Abstract: Focus detection can be performed preferentially in an area that is likely to include a main object. An image capturing apparatus is configured to detect a main object in an image with a particle filter, divide the image into divided areas respectively corresponding to a plurality of focus detection areas, set a priority to each of the focus detection areas based on a distributed state of particles distributed in each of the divided areas, and select the focus detection area based on the set priority.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes an image sensor having a first output port and a second output port. The first output port is to transmit a first image stream concurrently with a second image stream transmitted from the second output port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating cameras are described. An image signal received from an image sensor can be processed as a plurality of video signals representative of the image signal. An encoder may combine baseband and digital video signals in an output signal for transmission over a cable. The video signals may include substantially isochronous baseband and digital video signals. The baseband video signal can comprise a standard definition analog video signal and the digital video signal may be frequency modulated before combining with the baseband video signal and/or transmitting wirelessly. The digital video signal may be a compressed high definition digital video signal. A decoder demodulates an upstream signal to obtain a control signal for controlling the position and orientation of the camera and content of the baseband and digital video signals.

Abstract: The basis of the invention is an apparatus and a process by which a variable aperture stop mechanism coupled with imaging optics and detector processing electronics achieves measurements of detector pixel gain and level offsets without temporarily blocking the scene from the detector, and without the addition of any other exterior calibration equipment.

Abstract: A camera and a control method thereof are provided. The camera includes a lens, one or more operation units, an image sensor, a thermal sensor, and a control unit. The image sensor is for receiving an image captured by the lens. The thermal sensor is for sensing and outputting the temperature inside the camera. An operation unit performs corresponding action according to an operation power. The control unit is configured to control the magnitude of the operation power of the operation unit(s) so that a monitoring power of the camera is close to but not greater than a default power threshold, and that the sensing temperature is less than or equal to a first default temperature threshold. Wherein, the monitoring power is the sum of the operation power of the operation unit(s). The sensed temperature corresponds to the operation power of the one or more operation units.

Abstract: A photograph sticker creating apparatus includes an image pickup device that generates a shot image, a storage device that stores a plurality of composite-use images to be combined with shot images, a compositing processor that combines the shot image and the composite-use image to generate a composite image, a printing device that prints the composite image on a sticker sheet, a display processor that generates and displays a selection screen allowing the user to select a composite-use image from a plurality of composite-use images, and a direction receiving device that receives selection of composite-use image performed by the user on the selection screen. The display processor combines a predetermined portrait image with the selected composite-use image and does not combine the portrait image with a composite-use image other than the selected composite-use image, to generate and display the selection screen.

Abstract: An image sensor may include isolation regions that are formed in between photodiodes. These isolation regions may prevent cross-talk and improve the performance of the image sensor. The isolation regions may include a conductive layer that is electrically connected to a bias voltage supply line. Biasing the conductive layer may result in a charge inversion in the substrate adjacent to the conductive layer. The charge inversion may prevent the generation of dark current. The conductive layer may be formed on a liner oxide layer in trenches formed in epitaxial silicon. A connecting layer may be used to electrically connect each conductive layer. The connecting layer may be formed integrally with the conductive layer or formed from a separate material.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing imaging data, which is capable of generating a plurality of recomposed images respectively in focus at different subject distances, the image processing apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire time-series imaging data capable of generating the recomposed image; a focal plane determination unit configured to determine a position of a focal plane in processing for generating the recomposed image; and a generation unit configured to generate recomposed-image data at the position of the focal plane determined by the focal plane determination unit, wherein the focal plane determination unit determines the position of the focal plane in the processing for generating the recomposed image based on the positions of the focal plane respectively corresponding to the time-series imaging data on which the processing for generating the recomposed image is to be performed.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an optical system that includes a plurality of lens groups, each lens group including one or more lenses, at least one of the lens groups being independently movable with respect to the other lens groups and including a focus lens group for focusing the subject and a lens control unit that controls movement of the plurality of lens groups to bring into focus based on a feeding position of the focus lens group.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus connectable to a client apparatus via a network includes an imaging optical system, an image sensor, an infrared cut filter (IRCF) driving circuit that inserts and retracts an IRCF into and from an optical path of the imaging optical system, and a communication circuit that receives, from the client apparatus, an automatic insertion and retraction control command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion and retraction of the IRCF and additional information about insertion and retraction of the IRCF. The communication circuit transmits, to the client apparatus, operation information indicating which of cases the imaging apparatus uses the additional information received by the communication circuit. The cases include a case where the IRCF is inserted into the optical path, a case where the IRCF is retracted from the optical path, and both the cases where the IRCF is inserted and where the IRCF is retracted.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes an image sensor and a light source driver circuit integrated in a same semiconductor chip package. The image sensor includes visible light pixels and depth pixels. The depth pixels are to sense light generated with a light source drive signal. The light source drive signal is generated with the light source driver circuit.

