Abstract: A focus control device includes a first focus-lens group, a second focus-lens group, a wobbling control unit that generates a first wobbling control signal used to control a wobbling motion of the first focus-lens group and generates a second wobbling control signal used to control a wobbling motion of the second focus-lens group, and a phase control unit that controls the phase of the first and second wobbling control signals, wherein the phase control unit corrects the phase of the first wobbling control signal to cause the first focus-lens group to make a first target wobbling motion and corrects the phase of the second wobbling control signal to cause the second focus-lens group to make a second target wobbling motion.

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: An apparatus and method for determining confidence in focus direction detection, including the steps of capturing a plurality of images, calculating sets of matching errors and blur difference estimations relating to the images, capturing a plurality of object images; calculating sets of matching errors and blur difference estimations relating to the images, calculating a confidence indicator as a function of either the matching errors or blur difference estimations, and automatically adjusting a focus control element in response to said confidence indicator exceeding a threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining confidence in focus direction detection, including the steps of capturing a plurality of images, calculating sets of matching errors and blur difference estimations relating to the images, capturing a plurality of object images; calculating sets of matching errors and blur difference estimations relating to the images, calculating a confidence indicator as a function of either the matching errors or blur difference estimations, and automatically adjusting a focus control element in response to said confidence indicator exceeding a threshold value.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a motion amount detecting unit that detects an amount of motion of an object on the basis of an image signal of the object, a type information storage unit that stores a plurality of type information items used for detecting the type of the object, a type detecting unit that detects a type of the object on the basis of the stored type information items and the image signal of the object, a moving distance estimating unit that estimates a distance through which the object moves in an imaging screen on the basis of the detected amount of motion of the object and the object type detected by the type detecting unit, and a ranging area control unit that controls the size of a ranging area on the basis of the estimated distance through which the object moves in the imaging screen.

Abstract: A two picture matching curve information is able to be used to determine precise object distance or relative object distance in a scene. Acquiring two images with different blur information in addition to the curve information enables a device to determine distance information of objects in a scene. The distance information is able to be used in image processing including generating a depth map which is then able to be used in many imaging applications.

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 method of and system for computing control points in a test target are described herein. The method and system utilize symmetry to test pixel locations in a raster scan fashion, then a computed Sum of Absolute Differences or a Sum of Squared Difference value is stored at the pixel locations, which enables identification of local minimum in the resulting surface. The local minimum are control point locations.

Abstract: A two picture matching curve information is able to be used to determine precise object distance or relative object distance in a scene. Acquiring two images with different blur information in addition to the curve information enables a device to determine distance information of objects in a scene. The distance information is able to be used in image processing including generating a depth map which is then able to be used in many imaging applications.

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 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: An image pickup apparatus includes a motion amount detecting unit that detects an amount of motion of an object on the basis of an image signal of the object, a type information storage unit that stores a plurality of type information items used for detecting the type of the object, a type detecting unit that detects a type of the object on the basis of the stored type information items and the image signal of the object, a moving distance estimating unit that estimates a distance through which the object moves in an imaging screen on the basis of the detected amount of motion of the object and the object type detected by the type detecting unit, and a ranging area control unit that controls the size of a ranging area on the basis of the estimated distance through which the object moves in the imaging screen.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of pattern coating, comprising the steps of: coating a substrate with an aqueous colored coating composition comprising a neutralization product of an acrylic copolymer containing an alkoxysilyl group and a carboxyl group and a coloring pigment, using a spray device having a fine-orifice nozzle(s) to give a pattern coating layer, and coating the pattern coating layer with a clear coating composition.

Abstract: A process for producing a polymer of excellent weatherability, which comprises reacting a polymer having a thioether bond, with a peroxide to oxidize the sulfur atom in the bond to convert it into a sulfone.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an internal combustion engine which has an air-fuel ratio adjusting device for adjusting the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture, and an ignition device for igniting the air-fuel mixture. When a knock sensor detects a knocking state of the engine, it delivers a knock signal corresponding to the detected knocking state. In response to the knock signal delivered from the knock sensor, first correction data, which instantaneously prevents the knocking state by changing to a high degree, and second correction data, which corresponds to the properties of fuel used and prevents the knocking state by changing to a low degree, are calculated. The ignition timing is set in accordance with the calculated first and second correction data, whereby the operation of the ignition device is controlled. The air-fuel ratio is set in accordance with at least one of the first and second correction data, whereby the operation of the air-fuel ratio adjusting device is controlled.

Abstract: A fuel feed quantity control system of the so-called L-Jetronic system is described. The system is equipped with a Karman vortex air-flow sensor, at least one injector for feeding a fuel into an internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the quantity of the fuel, which is to be injected, on the basis of intake air flow rate information from the air-flow sensor, and at least one operation parameter sensor. The controller also includes at least one additional control unit which serves to correct the quantity of the fuel, which is to be fed into the engine, in accordance with at least one operation parameter from the operation parameter sensor and frequency information outputted from the air-flow sensor. The quantity of the fuel, which has been determined based on an output from the air-flow sensor, is corrected by the controller in accordance with changes in kinematic viscosity of the atmospheric air.

Abstract: Method of applying water paint in which compound capable of increasing, when decomposed, the hydrogen ion and viscosity of the paint used is added to a water-dispersible paint or a blend of a water-dispersible paint and a water-soluble paint, or is added during the coating step or is applied to the wet paint film by simultaneous spraying.

Abstract: A simple glucan has the repeating unit structure ##STR1## and has a mean molecular weight of about two million. It is produced by culturing mycelia of Coriolus Versicolor Iwade FERM-P No. 2743, and subjecting the cultured medium to hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, aqueous sodium acetate elution and ion exchange.

Abstract: A simple glucan has the repeating unit structure ##STR1## and has a mean molecular weight of about two million. It is produced by culturing mycelia of Coriolus Versicolor Iwade FERM-P No. 2743, and subjecting the cultured medium to hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, aqueous sodium acetate elution and ion exchange.

Abstract: A process for producing a cholesterol oxidase comprising cultivating Schizophyllum commune (IFO 4928) in a culture medium and extracting the cholesterol oxidase from the culture filtrate.