Abstract: A camera system includes a plurality of interchangeable lenses, each of which has an optical image stabilization unit for correcting image blurring, and a camera body. The camera body provides a shooting mode in which a set exposure time period is divided into a plurality of short exposure periods and images captured during the short exposure periods are combined while an image positional shift among the images is corrected. The short exposure period depends on the interchangeable lens mounted on the camera body.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a movable unit, and a control apparatus. The movable unit has an imaging device, and can be moved in first and second directions. The control apparatus moves the movable unit to first, second, third, and fourth positions, and performs first, second, third, and fourth imaging operations, and a combination operation for obtaining an anti-shake image signal in which lag from hand-shake is corrected. In the first imaging operation, a first imaging position of a first photography frame in which lag corresponding to a first hand-shake quantity is corrected, is calculated, and a first image signal which is imaged at an overlapping area between an imaging field of the imaging device at the first position and the first photography frame, is obtained. In the combination operation, the anti-shake image signal is obtained by combining the first, second, third, and fourth image signals.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to generate an image which is prevented from being influenced by a movement while suppressing increase in noise components. When a movement is detected during exposure of an image capturing device to light, an image capturing apparatus stops the exposure of the image capturing device and amplifies an image signal obtained with the exposure, thereby compensating exposure shortage. Luminance information is extracted from a captured image, and color information is extracted from a live view image obtained at a timing different from a timing at which the captured image is obtained. By synthesizing the luminance information of the captured image and the color information of the live view image, noise components included in color information are reduced.

Abstract: A camera system comprises a camera body; a lens barrel having a photographing optical system, which can be mounted at the camera body; a shutter release switch disposed at the camera body and operated to start a shutter release operation; and a first operating switch related to an operation of the camera system other than the shutter release operation. The first operating switch is disposed at the lens barrel so as to allow an operator to perform a batch operation of the shutter release switch and the first operating switch with the lens barrel mounted at the camera body.

Abstract: AF is started in response to the depression of a shutter button 61 by the user, and a plurality of images are obtained in succession with a time interval while a first image and a second image are obtained in this order with a time interval by a CCD 11. With respect to the AF area, of the first image, set so as to be used for the evaluation of the focus condition, the number of pixels belonging to a region in a predetermined color space is counted, and with respect to a plurality of color evaluation areas (the area corresponding to the AF area and a plurality of areas in the vicinity thereof) set for the second image, the number of pixels belonging to the region in the predetermined color space is counted. Then, the amount of shift between the color evaluation area where the number of pixels closest to the number of pixels counted with respect to the first image is counted, and the AF area is detected as the object movement amount.

Abstract: The following lens apparatus is disclosed. That is, a lens apparatus, which forms an optical image by means of an image taking optical system, is detachably mountable to a camera comprising an image pickup device for photoelectric conversion of the optical image, comprising: an optical element, included in the abovementioned image taking optical system and being movable at least in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; and a control circuit, which controls the driving of the optical element at an amplitude that is in accordance with information about the pixels of the image pickup device that has been acquired from the camera side. The lens apparatus, which can perform optimal control of the optical element even in combination with various digital cameras that respectively differ in the specifications concerning the pixels of the image pickup device, can thus be realized.

Abstract: A camera of this invention is a camera containing a shake correction device for correcting the shake by reading out application voltage data corresponding to a detected shake amount by use of parameters stored in an EEPROM indicating the relation between a voltage applied to a wedge prism and a deflection angle of a light beam and applying a voltage subjected to the temperature correcting process to the wedge prism to change the index of refraction of the wedge prism and deflect the light beam in a direction opposite to the shake direction.

Abstract: Camera having a sensor for outputting subject image data to perform distance measuring or focusing of the camera, wherein in the event that a comparison is made between subject image data output from the sensor at predetermined intervals, and detection of blurring is performed based of the image offset from the subject image data, the usage range of the subject image data by sensor is made proper.

Abstract: Prior to a photographing operation, an image blur quantity indicating the extent to which the image becomes blurred during the photographing operation is calculated based upon an image-capturing sensitivity having been set, and a decision is made as to whether or not the image-capturing sensitivity needs to be adjusted based upon the calculated image blur quantity. If it is decided that the sensitivity level needs to be adjusted, the image-capturing sensitivity is adjusted and the photographing operation is executed at the shutter speed calculated based upon the adjusted image-capturing sensitivity.

Abstract: A camera according to the present invention comprises a sensor array wherein multiple pixels are arrayed in the base-length direction, a focusing unit for performing focusing of the camera based on the image output from the sensor array, a first detection unit for detecting the movement of the image signals in the base-length direction, a second detection unit for detecting the change in a predetermined pixel signal of the image signals over time, and a movement detection unit for performing movement detection based on the output from the first and second detection units.

