Abstract: A camera system includes a camera main body and a camera head mounted to the camera main body. A main body CPU of the camera main body determines whether or not an image signal transmitted from the mounted camera head can be processed by a signal conversion processing section of the camera main body based on ID information and signal conversion processing information downloaded from the camera head upon mounting the camera head. When it is determined that the signal cannot be processed by the signal conversion processing section by the main body CPU, the camera main body sets a RAW data recording mode for recording RAW data on a recording medium by adding a part of the signal conversion processing information of the camera head as data without performing signal processing in the signal conversion processing section.

Abstract: In an image pick-up apparatus which has an image pick-up device having a main pixel of high sensitivity and a sub-pixel of low sensitivity in one pixel, gain values for white balance adjustment are calculated in association with each of the main pixel and the sub-pixel, or gain values for white balance adjustment are stored in advance for each of the main pixel and the sub-pixel. White balance adjustment is separately performed on the main pixel and the sub-pixel using the gain values for white balance adjustment, and image signals from both of them are synthesized to obtain one image. Thus, proper white balance control can be allowed to obtain an picked-up image having excellent color reproducibility.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera lens assembly with an imaging optical system through which a subject light image passes, an imaging device that obtains image data representative of the subject light image formed through the imaging optical system, an information transmission section that transmits imaging information necessary for obtaining an in-focus range for the imaging device, and an image transmission section that transmits the image data obtained by the imaging device; and a camera body with a connection section on which the camera lens assembly is detachably mounted, an image receiving section that receives image data; an image processing section that applies a predetermined image processing to the image data received by the image receiving section, and an information receiving section that receives the imaging information.

Abstract: A camera system capable of suitably displaying a through image is provided. A through image signal processing section is provided in a camera head. If signal processing cannot be performed by a digital signal processing section on a camera main body side, a through image is displayed based on a through image signal supplied from the through image signal processing section on the camera head side. In initialization of the camera system, the camera main body side, in advance, requests the camera head side to transmit a list of display modes that can be processed by the through image signal processing section. Subsequently, the through image is displayed in display modes common in the display mode list transmitted from the camera head and a display mode list of a display section in the camera main body.

Abstract: A camera system is capable of exactly catching the subject at the time of release operation by the imaging device of the camera head in accordance with the release button operation at the side of the camera main frame, even if the camera head and the camera main frame are not formed in a unitary body. There are provided two dedicated lines for supplying to a head CPU a release signal according to the half-depression and a release signal according to the full-depression, respectively. Other signals are transmitted via serial interfaces to be driven by three-wire serial drivers. Only the release signals are transmitted from the camera main frame via the two dedicated lines to the camera head.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera main body and a camera head mounted to the camera main body. A main body CPU of the camera main body determines whether or not an image signal transmitted from the mounted camera head can be processed by a signal conversion processing section of the camera main body based on ID information and signal conversion processing information downloaded from the camera head upon mounting the camera head. When it is determined that the signal cannot be processed by the signal conversion processing section by the main body CPU, the camera main body sets a RAW data recording mode for recording RAW data on a recording medium by adding a part of the signal conversion processing information of the camera head as data without performing signal processing in the signal conversion processing section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital camera in which the start-up time which is from when a power source is turned on until the digital camera is in a state in which photographing is possible is short. A DC motor and a stepping motor are driven simultaneously. A cord plate which is provided in advance at an outer circumferential surface of a rotating cylinder is detected. Then, the stepping motor is driven to move the focus lens by a movement amount corresponding to a detected range of the cord plate. When the setting of various types of components necessary for photographing other than the lens groups has finished, even if the zoom lens groups (forward lens group and backward lens group) are moving to their home positions, the digital camera is in a state in which photographing is possible.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus that is capable of loading a plurality of memory media that includes a plurality of medium wearable units where a respective memory medium is loaded detachably; a medium selector for selecting from said plurality of medium wearable units a write-execution medium wearable unit that should execute writing of data; and a selection controller for controlling said medium selector, said selection controller having an automatic selection controller for selecting said write-execution medium wearable unit according to a predetermined automatic selection basis that reflects a user's medium selection trait.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a plurality of output channels and appropriately operates depending on use situation. The image pickup apparatus includes a system control for determining whether a condition is set on a resolution representing a first speed mode, a resolution representing a second speed mode faster than VGA (Video Graphics Array), or an HDTV (High Definition TeleVision) to generate a control signal depending on the determination result. The control signal controls a drive mode control. Under the control of a timing signal generator responsive to a control signal supplied from the drive mode control, an image sensor and a driver therefor provides image signals captured on two outputs or a single output. The drive mode control controls processing of the image signals in a preprocessor so as to correspond to the number of the output channels of the image sensor.

