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: An imaging apparatus that is configurable to operate in at least two modes. One mode is particularly suitable for still image capture, whereas the second mode is suitable for video image capture and other rapid frame rate applications. The image data in the second mode is smaller (lower resolution) than the image data obtained in the first mode. The reduction is accomplished by either digital scaling, cropping, or by a combination of optical scaling and selective readout of sensor signals. The simple digital scaling provides a fixed angular field of view for both modes of operation, while cropping alone gives a smaller field of view. Using the combination of optical scaling and selective sensor signal readout, however, provides a wider field of view for the second mode of operation while at the same time providing lower resolution images, thus improving frame rate in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A focus detecting device for determining the focus state of an imaging optical system, of a type for time-sequentially entering light beams, transmitted by different areas of an imaging optical system, into a sensor and detecting the phase difference between the image signal obtained from the sensor means corresponding to such time-sequentially entered light beams. The device determines the positional difference in the vertical direction of the light beams (images) time-sequentially entering the sensor, and determines the storage positions of the outputs (image signals) from the sensor corresponding to the light beams (images) of the respective areas, thereby enabling exact focus detection even in case the images are received in vertically different positions on the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a photodetector array, and a beam-splitting and detector structure for a line scan camera, which structure comprises a photodetector array which is protected by a casing (10) from at least the back, and adjusted to the focus plan of an objective and glued to the exit surface focus plane of an objective and glued to the exit surface of the beamsplitting prism (2) by means of a support and adjusting structure. According to the invention, the supporting and adjusting structure comprising a glue layer (6) arranged between edges (19) surrounding the photodetector array (1) in the casing (10) and the exit surface (4) of the beam-splitting prism.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique of making color adjustment for a great number of colors among different imaging apparatus. In the process of making color adjustment among a plurality of cameras, a color correction processing unit disposed in a CCU of each camera detects data associated with lightness, hue, and saturation for a plurality of specified colors. The detected data is transmitted as color data to a CPU. According to the color data supplied from each CCU, the CPU divides the color space into a plurality of areas, and calculates setting data which is required by the color correction processing unit to correct the lightness, hue, and saturation. The resultant setting data is transmitted to the color correction processing unit. In actual use in a normal operation mode, the color correction processing unit corrects the lightness, hue, and saturation according to the procedure determined for each area in accordance with the setting data.

Abstract: It is intended to enable main image data from a video camera and background image data recorded on a recording medium to be chromakey-combined with each other naturally at a low cost. When a video switcher chromakey-combines main image data that is produced by imaging with a video camera with background image data that is reproduced from a magnetic tape by a VTR, the main image data is chromakey-combined with the background image data such that the VTR is caused to perform a reproducing operation on the magnetic tape based on time codes that are stored in a control device as one of a pair of information and the operations of the video camera and a video camera stage are controlled based on camera control information as the other of the pair of information.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video camera which has a normal moving image sensing mode, and a still image sensing mode for sensing an image on a negative film set in a film adapter attached as a still image. An optical image of a subject is photoelectrically converted into an image signal, and whether or not the subject is a negative film is detected on the basis of a predetermined signal component in the image signal. If it is detected that the subject is the negative film, the still image sensing mode starts while setting signal processing in a negative/positive conversion mode and setting the focal length of the lens system at the wide-angle position.

Abstract: An electronic camera is provided with an image pickup device for photoelectrically picking up a light image of an object to generate image data, an oblique angle information provider for providing information on an oblique angle between a sensing surface of the image pickup device and a surface of the object, a distance detector for detecting a distance to the object, and a corrector for correcting, based on the provided oblique angle information and the detected distance, the generated image data so as to produce a pseudo object image whose surface resides on a plane parallel with the sensing surface of the image pickup device.

Abstract: In a system when a camera head and a signal processing unit connected to each other, the signal processing unit inputs a synchronizing signal from an external device, and transmits reference signals, such as a clock signal, horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals based on the input synchronizing signal to the camera head. Further, the signal processing unit controls the camera head so as to select a predetermined signal and output it via a predetermined signal line. When the predetermined signal received by the signal processing unit, the signal processing unit detects phase difference between phase of the predetermined signal and one of the reference signals corresponding to the predetermined signal, and shifts the one of the reference signals so that the phase difference reduces. Thereby, the camera head and the signal processing unit are synchronized.

Abstract: A video still camera with a strobe allows angle or high angle photographing to be carried out without changing an angle of user's hand holding a camera body. A recess portion is formed in a tap surface portion of an outermost housing of a camera body which has a built-in recording/reproducing unit. A photographing unit having a lens unit and a strobe unit which are arranged in a transverse direction with a predetermined separation, is fitted into the recess portion and is rotatable in an up-and-down direction, and is pivoted about openings on opposite sides of the recessed portion. Electrical connections of the lens unit and the strobe unit for connection with the camera body side are introduced through the opening, and connected to the recording/reproducing unit.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a flash lamp and a CCD imager. A microcomputer first exposes the CCD imager without a light-emission of the flash lamp. Therefore, a luminance evaluation value is calculated by a calculator on the basis of a luminance signal included in a camera signal generated by the CCD imager. The microcomputer succeedingly makes the flash lamp perform a preliminary light-emission, and exposes the CCD imager by {fraction (1/1500)} seconds. The calculator evaluates the luminance evaluation value on the basis of the luminance signal included in the camera signal obtained at this time. Then, the microcomputer calculates a major light-emission amount of the flash lamp on the basis of the two luminance evaluation values obtained in such a manner.

