Abstract: An imaging system generates a picture depth map from a pair of reduced resolution images. The system captures two full resolution images, receives image reduction image information and creates two reduced resolution images. The system computes a blur difference between the two reduced resolution images at different image locations. The system calculates the depth map based on the blur difference between the two reduced resolution images at different image locations.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging apparatus which is provided with an imaging device and a mount adaptor which adjusts a flange focal length between the imaging apparatus and an interchangeable lens, wherein the mount adaptor is provided with a phase difference focus detection section which performs focus detection from a phase difference and an optical device which splits incident light from the interchangeable lens into incident light of the imaging device and incident light of the phase difference focus detection section, and the imaging apparatus is provided with a contrast focus detection section which performs focus detection from contrast using the imaging device, an adjustment section which adjusts the focus position of the phase difference focus detection section, and an adjustment control section which activates adjustment control of the focus position using detection of the mounting of the mount adaptor and the interchangeable lens.

Abstract: A camera auto-focuses using computed blur differences between images of a three-dimensional scene. The camera computes the blur difference between two images of the scene acquired at two different picture numbers. The camera uses the computed blur difference to predict a third picture number, where the camera uses the third picture number to auto-focus a camera lens on the scene.

Abstract: A focus control device includes: an in-detection-range focal depth number calculation section that calculates the number of in-detection-range focal depths as the number of focal depths, which are divided as division units and each of which depends on a position of a focus lens, in accordance with a detection range in which the focus lens is shifted in order to detect the contrast of a captured image signal; a detection interval determination section that determines the number of in-detection-interval focal depths, which represents the number of focal depths as the division units, as a detection interval in the detection range, in accordance with the calculated number of in-detection-range focal depths; and a focus lens shift instruction section that instructs a lens section to perform a focus search which shifts the focus lens by specifying the detection range and the number of in-detection-interval focal depths determined as the detection interval.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens includes an acquiring section that acquires an amount of supply power from an imaging apparatus to which the interchangeable lens is attached, and operation information related to an operation of the imaging apparatus in a period during which the supply power is supplied, and a determining section that determines power to be distributed to a plurality of driving sections that drive a plurality of optical members, for each of the driving sections, on the basis of the acquired amount of supply power and the acquired operation information.

Abstract: An imaging acquisition system that generates a picture depth from an auto focus curve generated from picture of a three dimensional spatial scene is described. The auto focus curve comprises a step edge. The system generates the depth based on the step edge and a reference auto focus normalization curve.

Abstract: An imaging acquisition system that generates a depth map from two pictures of a three dimensional spatial scene is described. According to one aspect of the invention, the system generates the depth map based on the relative blur between the two pictures and the absolute blur contributed by the system. According to another aspect of the invention, the system calculates the depth map directly from the relative blur between the two pictures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image pickup device including: a detecting unit for detecting a position of a filter for changing light separation; and a white balance controlling unit for performing white balance control on a basis of the position of the filter detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for determining a depth map utilizing a movable lens and an image sensor are described herein. The depth information is acquired by moving the lens a short distance and acquiring multiple images with different blur quantities. An improved method of simulating gaussian blur and an approximation equation that relates a known gaussian blur quantity to a known pillbox quantity are used in conjunction with a non-linear blur difference equation. The blur quantity difference is able to be calculated and then used to determine the depth map. Many applications are possible using the method and system described herein, such as autofocusing, surveillance, robot/computer vision, autonomous vehicle navigation, multi-dimensional imaging and data compression.

Abstract: A super-resolution image is generated from a sequence of low resolution images. In one embodiment, the image shift information is measured for each of the low resolution images using an image stabilization component of an imaging device. The shift information is used to generate the super-resolution image. In another embodiment, the blurs are calculated for each of the low resolution images and are used to generate the super-resolution image.

Abstract: A camera auto-focuses using computed blur differences between images of a three-dimensional scene. The camera computes the blur difference between two images of the scene acquired at two different picture numbers. The camera uses the computed blur difference to predict a third picture number, where the camera uses the third picture number to auto-focus a camera lens on the scene.

Abstract: An imaging acquisition system that generates a picture depth from an auto focus curve generated from picture of a three dimensional spatial scene is described. The auto focus curve comprises a step edge. The system generates the depth based on the step edge and a reference auto focus normalization curve.

Abstract: A system and method in which a fluorescent light flicker characteristic of an XY addressing type image pickup device such as a CMOS image pickup device is accurately detected and reliably and sufficiently reduced. This is achieved through signal processing without using a photosensitive element regardless of the level of a video signal of a subject and the type of a fluorescent lamp. A signal In?(x,y) is an RGB primary color signal or a luminance signal, each containing a flicker component. The signal In?(x,y) is integrated over a duration of time equal to or longer than one horizontal period, and a difference value between the integrated values of adjacent fields is normalized by the average value of the integrated values of three consecutive fields.

Abstract: An imaging acquisition system that generates a picture depth from an auto focus curve generated from picture of a three dimensional spatial scene is described. The auto focus curve comprises a step edge. The system generates the depth based on the step edge and a reference auto focus normalization curve.

Abstract: An imaging system generates a picture depth map from a pair of reduced resolution images. The system captures two full resolution images, receives image reduction image information and creates two reduced resolution images. The system computes a blur difference between the two reduced resolution images at different image locations. The system calculates the depth map based on the blur difference between the two reduced resolution images at different image locations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image pick up apparatus having means for cumulatively adding image signals and storing the image signals in memory, which is capable of preventing cumulative addition of image signals for which camera-shake correction is insufficient and improving picture quality of image signals stored in memory.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for determining a depth map utilizing a movable lens and an image sensor are described herein. The depth information is acquired by moving the lens a short distance and acquiring multiple images with different blur quantities. An improved method of simulating gaussian blur and an approximation equation that relates a known gaussian blur quantity to a known pillbox quantity are used in conjunction with a non-linear blur difference equation. The blur quantity difference is able to be calculated and then used to determine the depth map. Many applications are possible using the method and system described herein, such as autofocusing, surveillance, robot/computer vision, autonomous vehicle navigation, multi-dimensional imaging and data compression.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for capturing an image, including: imaging means for capturing an image by subjecting an incoming light to photoelectric conversion; operation means for being operated by a user; adding image generation means for adding, while the operation means is being operated, an image captured by the imaging means with an exposure time not long enough for correct exposure, and generating an adding image; and recording control means for recording the adding image to a recording medium when the operation means is stopped for operation.

Abstract: The present invention allows for increasing an autofocus-response characteristic. An image-pickup sensor makes exposures ex 11 and ex12 (FIG. 7C) in synchronization with a video-vertical-synchronization signal VP1 (FIG. 7A). A camera-signal processing unit reads video signals obtained through the exposures ex11 and ex12 at timings VR12 and VR 21, respectively (FIG. 7D). An AF-detection unit captures a high-frequency component of a video signal corresponding to an AF-detection-reduction gate frame (hereinafter simply referred to as a gate frame) at the timing of the gate frame, rectifies and detects the high-frequency component, and generates a focus-evaluation value immediately after the gate-frame timing. An AF module captures a plurality of the focus-evaluation values at the timing of an AF module AF 2 (FIG. 7F), generates an autofocus-control signal LD3 which brings a focus position near to a focusing position (FIG. 7G), and moves a focus lens on the basis of the autofocus-control signal LD3.

Abstract: An imaging acquisition system that generates a picture depth from an auto focus curve generated from picture of a three dimensional spatial scene is described. The auto focus curve comprises a step edge. The system generates the depth based on the step edge and a reference auto focus normalization curve.