Abstract: A process and apparatus for displaying and recording image data can be smoothly performed in characteristic methods by computing a quantization parameter for use in compression of image data, obtaining a difference in the amount of processes between the display of image data and the recording of image data, and managing memory of temporarily stored image data for regeneration of recorded image data.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with a camera includes: a main body (14); a cover body (12); a driver gear (162) fixed relative to the cover body and having a plurality of teeth (1622); a driven gear (164) having a plurality of teeth and meshing with teeth of the driver gear; a lens (1642) installed in the driven gear; and a hinge mechanism pivotally connecting the main body with the cover body. When the cover body is rotated to an open position, the driver gear rotates with the cover body, thereby driving the driven gear to rotate. The lens in the driven gear is thereby exposed to the external environment for taking photos. When the cover body is rotated back to a closed position, the lens is thereby rotated back into the main body where it is protected from the external environment.

Abstract: A color sensor is implemented on a single integrated circuit chip. The color sensor includes a plurality of color sensor circuits and a gain selection control. Each color sensor circuit in the plurality of color sensor circuits includes a light detector, an amplifier and a gain selection circuit. The amplifier is connected to the light detector. The amplifier amplifies a signal from the light detector. The gain selection circuit is connected to the amplifier. The gain selection controls gain of the amplifier. The gain selection circuit includes a variable feedback resistance. The gain selection control selects a separate value of the variable feedback resistance for each color sensor circuit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for performing exposure adjustment based on the luminance of screen images through photoelectric conversion includes a structure for providing a signal to be applied to a screen for viewing images, a structure defining a region satisfying a predetermined condition based on where the luminance is excluded from a base region predetermined in the screen signal, and a structure for automatically providing exposure adjustment on the signal based on the luminance of a remaining region in the base region.

Abstract: In this invention, a transmit/receive section 34 receives, from monitor, request for transmission of picture image through network and transmits, to the monitor, the entirety or a portion of picture image from which distortion has been eliminated. A memory section 33 stores picture image inputted from an image pick-up unit. An arithmetic section 32 selects the entirety or a portion of picture image stored in the memory section 33 in correspondence with request that the transmit/receive section 34 has received. A picture processing section 36 converts the entirety or a portion of picture image selected by the arithmetic section 32 into picture image from which distortion has been eliminated.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having: an image pickup unit for picking up an image of an object; an information detection unit for detecting, in a contactless manner, object information regarding the object stored in a contactless ID tag; a recording unit for recording the object information detected by the information detection unit onto a recording medium together with image data of the object picked up by the image pickup unit; and a control unit for setting detecting conditions in the information detection unit in accordance with an image pickup condition in the image pickup unit.

Abstract: A support structure for reducing shock to a camera module for use in a mobile communications terminal is provided. The mobile communication terminal comprises a camera case for housing the camera module, the support structure comprising a first projection protruding from an inner surface of the camera case, the first projection in operational relationship with a first receiving cavity formed in the camera module to firmly hold the camera module inside the camera case and prevent the camera module from moving in relationship to the camera case.

Abstract: There is described an image-capturing apparatus, which has plural kinds of image sensors, sensitivities of which are different relative to each other, for recording wide dynamic range image data, and an image processing apparatus for applying optimization processing to the wide dynamic range image data.

Abstract: A digital observation system and method for processing and transmitting video data between a video camera, or video cameras, and a base unit. The video data is transmitted, for example, by a communication protocol that is compliant with Ethernet physical drivers for transmitting and receiving data at around 100 Mbps. Video is captured at a sensor in the video camera, digitally processed and transmitted, thus overcoming limitations associated with analog processing and allowing unique features to be added. Images and other data may be transmitted efficiently in their native format, with reduced overhead, and in a non-compressed format due to the data transmission rate at or below 100 Mbps.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus which is connectable to an external device includes a recording instruction module which instructs a recording, an imaging module which generates an image signal from an optical image, a memory module which stores the image signal generated by the imaging module, a connecting module which enables connection of the imaging apparatus to the external device, and a control module which controls writing into the memory module. The control module effects control so that when an image signal is written to the memory nodule from the external device connected via the connecting module, writing of a new image signal to the memory module which is responsive to an operation of the recording instruction module is inhibited.

Abstract: A digital camera can retain its optical performance and has a particularly slim closed status. The digital camera (1) includes two lens groups (51, 52) installed in a collapsible lens barrel (3a), a focus lens (44), and a CCD (42) generating an image. An evading mechanism carries the front parts of the lens groups to rotate about a rotary axis parallel to the optical axis and placing the front parts beside the image sensor. When the collapsible lens barrel (3a) is retracted in the housing of the digital camera (1), the first lens group (51) and the second lens group (52) are rotated around a central axis J(2) parallel to the optical axis J(1) and are located beside the CCD (42). Thus, the axes of the first, second lens groups (51, 52) are prevented from being offset, and a thin digital camera (1) is obtained.

