Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a first imaging device configured to perform photoelectric conversion on subject light input through a first filter to output a first image signal, the first filter preventing light in a predetermined wavelength band of wavelengths longer than that of visible light from being transmitted; a second imaging device arranged at a different position from the first imaging device and configured to perform photoelectric conversion on subject light containing a wavelength component of the light in the predetermined wavelength band to output a second image signal; a correlation detection unit configured to detect a correlation between the first and second image signals; a luminance signal generation unit configured to generate a luminance signal; a color signal generation unit configured to generate a color signal; and a three-dimensional image generation unit configured to generate a three-dimensional image by the correlation, the luminance signal, and the color signal.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a first imaging device configured to perform photoelectric conversion on subject light input through a first filter to output a first image signal, the first filter preventing light in a predetermined wavelength band of wavelengths longer than that of visible light from being transmitted; a second imaging device arranged at a different position from the first imaging device and configured to perform photoelectric conversion on subject light containing a wavelength component of the light in the predetermined wavelength band to output a second image signal; a correlation detection unit configured to detect a correlation between the first and second image signals; a luminance signal generation unit configured to generate a luminance signal; a color signal generation unit configured to generate a color signal; and a three-dimensional image generation unit configured to generate a three-dimensional image by the correlation, the luminance signal, and the color signal.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a first imaging device including a first filter, and configured to output a first image signal, and the first filter preventing light in a predetermined wavelength band of wavelengths longer than visible light; a second imaging device arranged at a different position and configured to perform photoelectric conversion on subject light containing a wavelength component of the light in the predetermined wavelength band to output a second image signal; a correlation detection unit configured to detect a correlation between the first and second image signals; a luminance signal generation unit configured to generate a luminance signal; a color signal generation unit configured to generate a color signal; and a three-dimensional image generation unit configured to generate a three-dimensional image by the correlation, the luminance signal, and the color signal.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a first imaging device configured to perform photoelectric conversion on subject light input through a first filter to output a first image signal, the first filter preventing light in a predetermined wavelength band of wavelengths longer than that of visible light from being transmitted; a second imaging device arranged at a different position from the first imaging device and configured to perform photoelectric conversion on subject light containing a wavelength component of the light in the predetermined wavelength band to output a second image signal; a correlation detection unit configured to detect a correlation between the first and second image signals; a luminance signal generation unit configured to generate a luminance signal; a color signal generation unit configured to generate a color signal; and a three-dimensional image generation unit configured to generate a three-dimensional image by the correlation, the luminance signal, and the color signal.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to visually show both of information which is originally visually recognizable and information which is originally not seen that have been provided from equipment on the same image, so that it is possible to grasp the content of information and the source of providing the information corresponding to or in association with each other. Furthermore, it is possible to view information difficult to visually recognize together with visually recognizable information, and it is possible to clearly grasp, in addition to information which can be visually obtained at the place where a user currently stays, information related to the visually obtained information, from an image visually indicating the association.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.

Abstract: A camera consists of a first unit and a second unit removably connectable to the first unit. The first unit is provided with an imaging section including an optical system and an imaging device, that enables to capture high-quality images. The first unit is formed with a grip portion for holding and handling the camera as a combination of the first unit and the second unit. The second unit is provided with a driving device including a CPU, a lens driver circuit, a stop driver circuit and a timing generator, and a second imaging section including an optical system and an imaging device, that enables to capture relatively low-quality images. While the second unit is connected to the first unit, the driving device drives the imaging section of the first unit. While the second unit is not connected to the first unit, the driving device drives the imaging section of the second unit.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In a normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In a normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.

Abstract: The autofocus adjustment device comprises a distance-measuring sensor and a contrast system AF, and is capable of attaining further speeding up and high accuracy. The autofocus adjustment device drives a focus lens according to the measurement result of a distance-measuring sensor and then performs focus adjustment according to a contrast system according to the image signal outputted from a solid-state image pickup element, and makes variable the search range and determination area of the contrast AF according to the measured distance from the object, brightness of the object, focal length and aperture, etc. of the lens. The distance-measuring sensor measures the distance from the object periodically before a release button is depressed and speeds up the focusing when the release button is depressed.

Abstract: The autofocus adjustment device comprises a distance-measuring sensor and a contrast system AF, and is capable of attaining further speeding up and high accuracy. The autofocus adjustment device drives a focus lens according to the measurement result of a distance-measuring sensor and then performs focus adjustment according to a contrast system according to the image signal outputted from a solid-state image pickup element, and makes variable the search range and determination area of the contrast AF according to the measured distance from the object, brightness of the object, focal length and aperture, etc. of the lens. The distance-measuring sensor measures the distance from the object periodically before a release button is depressed and speeds up the focusing when the release button is depressed.

