Abstract: A charge-coupled imager includes an imaging section, a read-out section, and a way to reduce the number of charge packets for every row read. The imager is switchable between at least two read-out modes. The imaging section includes image elements arranged in a two-dimensional pattern. The read-out section includes at least a first horizontal CCD channel disposed beside the two-dimensional pattern, a second horizontal CCD channel and vertical CCD channels interlineated within the pattern of image elements. The imager is operable so that every image element of a row is individually readable in a first read-out mode using the first horizontal CCD channel comprising n charge storage locations. The imager is further operable in a second read-out mode so that a lower horizontal sampling frequency is read from the read-out section than in the first read-out mode using a second horizontal CCD channel comprising fewer storage locations than n.

Abstract: An imaging system controller (5) outputs a control signal (VC). The control signal (VC) gives a command to output driving clocks (?Vn, ?Hm) of an imaging element (1) in a signal transmission period, and a command to suspend output of the clocks (?Vn, ?Hm) in an idle period subsequent to the signal transmission period. The length of the idle period is a multiple of the length of the signal transmission period by a natural number. The imaging system controller (5) periodically repeats output of the control signal (VC) giving these commands a number of times corresponding to the number of horizontal lines of the imaging element (1). In response to the commands of the control signal (VC), a timing generator (2) generates and outputs the clocks (?Vn, ?Hm), and suspends generation and output of the same. An imaging device (10) thereby intermittently drives the imaging element (1), to generate and output a picked-up image signal (V2).

Abstract: Luminance components of image profile portions are extracted from luminance components (Y components) included in image data corresponding to an image within a focus frame. A profile component evaluation value is obtained by totalizing the absolute values of two-dimensionally-differentiated values of the extracted components. A distribution graph of a focus lens position and the profile component evaluation value is generated. A finder image is displayed by combining a photo-object image and the distribution graph. At this time, a bar corresponding to a current focus lens position is displayed in a different color from that of other bars in the distribution graph.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are described. In one aspect, an imaging system includes a light source that is operable to generate a beam of light directed along a beam path and an optical element that is operable to rotate about a rotational axis. The optical element has two or more optical faces that are positionable to intersect the beam path over respective non-overlapping ranges of rotational positions of the optical element. At least two different optical faces are operable to scan the beam of light in different respective scan planes during rotation of the optical element. In an imaging method, a beam of light directed along a beam path is generated. The beam path is consecutively intersected with at least two different optical faces to scan the light beam in different respective scan planes.

Abstract: A method for processing images comprises the steps of performing the reception of data through the net work, inputting image data obtainable in accordance with the designated input mode, managing the storage of the data received in the receiving step and the image data inputted in the input step to the memory, and intervening between the operations of the reception step and the input step in accordance with the storage management in the controlling step. With the method thus structured, the compression ratio of the input image is heightened by changing the current photographing mode if the added value of the estimated reception data through communicating means and the data side of photographed image predetermined by the current photographing mode should exceed the remainders of memory in the storage, hence making it possible to implement the compatibility of immediacy between the image input and the communication by dealing with any sudden reception during photographing.

Abstract: A charge transfer device for transferring information charge packet in accordance with a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal. The charge transfer device includes a capacitor for storing information charge packet. An output amplifier is connected to the capacitor to be supplied with and operated by a first voltage. The output amplifier receives the potential at the capacitor and generates an image signal corresponding to the potential at the capacitor. The supply of the first voltage to the output amplifier is stopped during a blanking period of the vertical and horizontal synchronization signals.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes a memory which stores correction data in advance. The signal processing device modifies the correction data stored in the memory on the basis of an image sensing signal obtained by causing an image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in a non-exposure state. The signal processing device corrects by using the modified correction data an image sensing signal obtained by causing the image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in an exposure state.

Abstract: Image sensor with a successive approximation A/D converter that automatically compensates for black level and provides a signal indicative of the difference between the reset level and the signal level. Black level for each of a plurality of color pixels may be obtained. This may be obtained from, for example, an image sensor with intentionally darkened pixels. Levels from these pixels are sampled, and an average of these pixels is used to form a black level for similarly-colored pixels. That black level is stored, and used to drive a D/A converter. Another D/A converter forms the actual conversion, and is compared to a reference. The reference is selected such that the output signal is automatically compensated for black level, and also corresponds to the difference between signal and reset.

Abstract: Operation situations of a plurality of functions of the camera can be checked from a front of the camera without adding any new hardware. A self-timer LED which is previously provided on a front of the camera is also used as an indicating device which indicates operation situations of other functions of the camera. That is, operation situations such as charging a rechargeable battery or communicating with a personal computer are indicated by lighting, blinking, or the like of the self-timer LED. Especially, when a digital camera is mounted to a cradle used in charging the battery or communicating with the personal computer, the operation situations such as charging or communicating can be effectively checked from the front of the camera. Further, for a digital camera which has a moving image-capturing function or a voice recording function, moving image recording or voice recording is indicated by lighting, blinking, or the like of the self-timer LED.

