Abstract: To track a region of interest (“ROI”) such as, for example, in a viewfinder of a camera, both the location and distance of a point in the ROI are estimated for a time in the future, based on actual measurements of locations and distances of the point at the present and in the past. Focus is controlled so as to focus on the point of interest based on the estimate of the future location and distance.

Abstract: An external program supplied from an external unit in order to process an image sensed by a camera is prevented from causing a malfunction in the camera. An external program supplied by an personal computer is stored in an EEPROM of the camera. The external program contains version information giving the version of the camera that is capable of using the external program, the name of the program for control, and parameter information corresponding to the program name. A CPU compares each of these items of information with corresponding information that has been set in the camera, thereby determining whether the external program is capable of being used. If the external program cannot be used by the camera, a warning display is presented on a display unit.

Abstract: An image pickup device such as CCD of a camera is substituted for a photo detector of infrared light emitted from an infrared remote control unit. When infrared light is detected based on an image signal output from the image pickup device, a transmitting position of infrared light in the object is detected. The camera executes such operations that transmitting positions detected are set as a focus detecting range in focus control, an exposure detecting range in exposure control, and a color evaluation range in white balance control.

Abstract: An optical system for a CMOS sensor includes an aspherical lens with which an exit pupil distance appears short in a central region of an imaging plane and long in a peripheral region of the imaging plane. The aspherical lens functions such that the exit pupil distance monotonously increases from a central region of the imaging plane toward a peripheral region of the imaging plane. In addition, pupil correction is performed in accordance with an exit pupil distance d which satisfies (d1+d2)/2<d<d2, where d1 is the exit pupil distance at the center of the imaging plane and d2 is the exit pupil distance at the edge of the imaging plane.

Abstract: A surveillance camera mounting apparatus for facilitating installation of a surveillance camera on a mounting pole such as a conduit. Typical installations on a conduit include a globe enclosure for protection of the camera equipment and to discourage a person from avoiding the aim of the camera. The mounting apparatus may also be adapted to mount a surveillance camera in a ceiling. A pivotable saddle allows for the top or bottom attachment to a camera. Adjustments facilitated by the saddle provide for positioning the camera to have its optical axis maintained in a position normal to the tangential surface of a globe enclosure over almost any vertical or horizontal position of the camera.

Abstract: A cover apparatus according to the present invention protects a protected portion including at least an opening portion of a recording medium storage chamber and a connector portion. The cover apparatus includes first and second covers. The first cover is movable between an open position where it closes the protected portion and an open position where it opens the protected portion. The second cover is located inward of the first cover, and is movable between a closed position where it closes the opening portion of the recording medium storage chamber and an open position where it opens the opening portion of the recording medium storage chamber. Also, in accordance with opening of the first cover, the second cover moves to the open position where it opens the opening portion of the recording medium storage chamber.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus performs image processing to image information including condition information at the time of obtaining an image for setting a pertinent image correction condition even at the time when the meaning of the description in the same condition item differs according to a description format or the version of the description format. The image processing apparatus includes a first analysis unit for analyzing the description format of the condition information, a second analysis unit for analyzing the condition information and a processing determination unit for determining the image processing to the image information on the basis of the analysis results of the first and the second analysis units.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic camera comprising an imaging element which photo-electrically converts an object field light, a timing generator including an internal register in which timing of a drive signal used to operate the imaging element can be programmed, a power supply control portion which supplies a second voltage to the imaging element when a predetermined time has elapsed after supply of a first voltage to the timing generator, and a control portion which starts at least program setting in the internal register of the timing generator after elapse of a time that the timing generator requires to operate stably at the first voltage and before elapse of a time that the imaging element requires to operate stably at the second voltage.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus, an image capturing method, and a computer-readable medium storing program for correcting appropriately an image for each area independently. A digital camera for capturing a subject includes an image pick-up unit for capturing a first image of the subject using an electric flash flashing at a first flash intensity, and a second image of the subject using the electric flash flashing at a second flash intensity; a distance judging unit for judging distance to a first partial subject out of the subject based on the first image and the second image; and an image correction unit for correcting a first partial image of the first partial subject, which is a part of the first image based on the distance to the first partial subject judged by the distance judging unit.

Abstract: A programmable data reformatter reorders output from an image sensor to yield various formats. The reformatting applies to reduced resolution output from large image sensors as in digital cameras operating in video mode, and converts an irregular video mode output to a standard format, such as Bayer pattern, for image processing.