Abstract: A producing method of producing a solid state pickup device is provided. Imaging elements are formed on a wafer in a matrix form. Each of the imaging elements has a light receiving surface and plural contact points. Receiving surface border portions are formed on a glass plate to protrude therefrom in a matrix form by etching. The receiving surface border portions are attached to the wafer to surround the light receiving surface in each of the receiving surface border portions. The light receiving surface is spaced from the glass plate. The glass plate is diced outside respectively the receiving surface border portions, to form shield glass for covering the light receiving surface. The wafer is diced for each of the imaging elements, to obtain the solid state pickup device having the shield glass and one of the imaging elements.

Abstract: The camera reads identification information of the user, which is contained in an identification card, through a card reading part. The camera connects automatically to a server designated in accordance with the read identification information through a communication interface. Then, the camera transmits and stores the data of recorded images to the designated server. The camera retrieves the image data stored in the server, and reproduces and displays the image on an image display at the back of the camera. A plurality of cameras in which the same user's identification information is set can be controlled altogether in the image-recording and reproduction by one camera. One camera in which the identification information of a plurality of user's is set can distribute the recorded image data to the servers of the users simultaneously.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus is capable of capturing a three-dimensional image and a high quality panoramic image as the need arises, and is portable if it is used as a single lens camera that captures a normal two-dimensional image. A second image-capturing unit having an image-capturing optical system is detachably connected to a first image-capturing unit, which is capable of functioning as an image-capturing apparatus by itself, through joints and a connector. The second image-capturing unit can extensively connect to other units, which have the similar connecting structure. Information is transmitted between the units through a slot for an external storage device. There is provided a means for adjusting the positions of images captured by the second and subsequent image-capturing units with respect to an image captured by the first image-capturing unit.

Abstract: A producing method of producing a solid state pickup device is provided. Imaging elements are formed on a wafer in a matrix form. Each of the imaging elements has a light receiving surface and plural contact points. Receiving surface border portions are formed on a glass plate to protrude therefrom in a matrix form by etching. The receiving surface border portions are attached to the wafer to surround the light receiving surface in each of the receiving surface border portions. The light receiving surface is spaced from the glass plate. The glass plate is diced outside respectively the receiving surface border portions, to form shield glass for covering the light receiving surface. The wafer is diced for each of the imaging elements, to obtain the solid state pickup device having the shield glass and one of the imaging elements.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In a normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In a normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.

Abstract: The autofocus adjustment device comprises a distance-measuring sensor and a contrast system AF, and is capable of attaining further speeding up and high accuracy. The autofocus adjustment device drives a focus lens according to the measurement result of a distance-measuring sensor and then performs focus adjustment according to a contrast system according to the image signal outputted from a solid-state image pickup element, and makes variable the search range and determination area of the contrast AF according to the measured distance from the object, brightness of the object, focal length and aperture, etc. of the lens. The distance-measuring sensor measures the distance from the object periodically before a release button is depressed and speeds up the focusing when the release button is depressed.

Abstract: A cellular telephone handset has a built-in image pickup device. A lid shaped reception unit is slidable on a transmission unit or main body between closed and open positions, lies on a first surface of the main body when in the closed position, and uncovers at least part of the first surface when in the open position. An image sensor to pick up an image is contained in the main body. A first lens element receives object light incident thereon. Plural second lens elements in the main body have an optical axis extending in a sliding direction of the lid shaped reception unit, for introducing the object light to the image sensor. A path bending prism introduces the object light to the second lens elements by changing an optical path of the object light from the first lens element. An optical path length of the second lens elements is changeable.

Abstract: A producing method of producing a solid state pickup device is provided. Imaging elements are formed on a wafer in a matrix form. Each of the imaging elements has a light receiving surface and plural contact points. Receiving surface border portions are formed on a glass plate to protrude therefrom in a matrix form by etching. The receiving surface border portions are attached to the wafer to surround the light receiving surface in each of the receiving surface border portions. The light receiving surface is spaced from the glass plate. The glass plate is diced outside respectively the receiving surface border portions, to form shield glass for covering the light receiving surface. The wafer is diced for each of the imaging elements, to obtain the solid state pickup device having the shield glass and one of the imaging elements.