Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques for calibration of an auto-focus process in an image capture device. The techniques may involve calibration of a lens actuator used to move a lens within a search range during an auto-focus process. For example, an image capture device may adjust reference positions for the search range based on lens positions selected for different focus conditions. The different focus conditions may include a far focus condition and a near focus condition. The focus conditions may be determined based on a detected environment in which the device is used. Detection of an indoor environment may indicate a likelihood of near object focus, while detection of an outdoor environment may indicate a likelihood of far object focus. An image capture device may detect indoor and outdoor environments based on lighting, exposure, or other conditions.

Abstract: A levelling apparatus, and in one embodiment a portable levelling camera mount (10) having a platform (14) for mounting a camera, a sensor (16) for detecting an orientation of the platform; and an actuator (12) coupled to the platform, which moves the platform in response to the orientation detected via the sensor. Typically, the mount may have a selector to operate the mount to level solely a first axis of the platform to a reference plane while the second axis of the platform is tilted with respect to the reference plane, or to operate the mount to level the platform such that both the first and the second axes of the platform are leveled to the reference plane.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a blade movable between a position where the blade recedes from the opening and a position where the blade covers at least part of the opening; a drive arm connected to the blade, the drive arm including an engagement hole; a drive lever including a drive pin engaging the engagement hole; and a restriction portion provided in the drive arm, the restriction portion abutting the drive pin and being thicker than the drive arm.

Abstract: An endoscope tracking system includes an endoscope, at least one endoscope tracking transmitter carried by the endoscope, a plurality of anatomy mapping transmitters, a receiver communicating with the at least one endoscope tracking transmitter and the anatomy mapping transmitters and a processor communicating with the receiver. The processor is adapted to generate an anatomical map based on input from the anatomy mapping transmitters and an endoscope tracking image based on input from the at least one endoscope tracking transmitter and superimpose the endoscope tracking image on the anatomical map.

Abstract: A camera accessory is detachably mounted at a camera body that includes a first body contact point, a second body contact point, a third body contact point, a fourth body contact point and a fifth body contact point and detects disengagement of the camera accessory when the fifth body contact point sustains a signal level corresponding to a first truth value continuously over a length of time equal to or greater than a predetermined time length. In the camera accessory, the accessory-side communication control device executes control so as to ensure that the signal assuming a level corresponding to the first truth value is not continuously output from the fifth accessory contact point any longer than the predetermined time length while the operating voltage supply from the camera body is provided via the first accessory contact point.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for focusing a miniature camera includes applying a signal to an actuator in the camera, moving a MEMS stage movably supported by one or more flexures in response to the application of the signal, moving a lens in response to the moving of the MEMS stage, and limiting movement of the MEMS stage to substantially one degree of freedom corresponding to an optical axis of the lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shutter device for camera used for small-sized digital equipment and includes a base forming a light transmission hole to expose a film or charge-coupled device (CCD) to laser beam; an electromagnet mounted on one side of the base; a driving arm which is mounted on one side of the electromagnet on the base so as to pivot on the base; a first shutter and a second shutter to open and close the light transmission hole, which pivots on the part of the base in association with the pivoting of the driving arm; and a magnetic which is installed on the driving arm and has the north magnetic pole and the south magnetic pole at opposite ends of the magnetic or on surfaces opposite to the electromagnet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for measuring and mapping oxygen tension in a tissue and, in particular, permit direct non-invasive measurement of retinal tissue oxygen tension. In one aspect, the invention is directed to methods for determining oxygen tension in a target tissue sensitized with an oxygen sensitive probe by imaging the target tissue. In one embodiment, the invention provides a noninvasive method for monitoring oxygen tension in a chorioretinal tissue sensitized with an oxygen sensitive probe. In another aspect, apparatus is disclosed that can determine oxygen tension in tissue by quantifying a signal emitted by an oxygen sensitive probe within the three-dimensional map of a tissue to determine oxygen tension and provide a three-dimensional map of oxygen tension variations.

Abstract: In a camera system according to the present invention, a lens controller obtains an exposure synchronizing signal that is generated by a camera controller from a camera body, causes a configuration formed of a first encoder, a second encoder and a counter to detect the position of a focus lens according to the obtained exposure synchronizing signal, and notifies the camera body of the detected position of the focus lens. The camera controller associates the position of the focus lens or the mechanism member obtained from the lens controller with an AF evaluation value based on the exposure synchronizing signal, and controls an autofocus operation of the camera system based on the position and AF evaluation value that are associated with each other. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of an autofocus operation with a contrast system.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a drive ring having a permanent magnet disposed thereon. The shutter assembly also includes a solenoid defining a gap between first and second magnetic poles thereof, the drive ring being disposed coplanar with the solenoid and being rotatable in response to a magnetic field created between the first and second magnetic poles. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the drive ring. The shutter assembly further includes a base plate separating the plurality of shutter blades from at least one of the drive ring and the solenoid.

