Abstract: Disclosed is an auto-focusing apparatus having an asymmetric supporting structure, which includes a first frame having a magnet; a second frame having an AF coil for moving the first frame in an optical axis direction; a first ball group located between the first frame and the second frame and having a number of balls arranged along the optical axis direction; and a second ball group located between the first frame and the second frame at a position different from the first ball group and having a number of balls arranged along the optical axis direction. The first ball group include two first support balls having a greater size than the other balls in the first ball group, and the second ball group includes two second support balls having a greater size than the other balls in the second ball group.

Abstract: An example of the invention provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a camera module, a control unit and a computing unit. The control unit controls the camera module to acquire a first image and a second image. The computing unit receives the first image and the second image to generate a third image, wherein the resolution of the third image is greater than the resolution of the first image and the resolution of the second image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cata-dioptric system. A cata-dioptric system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a reflecting optical system that reflects incident light through a plurality of reflective surfaces; and a refracting optical system that refracts the reflected incident light, wherein the respective internal diameters of the plurality of reflective surfaces are disposed on the same perpendicular line as the external diameters of other reflective surfaces adjacent to the respective internal diameters of the plurality of reflective surfaces, or at a closer distance from a perpendicular line including the top surface of the refractive optical system.

Abstract: A method and system to facilitate identifying and recording capture location of recorded video. A computing system determines multiple locations where a video camera has been substantially stationary over time, such as by tracking location of the video camera itself or by evaluating where supplemental device carried with the video camera has been substantially stationary over time. The computing system then outputs, for presentation to the videographer or another user, a location-selection prompt that specifies the multiple determined locations as candidate capture-locations for a video that was captured by the video camera. Further, the computing system receives, in response to the location-selection prompt, data that represents a user selection of one of the specified locations. The computing system then records the selected location as capture-location metadata for the video, such as capture-location data integrated with the video or in a database relationship with the video.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus enabling reduction of information amount of defective pixels of an image pickup device having pixels pupil-dividing light through a photographic optical system. Each pixel is provided with PD portions for one micro lens for pupil-division of the light. First image data is generated by adding all signals from the PD portions, and second image data is generated by a signal output from one PD portion or by adding signals from part of PD portions. First defect information indicates defect information of the first image data, and second defect information is formed by excluding information redundant with the first defect information from defect information of the second image data. Defective pixels included in the second image data are designated based on the first defect information and the second defect information. The second image data is corrected by correcting the designated defective pixels.

Abstract: An example system includes at least one a first device and at least one second device. The first device includes a camera; memory for storing user-configurable name information and a picture captured by the camera; and communication circuitry for wirelessly transmitting the name information. The second device includes communication circuitry for wirelessly receiving the name information; a display controller for controlling display of a name based on the received name information; and a user interface for receiving, while the name is displayed, a user-supplied request for picture reception. The communication circuitry of the first device transmits the stored picture to the second device based on the picture reception request and the communication circuitry of the second device receives the transmitted picture.

Abstract: In a photographing apparatus, a low-pass selector controller (processor) is configured to perform a plurality of photographing operations including an LPF-ON photographing operation, which obtains an image signal from an image sensor in a state where the image sensor has been LPF driven by the image-shake correction device (driver) and obtains an optical low-pass filter effect, and an LPF-OFF photographing operation, which obtains an image signal from the image sensor in a state where the image sensor has not been LPF driven by the image-shake correction device (driver) and does not obtain an optical low-pass filter effect.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and a program that enable exposure control on a captured image in a non-Bayer pattern by an exposure control method designed for captured images in Bayer patterns. When a Bayering process is performed on a captured image in an RGBW pixel array, a level correction unit corrects the signal level of the captured image so that an earlier level that is the signal level of each white pixel with the highest sensitivity in the captured image prior to the Bayering process becomes equal to a later level that is the signal level of each green pixel to be used in exposure control on an image in a Bayer pattern that is the RGB image after the Bayering process. The present disclosure can be applied to imaging apparatuses, for example.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup device including: an optical filter including a first birefringent member; a second birefringent member; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second birefringent members and configured to control polarization; and an electrode configured to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer; and a drive circuit configured to apply an intermediate voltage or an intermediate frequency to the electrode.

Abstract: An optical unit (13) includes an optical system (16), a lens barrel (15), and a securing portion (21). The optical system (16) includes a plurality of optical elements (22 to 26). The lens barrel (15) has an object side opening smaller than an outermost periphery of the optical element (22) closest to an object side in the optical system (16). The lens barrel (15) has an imaging side opening equal to or larger than an outermost periphery of the optical element (26) closest to an imaging side in the optical system (16). The lens barrel (15) accommodates the optical system (16). The securing portion (21), at the imaging side opening, secures the optical system (16) inserted from the imaging side opening and accommodated in the lens barrel (15).

