract: A method for controlling a digital photographing apparatus and an apparatus adopting the method, which include obtaining first information of a subject at a time t1 at a first sensitivity, obtaining second information of the subject at a time t2 that is different from time t1 at a second sensitivity, and obtaining an image of the subject using the first information and the second information, wherein at least one of the obtaining of the first information and the obtaining of the second information is performed in a state in which a position where an image of the subject is formed on a photographing element of the photographing apparatus is maintained constant despite shaking of the photographing apparatus.

Abstract: The invention aims to achieve slim design by employing a light path folding optical system, add a hand-shake correction capability, and lower power consumption. An imaging lens device includes a light path folding optical system having a reflector that folds the optical axis incident perpendicular to the gravitational direction toward the gravitational direction, and an imaging element that converts an image formed by the light path folding optical system into an electrical signal. The imaging lens device also includes drive means that moves some of lens groups or one lens (hereinafter referred to as “shake correction lens group”) in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis folded toward the gravitational direction by the reflector (hereinafter referred to as “vertical optical axis”). The shake correction lens group is moved in the direction perpendicular to the vertical optical axis to move the image in the direction perpendicular to the vertical optical axis.

Abstract: An image stabilizer of the present invention is provided with a lens module 101 that holds a lens and an imaging element, an inner frame that turnably supports the lens module 101, and driving portion that turns the lens module 101 relative to the inner frame 11, with the driving portion including a bimorph 14. An image stabilizer thereby can be provided that allows the overall size and profile of an imaging apparatus to be reduced.

Abstract: A projector device, includes: a projector unit, including a light source and a projection lens whose focal position is variable, that projects an image upon a projection surface with a light flux outputted from the light source that passes through the projection lens; an image-capturing unit, including a photographic lens whose focal position is variable, that captures an image of a subject with a light flux from the exterior that passes through the photographic lens; and a single drive source that generates drive force for changing both the focal position of the projection lens and the focal position of the photographic lens.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera system including a motion estimator estimating a motion of an image taken by the camera system, and; a controller controlling, based on the estimation, an update frequency of a predetermined parameter and/or an amount of adjustment of the predetermined parameter per update cycle.

Abstract: Provided is a digital image processing apparatus that supports a hand-shake correcting function. The digital image processing apparatus includes: a shutter button operating in two stages that comprises a half-shutter state and a full-shutter state; a first filter filtering shock-waves generated in the half-shutter state when a half-shutter signal is in an ON state; and a second filter filtering shock-waves generated in the full-shutter state when a full-shutter signal is changed from an ON state to an OFF state.

Abstract: When a camera body is shaken, a piezoelectric element generates a signal corresponding to angular velocity. The output signal of the element is amplified by a synchronous detection amplifier and is sent to a high-pass filter. An output signal of the filter is integrated after digital conversion and is outputted as a shake amount of the camera body. An initialization-trigger generating circuit generates an initialization trigger in predetermined cycles. When the trigger is inputted, the amplifier outputs a first zero-level signal. A zero-level initialization circuit initializes the filter every input of the trigger to output a second zero-level signal. The two zero-level signals have a reference signal value to be outputted at a time of the angular velocity zero. During the initialization, the reference signal value is applied to both sides of the filter to remove drift components included in the output signal thereof.

Abstract: Provided is an image-taking apparatus having an easier human machine interface than before. Instead of operating an operator, a mode for a flash condition among multiple shooting conditions displayed on a display panel of a liquid crystal display device is switched from an automatic mode to a forced on mode by shaking a digital camera vertically. Then, the shooting condition is switched to a focusing condition by shaking the digital camera horizontally. The shooting condition is switched from the focusing condition to a white balance condition by shaking this image-taking apparatus horizontally again. Thereafter, a mode for the shooting condition is switched from a macro mode to a macro-off mode by shaking this image-taking apparatus vertically again. Likewise, it is possible to set up various modes for the respective shooting conditions by shaking this image-taking apparatus.

