Abstract: An imaging device includes a micro lens that collects light from a subject, a light sensing element that generates a signal for performing focusing determination through phase difference detection by sensing subject light collected by the micro lens, a first light blocking unit that performs pupil division by blocking a portion of the subject light, and a second light blocking unit that is disposed between the first light blocking unit and the micro lens, and blocks the portion of the subject light which is incident to the first light blocking unit, wherein an aperture area of the second light blocking unit is smaller than an aperture area of an image generation pixel.

Abstract: An image forming optical system of four lenses includes in order from an object side, a first lens having a positive refractive power, which is a biconvex lens, a second lens having a negative refractive power, of which, an image-side surface is a concave surface, a third lens having a positive refractive power, which is meniscus-shaped with a concave surface directed toward the object side, a fourth lens having a negative refractive power, of which, an image-side surface is a concave surface, and an aperture stop which is disposed nearest to the object side. The image forming optical system satisfies predetermined conditional expressions.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an object detection unit configured to detect an object, a brightness value acquisition unit configured to obtain a brightness value of each division region of an object field, an object photometric-value generation unit configured to generate a photometric value of the object from information of the object and a brightness value of each division region, a region selection unit configured to select a high brightness region, and an exposure-control photometric-value generation unit configured to generate a photometric value used for an exposure control from a photometric value of the object and a photometric value of the high brightness region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photo-sensor with a stable current limiting function and pixel reset function. When the incident light quantity of the phototransistor is equal to or less than a predetermined quantity and the base potential of the phototransistor is in a first potential of an operation point in a stationary state, an MOSFET for discharging an electric charge is controlled so as to be turned OFF. In addition, when the incident light quantity of the phototransistor is equal to or more than the predetermined quantity, a MOSFET for detecting an electric current is controlled so as to operate in a saturation region. When the base potential of the phototransistor has changed to a second potential from the first potential, the MOSFET for discharging an electric charge is controlled so as to be turned ON.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes a detector which detects that a resistance value of an actuator, made of shape memory alloy, is maintained within a predetermined range. The image-capturing device moves a lens step by step from a place corresponding to a first field in order to obtain image data from each one of the fields provided in a focus region. The image-capturing device also calculates a target place, where the lens should be finally positioned, by using the obtained image data, and then positions the lens at the calculated target place. The foregoing structure allows obtaining reliable and stable data.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus in which iris patterns that have various shapes are provided. The digital photographing apparatus includes a lens unit; an iris in which an iris pattern, that defines a transmission area of incident light according to a signal, is determined; an imaging device that converts the incident light into an electrical signal; and an iris control unit which controls to form the iris pattern in the iris.

Abstract: An imaging system provides a serial video signal that is indicative of the intensity of the light. The imaging system has an array of pixel image sensors arranged in rows and columns. A control circuit is in communication with the rows of the array and the plurality of column switches. The control circuit generates reset control signals, transfer gating signals, pixel image sensor initiation signals for each selected row for controlling resetting, integration of photoelectrons generated from the light impinging upon the array of pixel image sensors, charge transfer of the photoelectrons from the photosensing devices to the charge storage device, and to activate the photoelectron sensing devices on each row to generate output signals from each of the pixel image sensors on a selected row. The control circuit generates the column selection signals for transfer of the output signals from selected rows to form a serial video output signal.

Abstract: Provided are a photographing apparatus and a method of removing foreign substances. The photographing apparatus includes an imaging device for converting a captured image into an electrical signal; a vibration member mounted at an imaging plane side of the imaging device; a vibration-applying unit for vibrating the vibration member; and a vibration control unit inputting at least two different control signals such that input times of the at least two control signals are overlapped.

Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body to which the interchangeable lens can be mounted, either directly or via an adapter. A lens microcomputer of the interchangeable lens is configured to hold lens information including information related to a focal point detection method. A body microcomputer of the camera body is configured to select a focal point detection method on the basis of lens information. The body microcomputer is configured to select a contrast detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is compatible with a contrast detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select a phase difference detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is not compatible with a contrast detection method, and the adapter is compatible with a phase difference detection method.

Abstract: An example reinforcement structure for protecting a wafer-level camera module includes a top sheet element and a side sheet element. The top sheet element is to be disposed over a top surface of the camera module and includes a first opening for allowing light to pass through to the camera module. The side sheet element is coupled to the top sheet element for securing the reinforcement structure to a printed circuit board (PCB). A second opening in the side sheet element is included to allow an adhesive to be dispensed through the second opening to adhere the reinforcement structure to the camera module.

Abstract: A structured light 3D scanner consisting of a specially designed fixed pattern projector and a camera with a specially designed image sensor is disclosed. A fixed pattern projector has a single fixed pattern mask of sine-like modulated transparency and three infrared LEDs behind the pattern mask; switching between the LEDs shifts the projected patterns. An image sensor has pixels sensitive in the visual band, for acquisition of conventional image and the pixels sensitive in the infrared band, for the depth acquisition.

