Abstract: A photographing interval of a digital camera that generates an intermediate image having a resolution between an original image and a thumbnail image is adjusted. Preset intermediate image generation parameters are referenced, and it is determined whether or not generation of an intermediate image is to be carried out. When it is determined that generation of the intermediate image is to be carried out, the intermediate image is generated in a signal processing unit on the basis of the size of the intermediate image set in the intermediate image generation parameters. When it is determined that generation of the intermediate image is not to be carried out, the intermediate image is not generated. Compressed data of the thumbnail image, the original image, and the intermediate image, as well as a header section and a tag section, are stored in a medium such as a memory card.

Abstract: Camera control apparatus enabling a user to intuitively understand a photographing direction and zoom magnification of a camera at the time of switching over an image, and enabling camera control to be started immediately. At camera control apparatus (120), camera image switching section (121) switches over images of cameras instructed to be switched over to by a user. Zoom magnification control sections (124, 125, 126) acquire zoom magnification of a camera instructed to be switched over to, set zoom magnification of a camera before switching of the camera image switching section (121) to a reference magnification lower than the acquired zoom magnification, and change zoom magnification of the camera after switching from the reference magnification to the acquired zoom magnification. Image display section (122) then displays the image of the camera image switching section (121) has switched over to.

Abstract: An apparatus captures a digital image from a film-based camera having a chamber to receive a film cartridge and a take-up spool to advance the film after each shot. The apparatus includes a cartridge shaped to fit in the camera film chamber, the cartridge including a processor, a storage unit coupled to the processor, and an input output unit coupled to the processor. The cartridge houses a flexible strip having one end coupled to the cartridge and the other end adapted to be wound on the camera take-up spool, the flexible strip containing one or more imaging arrays deposited thereon to capture the digital image, each of the imaging arrays communicating with the processor.

Abstract: Digital camera is connected to personal computer via communication cable. When a user operates a key to delete any one of images recorded on memory card of the digital camera, digital camera requests personal computer to delete an image which links to the deleted image and is stored in personal computer. When receiving this command, personal computer deletes the image linked to the image deleted from digital camera. These processes ensure consistency between an original image stored in the digital camera and a copy image stored in the personal computer.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a rolling-reset imager that forms an electronic image of an object, a light source illuminating the object with pulsed light, and a bandpass optical filter disposed between the object and the rolling-reset imager. The pulsed light has an illumination frequency spectrum and an illumination pulse width defining an effective exposure time for forming the image of the object. The bandpass optical filter has a frequency pass band permitting transmission of a significant portion of the illumination frequency spectrum while at least approximately inhibiting transmission of at least some light having frequencies outside the illumination frequency band.

Abstract: An image apparatus and method is disclosed for extending the dynamic range of an image sensor. A first linear pixel circuit produces a first pixel output signal based on charge integration by a first photo-conversion device over a first integration period. A second linear pixel circuit produces a second pixel output signal based on charge integration by a second photo-conversion device over a second integration period, where the second integration period is shorter than the first integration period. A sample-and-hold circuit captures signals representing the first and second pixel output signals.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric converting elements, each of which is provided with an electric charge output port, and a group of channel selection switches that turn on and off between the electric charge output port and a common signal line. A resolution of the image sensor is determined by ON-OFF patterns of a signal used for designating a resolution, at a timing of a rising or falling edge of a signal for setting a timing for designating the resolution during the period that a signal for setting a period for designating the resolution is on.

Abstract: A signal processing method comprises: applying white balance correction to R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color signals output from a solid-state image pickup element so as to form white-balance corrected R, G, and B color signals; comparing levels of the white-balance corrected R, G, and B color signals with each other; correcting the level of the white-balance corrected G signal to coincide with a lower one of the levels of the white-balance corrected R and B color signals in the case where both of the levels of the white-balance corrected R and B signals are higher than the level of the white-balance corrected G signal when the G color signal is saturated; and outputting the white-balance corrected R, G, and B color signals as image signals.

