Abstract: A virtual viewpoint image generation method for generating a virtual viewpoint image that is an image of an object viewed from a virtual viewpoint based on plural images of the object taken by plural cameras. Projection planes having a multi-layered structure are set on the images of the object, corresponding to a projection point of a projection plane. Color information of each projection point is determined based on color information of corresponding points, for each of the projection points overlapping when viewed from a reference viewpoint in a space. A degree of probability that the object exists at a distance corresponding to a position of the projection point is determined based on a degree of correlation of the corresponding points.

Abstract: The pseudo depth information of a subject is generated from multiple images of the subject captured with and without illumination or under various illumination intensities. A pseudo 3D image generating apparatus generates a pseudo 3D image. It includes an image storing unit that stores the images, and a depth computing unit that computes pseudo depth values of the subject based on operations between the pixel values of corresponding pixels in the images. A compact and handy 3D image generating apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A virtual viewpoint image generation method for generating a virtual viewpoint image that is an image of an object viewed from a virtual viewpoint based on plural images of the object taken by plural cameras is provided.

Abstract: The pseudo depth information of a subject is generated from multiple images of the subject captured with and without illumination or under various illumination intensities. A pseudo 3D image generating apparatus generates a pseudo 3D image. It includes an image storing unit that stores the images, and a depth computing unit that computes pseudo depth values of the subject based on operations between the pixel values of corresponding pixels in the images. A compact and handy 3D image generating apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An article having anti-microbial properties which includes a low temperature melt injected film containing an interconnected network of resolidified photosemiconductor and conductor particles. The anti-microbial film also may include adsorbent particles for adsorbing microorganisms. Methods of manufacture of such articles, methods for treating infections, and methods for sterilizing fluids, also are provided.

Abstract: A coordinate address is generated which specifies the position in a square original tile area where pattern data is to be written for each pixel, and a check is made to determine if the coordinate address is adjacent any one of sides of the original tile area. When the written pixel is adjacent any one of sides of the original tile area, the position of a pixel is calculated which is adjacent the written pixel on another tile area adjacent the original tile area along that side, and the position of the adjacent pixel when the adjacent tile area is laid on the original tile area is calculated as a shifted position of the adjacent pixel. The positions of the written pixel and the shifted position are rotated predetermined angle about the center of a polygon at least once to obtain rotational positions. Pixel values are additionally written at these shift and rotational positions.

Abstract: A coordinate address is generated which specifies the position in a square original tile area where pattern data is to be written for each pixel, and a check is made to determine if the coordinate address is adjacent any one of sides of the original tile area. When the written pixel is adjacent any one of sides of the original tile area, the position of a pixel is calculated which is adjacent the written pixel on another tile area adjacent the original tile area along that side, and the position of the adjacent pixel when the adjacent tile area is laid on the original tile area is calculated as a shifted position of the adjacent pixel. The positions of the written pixel and the shifted position are rotated predetermined angle about the center of a polygon at least once to obtain rotational positions. Pixel values are additionally written at these shift and rotational positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading and writing a data signal from and on an optical card including an optical head having a semiconductor laser for emitting a writing light beam, a light emitting diode for emitting a reading light beam, a first object lens for projecting the reading light spots onto the optical card, a second objective lens for projecting the reading light beam reflected by the optical beam onto a photodetector and a half mirror arranged in an optical axis of the second objective lens, a driving mechanism for moving the optical card in it lengthwise direction, and a focusing control mechanism for moving the optical head in a direction normal to the surface of the optical card.

Abstract: Optical pick-up for reading information recorded on an optical card includes a light emitting diode, collimator lens, beam splitter and objective lens arranged so a de-focused illuminating light spot projects onto the card and reflects to a photodetector through the objective lens and beam splitter. The photodetector includes first light receiving regions arranged within a ring-shaped area where the luminance intensity of the beam does not substantially change even when a focus condition of the objective lens with respect to the card is varied, and second light receiving regions arranged outside the ring-shaped area. A focusing error signal is obtained by deriving a difference between a first sum of output signals of the first light receiving regions and a second sum of output signals of the second light receiving regions. The collimator lens may be arranged between the beam splitter and the objective lens and the photodetector arranged on a focal point of the collimator lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading information out of an optical record medium including a semiconductor laser diode for emitting a laser beam, a collimator lens, a beam splitter, an objective lens, converging lens and a photodetector. The laser beam emitted from the laser diode is made incident upon the optical record medium via the collimator lens, beam splitter and objective lens, and a light flux reflected by the optical record medium is made incident upon the photodetector via the objective lens, beam splitter and converging lens. The laser diode and collimator lens are arranged such that the laser beam is projected upon the optical record medium in a de-focused condition, while the objective lens is in-focused on the optical record medium.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for moving reciprocally a rectangular optical card in a longitudinal direction thereof, including two sets of three edge guide rollers each arranged along respective side edges of the optical card and separated from each other by a distance substantially equal to half of the longitudinal distance of the optical card, two sets of three periphery guide rollers each arranged along respective upper peripheries of the optical card and separated from each other by a distance substantialy equal to half of the longitudinal distance of the optical card, and driving rollers each arranged underneath the respective middle periphery guide rollers. The driving rollers are resiliently urged against the lower surface of the optical card and a shaft to which the driving rollers are secured and a motor connected to the shaft via gears are arranged movably up and down in conjunction with each other.