Abstract: Positional shifts of subject images in plural areas of a light receiving surface are respectively detected in a blur detection apparatus for a camera for detecting blur based on chronological positional shifts of subject images on a light receiving surface. This allows blur of the main subject to be distinguished from that in the background in the image. The subject image position may be detected using an AF sensor. An acceleration sensor may be used for detecting blur in images with insufficient brightness or contrast. Blur detection by the acceleration sensor should account for a time interval between accelerations—one detected in one direction and the other in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The lens device and the vibration-proof adapter include a lock mechanism with operational ease because a lock mechanism of a vibration-proof lens has a switch on a joint with a camera main body or a joint with the lens device. The lens device is connected by placing a hook, which is provided on a front end face of a camera main body, to a recess of a back end face. A slide pin is provided in the recess so as to slide, and is pressed inside by the hook. In synchronization with the slide pin pressed inside, a lock pin operates to move away from a holding member of a vibration-proof lens, and the vibration-proof lens is unlocked. The slide pin returns to an original protruding position to lock the vibration-proof lens again when the hook is detached from the recess.

Abstract: A hand movement detecting apparatus for a body having imaging elements and an optical unit therein. The hand moment detecting apparatus includes a mechanical movement detecting device for detecting a mechanical moving amount of the body and generating a mechanical movement signal indicating the mechanical moving amount when hand movement occurs, and an image movement detecting device for detecting a moving amount of an object image formed on the imaging elements and generating an image movement signal indicating the image moving amount in response to the mechanical movement signal.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for multistage calibration of multiple-axis measuring robots (6) and associated optical measuring devices (10), especially 3D sensors, in a measuring station (1) for workpieces (2), preferably the bodyshells of motor vehicles. Calibration occurs in a measuring cascade comprising at least three calibrating steps, whereby the optical measuring device (10) and the operating point (28) thereof, the manipulator (6) and the axes thereof and the allocation of the manipulator (6) with respect to the workpiece (2) are successively calibrated. The calibration device (47) includes a control and a calibration system (27) for the operating point (28), a calibration body (15) for the axes of the manipulator and a calibration device (12) for the allocation of the manipulator with respect to the workpiece.

Abstract: Positional shifts of subject images in plural areas of a light receiving surface are respectively detected in a blur detection apparatus for a camera for detecting blur based on chronological positional shifts of subject images on a light receiving surface. This allows blur of the main subject to be distinguished from that in the background in the image. The subject image position may be detected using an AF sensor. An acceleration sensor may be used for detecting blur in images with insufficient brightness or contrast. Blur detection by the acceleration sensor should account for a time interval between accelerations—one detected in one direction and the other in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus, which performs pixel shifting operation for shifting an image formation position of an image on an image sensing device using a lens capable shifting a light path and senses images at respective image formation positions, has a vibration sensor for detecting vibration. The lens is moved so as to cancel the vibration detected by the vibration sensor when performing pixel shifting operation. Since the shifting characteristics of the lens slightly changes depending upon states of zooming and focusing lenses, the lens is moved by a shift amount which is adjusted in accordance with the states of the zooming and focusing lens.

Abstract: A signal prediction device and camera including a signal prediction device are provided in which the signal prediction device includes a signal detection part for detecting a signal series, a prediction coefficient calculation part for calculating prediction coefficients using the detected signal series, and a prediction calculation part for performing operations on the prediction coefficients and an updated signal series to predict future signals, wherein the updated signal series includes at least one future signal value for which a prediction operation has been previously performed from a signal series detected by the signal detection part and the prediction coefficients as the current signals.

Abstract: An image shake detecting device for detecting a shake of an image on an image sensing plane on the basis of a video signal output from an image sensor includes detection circuits arranged to detect image displacement in a plurality of areas set on the image sensing plane, and a control microcomputer which makes a discrimination, on the basis of information output from these detection circuits, between a movement of a camera and a solo movement of a photographed object. The device thus accurately makes compensation for an image shake by judging the state of the image on the basis of information output from these detection circuits. The image shake detecting device further includes a computing circuit arranged to compute a quantity of an image shake on the basis of a difference in detecting timing of a feature point of the image and a sensitivity control circuit arranged to change the detection sensitivity of the shake detection circuits.

Abstract: An image blur prevention apparatus includes a device that varies the sampling period of a signal used in image blur prevention. In an exposure operation, the sampling period is shortened to achieve image blur prevention with high precision (in the exposure operation, image blur prevention with high precision is required). In a non-exposure operation, the sampling period is set to be relativelylong to reduce the load on a calculation circuit (in the non-exposure operation; before exposure, a calculation for determining the exposure conditions is performed, and the load on the calculation circuit becomes great).

Abstract: A wiring structure of an image stabilizer includes a movable member which supports an image-stabilizing optical system, a cylindrical base which supports the movable member, a first drive device which drives the movable member in a first direction, a second drive device which drives the movable member in a second direction, first and second electrical elements associated with the first and drive devices, respectively, and a flexible printed wiring board which has one end positioned inside the cylindrical base and is provided with first and second wiring strips which firstly extend in opposite directions away from each other along the circumferential direction about the optical axis, and subsequently fold back inwardly towards each folded portion of each respective second and first wiring strips, to be connected with first and second electrical elements, respectively, after intersecting each other as viewed along the optical axis.

