Abstract: Inputs drawn on a control surface or inputs retrieved based on tokens or other objects placed on a control surface are identified and a view of a camera, or a virtual view of a camera or camera array is directed toward a corresponding location in a scene based on the inputs. A panoramic or wide angle view of the scene is displayed on the control surface as a reference for user placement of tokens, drawings, or icons. Camera icons may also be displayed for directing views of specific cameras to specific views identified by any of drag and drop icons, tokens, or other inputs drawn on the control surface. Clipping commands, are sent to a display device along with the wide angle view which is then clipped to a view corresponding to the input and displayed on a display device, broadcasting mechanism, or provided to a recording device.

Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a lens housing 24, an objective lens 21 mounted in the lens housing, and a stop 22 located in the lens housing. The stop 22 has a first surface 25 facing towards the objective lens 21, and this first surface is adapted to present information to a user viewing the first surface through the objective lens. The information presented is therefore visible to the user, but not exposed to wear and tear or tampering. This arrangement is particularly useful in a camera with a digital sensor, particular a low cost digital camera with a sensor such as a CMOS sensor. Such an arrangement can advantageously be used for a camera provided as an eye of a toy.

Abstract: Provided is a camera control system which will not invade one's privacy even if a camera is located where there is a problem in terms of privacy. To accomplish this, the system is provided with an input unit for inputting a control command for controlling shooting direction or zoom magnification of the camera, a calculation unit for calculating, on the basis of the control command input by the input unit, an area to be imaged by the camera, a limiting unit for limiting a control range of the zoom magnification of the camera in a case where the imaging area of the camera calculated by the calculation unit overlaps a prescribed area; and a control unit for controlling the zoom magnification of the camera so as to fall within the control range, which has been limited by the limiting unit, in a case where the zoom magnification of the camera exceeds the control range limited by the limiting unit.

Abstract: A voltage amplifier is provided. The voltage amplifier includes an amplifier stage to amplify an input signal. A bias current generator supplies a bias current to the amplifier stage. The bias current generator is controllable in response to a frame rate signal that is representative of a video frame rate. A compensation network stabilizes a loop response of the voltage amplifier. The compensation network is controllable in response to the frame rate signal.

Abstract: A communication circuit transmits the digital video signal to a transmission line and receives a clock signal and timing data transmitted through the transmission line. The timing data indicates a communication timing. A timing signal generation circuit generates timing signals from the detected clock signal to control the imager, the a/d converting circuit, the signal processing circuit, and the communication circuit. A communication control circuit detects a communication timing from the timing data, judges whether the communication timing is detected within a predetermined condition (communication error), and controls the timing signal generation circuit to stop transmitting the digital video signal when the communication timing is not detected within the predetermined condition to prevent a fail in transmitting the video data. A shutter interval of the imager is further controlled toward a constant shutter interval in response to the communication error.

Abstract: An auto-focusing device and an electronic image pickup apparatus facilitates realizing a high focusing accuracy and a quick focusing operation simultaneously using an inexpensive plastic lens mount. The auto-focusing device according includes a means for correcting the conversion reference, if necessary, for converting the object distance measured by the open-control range finding means to a focusing position of the focusing lens based on the conversion reference and for moving the focusing lens to the converted focusing position. The electronic image pickup apparatus includes the auto-focusing device.

Abstract: In an imaging device having an array of photosensors, each photosensor being associated with a shift register stage for reading out image signals, there is provided a number of local clock drivers, each local clock driver being associated with a subset of photosensors. A reset flip-flop is associated with each subset of photosensors, and is used to “hand off” shift register activities from one local clock driver to the next as image data is read out. By having a series of local clock drivers, performance problems related to parasitic capacitance on the shift register lines are lessened.

Abstract: A recorded image can be automatically classified according to attached information by designating a name of each paper discharge tray, and determining the paper discharge tray of a paper on which an image is recorded based on an image data read by a storage unit according to the attached information read from the storage unit storing the image data and the attached information about the image data and the name designated by a designation unit.

Abstract: A device, preferably a digital camera, has an imaging sensor providing a digital representation of an image projected onto an imaging portion of the imaging sensor. A processor associated with the device identifies an image compression factor and progressively, over a selected region of the digital representation of the image, magnifies at least a portion of the digital representation of the image to reduce an apparent convergence distortion. Correction preferably occurs before lossy compression. The device preferably includes a display to provide a visual display of the digital representation of the image to a user who may use a user input to manually correct apparent distortion by following prompts generated on the display. The device also preferably includes a non-volatile memory configured to store the digital representation of the image.

Abstract: There is provided a method of driving an image sensor which can remove FPN resulting from inter-chip variations without requiring any dark correction. A semiconductor photosensor chip has a plurality of sensor modules mounted on a mounting substrate, and a semiconductor device in which at least an N signal input buffer circuit for receiving N signals, an S signal input buffer circuit for receiving S signals, a differential circuit for calculating any difference between the outputs from the N and S signal input buffer circuits, and a voltage clamping circuit for clamping the output from the differential circuit are formed on a single semiconductor substrate, and the voltage clamping circuit clamps the reset state of S and N signal common output line.

Abstract: In a camera and method, a scene is captured as an archival image, with the camera set in an initial capture configuration. Then, a plurality of parameters of the scene are evaluated. The parameters are matched to one or more of a plurality of suggested capture configurations to define a suggestion set. User input designating one of the suggested capture configurations of the suggestion set is accepted and the camera is set to the corresponding capture configuration.