Abstract: An edge emphasizing circuit includes a first high-frequency detection circuit and a second high-frequency detection circuit. A spatial frequency of a raw image signal corresponding to a photographed object is detected by the first high-frequency detection circuit or the second high-frequency detection circuit, and a gain corresponding to a detection result is made effective. The gain to be made effective is decreased as the spatial frequency of the raw image signal is low. The gain is applied to an edge emphasizing signal generated by the edge emphasizing circuit, and the raw image signal is added to the edge emphasizing signal to which the gain is applied. Thus, a raw image signal with an emphasized edge is obtained.

Abstract: In order to prevent an erroneous operation from occurring due to erroneously operating an operation button during adjustment of the angle of a display panel, various operation buttons are provided on a display panel, which is provided on a side surface of a main unit of an imaging apparatus. In this way an angle, at which the display panel is disposed, is suitably adjusted by a tilting mechanism. Moving images and still images are recorded and reproduced by operating this operation button, and a buffer is provided for temporarily storing data between an imaging section and a recording/reproducing section, so that data is processed through this buffer. A displacement detection unit detects displacement of the display panel and erroneous operation is detected if there is displacement of the display panel within a time lapse after operating the operation button, the operation is canceled, and the display panel is returned to an original status.

Abstract: An image display apparatus has an image-processing unit, an image display unit, and a jump-instructing unit. The image-processing unit generates data representing images having frame numbers. The image display unit displays the images represented by the data. The jump-instructing unit generates an instruction to cause the image display unit to display an image whose serial number differs, by a predetermined number, from that of the image being displayed by the image display unit. In response to the instruction, the image-processing unit generates data representing a multi-image consisting of images intervening between the image being displayed and the image whose serial number differs by the predetermined number. The image display unit first displays the multi-image and then the image whose serial number differs by the predetermined number.

Abstract: A terminal distinction circuit distinguishes the terminal type. When the terminal is a PC, moving image data is sent directly from a moving image buffer memory to a transmission image memory. The transmission image memory sends moving image data together with a synchronization signal to the terminal via a broadband modem. When the terminal is a cellular phone or a PDA, an animation generating circuit reads images of every three picture frames from moving image data having thirty picture frames per second. The animation generating circuit scales down an image of each picture frame according to the display capability of the terminal, and then subtracts the number of color. Image data of ten picture frames is converted into one animation GIF file. The animation GIF file is sent to viewer's terminal via the broadband modem.

Abstract: A camera module comprising an image sensor array, a gain amplifier, an indicator set to indicate whether a first flash device or a second flash device is present, and a plurality of storage locations. The plurality of storage locations is configured to store an exposure time and a gain. The exposure time and the gain are associated with the first flash device in response to the indicator indicating the presence of the first flash device, and the exposure time and the gain are associated with the second flash device in response to the indicator indicating the presence of the second flash device. The image sensor array is configured to capture an image using the exposure time, and the gain amplifier is configured to perform processing on the image using the gain.

Abstract: An electronic imaging system includes a method for calibrating an image sensor having a array of pixels each used in capturing an image, the method comprising the steps of capturing first dark floor values at a first time from substantially all of the pixels in the array, storing the first dark floor values, capturing second dark floor values at a second time from substantially all of the pixels in the array, using the first and second dark floor values to compute third dark floor values, using the third dark floor values when processing the captured image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus serves for converting a low resolution first image to a high resolution second image. The apparatus is includes a light sensor for receiving incident light radiated from a scene. The light sensor has a number of cells, each defining a predetermined area, and is arranged for cyclically scanning the low resolution first image a number of times while at least one driver moves the light sensor an identical number of times in at least one direction. For each step the light sensor is moved a distance corresponding to the extent of the area covered by the cell in the direction of movement while the total distance covered corresponds to the extent of the cell in the movement direction. Thereby a number of subareas are defined. A computer serves to establish a representation of the high resolution second image by calculating the representation of the received incident light from the scene at each subarea by software program.

Abstract: The present invention is an image file selection method of selecting multiple image files available for composing a panoramic image from a plurality of image files including image data and image attribute information which includes positional information representing a geographical position at a time of photographing. The method includes the steps of: (a) reading out the positional information from each of the plurality of image files; and (b) selecting multiple image files photographed at geographical positions within a predetermined distance as the multiple image files available for composing the panoramic image based on the positional information.

Abstract: A display for an image-capturing device having an image-display region and a menu-display region is provided. The menu-display region has a plurality of graphical icons, each having a tab. Tabs of successively adjacent graphical icons are offset with respect to each other. The tab may include an indicator that is displayed when the corresponding graphical icon is selected or highlighted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring a menu of an image-capturing device are provided. The methods include entering data into a first computer, receiving the data at a second computer that is located remotely of the first computer, transferring the data to the image-capturing device from the second computer, and using the data to configure the menu of the image-capturing device.