Abstract: A photographing device divides corrected image data into four quadrants by x and y axes with a position corresponding to an optical center being an origin (base point), divides each of the quadrants into a plurality of strip regions so that the x axis direction width has a predetermined number of pixels processed, and performs correction for each of the strip regions on a line by line basis within a corresponding strip region (which will be referred to as a “short line” hereinafter in order to distinguish from one line on an entire image). The order of correction for short lines within each strip region starts from a short line which is closest to the x axis and successively proceeds in a direction away from the x axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a video transmission system that comprises a camera and a base unit. The camera includes a sensor memory adapted to store video data until each line of the video data is sequentially transmitted, a data buffer adapted to receive and store the sequentially transmitted video data until it is completely received at a base unit memory without errors, a data port adapted to receive from the data buffer and transmit to a camera physical transceiver the data buffered video data, a controller adapted to control data flow between the camera and the base unit, and the camera physical transceiver adapted to transfer the data buffered video data to a physical transceiver of the base unit.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus is capable of data communication with equipment connected to the photographing apparatus via a communication cable and capable of supplying power to the equipment via the communication cable. The apparatus includes: a connecting section for connecting the communication cable; a connection detecting section for detecting connection of the communication cable to the connecting section; a recognizing section for recognizing that a photographing process is under operation; and a power supply controller for controlling power supply to the communication cable. Wherein, when the connection detecting section has detected that the communication cable is connected to the connection section and the recognizing section has recognized that the photographing process is under operation, the power supply controller controls not to supply power to the communication cable.

Abstract: A data card reader for an electronic apparatus is arranged to read an optical pattern printed upon a data card. The reader includes a card transport assembly to move the data card along a path and a reading assembly that traverses the path to read the pattern. The reading assembly is comprised of an elongate body of transparent material formed with an elongate lens and a parallel series of discrete lenses. A series of LEDs is mounted within the body below the elongate lens and similarly a series of CCD optical sensors is mounted beneath the series of discrete lenses. In use, light from the LEDs is focused on the data card by the elongate lens and reflected back onto the discrete lenses. The discrete lenses in turn focus the reflected light onto the CCD optical sensors. Output from the sensors is coupled to a processor which operates to decode the pattern. By forming both the elongate lens and the discrete lenses out of a single piece of transparent material a simple and easily constructed reader is provided.

Abstract: Automatic control method and system for EBCCD sensor. The invention relates to a novel protective method of operating the Electron Bombarded Charge Coupled Device (EBCCD), a recently developed, high sensitivity, low noise, and expensive focal plane array sensor. In particular, the invention provides a method for operation that automatically controls the EBCCD gain at a very high rate. This allows i) for sensor damage protection from too much light, ii) for extension of sensor service life by reducing gain in periods of non-use, and iii) for automatic gain adjustment to rapidly compensate for variations in scene brightness.

Abstract: The optical control system includes a control unit and an optical apparatus. The control unit includes an output switching section. The output switching section is switchable between a first state, in which the command signal from a command signal generation section is output via a first terminal of a first connector, and a second state, in which a switching signal for selecting the second control section, the voltage level of the switching signal being different from that of the command signal, is output from the first terminal. The control switching section of the optical apparatus selects the first control section in response to input of the command signal, and selects the second control section in response to the switching signal, which is input from the second terminal of the second connector.

Abstract: An image processing system or image processing method for performing image sensing by an image sensing unit having plural image sensing devices then outputting plural image data, wireless-transmitting the plural image data, and generating a combined image based on the wireless-transmitted plural image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the recording of moving images by means of a portable communication device, such as a videophone. The communication device includes a main device (101), comprising a video camera (105). Furthermore, an accessory device (102), such as a headset, is also associated with the main device (101) and co-located with a relevant object (103). The video camera (105) records an original image of the relevant object (103). At least one tracking point (107a ) is located on the accessory device (102) and at least one automatic tracking sensor (108a-108c) responsive to the at least one tracking point is located on the main device (101). The main device (101) further comprises a tracking data generator, which receives signals from the automatic tracking sensor(s) (108a-108c) and generates in response thereto tracking data representing a target direction (104) between the main device (101) and the accessory device (102).

Abstract: A zoom lens system is disclosed which includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a third lens unit and a fourth lens unit which have a positive, negative, positive and positive optical power, respectively, and at least the first, third and fourth lens units move during zooming so that the distance between the first and second lens units increases, the distance between the second and third lens units decreases and the distance between the third and fourth lens units decreases at the telephoto end compared to the wide-angle end. Then, by appropriately setting lens elements constituting each lens unit and focal lengths of the lens units which move during zooming, the present invention realizes high optical performance over the entire zooming range and entire image area while achieving a desired zoom ratio.