Abstract: A pop-up camera and a mobile phone including the same, the camera being insertable in and protrudale from the main body of the mobile phone when a user uses the camera, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) that provides a stable electrical connection between a camera part and a main board of the mobile phone stably when the camera is protruded from the main body of the mobile phone or rotates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved shared amplifier circuitry and method of operation which minimizes offset and column to column fixed pattern noise during a read out operation. The circuit improves the consistency of the pixel to pixel output of the pixel array and increases the dynamic range of the pixel output and saves chip area. This is accomplished by simultaneously sampling and storing charge accumulated signals from a first and a second desired pixel from a respective first and second column. The circuit amplifies the first charge signal and then samples and amplifies the reset signal of the first desired pixel and subsequently outputs the amplified first charge signal and the reset signal. Then the circuit amplifies the second charge signal and the reset signal of the first desired pixel and subsequently outputs the amplified second charge signal and the reset signal.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device can improve a detection sensitivity of a signal detecting means by decreasing a parasitic capacity of a horizontal signal line. In a solid-state imaging device in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix fashion, a pixel signal is flowed through a horizontal switch (39) to a horizontal signal line (40) as a signal charge, and a signal is outputted by a signal detecting means connected to the end off the horizontal signal line (40), an insulating gate-type field-effect transistor comprising the horizontal switch (39) includes channels extended at least in two directions between its source electrode connected to the horizontal signal line (40) and other drain electrode.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a slot to insert an external memory. An information file in which a fixed form phrase is inputted in the external memory is defined. The imaging apparatus comprises functions to select the fixed form phrase from the information file designated by an operation from the imaging apparatus and register the information data selected at the time of photographing into an Exif file. The information file can be attached to the Exif file only by selecting the information data corresponding to a content provided in the external memory. A screen display of the imaging apparatus can be switched automatically in accordance with defined attribute by a switching operation or a content of work from the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: There are provided: a communicating unit (transmitting and receiving unit) that is capable of transmitting and receiving information wirelessly to and from a plurality of electronic cameras and receives identification information peculiar to a device from the electronic cameras; an inputting unit that a user uses to input the identification information peculiar to a device; and a collating unit (information processing unit) for collating the received identification information peculiar to a device with the inputted identification information peculiar to a device.

Abstract: A camera lens housing in a mobile communication terminal adapted to provide an easy control to rotation of a lens housing as well as remove noises generated upon rotation of the lens housing. The camera lens assembly utilizes a set of bearings for supporting the rotation of the lens housing rotatably coupled into the mobile terminal, which provides significant noise reduction upon rotation of the lens housing. The control of rotation in the bearing using a plate spring provide more efficient and smooth adjustment in setting the desired direction of photographing of the lens housing, and it makes it possible to keep the fixing state of the lens housing more stable during photographing using the mobile phone with a camera.

Abstract: A plurality of low-sensitivity pixels 10 and a plurality of high-sensitivity pixels 20 are arranged like a tetragonal grid respectively, and are provided in positions shifted by ½ of an array pitch from each other in a row direction X and a column direction Y. The detected charges of the low-sensitivity pixel 10 and the high-sensitivity pixel 20 are transferred in the column direction Y by a vertical transfer section 31. The charges of the low-sensitivity pixel 10 and the high-sensitivity pixel 20 which are adjacent to each other in the column direction are transferred through the vertical transfer sections 31 which are different from each other.

Abstract: An anti-vibration controller having an ON/OFF switch for the anti-vibration is arranged on the outer circumference of a fixed lens barrel where extender lenses are positioned. When to manipulate the ON/OFF switch, a cameraperson manually operates a focusing ring with the little and ring fingers, a zooming ring with the middle finger and an iris ring with the index finger, all of the left hand. Then he or she can manipulate the ON/OFF switch of the anti-vibration controller fitted to the outer circumference of the fixed lens barrel with the unengaged thumb without having to move the fingers away from manipulating rings.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic imaging system such a video camera or digital camera, whose thickness or size is reduced while performance degradation is reduced as much as possible. The system comprises a zoom lens system comprising a first G1, a second G2, a third G3 and a fourth lens group G4 and an aperture stop S, and an electronic image pickup device located on its image side I and covered with a cover glass CG. The image of a subject is formed on the photoreceptive surface of the electronic image pickup device for conversion into electric signals. The system satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2). a?4 ?m??(1) F>a??(2) Here a is the horizontal pixel pitch in ?m of the electronic image pickup device and F is the F-number of the zoom lens system at its wide-angle end.

Abstract: The electronic camera has an imaging device that images a subject with subject reflectance R (%) with a dynamic range wider than that at displaying or printing to acquire image data and a recording device that converts the image data acquired by the imaging device with a predetermined function and records the converted image data and the information on the function as digital values (digit). Therefore, a printed image with an automatically or manually corrected density can be obtained at the displaying or the printing.

Abstract: A system and method for teleconferencing and recording of meetings. The system uses a variety of capture devices (a novel 360° camera, a whiteboard camera, a presenter view camera, a remote view camera, and a microphone array) to provide a rich experience for people who want to participate in a meeting from a distance. The system is also combined with speaker clustering, spatial indexing, and time compression to provide a rich experience for people who miss a meeting and want to watch it afterward.

Abstract: The invention makes a suitable selection from zoom modes and lens elements so thin that the thickness of each lens group can reduced, thereby slimming down a zoom lens with great thoroughness and, hence, an electronic image pickup system. The electronic image pickup system a zoom lens and an electronic image pickup device located on the image plane side of the zoom lens. The zoom lens comprises, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 comprising two lens components and having generally negative power and a second lens group G2 comprising two lens components and having generally positive power. The focal length of the zoom lens can be varied by varying the air separation between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2. The zoom lens should satisfy at least one of conditions (a) to (n).