Abstract: A MEMS actuator for a compact auto-focus camera module is configured to measure physical values and to estimated values each indicative of position or motion or both of a MEMS component. A smart logic component determines a set of MEMS driver control values based on analyzing the measured physical values and substituting estimated values to more accurately position the MEMS component. A MEMS driver component receives the set of MEMS driver control values and controls the position or motion, or both, of the MEMS component based on the MEMS driver control values.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes an acquisition unit (acquirer 210a) which acquires light source information relating to a light source that illuminates an object, a setting unit (setter 210b) which sets correction information of a defocus amount corresponding to the light source information according to an operation by a user, and a memory unit (memory 240) which stores the light source information and the correction information while being correlated with each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a reading circuit, a driving method of the reading circuit and a photoelectric detector including the reading circuit. The reading circuit includes a reset sub-circuit, a readout sub-circuit, a driving sub-circuit and an integration sub-circuit. The reset sub-circuit is configured to reset voltages at the first node and the second node under the control of a reset signal inputted from the first signal terminal. The integration sub-circuit is configured to cause the first node and the second node to communicate with each other so as to change the voltages at the first node and the second node. The readout sub-circuit is configured to read out a current value in a case where the voltage at the first node controls the driving sub-circuit to be turned on, and output the current value through the fifth signal terminal.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided to allow a user to take a selfie while the user looks directly at the camera. A smartphone includes: a monitor; a camera provided at a display surface side of the monitor; and a CPU configured to control the smartphone. The CPU includes a display control unit configured to display, during image capturing of a subject by the camera, an object in a first display area on the monitor in order to lead gaze of a user of the smartphone to the camera, the first display area being located within a predetermined range from a location of the camera of the smartphone.

Abstract: A pixel within a pixel array of an integrated-circuit image sensor outputs an analog signal representative of accumulated photocharge. First and second analog-to-digital conversions of the analog signal are initiated while the pixel is outputting the analog signal, the first analog-to-digital conversion corresponding to a low-light range of photocharge accumulation within the pixel and the second analog-to-digital conversion corresponding to a brighter-light range of photocharge accumulation within the pixel.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus includes an image capturing unit, a superimposing unit, and a control unit. The image capturing unit captures an image of a subject to generate a captured image. The superimposing unit superimposes first information and second information on the captured image supplied from the image capturing unit. The control unit rotates the captured image supplied from the image capturing unit in a state in which a position of the first information superimposed by the superimposing unit relative to a position of the subject is changed while a position of the second information superimposed by the superimposing unit relative to the position of the subject is kept unchanged.

Abstract: A collapsible curved support track system for a camera slider dolly includes a plurality of curved inner and outer rail segments each having an outer configuration enabling a first set of rollers of the camera slider dolly to smoothly roll thereon. Connectors disposed within adjacent open ends of the inner and outer rail segments enable manual detachable connection between inner rail segments to form a curved inner rail and a curved outer rail. Supports in spaced relation support the inner and outer rails to form a generally parallel curved track. The supports have mounts configured to removably receive a portion of the inner rail or outer rail. A plurality of the mounts are adjustable to enable adjustment of the inner or outer rails associated therewith.

Abstract: In the photographing apparatus and the photographing control method, a processor can set one of a still-image photographing mode, and a specified photographing mode other than the still-image photographing mode. An LPF controller allows the optical low-pass filter effect to be obtained by moving the movable member via a driver when the processor has set a photographing mode to the still-image photographing mode, and prohibits an obtaining of the optical low-pass filter effect, obtained by moving the movable member via the driver, when the processor has set the photographing mode to the specified photographing mode.

Abstract: An image processing circuit includes a first dual sample-and-hold circuit that samples a first data and a second data from a first pixel, a second dual sample-and-hold circuit that samples a third data and a fourth data from a second pixel, a voltage-to-current circuit including a resistor and a current source, that receives the first data and the second data to output a first difference data, and that receives the third data and the fourth data to output a second difference data; and an analog-to-digital converter that converts the first and second difference data from an analog form to a digital form.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging apparatus, a manufacturing apparatus, a manufacturing method, and an electronic appliance that contribute to miniaturization and thinning of an imaging apparatus. Provided is an imaging apparatus including a first circuit board in which an imaging element is mounted on a center portion, a component that is mounted on an outer circumference portion of the center portion of the first circuit board, and a member that incorporates the component and is provided in the outer circumference portion and is formed by a mold method. The imaging apparatus further includes a lens barrel that holds a lens, in which a frame that supports a portion including the lens barrel is located on the member. Further, the frame includes an infra red cut filter (IRCF). The present technology can be applied to an imaging apparatus.