Abstract: An amplification signal of a difference signal between a sensor signal and an offset signal to be variably set is converted into a digital signal. The sensor signal is in accordance with shake of an imaging device and outputted from a sensor. The first digital signal is obtained while a conversion ratio between the difference signal and the digital signal is set to a first conversion ratio. The second digital signal is obtained while the conversion ratio is set to a second conversion ratio. In relation to a certain difference signal, the value of the second digital signal is smaller than that of the first signal. The offset signal is updated based on the second digital signal. The shake information is generated based on the first digital signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image stabilizing apparatus, a lens unit, and an image pickup apparatus. The present invention provides an image stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing an image by moving a predetermined lens group in an image pickup optical system which transmits a light flux from an object. The image stabilizing apparatus includes: a shift mechanism for shifting the predetermined lens group in a predetermined direction; and a rotation mechanism for rotating the shift mechanism in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens group.

Abstract: In a mode in which a lens barrel need not be extended, if it is determined that a vibration is larger than a reference value, the lens barrel is driven so as to be retracted to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A shake detecting apparatus includes a shake detecting sensor for outputting signals resulting from shake given to the shake detecting apparatus. In the case of application, for example, to an image pickup apparatus, the shake detecting sensor detects camera shake given to the image pickup apparatus. The shake detecting apparatus further includes an first integrating section for integrating the signals outputted from the shake detecting sensor, a second integrating section for integrating outputs of the first integrating section, and a correcting section for correcting the outputs of the first integrating section using outputs of the second integrating section after the lapse of a specified period following a specified timing.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for recording an imaging result on a recording medium includes an imaging device operable to obtain an imaging result; an optical system operable to form an optical image on an imaging plane of the imaging device; a first motion detector operable to detect a movement of the imaging apparatus and to output a detection result; and a recorder operable to record the imaging result, together with the detection result, on the recording medium.

Abstract: A supporting mechanism comprises a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit is movable in a reference plane. The fixed unit has a rectangular frame that is connected with the movable unit, that is composed of strips perpendicular to the reference plane, and that is fixed to another part of the fixed unit. The fixed unit movably supports the movable unit through an elastic transformation of the rectangular frame.

Abstract: An optical image stabilizer includes an optical system including at least one image shake counteracting optical element movable in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis; at least one stepping motor for moving the image shake counteracting optical element in the plane; at least one shake velocity sensor which senses the speed of shake applied to the optical system; and a controller which calculates the number of driving pulses for the stepping motor based on shake speed information output from the shake velocity sensor, and drives the stepping motor so that the image shake counteracting optical element moves in the plane to counteract image shake on an imaging surface of the optical system. The controller changes power supplied to the stepping motor in accordance with the shake speed information when driving the stepping motor.

Abstract: A method and system for determining camera positioning information from an accelerometer mounted on a camera. The accelerometer measures the orientation of the camera with respect to gravity. Orientation measurement allows user interface information to be displayed in a “right side up” orientation on a viewfinder for any camera orientation. Alternatively, an artificial horizon indicator may be displayed in the viewfinder. The accelerometer may also measure camera movement. Camera movement information together with camera orientation can be used to determine camera usage. Additionally, camera movement information can be used to determine a minimum shutter speed for a sharp picture.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging section which captures an object to obtain a first image signal of interlace scan type, a motion vector detection section which detects a motion vector by use of the first image signal, a vibration correction section which corrects, according to the motion vector detected by the motion vector detection section, vibration of an object image included in the first image signal, and a conversion section which converts, according to the motion vector detected by the motion vector detection section, the first image signal to a second image signal of progressive scan type.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of achieving excellent moving image shooting even when strobe popup is not successfully performed during moving image shooting. A camera implementing the image pickup apparatus has a strobe that shifts between a retracted position and a service position. When a motor for operating the camera performs reverse rotation, the strobe is driven to the service position. An MPU instructs the motor to drive the strobe to the service position, and determines, based on a signal from a popup position-detecting switch, whether or not the strobe has been normally driven to the service position. When the strobe has not been normally driven to the service position, the MPU performs error handling. The error handling is carried out differently between a case where moving image shooting is being performed and a case where the moving image shooting is not being performed.