Abstract: A camera incorporates a working memory (124) for storing a working image corresponding to the last captured image. The working image is displayed on a display screen (36) in a quick review mode of operation in response to a quick review signal entered by the camera operator via a camera control interface (74) to control processing circuitry (68,72) of the camera. The processing circuitry controls the display screen to keep it in an inactive state until the quick review signal is entered, and returns it to an inactive state after a predetermined time period or when the quick review signal is discontinued to conserve energy. In addition, the working image is displayed in the quick review mode regardless of whether a non-volatile memory is available in the camera or, in the case of a hybrid camera, whether a film cartridge is contained in a film chamber (98) of the camera.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus to realize signal processing system and apparatus constitution, where an image signal inputted using a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or a contact type image sensor is obtained in circuit constitution of small scale with high picture quality. In order to solve the problems, data width of a signal referred to in a shading corrector, an MTF corrector and an error diffusion circuit is made b+f+j≦8 per one pixel. Or error component commonly possessed by plural pixels (N pixels) in the error diffusion circuit is made b+f+j′≦8, data width per one pixel being made j′=j/N. Image signal processing is realized in this constitution, thereby data width of a signal referred to in respective signal processings is reduced, and an image signal satisfying accuracy of signal processing sufficiently and having high picture quality can be obtained.

Abstract: This patent discloses a digital camera and an external device for both storing digital images from the camera and controlling certain camera functions. The external device may be either directly attached to the camera or remotely attached by way of a cable or similar device. The external device may also include a means for recording images onto removable recording media. The external device may also include a button for sending instructions to the camera to allow for switching between image resolution modes, flash lighting modes, and autofocusing modes.

Abstract: A digital camera has an integral flash and stores and displays a digital image. Under certain conditions, a flash photograph taken with the camera may result in a red-eye phenomenon due to a reflection within an eye of a subject of the photograph. The digital camera has a red-eye filter which analyzes the stored image for the red-eye phenomenon and modifies the stored image to eliminate the red-eye phenomenon by changing the red area to black. The modification of the image is enabled when a photograph is taken under conditions indicative of the red-eye phenomenon. The modification is subject to anti-falsing analysis which further examines the area around the red-eye area for indicia of the eye of the subject.

Abstract: The AF sensor module primarily comprises condenser lens 16, mirror 17, aperture mask 18, separator lens 19 and CCD 20. Separator lens 19 is located such that its lengthwise center line M may be parallel to the lengthwise center line N of CCD 20 while it is inclined by micro-angle &dgr; with center line M as the rotational axis. By arranging the lens surface of separator lens 19 and the image pickup surface of CCD 20 such that they are non-parallel to each other, reflected light L1 existing due to the reflection of light between separator lens 19 and CCD 20 is prevented from striking CCD 20 once again so that a reduction in the accuracy of focus detection caused by said reflected light may be prevented.

Abstract: A focus control technique for use in a video camera or the like. An image of an object passes through a focus lens and an electric signal corresponding thereto is formed. High frequency components are extracted from the electric signals to generate estimation values indicative of focus states. A plurality of estimation values that are changed as the focus lens moves are stored in a storage device. A plurality of the stored estimation values are selected and along with the lens positions corresponding to the selected estimation values are used to calculate the just focus position. As a result, even if the estimation value includes noise or the estimation value constantly includes noise when the luminance is low, focus control may be performed with high accuracy. Furthermore, even if the focus lens is passed by the just focus position only once, it is possible to calculate the just focus position. Therefore, the just focus position may be determined at a high speed.

Abstract: A motion correction device for images recorded by a camcorder from incident light having an incident direction. The device comprises at least one of horizontal and vertical component pick-ups. Each component pick-up comprises a converter for converting light into electrical signals, and a thin transmitter-reflector for transmitting a portion of the incident light at substantially the incident direction and for reflecting a remaining portion of the incident light at a range of other directions such that substantially all the reflected light impinges on the converter. The thin transmitter-reflector may be a curved transmission mirror for focusing the reflected light on the converter or a flat transmitter-reflector with a condenser disposed between the thin transmitter-reflector and the converter for focusing the reflected light onto the converter.

Abstract: In a recording or reproducing apparatus that performs an operation in a recording, reproduction, or erasing mode with respect to each memory block in memory, a check level for the apparatus power supply is changed according to a set one of the recording, reproducing, and erasing modes. The reproduction mode check level is higher than the recording mode check level to enable a later operation in the recording mode. A warning is displayed according to the check level while the operation in the reproduction mode is being performed .

Abstract: A color filter array and its signal process circuit in which vertical interpolation process is not needed, which can be applied to the field of image signal input and signal process such as video camera, digital camera and color scanner, and color copier which process image signal. The color filter array is constituted such that the number of green color filter becomes double of those of red and blue color filter respectively in order to make human color recognition easy, and that the red and blue color filters are placed every four pixels and green color filter is placed every other pixel, such as a filter pattern consisting of R-G-B-G, G-R-G-R and B-G-R-G filter groups.