Abstract: A digital camera includes: an optical system for forming an optical image of a subject; an image pickup unit that converts the formed optical image of the subject and outputs a subject image; and a recording unit that associates the subject image output by the image pickup unit with a layout definition data group and stores the subject image in a nonvolatile memory. The layout definition data group is stored in the nonvolatile memory and is made up of pieces of layout definition data that define a layout to draw a subject image for a drawing medium of a specific size. The pieces of layout definition data making up the layout definition data group with which the subject image is associated defines similar layouts for drawing media of difference sizes.

Abstract: An image apparatus has signal slicing unit for two-dimensionally slicing a signal from an imaging device; pixel correlation detection unit for detecting correlation between a center pixel of the signal sliced by the signal slicing unit and its peripheral pixels; correction unit for executing a correction processing for each pixel signal sliced on the basis of the degree of correlation; and synchronization unit for extracting each color signal at the center pixel position of the area sliced by using a signal after correction.

Abstract: An imaging device that stores charge from a photosensor under at least one storage gate. A driver used to operate the at least one storage gate, senses how much charge was transferred to the storage gate. The sensed charge is used to obtain at least one signature of the image scene. The at least one signature may then be used for processing such as e.g., motion detection, auto-exposure, and auto-white balancing.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which achieves high focusing accuracy and favorable responsiveness in AF control. The apparatus includes a signal generator which extracts signals in a plurality of frequency bands from an output from an image-pickup part and generates focus signals from the extracted signals, and a controller which performs focus control such that the focus signal approaches the highest value. The controller uses a first focus signal and a second focus signal in the focus control. The second focus signal is a synthesis signal formed by synthesizing a focus signal in a relatively high or the highest frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands and a focus signal in another frequency band and contains a component of the focus signal in the relatively high or highest frequency band at a higher ratio as compared with the first focus signal.

Abstract: An image pick-up lens for forming an image of an object on a solid image pick-up element having a rectangular effective pixel area, has a first lens; a second lens; a third lens; and a diaphragm having an aperture. The following conditional expressions are satisfied: 15°<IAD<35° |IAh?(IAD·Yh/YD)|<5° where, YD: a length of ½ of the diagonal length of the rectangular effective pixel area of the solid image pick-up element, Yh: an arbitrary image height of the image pick-up lens (where, Yh<YD), IAD: an angle formed between a chief ray of a light flux forming an image at the image height YD of the image pick-up lens and the optical axis, and IAh: an angle formed between a chief ray of a light flux image forming an image at the image height Yh of the image pick-up lens, and the optical axis.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a source-follower amplifier having a driver transistor and a load circuit connected to the driver transistor. The load circuit is structured by a first MOS transistor having a gate with a fixed potential, and a load device connected to a source of the first MOS transistor. Furthermore, the load circuit of the source-follower amplifier is structured by a plurality of serially connected MOS transistors. Furthermore, by adapting a structure using a current mirror circuit, load conductance is reduced.

Abstract: A support frame for CCTV camera enclosure is disclosed. The support frame comprises a support body supporting the structure of the support frame; a rotating section mounted onto the support body and the rotating section horizontally rotated with respect to the axial hole via the support body; a securing section mounted onto the rotating section and the securing section being rotated vertically; and a contact face with protruded teeth corresponding to the rotating section and the securing section to secure the CCTV camera in a best position.

Abstract: A charge transfer implemented by a transfer section for transferring charges stored in image sensor elements along one direction on a surface where the image sensor elements are disposed is halted for a predetermined length of time. The charges are transferred from the transfer section without reading the charges from the image sensor elements after the charge transfer is halted for the predetermined length of time. A position where a defect is generated in an image pickup sensor is identified based on signal levels of the transferred charges. A defective signal level of the image pickup sensor generated on a line including the defect-generating position and in parallel with the one direction is corrected. As a result of the foregoing process, a display failure is precisely corrected.

Abstract: Digital cameras with triangulation auto focus systems include a spot beam emitter than can be used to project a spot onto a subject that is captured in an image and used to electronically automatically determine a subject to camera distance.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device comprises: photoelectrical converting elements arranged on a semiconductor substrate in a row direction and a column direction substantially perpendicular to each other, wherein charges are accumulated in said photoelectrical converting elements; and a plurality of output sections that output signals corresponding to accumulated charges, said photoelectrical converting elements being arranged in an area that is divided into blocks that correspond to said output sections, wherein said blocks include respective correction areas having a corresponding plurality of sets of correction photoelectrical converting elements used in calculating correction data for correcting output dispersions of said output sections, said correction areas include respective continuous areas that are continuous to each other in a boundary between the plurality of blocks, and an obscuring member, positioned above said continuous areas, that obscures an object image formed in each of said continuous areas.

Abstract: In a color-noise reduction circuit in which a color-difference signal of a target pixel is substituted in a random substitution circuit 104 by a color-difference signal of another pixel within an area including the target pixel, a pixel-substitution color-difference signal that is the substituted signal whose high-frequency components are removed in an LPF 106 and the color-difference signal of the target pixel are added together in a summation circuit 108 at a predetermined ratio obtained by a pixel-substitution utilization rate calculation circuit 107, and is outputted as a noise-reduced color-difference signal of the target pixel. Therefore, efficient color-noise reduction and suppression of occurrence of color jitters can be realized.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at method of designing a Color Filter Arrays (CFA) for CMOS image sensors under the effects of crosstalk for optimal color reproduction. Instead of a focus on lowering crosstalk, a novel method of designing color filter spectral responses to compensate for the effect of crosstalk at the color imaging system level is proposed. As part of this method, a color reproduction model for CMOS and CCD image sensor under the effect of crosstalk is also proposed.