Abstract: A user by halfway depressing (S12) a shutter button acquires (S13, S14) the output OR and the output OL of a sensor array. Subsequently, an operation judges whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the output OR and the output OL is greater than a threshold value (S15). When judged greater than a threshold value, an operation initiates a warning notification to the user (S17, S18) and AF processing by a contrast detection method is performed. Meanwhile, when judged less than a threshold value, the focus lens is moved so focus can be performed toward the distance to an object with a phase difference detection method (S20). Then, the focus lens is moved from the existing focus lens position by a narrow range and the focus lens is moved to the lens position constituting the highest contrast value (S21).

Abstract: A method and system for color plane interpolation in a color pattern which selects a color-interpolation point within a pixel image offset from the center of the pixel image for which the color plane interpolation is performed. Once the color-interpolation point is selected a value for each color in the color pattern at each color-interpolation point is interpolated.

Abstract: A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus that displays a next image file in the forward or reverse direction according to a signal received from a first or second direction button, reduces or enlarges a currently displayed image in response to a signal received from a third or fourth button, and moves a display region of the currently displayed image according to the signal from the first or second direction button when the currently displayed image is enlarged in a reproducing mode is provided. The method includes displaying the next file in the forward or reverse direction of an enlarged currently displayed image in response to a first or second operating signal which includes the signal generated by the first or second direction button.

Abstract: An image-photographing apparatus and method comprises a camera unit for capturing an image, a body in which the camera unit is disposed, a display panel for displaying the image, and a hinge unit connected to the display panel, for allowing the display unit to selectively turn to one of both side directions which are symmetrical with reference to the body. Accordingly, an operator can hold the apparatus with their right or left hand conveniently.

Abstract: A method for macro photographing with a digital camera without attaching a separate light source apparatus for macro photographing is provided.

Abstract: A CCD control system includes a driving section supplying a drive signal and a power voltage to a CCD, a bias voltage generation section, a monitor signal output section that outputs monitor signals corresponding to the power voltage which is applied to the CCD. The CCD control system further includes a signal switching section that selects a first state where the monitor signals are input/output through the signal switching based on the substrate bias voltage or a second state where the predetermined signal is output. A monitor signal monitoring section is provided to monitor the output from the signal switching section. The monitor signal monitoring section sends a directive signal to the driving section to stop supplying the drive signal when the signal switching section outputs the predetermined signal or when the monitor signal output from the signal switching section in the first state is abnormal.

Abstract: A method of operation for a video camera and the video camera are disclosed. The method generally comprises the steps of (A) sensing an optical signal with a plurality of pixels to generate an input signal, wherein the sensing is capable of a pixel reduction by at least one of binning the pixels and skipping some of the pixels and (B) processing the input signal in order to reduce artifacts caused by the pixel reduction to generate an output signal.

Abstract: Mobile devices and methods of operating mobile devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a mobile device includes a rechargeable battery, a battery charger electrically coupled to the battery, and an image sensor operably coupled to the battery charger to selectively charge the battery. As such, the image sensor is configured to capture images and provide current to charge the battery. The image sensor can be a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor. The mobile device may further include a housing, with the battery, battery charger, and image sensor contained within the housing.

Abstract: A camera module for capturing an image. The camera module including an image sensor including a die mounted on a substrate, a housing coupled with the substrate to substantially enclose the die, and a dust trap substance adhered to the housing configured to capture and maintain at least one dust particle to decrease movement of dust particles within the housing, which decreases a number of blemishes in the captured image.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus providing improved picture quality by use of correction data to correct for noise signals generated by clamping circuits. A plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric converting element is provided along with a plurality of capacitors which receive signals from the pixels at first terminals. A plurality of clamping switches set a second terminal of each of the plurality of capacitors to a predetermined electric potential, and a plurality of first storing units store signals from the second terminals of the plurality of capacitors. A plurality of second storing units store the signals from the second terminals of the capacitors, and a first common output line sequentially outputs the signals from the plurality of first storing units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid state image pickup device capable of readily discriminating a break between data in a serial output data. The solid state image pickup device includes an image sensor having a plurality of pixels, an analog-to-digital converter for converting analog signals outputted from the plurality of pixels of the image sensor into digital data, the solid state image pickup device serving to output pixel output data after the analog-to-digital conversion in the form of serial data, and discrimination pulse generating means for generating and outputting a discrimination pulse used to discriminate one data time period of the serial data.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus having an openable and closable shutter mechanism to protect an image pickup lens portion of a ultra-small and light-weight video camera, the shutter mechanism is composed of a drive mechanism 34 including an output shaft rotated by a motor 36 through a deceleration mechanism, a cam plate 24 engaged with the output shaft of the drive mechanism 34 to be rotated through a shaft mechanism coaxial with the output shaft, a shutter plate 23 engaged with a cam groove 27 of the cam plate 24 to be slidably lowered and elevated in the longitudinal direction of a video camera body portion to open and close the front surface of the image pickup lens portion and a clutch mechanism provided in the drive mechanism 34 to isolate a drive transmission system of the output shaft and the motor 36 when external force stronger than predetermined external force is applied to the shutter plate 23 which is being opened and closed.

Abstract: A camera lens assembly for a portable terminal. The camera lens assembly comprises a cylindrical housing having a receiving space extended in the longitudinal direction thereof, a camera holder inserted into or drawn out from the housing at one end of the housing, a bracket fixed to the end of the camera holder and linearly reciprocated in the housing, a guide plate linearly reciprocated on the bracket in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bracket and having a guide groove formed in the shape of a prescribed figure, a supporting cap attached to the other end of the housing and having a guide protrusion formed at the inner circumferential surface thereof and slidably moved along the guide groove for stopping the linear movement of the bracket at least once, and a spring supported by the supporting cap at one end thereof for applying an elastic force to the camera holder in the direction of drawing out the camera holder from the housing.

Abstract: In an imager apparatus, an optical member protecting an imaging element is vibrated. Dust is thereby removed from the optical member. A vibration member can vibrate the optical member in a plurality of conditions. A photographing-mode setting unit sets a photographing mode. A vibration-condition changes unit changes the condition in which the vibration member vibrates the optical member, in accordance with the photographing mode set by the photographing-mode setting unit.

Abstract: A digital white balance device is simply implemented in a digital processing scheme by employing a grey world algorithm. In the device, a timing controller receives vertical and horizontal synchronization signals of an input image and produces a timing control signal. An RGB multiplier multiplies input RGB image data by RGB gains received from an RGB gain controller. A first YCbCr averaging unit converts input RGB image data to YCbCr image data, and obtains first YCbCr averages of this YCbCr image data. A second YCbCr averaging unit converts output RGB image data to YCbCr image data, and obtains second YCbCr averages of this YCbCr image data. According to the timing control signal, the RGB gain controller compares the second YCbCr averages with predetermined target YCbCr averages, respectively, and obtains RGB gains based on the first YCbCr averages, according to the compared result, and provides them to the RGB multiplier.

Abstract: A timing generator includes a plurality of waveform generators. Each waveform generator includes a register which stores externally input data of a signal waveform to be generated and a waveform generation circuit which generates and outputs a signal on the basis of the data stored in the register, and updates the data stored in the register at a predetermined timing.