Abstract: In a motion verifying photography method, a latent image is captured during a film exposure time interval. The film exposure time interval has an initial portion, a middle portion, and a final portion. A first digital image is captured during the initial portion of the film exposure time interval. A second digital image is captured during the final portion of the film exposure time interval. A representation of both electronic images is visualized. A motion verifying camera has an exposure frame, an electronic array imager spaced from the exposure frame, an optical system directing light along a first path to the exposure frame and along a second path to the imager. Shutters are disposed on both paths. A shutter release connects to an actuator and responsive to the actuator, momentarily opens the film shutter for a film exposure time interval having an initial portion, a middle portion, and a final portion.

Abstract: An apparatus has a member to be driven, an actuator for driving the member, a position detector and a controller. The actuator drives the member to move by an amount proportional to a given number of pulses. The position detector detects a position of the member in predetermined detection steps. The controller determines in steps smaller than the predetermined detection steps a target position up to which the member is to be moved. Then, it controls the actuator up to a detection-step position before the target position by closed-loop control in accordance with a detection result from the detector. Further, it controls the actuator from the detection step position to the target position by open-loop control.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising a signal conversion circuit for changing input/output characteristics in accordance with a shift position of an image is arranged between a detection circuit for detecting a relative movement between a camera and an object to be photographed and an image shift circuit for shifting the image in accordance with a detection result of the detection circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus has a member to be driven, an actuator for driving the member, a position detector and a controller. The actuator drives the member to move by an amount proportional to a given number of pulses. The position detector detects a position of the member in predetermined detection steps. The controller determines in steps smaller than the predetermined detection steps a target position up to which the member is to be moved. Then, it controls the actuator up to a detection-step position before the target position by closed-loop control in accordance with a detection result from the detector. Further, it controls the actuator from the detection step position to the target position by open-loop control.

Abstract: An image shake detecting device for detecting a shake of an image on an image sensing plane on the basis of a video signal output from an image sensor includes detection circuits arranged to detect image displacement in a plurality of areas set on the image sensing plane, and a control microcomputer which makes a discrimination, on the basis of information output from these detection circuits, between a movement of a camera and a solo movement of a photographed object. The device thus accurately makes compensation for an image shake by judging the state of the image on the basis of information output from these detection circuits. The image shake detecting device further includes a computing circuit arranged to compute a quantity of an image shake on the basis of a difference in detecting timing of a feature point of the image and a sensitivity control circuit arranged to change the detection sensitivity of the shake detection circuits.

Abstract: A camera including a flashlight device for emitting a flashlight, a shutter, such that the camera has a flash synchro photographing mode in which the flashlight device emits the flashlight in synchronism with the shutter, a vibration detector for detecting a vibration quantity of the camera, a vibration correcting device for correcting an image blur on the basis of a vibration signal output from the vibration detector. The camera also includes a control device for controlling, while performing flash photographing by use of the flashlight device and driving the vibration correcting device, the shutter so that a maximum shutter time in the flash synchro photographing mode is shorter than or equal to a maximum shutter time in a non-emission of the flashlight. As a result, the flashlight device does not emit the flashlight.

Abstract: There is provided a photographing apparatus, in which image information in a range wider than an ordinary range is converted into an electric signal by an image pickup device and stored into an image memory, a blurring is corrected by moving a reading-out area from the image memory in accordance with the blurring, and when the blurring correction is not performed, the image stored in the image memory is reduced to a predetermined size at a reduction ratio according to a zoom ratio by a zoom switch and generated.

Abstract: A camera having a substitute shake amount calculator 51e that, where flash light is emitted while integration is being performed by a shake sensor, seeks a substitute shake amount using past shake amounts stored in a memory 56 instead of the shake amount sought from the image data obtained during this integration period.

Abstract: A shake correcting apparatus for a camera includes a shake detector for detecting a shake state of a camera, a shake correcting section for executing shake correction based on a detection result from the shake detector, and a shake correction driving section for driving the shake correcting section. A relative position detector detects a relative position state of the shake correcting section, and an end position detector detects an end position state of the shake correction section. A discriminator discriminates at least one of an operational status of a camera and history data of shake correction driving. An initial position of shake correction for initialization of the shake correcting section is set based on the detection result from the relative position detector. A driving mode of driving of the shake correcting section to the set initial position is changed based on a discrimination result from the discriminator.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a unit for detecting oscillations of an image attributable to oscillations of the imaging apparatus. Also included are a correction signal generating unit for generating a correction signal for correcting oscillations of the image based on detected oscillations, a correction unit for correcting oscillations of the image based on the correction signal, and a setting unit for setting characteristics of the correction signal responsive to the characteristics of the detected oscillations. Phase and gain compensation characteristics are adjusted in response to the frequency detected.

Abstract: A shake preventing apparatus comprises a shaking sensor for detecting a shake, a shaking preventive optical system for preventing an image shake by this optical system being shifted in a direction substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of a principal optical system, motors for driving this shaking preventive optical system to prevent the shake detected by the shaking sensor, photo interrupters for detecting a shift position of the shaking preventive optical system and a control circuit for controlling the motors on the basis of detection signals from the photo interrupters. The photo interrupters are disposed within a range so as not to exceed a thickness of the shaking preventive optical system in an optical-axis direction.