Abstract: An evaluating method of image information acquires image information, performs camera shake evaluation of the image information by determining a camera shake direction on the basis of the image information, and performs out-of-focus evaluation of the image information by using information concerning a camera shake direction determined in the camera shake evaluation.

Abstract: An angular-velocity detector includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first sensor is used for detecting motion around an axis of a second direction perpendicular to a first direction. The second sensor is used for detecting motion around an axis of the first direction. The controller performs an operation that corrects an output error caused by an angle of inclination of the second sensor by using a first correction coefficient that is a ratio of a second amplitude to a first amplitude. The first amplitude is amplitude of output value from the first sensor when the angular-velocity detector is in first motion around an axis of the second direction without second motion around an axis of the first direction. The second amplitude is amplitude of output value from the second sensor when the angular-velocity detector is in the first motion without the second motion.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus performs focus control based upon image data of a region corresponding to a focus control region, the image data being a part of one screen of image data. The apparatus includes a camera-shake detector for detecting camera shake, and a focus detection zone designating unit for changing the focus control region with respect to the screen.

Abstract: In order to efficiently remove dust, an image pick up apparatus is provided with an image sensor for acquiring subject images via a photographing lens, a shift mechanism, holding the image sensor, capable of moving the image sensor in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographing lens, and in a second direction that is different from the first direction, a sensor arranged in front of the image sensor, for detecting vibration applied to the optical element that is displaced by the shift mechanism together with the image sensor, and a controller for driving the shift mechanism according to output of the sensor for detecting vibration when operation is carried out to prevent image shake due to vibration applied to the image pickup apparatus, and moving the shift mechanism in accordance with a specified pattern regardless of sensor output when carrying out a dust removal operation for removing dust that has become attached to the surface of the optical element.

Abstract: Segments of interest within video footage are identified automatically. Such segments of interest include portions of the footage which were taken using a hand held camera and which show a static subject, portions which track the motion of a moving subject, and portions which show an abrupt event. Methods are presented for identifying such segments, based on motion and/or color analysis of the video footage or based on observations of discontinuities in the video footage following a period of stability.

Abstract: A camera shake measurement system includes a display unit for sequentially displaying a plurality of distinguishable test patterns, a first storage unit for storing as a template each of the plurality of test patterns to be displayed, a second storage unit for storing a composite image produced by photographing at least two test patterns as still images from the plurality of test patterns to be sequentially displayed by a photographing apparatus, and a pattern recognition unit for recognizing images that match each of the templates from the composite image by calling the templates from the first storage unit, calling the composite image from the second storage unit, and moving, for each of the called templates, the template while superposing the template on the composite image.

Abstract: An optical apparatus detects the moving velocity of a main object on an imaging plane and computes the moving velocity of the main object on the basis of the difference between the detected moving velocity on the imaging plane and the velocity of a panning shot captured by a user. During exposure, the optical apparatus detects the difference between the computed moving velocity of the main object and the panning-shot velocity, that is, an error of the panning-shot velocity, and decenters the optical axis of an imaging lens so as to correct the error, thereby enabling the user to capture a satisfactory panning shot.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image capturer, operable to perform a first image capturing of an object image so as to generate first image data corresponding to a first time period shorter than a predetermined time period, and operable to perform a second image capturing of the object image so as to generate second image data corresponding to a second time period shorter than the predetermined time period, a storage, adapted to store the first image data and the second image data, and an image generator, operable to generate image data corresponding to the predetermined time period based on the first image data and the second image data.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In a normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.

Abstract: A digital imaging device, such as a digital camera, minimizes shutter lag by determining some capture parameters, such as focus and exposure settings, before a user of the device has indicated that a photograph is to be taken. The parameters are updated when the device becomes substantially still before the indication that a photograph is to be taken.