Abstract: An image taking apparatus includes an image sensor which picks up an image of a photographic object and a selector which selects a first photographing mode or a second photographing mode and a controller. The second photographing mode is a mode for composing a plurality of picked-up images to create a composite image. The controller makes the image sensor pickup a photographic object image on the first photographing condition when the first photographing mode is selected by the selector, and makes the image sensor pick up a plurality of images of photographic objects on the second photographing condition different from said first photographing condition when the second photographing mode is selected by the selector.

Abstract: An image taking apparatus includes an image sensor which takes a plurality of images different in focal distance, a processor which creates a pan-focus image focused on each of different photographic objects from the plurality of images taken by the image sensor, a discriminator which discriminates whether or not it is appropriate to create the pan-focus image, and a controller which forbids the processor to create the pan-focus image when the discriminator discriminates that it is not appropriate to create the pan-focus image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided with: a partial image data generator for generating a plurality of partial image data pertaining to a plurality of partial images of an object respectively, one partial image being partially overlapped another partial image in a boundary portion; a boundary image data generator for generating boundary image data pertaining to the boundary portion based on image data pertaining to the respective overlapped portions; and an image synthesizer for synthesizing the plurality of partial image data by way of the generated boundary image data to generate image data pertaining to a single image of the object.

Abstract: First, a plurality of images are automatically selected by the digital camera and are combined into a single image. When the composite image is not approved as an image to be saved, i.e., when the user does not like the image, or the image is judged inappropriate, a plurality of image is again selected. Then, the image selection and image combination are repeated until a desired composite image is obtained, or until a suitable composite image is obtained. Then, the desired or suitable composite image is ultimately saved on the recording medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pixel interpolation performed on color separated image data which is obtained from a Bayer array or like sensor. The slopes of pixel values are computed in two or more directions and pixel weight factors are calculated corresponding to these directions based on the computed slopes. The pixel weight factors are used in the pixel interpolation calculation to improve the interpolated result such as is necessary in the edge region of an image.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which reads document surfaces of open book-like documents placed on a document platen in a face upward condition, the image reading apparatus comprises; a first detector which detects a height distribution of a document surface in a main scanning direction, a second detector which detects a height distribution of the document surface in a sub-scanning direction, and a direction discrimination device for discriminating whether a placement direction of the document is a main scanning direction or a sub-scanning direction based on the height distributions.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which reads document surfaces of open book-like documents placed on a document platen in a face upward condition and detects height of the document to control an image reading operation. An image reader reads the document platen on which the document is placed and outputs image data. A height detector detects height distribution of the document, and a discrimination device determines whether or not abnormalities occur in the height distribution of the document. A memory stores the height distribution of the document, and a update device updates the height distribution of the document stored in the memory when the abnormalities do not occur in the height distribution of the document. A correcting device corrects distortion of the image data caused by the height of the document in accordance with the height distribution of the document stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which reads book-like documents placed on a document platen in a face upward condition. A first detector detects the height of the document surface by the shape of a side surface of the document, and a second detector detects the height of the document by the shape of the document surface. A discrimination device detects abnormal height data detected by the detectors, and distortion of image data output from an imaging device is corrected using height data determined to have no abnormality.

Abstract: In a document reading apparatus capable of picking up image data of documents from above position thereof, curvature of the documents is detected by measuring the height of the document surface. In accordance with the detected curvature, interpolative and expansional processing to the picked up image data is executed. Distorted image data of the documents due to the curvature is thereby corrected.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus which can determine an effective image pickup area containing no object such as operator's hands or fingers pressing a document and rectify image data prior to imaging operation, making use of a difference of the object from the document in chromaticity, luminous density, and the like.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus comprising a document table, a reading section disposed above the document table for reading a document placed on the document table. The reading section includes a sensor for detecting variations of brightness within a selected reading area of the document which is designated by light beams prior to a reading operation. This apparatus further comprises a display device for displaying the image of the selected reading area.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus comprising a document table, a reading section disposed above the document table for reading a document placed on the document table. The reading section includes a sensor for detecting variations of brightness within a selected reading area of the document which is designated by light beams prior to a reading operation. This apparatus further comprises a display device for displaying the image of the selected reading area.

Abstract: A focus detecting device for a camera utilizing auxiliary illumination, comprises a sensor for detecting the image of a photographic object, a first light emitter for projecting a first auxiliary light toward the object, a second light emitter for projecting a second auxiliary light toward the object. The second auxiliary light illuminates a smaller area than the first auxiliary light. The first and second light emitters are selectively driven in response to brightness of the object, thereby to produce a contrasty light image onto the object.

Abstract: The focus detecting apparatus of the present invention is adapted to detect focusing state of a taking lens by detecting relative positional relation between first and second images formed by luminous bundles from an object which passed through first and second image re-forming lenses, including first series of photosensitive elements receiving the first image, second series of photosensitive elements receiving the second image, first calculating device related to a plurality of portions of the series of elements each having a prescribed number of elements on the first series of photosensitive elements, for calculating a representative value for each portion, a second calculating device related to a plurality of portions of the series of elements each having a prescribed number of elements on the second series of photosensitive elements, for calculating a representative value for each portion correlation calculating device for calculating correlation between representative values of the portions of the series

Abstract: A document reading apparatus comprising a document table, a reading section disposed above the document table for reading a document, e.g. an opened book, placed on the document table, and a linear light source for emitting light to the opened book at an angle thereto. The reading section includes a sensor for detecting an image of the light emitted to the book. This image displays a brightness distribution over surfaces of the opened book including curvatures adjacent the joint. The brightness distribution is used as a reference for rectifying an image signal corresponding to the opened book when the document image is reproduced.

Abstract: An auto-focus camera includes focus detection means for detecting the focussing state of a photographic lens, reliability discriminating means for discriminating whether the result of the focus detection means is reliable, first drive control means for driving the photographic lens to a position determined from the result of the focus detection means when the reliability discriminating means discriminates that the result is reliable, second drive control means for driving the photographic lens in a predetermined direction when the reliability discriminating means discriminates that the result is unreliable, and means for executing operations necessary for focussing during the predetermined direction driving, such as judgement as to whether a reverse driving is necessary, calculation of the driving amount of the photographic lens to an in-focus position.