Abstract: A composite imaging element is provided that includes a first imaging element and a second imaging element. The first imaging element has a plurality of first opto-electrical conversion parts, a first light receiving surface, and a first circuit part. The first opto-electrical conversion parts are configured to receive light with a first basic color and a second basic color different from the first basic color. The first opto-electrical conversion parts are also configured to convert light received by the first opto-electrical conversion parts into a first electrical signal. The first light receiving surface is formed by the first opto-electrical conversion parts. The first circuit part transmits the first electrical signal. The second imaging element has a plurality of second opto-electrical conversion parts and a second circuit part. The second opto-electrical conversion parts receive light emitted from the first opto-electrical conversion parts.

Abstract: Provided are: an imaging sensor that captures subject light via a photographic optical system provided with a zoom lens and a focus lens; a display unit that displays a through image based upon an imaging signal from the imaging sensor; a predetermined area setting unit that sets a predetermined area on the through image displayed on a display surface of the display unit in a state which is set to a first angle of view or a second angle of view different from the first angle of view by driving the zoom lens; a movement control unit that moves positions of the zoom lens and the focus lens by controlling drive of the zoom lens and the focus lens, so as to change from a first state, which is set to the first angle of view and serves as an in-focus state focused on the predetermined area set by the predetermined area setting unit to a second state, which is set to the second angle of view and serves as an out-of-focus state defocused on the predetermined area, or from the second state to the first state over a pr

Abstract: A data recording/reproducing device includes: a position detection unit that detects information (hereafter referred to as position information) indicating a position at which data are acquired and reproduced; a determining unit that determines which specific set of geographical information, among a plurality of sets of geographical information defined in advance, the position information detected by the position detection unit at the time of data acquisition and data reproduction corresponds to; a recording control unit that records the acquired data into a recording medium based upon determining results provided by the determining unit; a selection unit that selects reproduction-permitted data from the recording medium based upon the geographical information determined by the determining unit at the time of data reproduction; and a reproducing unit that outputs and reproduces at least one set of data among the reproduction-permitted data having been selected.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel array including pixels, each having a photoelectric conversion element and a detecting unit detecting an acquired electric signal, arranged in a matrix, a signal line provided for each column of the pixel array and connected to the detecting unit through a switching element, a selection line provided for each row of the pixel array and supplied with a selection pulse causing the switching element to conduct, a resetting unit provided in each pixel constituting the pixel array and applying a predetermined potential to the detecting unit of the pixel, and an output control unit provided in each pixel constituting the pixel array and causing the switching element of the pixel to conduct according to the selection pulse supplied to another selection line connected to another switching element of another pixel belonging to another row.

Abstract: A method of manipulating assets on a touch-sensitive display. The method includes showing a camera and a field of view of the camera on the touch-sensitive display. The method further includes detecting contact with the camera or the field of view of the camera on the touch-sensitive display, and manipulating the camera based on a gesture conducted on the camera or the field of view of the camera shown on the touch-sensitive display.

Abstract: Provided are: an imaging sensor that captures subject light via a photographic optical system having a focusing lens; a display unit that displays a through image based upon an imaging signal from the imaging sensor; an area setting unit that sets at least two areas on the through image displayed on a display surface of the display unit; a movement control unit that adjusts a focus position to a subject in one area of the at least two areas set by the area setting unit and moves the focus position from the subject in the one area to a subject in the other area, which is different from the one area, of the at least two areas over a predetermined time by controlling drive of the focusing lens; and a movie image data creation unit that creates movie image data, which includes a movie image having the focus position moved from the subject in the one area to the subject in the other area by the movement control unit, based upon the imaging signal from the imaging sensor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, for correcting a cross talk between adjacent pixels, includes: a memory unit for storing a correction parameter for reducing a cross talk signal leaked to an object pixel from an adjacent pixel, the correction parameter corresponding to a position of the object pixel; and a correcting unit for subtracting, based on the correction parameter stored in the memory unit, the cross talk signal from a pixel signal of the solid-state imaging apparatus correspondingly to a position of the pixel, wherein a number of the object pixel is at least two, and the at least two object pixels have different addresses in a horizontal direction, and different addresses in a vertical direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a camera shake correction device includes a substrate, a fixed part, a linking part, a movable part, a first spring part, a second spring part, a first damper, and a second damper. The fixed part is provided on the substrate and fixed to the substrate. The linking part is provided around the fixed part on the substrate that can move in a first direction within a plane of the substrate with respect to the fixed part. The movable part is provided on the substrate and arranged around the fixed part and the linking part that can move in a second direction that intersects with the first direction within the plane of the substrate.

Abstract: Arrayed imaging systems include an array of detectors formed with a common base and a first array of layered optical elements, each one of the layered optical elements being optically connected with a detector in the array of detectors.