Abstract: A lens moving apparatus includes a first lens moving unit including a bobbin having a first coil mounted at an outer circumference thereof, a first magnet being opposite to the first coil, and a housing for supporting the first magnet, and a second lens moving unit including a base, a plurality of support member pairs for supporting the housing such that the housing is movable relative to the base, and a second coil opposite to the first magnet, wherein each of the support member pairs includes first and second support members separated from each other, the first and second support members being disposed at the same side of the housing in a state in which the first and second support members are adjacent to each other, and power is supplied to the first coil through a first support member pair, which is one of the support member pairs.

Abstract: A system and method for generating preview data from video data and using the preview data to select portions of the video data or determine an order with which to upload the video data. The system may sample video data to generate sampled video data and may identify portions of the sampled video data having complexity metrics exceeding a threshold. The system may upload a first portion of the video data corresponding to the identified portions while omitting a second portion of the video data. The system may determine an order with which to upload portions of the video data based on a complexity of the video data. Therefore, portions of the video data that may require additional processing after being uploaded may be prioritized and uploaded first. As a result, a latency between the video data being uploaded and a video summarization being received is reduced.

Abstract: Provided are an image stabilizing apparatus and method thereof. The image stabilizing apparatus performs image stabilization by using both an image sensor and a motion sensor. Image distortion and movement are stably corrected by using both the position of a feature point, which is extracted by the image sensor and image processing, and the movement position of the feature point, which is predicted by the motion sensor.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of dissipating heat generated by an image pickup device efficiently, even when a small image pickup device that has electrode pads on almost all the back face is used. The image pickup apparatus has a lens assembly. An image pickup device photoelectrically converts subject light that is incident on the lens assembly. The image pickup device is implemented at one side of a device substrate. A heat dissipation section that dissipates heat generated by the image pickup device is provided at the other side of the device substrate. A heat dissipation sheet is thermally connected to the heat dissipation section at one end, and is thermally connected to an exterior of an apparatus body at the other end.

Abstract: The invention is related to a wearable information system having at least one camera, the information system operable to have a low-power mode and a high power mode. The information system is configured such that the high-power mode is activated by a detection of at least one object in at least one field of view of the at least one camera.

Abstract: An electronic system includes a first electronic apparatus and a second electronic apparatus. The first electronic apparatus includes a first low-energy communication unit, a camera unit and a first control unit. The camera unit is configured for capturing multimedia files. The first control unit is configured for generating a plurality of metadata related to the multimedia files respectively. The second electronic apparatus includes a second low-energy communication unit and a second control unit. The second low-energy communication unit is configured for establishing a first wireless connection with the first low-energy communication unit, and receiving the metadata related to each of the multimedia files without receiving original contents of the multimedia files. The second control unit is coupled with the second low-energy communication unit. The second control unit is configured for classifying the metadata into at least one group.

Abstract: In a camera system, a lens CPU controls the operation of an interchangeable lens at a control instruction from a camera body. In the camera body, a subject formed on an imaging element by using the interchangeable lens is photographed at a specified frame rate and image data is generated. A camera body communication circuit transmits a timing signal in accordance with the frame rate to the lens CPU through a main body CPU. The main body CPU acquires lens characteristic data stored in non-volatile memory by a communication with the lens CPU, determines the transmission period of the timing signal according to the acquired lens characteristic data, and controls the camera body communication circuit on the basis of the determined transmission period.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical time-stamping device, including an optical instrument with a retina having a field of view and being able to produce on the retina images of the field of view, and a high accuracy reference clock signal receive. The time-stamping device also includes: a lighting source at a distance from the retina of an optical instrument, and configured to emit a light signal in the direction of the retina of an optical instrument and in the field of view of an optical instrument, and a control unit connected to the reference clock signal receiver by a first connection and to the lighting source by a second connection, and configured for controlling the lighting source for emitting a light signal in a synchronized way with the reference clock signal. An associated image sensing system and optical time-stamping method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens including an image-pickup optical system, a camera body including an image sensor, and an adapter attached between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. The adapter includes a lens side mount to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attached, a camera side mount detachably attached to the camera body, and a tilt-shift unit configured to provide at least one of a tilt operation and a shift operation. A flange focal length of the interchangeable lens is longer than a flange focal length of the camera body. A length of the adapter from the lens side mount to the camera side mount in an optical axis direction is equal to or smaller than a difference between the flange focal length of the interchangeable lens and the flange focal length of the camera body.