Abstract: An scanning device for a television camera sealed in a casing. An intermediate body is rotatable on a support about a first rotation axis. The camera is rotatable on the intermediate body about a second rotation axis by rotatable coupling mechanisms provided with respective internal housing seals within which are introduced and disposed along a rotation axis successive respective deformable sections of connection cable for the camera, pre-shaped partially wound in a helix with respective axis parallel to the rotation axis to be elastically deformable to unwind from the helical shape under camera rotation. The casing has a transparent element facing the camera lens and a cleaning device therefor including a transparent film and a movement mechanism to move the film across the transparent element as needed.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus to extend the signal range of a digital image beyond the nominal sensor or data format range. The method and apparatus automatically acquires a scaled series of source data, applies noise reduction to the source data, and constructs a scaled composite with usable signal ranges greater than that of the individual data sources. Applied to digital images, the invention permits presentation and analysis of all signals from a subject in a single composite or an image resulting from the method and apparatus of the present invention. The present invention overcomes two defects in prior art systems: increased noise in the resultant composite image arising from rescaling of component images and dependence on evaluating image content to determine image scaling. Because this invention can be automated, it can be applied in numerous fields requiring high throughput.

Abstract: In order to allow the user to access an arbitrary camera from an arbitrary camera client via a network, and to cause a plurality of cameras to perform a linked movement, a camera linkage server includes a communication path to each camera client, a client control module for controlling a camera used by the camera client, a communication path to each camera server, a camera server control module for controlling the camera used by the camera server, a camera server for controlling each of a plurality of cameras, a camera control module for controlling a camera client having an operation right for the camera and a state of the camera, and a linkage control module, having linked-movement defining information for defining a linked movement between each camera and other cameras, for recognizing a request for connection from an arbitrary camera client to an arbitrary camera via a corresponding client control module, and providing the other camera to perform a linked movement in accordance with the request for the co

Abstract: A photosensor circuit comprises a photodiode PD, which converts a light signal into electricity, an n-channel MOS transistor QD1 which has a logarithmic characteristic in its weakly reversed condition and converts a sensor current generated by the photodiode PD into a detection voltage which has a logarithmic characteristic, and a capacitor which is connected to a detection terminal of this transistor QD1. A resetting voltage VG=VS is applied to the gate G of the transistor QD1 to lower the impedance between the drain and the source of the transistor for resetting the transistor to an initial condition. As the n-channel MOS transistor QD1 is a depletion type n-channel MOS transistor, when this transistor QD1 does not receive any gate voltage, the transistor stays in a weakly reversed condition and has a logarithmic characteristic. This photosensor circuit has a high SN ratio and is capable of detecting minute light signals in high precision.

Abstract: A lens unit being connected to the camera unit and being selectively set either in a mode in which control is effected according to a control signal from the lens unit or in a mode in which control is effected according to a control signal from the camera unit, wherein when a signal for setting of mode is not input from the camera unit with a lapse of a predetermined time or more after power on of the power supply, a setting circuit sets the mode in which control is effected according to the control signal from the lens unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image pickup apparatus, which comprises a two-dimensional image pickup area, a vertical line selector for selecting a reading row in said image pickup area, a plurality of vertical signal lines arranged in columnar direction, for reading a detection signal emitted by a photodiode located in a selected row, and a horizontal selection transistor for continuously reading detection signals carried by the vertical signal lines and writing the signals to a horizontal signal line arranged like a row in a matrix, wherein a noise canceling circuit that employs a capacitor to suppress noise that appears on the vertical signal lines is provided between the vertical signal lines and the horizontal selection transistor, wherein an impedance conversion unit is provided between the vertical signal lines and the capacitor of the noise canceling circuit, and wherein a constant current element for supplying a bias current and a switch for changing the output current of a constant current element are provided to

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus using an image sensing device, such as a CCD, to be used by connecting to an external device, such as a computer, an operating rate of the CCD is changed in accordance with a rate at which the computer receives image signals from the image sensing apparatus. Further, when the operating rate of the CCD is changed, a proper exposure value is conjectured to obtain an image sensed at a proper exposure on the basis of operating rates of the CCD before and after the operating rate is changed, and a proper exposure value of the CCD before the operating rate is changed.

Abstract: A lens unit consists of a plurality of lens frames, a stepping motor, and a driving control unit. The plurality of lens frames for holding an imaging optical system lies in a lens barrel and moves over a stowage interval and a zoom interval. The stowage interval is an interval between a position of stowage at which the lens frames are stowed and a ready-to-image position at which imaging is enabled. The zoom interval is an interval over which the ready-to-image position exists and a power varying action is executed. The stepping motor moves the plurality of lens frames. During execution of a thrusting action or storing action, the driving control unit drives and controls the stepping motor in a first driving mode. The thrusting action is executed for moving the plurality of lens frames from the position of stowage to the ready-to-image position. The stowing action is executed for moving the lens frames from any position within the zoom interval to the position of stowage.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises an image sensor, an orientation sensor, a memory and a processing unit. The image sensor is used for generating captured image data. The orientation sensor is coupled to the image sensor, and is used for generating signals relating to the position of the image sensor. The memory, has an auto-rotate unit comprising program instructions for transforming the captured image data into rotated image data in response to the orientation sensor signals. The processing unit, executes program instructions stored in the memory, and is coupled to the image sensor, the orientation sensor and the memory. The method of the present invention preferably comprises the steps of: generating image data representative of an object with an image sensor; identifying an orientation of the image sensor relative to the object during the generating step; and selectively transferring the image data to an image processing unit in response to the identifying step.