Abstract: A camera system capable of suitably displaying a through image is provided. A through image signal processing section is provided in a camera head. If signal processing cannot be performed by a digital signal processing section on a camera main body side, a through image is displayed based on a through image signal supplied from the through image signal processing section on the camera head side. In initialization of the camera system, the camera main body side, in advance, requests the camera head side to transmit a list of display modes that can be processed by the through image signal processing section. Subsequently, the through image is displayed in display modes common in the display mode list transmitted from the camera head and a display mode list of a display section in the camera main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital camera which can adjust the start-up time in accordance with an amount of an electric energy of a power source being used at the time. The electric energy of the power source and the type thereof are determined on the basis of a voltage value of the power source which is inputted via a bus (steps 202, 206 and 218). If it is determined that the amount of the electric energy of the power source is large, the DC motor and the stepping motor are driven simultaneously so as to reduce the start-up time. If it is determined that the amount of the electric energy of the power source is small, the DC motor and the stepping motor are sequentially driven to save the electric energy.

Abstract: A camera system is capable of exactly catching the subject at the time of release operation by the imaging device of the camera head in accordance with the release button operation at the side of the camera main frame, even if the camera head and the camera main frame are not formed in a unitary body. There are provided two dedicated lines for supplying to a head CPU a release signal according to the half-depression and a release signal according to the full-depression, respectively. Other signals are transmitted via serial interfaces to be driven by three-wire serial drivers. Only the release signals are transmitted from the camera main frame via the two dedicated lines to the camera head.

Abstract: A camera system comprises: a camera head comprising an imaging optical system through which a subject light passes, an imaging device that obtains image data representative of the subject light formed through the imaging optical system, an information transmission section that transmits imaging information necessary for obtaining a degree of strictness to be determined in an in-focus on the imaging device, and an image transmission section that transmits the image data obtained by the imaging device; and a camera main frame comprising a connection section on which the camera head is detachably mounted, an image receiving section that receives image data; an image processing section that applies a predetermined image processing to the image data received by the image receiving section, and an information receiving section that receives the imaging information.

Abstract: A plurality of sorts of camera heads being different from one another in specification of the imaging device is each provided with JPEG compression section so that the camera head outputs an image signal, which is subjected to a JPEG compression in compression rate of the mode “fine”, in form of a predetermined format. The provision of a camera main frame, which is capable of performing an image processing through entry of the signal subjected to the JPEG compression in compression rate of the mode “fine”, makes it possible to implement a camera system capable of performing the image processing by the JPEG compression and expansion section and the signal processing section of the camera main frame regardless of the camera head.

Abstract: In an image pick-up apparatus which has an image pick-up device having a main pixel of high sensitivity and a sub-pixel of low sensitivity in one pixel, gain values for white balance adjustment are calculated in association with each of the main pixel and the sub-pixel, or gain values for white balance adjustment are stored in advance for each of the main pixel and the sub-pixel. White balance adjustment is separately performed on the main pixel and the sub-pixel using the gain values for white balance adjustment, and image signals from both of them are synthesized to obtain one image. Thus, proper white balance control can be allowed to obtain an picked-up image having excellent color reproducibility.

Abstract: Output of one horizontal scanning line of a signal from an effective pixel area of a CCD and writing of image data, which has been converted to digital data, to a line memory are carried out in an effective image display interval. Read-out of image data from the line memory is performed in an ineffective image interval. Since an image represented by image data obtained based upon the effective pixel area is displayed on a display screen, noise produced by DMA transfer clock pulses can be prevented from being superimposed on the image displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital camera which can adjust the start-up time in accordance with an amount of an electric energy of a power source being used at the time. The electric energy of the power source and the type thereof are determined on the basis of a voltage value of the power source which is inputted via a bus (steps 202, 206 and 218). If it is determined that the amount of the electric energy of the power source is large, the DC motor and the stepping motor are driven simultaneously so as to reduce the start-up time. If it is determined that the amount of the electric energy of the power source is small, the DC motor and the stepping motor are sequentially driven to save the electric energy.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus that is capable of loading a plurality of memory media that includes a plurality of medium wearable units where a respective memory medium is loaded detachably; a medium selector for selecting from said plurality of medium wearable units a write-execution medium wearable unit that should execute writing of data; and a selection controller for controlling said medium selector, said selection controller having an automatic selection controller for selecting said write-execution medium wearable unit according to a predetermined automatic selection basis that reflects a user's medium selection trait.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital camera in which the start-up time which is from when a power source is turned on until the digital camera is in a state in which photographing is possible is short. A DC motor and a stepping motor are driven simultaneously. A cord plate which is provided in advance at an outer circumferential surface of a rotating cylinder is detected. Then, the stepping motor is driven to move the focus lens by a movement amount corresponding to a detected range of the cord plate. When the setting of various types of components necessary for photographing other than the lens groups has finished, even if the zoom lens groups (forward lens group and backward lens group) are moving to their home positions, the digital camera is in a state in which photographing is possible.

Abstract: A scanner in which image data can be stored in a memory card and output to a computer is so adapted that a user can tell, at a glance, the destination of the output of image data representing the image of an original. The display screen of the scanner is provided with an output-destination display area. The icon of the memory card is displayed in the display area if the memory card has been loaded in the scanner, and the icon of the computer is displayed in the display area if the computer has been connected to the scanner. When the destination of the output of the image data is designated, the display of the designated destination is enclosed by a frame. The display enclosed by the frame is the destination of the output of image data, thus making it possible to ascertain the destination of the image data output at a glance. Further, the number of originals capable of being stored in the memory card can be ascertained.