Abstract: In an optical card having a card substrate on which binary data are recorded by a portion having high reflectivity and a portion having low reflectivity, a background portion is formed by a material having low reflectivity. Therefore, even if a positional relation between a light receiving region of a light receiving element and a bit portion is varied, the data can be accurately read out. Further, since the background portion can be formed by the printing method or the photo developing method and can be used for the other of binary data, the optical card can be manufactured in an inexpensive manner without generating a skew.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of recording a data signal on an optical card having a photosensitive layer applied on a metal layer. A number of light beams are emitted from a number of light sources such as semiconductor laser diodes and thin film electroluminescent elements, each light source being selectively driven in accordance with the data signal to be recorded. The light beams are simultaneously made incident upon the photosensitive layer via a projection optical system such as optical fibers and lenses, while the optical card is moved in a longitudinal direction of the optical card. The recording light beams are aligned in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An optical card for storing a data signal as optically readable pits including a plurality of track units, each track unit being composed of a single control track having an array of square control blocks extending in first direction, and a plurality of data tracks disposed on respective sides of the control track. The control and data tracks are aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Data signals forming a single byte are recorded over a plurality of data tracks at positions which are aligned in the second direction. The control blocks in the control track are arranged such that focusing error, tracking error and clock pulses can be detected by processing signals obtained by optically scanning the control blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading and writing a data signal from and on an optical card including an optical head having a semiconductor laser for emitting a writing light beam, a light emitting diode for emitting a reading light beam, a first object lens for projecting the reading light spots onto the optical card, a second objective lens for projecting the reading light beam reflected by the optical beam onto a photodetector and a half mirror arranged in an optical axis of the second objecive lens, the first and second objective lens having inclined optical axes with respect to a surface of the optical card, a driving mechanism for feeding the optical card in its lengthwise direction, and a focusing control mechanism for moving the optical head in a direction normal to the surface of the optical card. The photodetector includes first and second detectors which are arranged to receive equally an image of a part of the optical card illuminated by the reading light beam only in a focused condition.

Abstract: An exposure control device for an electronic photographing apparatus comprises a gate circuit, which can transfer a transfer gate driving signal to a transfer gate in synchronism to the horizontal vertical synchronization control of said solid state image sensor, and a shutter driving circuit, which can operate a shutter in synchronism with a transfer gate driving signal first generated after the appearance of a shutter release signal. While the shutter is open, the gate circuit inhibits the transfer gate driving signal.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly with an auto-focus function includes first and second lens groups, and a control device for causing a drive mechanism to rotate a distance-presetting ring which moves one of the lens groups, to adjust a focus in accordance with a signal sent from a light-receiving element for indicating the focused state of a foreground object. A line pattern substrate is arranged to move with the distance-presetting ring. A change in the focal length caused by the rotation of a zoom ring is sensed by a substrate detecting element which informs the control device of that extent to which the distance-presetting ring is to be rotated in order to assure a proper focus notwithstanding the changed focal length. The corrective rotation of the distance-presetting ring is detected by movement of the line pattern substrate relative to the detecting element. The light-receiving element is supplied with a beam of light reflected from the foreground object through the first and second groups of lenses.

Abstract: An exposure control device for camera includes a detector for detecting the opening of a sector shutter. By detecting an actual opening of the sector shutter, an amount of incremental exposure is calculated based on the opening and the corresponding time interval. Such amount is accumulated to provide an accumulated value. An amount of proper exposure is determined on the basis of photographing information including the brightness of an object being photographed and a film speed. The sector shutter is controlled in accordance with the accumulated value and the amount of proper exposure.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter comprises first leading and trailing cylinders rotatably disposed on the winding side and fitted with leading and trailing screens, respectively, second leading and trailing cylinders rotatably disposed on the charge side and fitted with the leading and trailing screens, respectively, gears for rotating the first leading and trailing cylinders so that the first leading and trailing cylinders are wound with the leading and trailing screens, respectively, and charge springs for rotating the second leading and trailing cylinders at shutter release so that the second leading and trailing cylinders are wound with the leading and trailing screens, respectively. The first and second leading cylinders are substantially coaxial with said first and second trailing cylinders, respectively.

Abstract: A single lens reflex camera is provided which has a planar area for mounting a light emitting component such as an electronic flash thereon. The planar area is defined by at least a portion of top surface of a body of the camera which is located on one side of a pentaprism housing disposed centrally on the top surface, and is at a lower level than the remainder of the top surface which is located on the opposite side of the pentaprism housing. The planar area is formed with a threaded bore for mounting the light emitting component, and is also provided with a terminal connector having a plurality of terminals inclusive of a synchro contact terminal, an illumination control signal terminal and a power supply terminal.