Abstract: A focusing device includes a first focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position based on a change in a radio-frequency component in an image signal obtained with movement of a focusing lens, a second focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position by using a different process from a process performed by the first focus-position determining unit, a mode setting unit configured to select at least a first mode which uses a result with the first focusing-position determining unit together with the second focusing-position determining unit or a second mode which uses a result with the first focus-position determining unit without the second focus-position determining unit, and a control unit configured to control driving of the focusing lens according to selection by the mode setting unit such that the focusing lens is driven in the first mode at a higher speed than in the second mode.

Abstract: A camera module includes a barrel, a movable lens movable in the barrel in an optical axis direction, an imaging device that captures an image of a subject viewed through the movable lens and an actuator that changes the distance between the movable lens and the imaging device. The actuator has a first power feed terminal at one end thereof and a second power feed terminal at the other end thereof. The first terminal is attached on the side where the movable lens is present. The second terminal is attached on the side where the barrel is present. The actuator bends when electric power is fed to each of the first and second terminals and changes the distance between the movable lens and the imaging device.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus infers a user's photographic intent and accordingly switches between a manual shoot mode and an automatic shoot mode. In the manual shoot mode, processing to save photographic image data is timed in accordance with the user operating a user-operable shutter element, while in the automatic shoot mode, such processing is conducted independently of shutter element operations. A photographic unit photographs a scene, acquires photographic image data of a subject, and then executes processing for saving the photographic image data. An intention judgment information detector detects intention judgment information used to judge the photographic intent of the user. A controller makes an intention judgment using the intention judgment information from the intention judgment information detector, and according to the intention judgment result, causes the photographic unit to selectively execute the operations for one of the modes.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an image pickup apparatus, comprising: an image pickup optical system which forms an image of a subject; an imaging device which obtains an image by picking up the image of the subject via the image pickup optical system; a target detection device which detects a size of a target in the image; a first control device which controls a focus position of the image pickup optical system according to the size of the target detected by the target detection device; and a second control device which performs continuous AF that detects a focusing position where a contrast in the image reaches a local maximum by moving the focus position of the image pickup optical system, moves the focus position of the image pickup optical system to the focusing position and keeps an in-focus state.

Abstract: Pattern data for specifying a face image of a person is registered in a pattern data storage unit 32 of a tracking device 16. When a face recognition auto-tracking mode is selected, a face image coinciding with the registered pattern data is detected, and an AF area is set to track the face image.

Abstract: Background blurring is provided when capturing an image using an image capture device. Input is received for initiating an image capture process for capturing an image at an image capture device. A background is automatically blurred based on a depth of field automatically adjusted towards the image capture device for capturing the image with background blurring in response to receiving the input for initiating the image capture process.

Abstract: An autofocus method for obtaining clear images characterized by: adjusting the lens position with an initial dataset of focus values to obtain a estimated lens position; moving the lens to the estimated lens position and acquiring the corresponding focus value; determining whether the estimated lens position is sufficiently proximate to the prior estimated lens position, wherein, if it is, the autofocus process stops, and, if not, repeating the above-described steps until a lens position having an optimal focus value is obtained, thereby obtaining the clearest image with increased focusing speed and reduced time of lens movement and without the need of empirical parameters.

Abstract: An aerial support structure for capturing an image of a target via a camera mounted thereon includes a support platform, a frame mounted to the support platform and a beam movably attached to the frame. A camera platform suspends and is axially spaced from the support platform by a plurality of support cables. An actuator is mounted to one of the support platform and the frame, and the actuator is associated with each of the plurality of support cables. Operation of the actuator causes the beam to move with respect to the frame, thereby moving the camera platform relative to the support platform.

Abstract: A covert camera for surveillance in an aircraft comprises a front panel that can have an appearance other than a conventional camera. The front panel can include at least one aperture therethrough. A lens can be in or near the aperture, the lens having a field of view. A camera mount can be positioned on the front panel. The camera mount can include a sensor capable of receiving an image of at least a portion of the field of view. The camera mount can be capable of adjustment without movement of the lens.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to lens actuators used, for example, in auto-focus and/or vibration compensation systems of digital cameras.