Abstract: A method for customizing a camera for at least one particular demographic group is disclosed. The camera includes a programmable memory that stores at least one parameter value to control at least one operation of the camera. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one camera parameter having a preferred value for at least one demographic group that differs from the standard value for said parameter, selecting a demographic classification for the camera, and programming the programmable memory of the camera to set the parameter value to the preferred value for the selected demographic classification.

Abstract: A camera control apparatus provides an end user with environment to easily remote-control a video camera via a general network such as the Internet. When the camera control apparatus 1001 receives a file-transfer request described in the format of the network from an external device 1002 connected to the apparatus, it handles a characters in a character string of a file name of the request as camera-control characters. As a result, if the character string includes description corresponding to the format for camera control, the camera control apparatus 1001 controls the camera in accordance with the description to perform image sensing, and transfers the obtained video image as the content of an image file requested by the external device as the file-transfer request originator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital camera, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing system, and a program in which, plural trimming areas are set to image data displayed on a display, and the image data corresponding to the respective set trimming areas are continuously output and printed by a printer.

Abstract: Intentionally defective pixels, whose number exceeds a storage capacity of a memory for defect correction, are formed in a predetermined pattern in an image pickup device. There is a plurality of patterns of the defective pixels, each being unique to each camera (image pickup device). An ID of the camera for specifying the pattern is read and defect pattern data corresponding to the ID of the camera is retrieved. Image data is read and the intentionally defective pixels are corrected based on the retrieved defect pattern data. Since the number of the intentionally defective pixels exceeds the storage capacity of the memory for defect correction, the image data cannot be reproduced in a normal manner when the defect pattern data corresponding to the pattern of the intentionally defective pixels cannot be retrieved. Thus, the image pickup device of the camera cannot be used in another image pickup apparatus by a third party.

Abstract: An image pickup element includes: a photoelectric conversion section; a wavelength selection section formed closer to an incident side of light than said photoelectric conversion section, for transmitting light in a predetermined wavelength range; a first area having a predetermined refractive index and being formed closer to the incident side of light than said wavelength selection section; and a second area having a predetermined refractive index and being formed closer to the incident side of light than said first area wherein the refractive index of said first area is higher than the refractive index of said second area.

Abstract: An imaging device that can shorten focus searching search times and enable correct focusing in accordance with shooting conditions. An autofocus function operates when a shutter button of a digital camera is half-pressed. At this time, a current shooting mode, which was selected in advance by a photographer operating a variety of buttons, is acquired. In accordance with the acquired shooting mode, a focusing lens moves to a search start position. Also, a direction in which the focusing lens will move is decided in accordance with the shooting mode. The focusing lens is moved and an in-focus position is thereby found. Then the focusing lens is adjusted to the in-focus position.

Abstract: In a process of producing an image pickup device, a solid-state image pickup element is joined to a transparent substrate, with its light-receiving surface opposed to the transparent substrate, and sealed with a thermosetting resin. A peripheral IC chip is bonded to a surface of the image pickup element opposite from the light-receiving surface. The image pickup element and peripheral IC chip are inserted into a through hole of a printed circuit board, and the transparent substrate is connected to the printed circuit board, which is then connected to the peripheral IC chip through wires. The wires, the image pickup element and the peripheral IC chip are sealed with a coat resin. A lens holder is fitted to the printed circuit board and a surface of the transparent substrate opposed from the surface joined with the image pickup element, using side surfaces of the transparent substrate as reference planes.

Abstract: In a signal reading method for a solid-state image pickup apparatus, an estimated photometric value is calculated at the time of preliminary image pickup and compared with a threshold value set beforehand. If the estimated photometric value is smaller than the threshold value, it is then determined that a scene to be pickup up has a narrower dynamic range to execute control reading out signal charges from the main and subregions of the individual photosensitive cell while mixing them together. If the estimated photometric value is not smaller than the threshold value, the signal charges of the main and subregions are read out independently of each other.

Abstract: A video camera capable of recording and/or reproducing multiple channel audio signals and video signals simultaneously in a single recording medium in such a manner as to reproduce omnidirectional ambient sounds as surround sound. The video camera includes a number of microphones and records first multiple audio signals obtained by processing the audio signals outputted from the microphones to generate the multiple channel audio signals and also records a second audio signal obtained by processing all of the audio signals outputted from the microphones in the recording medium simultaneously with the video signals, so that the first multiple audio signals and the second audio signal can be reproduced independently of each other.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing an image data processing procedure may include an image manager configured to access raw image data and responsively process the raw image data to produce final image data. The image manager may preferably perform a series of destination pixel calculations with raw image data pixels from the raw image data to generate final image pixels for the final image data. While performing the foregoing image data processing procedure, the image manager may utilize various enhancements techniques, including a dual-spiral processing pattern, a distance weighting factor, a reset relaxation technique, an iteration limit, a ratio-array technique, and an image blending technique.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus with a photographic optical system having a movably disposed focus adjusting lens, an optical element to split light beams received from an object, a plurality of image forming lenses to form images from portions of the split light beams, a plurality of focusing estimating portions to create focusing data for focusing the image of the object on the corresponding image forming lenses, a data detecting device to detect data for focusing the image, a data creating device to correct the detected focusing data, a selecting portion to select from among the focusing estimating portions, and a moving device to move the focus adjusting lens.