Abstract: This invention allows executing proper photometry within a short time even when a single-lens reflex type image capturing apparatus performs flash photography using an electronic viewfinder. When performing photography from a live view display state using a flash unit which illuminates an object, a shutter front curtain is closed, and a quick return mirror is driven into a photographing optical path. After a photometry sensor near an optical viewfinder temporarily measures reflected light from the object, photography is executed.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of restricting unnecessary focus control by an AF method other than the TV-AF method in the hybrid AF. The image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector which generates first information corresponding to a contrast state of a picked-up image, a second detector which detects second information differing from the first information and used for focus control, and a controller which performs focus processing that cyclically repeats first focus control using the first information and performs second focus control using the second information. In the focus processing, the controller is changed over between a state of restricting the second focus control and a state of allowing the second focus control, depending on a change amount of the contrast state.

Abstract: A focus control apparatus includes a signal generator for generating a first signal in accordance with a predetermined frequency component of an image signal obtained by photoelectrically converting an image of a subject formed by an image-taking optical system, a detector for detecting a second signal different from the first signal, and a controller for detecting a movement of the subject based on the second signal and for switching driving of the image-taking optical system based on the detection, wherein the controller controls driving of the image-taking optical system based on the first signal.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a sufficient resolution in a picture signal for zooming in on an output signal of an image pickup device by means of an electronic zoom process and a control method thereof. To attain this object, a timing generator generates a timing signal for controlling timing for reading charges to an image pickup device and the timing for mixing or transferring the charges. A zoom control portion determines a scaling factor for, by signal processing, expanding or reducing picture data generated based on the output signal of the image pickup device. The zoom control portion also determines the number of mixed pixels and a cutout range of the charges in the image pickup device. A vertical scaling factor control portion controls the timing generator so that mixture of the charges and charge transfer will be compliant with the number of mixed pixels and the cutout range respectively as determined by the zoom control portion.

Abstract: A virtual reality presentation apparatus (100) has a CPU (101) which controls the overall apparatus, a memory (103) which stores various programs, a memory (104) which stores various data, an HMD (105) as a video display device, and a position and orientation controller (106) having position and orientation sensors (107, 108, 109), which are connected to each other via a bus (102). After a position and orientation required to render a CG scene for one frame are determined, when CG objects are in an interference state immediately before this processing and the difference between the current time and an interference time (128) set upon determining the interference state does not exceed an interference detection skip time (124), CG image generation means (112) generates a CG scene for one frame based on the determined position and orientation without checking if an interference has occurred between the CG objects.

Abstract: Job management information is analyzed to extract post printing process information on a post printing process from the job management information on the basis of the analysis result. A stylesheet corresponding to the extracted post printing process information is selected from a stylesheet storing unit which stores a stylesheet functioning as layout data for laying out and outputting post printing process information in accordance with the output form of an output destination. Work order form data of the corresponding post printing process is generated on the basis of the selected stylesheet and post printing process information.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing element which photoelectrically converts an object image formed by an image capturing optical system, a camera shake correction lens which moves the object image relative to the image capturing element, a camera shake detection sensor which detects a camera shake, a driving unit which drives the camera shake correction lens on the basis of the output from the camera shake detection sensor and a predetermined offset amount that changes in every image capturing, and a control unit which acquires a plurality of object images.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector generating first information corresponding to a contrast state, a focus lens controller, a second detector outputting second information used for calculating an in-focus position, and a focus lens position detector. If the difference between the detected focus lens position and the calculated in-focus position is equal to or greater than a first value, the controller moves the focus lens towards the calculated in-focus position, and if the difference is less than the first value, the controller repeats focus control using the first information without using the second information. The apparatus reduces discontinuous movements of the focus lens.

Abstract: An acquired real image undergoes conversion based on a first parameter to generate an image corresponding to a designated characteristic. A virtual image is generated on the basis of a second parameter to generate an image corresponding to a designated characteristic. The converted real image is composited with the generated virtual image. The composite image is displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power supply control system comprising a first switch circuit configured to set a power supply line which connects a power supply unit and a power supply circuit to one of a connected state and a non-connected state, a first control unit configured to operate in one of a normal mode and a sleep mode in which a consumption current is smaller than in the normal mode, and to detect a magnitude of a current flowing into the first switch circuit and control an operation of the first switch circuit based on the detected magnitude of the current while operating in the normal mode, and a second control unit configured to control an operation of the first control unit based on the detection result of an opening-closing state detection unit configured to detect an opening-closing state of a battery lid provided to the power supply unit.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an image element that outputs a charge signal in accordance with the light amount of an object image formed on a light-receiving surface, a light-shielding unit that shields the image sensing element from incident light, a plurality of compensation units that compensate a loss in exposure amount for the image sensing element caused by operation of the light-shielding unit, a setting unit for setting at least one of an image sensing mode and an image sensing condition, and a compensation control unit that controls a compensation amount for each compensation unit in accordance with the at least one of the image sensing mode and the image sensing condition.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing unit for recording/reproducing information data on/from a recording medium, an initialization unit for initializing the recording medium in one of a first initialization mode in which information data recorded in all recording areas of the recording media is erased and a second initialization mode in which management data for information data recorded on the recording medium is erased from certain areas of the recording medium and erasion is not performed on other recording areas, and a control unit for controlling the initialization unit in accordance with an instruction to shut off a power of the apparatus during initialization, wherein processing by the initialization unit is changed between a case where the power-off instruction is received during initialization in the first initialization mode and a case where the power-off instruction is received during initialization in the second initialization mode.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to reduce the number of pixels to be read from an image sensor in accordance with a required image size and to shorten the time required to capture an image upon capturing a still image in an image capturing apparatus. To this end, this apparatus has an image sensor which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a common output unit which is commonly provided to the plurality of photoelectric conversion pixels to sequentially output signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion pixels; and a read drive unit which can switch a first read mode for dividing signals of photoelectric conversion pixels from the image sensor into m fields (m is a natural number not less than 3) by interlaced scan, and reading signals for the m fields, and a second read mode for reading signals for n fields (n is a natural number that meets 2?n<m) of the m fields from the image sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring at least one of an arrangement and shape of shots formed on a substrate, comprises a scope configured to obtain an image of an alignment mark corresponding to a shot; and a calculating device configured to calculate a difference between a position of the alignment mark in the image obtained by the scope and a designed position of the alignment mark, obtain a non-linear component of the calculated difference with respect to each of a plurality of conditions, calculate an index indicating a stability of the non-linear component of each shot with respect to each of the plurality of conditions, and select, from the plurality of conditions, a condition for obtaining the non-linear component based on the calculated indices.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which includes an integrally-formed rack that can be manufactured easily even when a tooth portion of the rack has a drawing angle with respect to a lead screw. The apparatus includes a holding member holding an optical member, a rack attached to the holding member, and an actuator rotating the lead screw. The rack is integrally formed and includes an attachment portion for being attached to the holding member, first and second tooth portions engaging with the lead screw so as to sandwich the lead screw therebetween, and an elastic connecting portion connecting the attachment portion and the second tooth portion. The second tooth portion is formed to have a gap from the first tooth portion such that the gap is narrowed with distance from the attachment portion. The connecting portion is provided with a protrusion protruding toward the first tooth portion.

Abstract: A recording or playback apparatus classifies privacy-related information such as information concerning an operation of an apparatus and information for identifying an operator into, e.g., an individual identification information category, playback contents information category, apparatus maintenance information category, and photographing environment information category, and controls recording, playback, display, transfer, or erase of the privacy-related information by the apparatus in accordance with the classified categories.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus includes a mirror moving into and out of an optical path, a shutter mechanism including shutter blades and a shutter-driving spring driving the shutter blades in an open direction, a charge-holding member holding the shutter mechanism with the shutter-driving spring charged, and a hold-releasing member releasing the holding of the shutter mechanism by the charge-holding member. The shutter blades and the charge-holding member are moved in a plane parallel to a light-receiving surface of an image-pickup element. The hold-releasing member is moved in a plane orthogonal to the light-receiving surface of the image-pickup element and drives the mirror in a moving-out direction when releasing the holding of the shutter mechanism. The apparatus has a small configuration associated with driving the shutter mechanism and is appropriate for providing a cleaning mechanism of the image-pickup element by using a movable member different from the shutter blades.

Abstract: When a digital camera 100 is connected to an information processing apparatus 101 so that they can communicate with each other, the digital camera 100 generates partial information of attribute information related to each image data stored in the camera 100, and transmits the partial information of the attribute information to the information processing apparatus 101.

Abstract: A control method for a mechanical shutter in an image sensing apparatus that has the mechanical shutter which includes and a second curtain held in a pre-travel initial position using electric power, that performs image sensing using an image sensor, and that has an electronic viewfinder function. The voltage of the electric power for holding the second curtain is reduced during execution of the electronic viewfinder function, the voltage of the electric power for holding the second curtain is raised if a shutter speed set for image sensing is faster than a preset period in a case where still image sensing is instructed, and the second curtain is made to travel when a period corresponding to the shutter speed has elapsed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, which obtains a synthesized image whose exposure is corrected by synthesizing a first image and a second image, is disclosed. The image processing apparatus comprises a detection section which detects an amount of displacement of the second image with respect to the first image which is a reference image, a coordinate conversion section which performs coordinate conversion to the second image so as to conform to the first image, and a synthesis section which synthesizes the second image having been subjected to the coordinate conversion with the first image.