Abstract: An auto-focus device, for eliminating an uncomfortable feeling when phase difference AF is switched to optical path length difference AF when an arbitrary area is set as a focusing target area, and a method for controlling operation of the same. A desired area is set as the focusing target area. Until a first threshold value position is reached, the focus lens is moved based on a phase difference AF evaluation value obtained from a phase difference AF sensor so as to bring the center portion of the imaging area into focus. Until a second threshold value position is reached, the focus lens is moved based on a phase difference AF evaluation value which is obtained from a signal of an area corresponding to the set focusing target area. When the focus lens reaches the second threshold value position, the focus lens is positioned at the focusing position.

Abstract: This invention provides an auto-focus device, which is for eliminating an uncomfortable feeling when phase difference AF is switched to optical path length difference AF when an arbitrary area is set as a focusing target area, and a method for controlling operation of the same. A cameraman sets a desired area as the focusing target area. Until a focus lens reaches a first threshold value position, the focus lens is moved on the basis of a phase difference AF evaluation value obtained from a phase difference AF sensor so as to bring the center portion of the imaging area into focus. Until the focus lens reaches a second threshold value position, the focus lens is moved on the basis of a phase difference AF evaluation value which is output from a phase difference imaging element and is obtained from a signal of an area corresponding to the set focusing target area.

Abstract: When a camera body is shaken, a piezoelectric element generates a signal corresponding to angular velocity. The output signal of the element is amplified by a synchronous detection amplifier and is sent to a high-pass filter. An output signal of the filter is integrated after digital conversion and is outputted as a shake amount of the camera body. An initialization-trigger generating circuit generates an initialization trigger in predetermined cycles. When the trigger is inputted, the amplifier outputs a first zero-level signal. A zero-level initialization circuit initializes the filter every input of the trigger to output a second zero-level signal. The two zero-level signals have a reference signal value to be outputted at a time of the angular velocity zero. During the initialization, the reference signal value is applied to both sides of the filter to remove drift components included in the output signal thereof.

Abstract: Output of a gyro sensor is read at intervals of control time ts, time integration is carried out, an integrated value is computed, and an amount of change in an integrated value is determined from a difference between the calculated integrated value and an integrated value of a previous time. Thereafter, on the basis of the amount of change and a delay time determined by a shaking correcting module and the control time, an addition value (an acceleration value of an integrated value of the current time) is computed in order to obtain an amount of movement of a shift lens which can compensate tilting of an optical axis of a lens. After the computed addition value is added to the integrated value of the current time, a control value for moving the shift lens is computed by using the integrated value after addition.

Abstract: Output of a gyro sensor is read at intervals of control time ts, time integration is carried out, an integrated value is computed, and an amount of change in an integrated value is determined from a difference between the calculated integrated value and an integrated value of a previous time. Thereafter, on the basis of the amount of change and a delay time determined by a shaking correcting module and the control time, an addition value (an acceleration value of an integrated value of the current time) is computed in order to obtain an amount of movement of a shift lens which can compensate tilting of an optical axis of a lens. After the computed addition value is added to the integrated value of the current time, a control value for moving the shift lens is computed by using the integrated value after addition.

Abstract: Output of a gyro sensor is read at intervals of control time ts, time integration is carried out, an integrated value is computed, and an amount of change in an integrated value is determined from a difference between the calculated integrated value and an integrated value of a previous time. Thereafter, on the basis of the amount of change and a delay time determined by a shaking correcting module and the control time, an addition value (an acceleration value of an integrated value of the current time) is computed in order to obtain an amount of movement of a shift lens which can compensate tilting of an optical axis of a lens. After the computed addition value is added to the integrated value of the current time, a control value for moving the shift lens is computed by using the integrated value after addition.

Abstract: When a camera body is shaken, a piezoelectric element generates a signal corresponding to angular velocity. The output signal of the element is amplified by a synchronous detection amplifier and is sent to a high-pass filter. An output signal of the filter is integrated after digital conversion and is outputted as a shake amount of the camera body. An initialization-trigger generating circuit generates an initialization trigger in predetermined cycles. When the trigger is inputted, the amplifier outputs a first zero-level signal. A zero-level initialization circuit initializes the filter every input of the trigger to output a second zero-level signal. The two zero-level signals have a reference signal value to be outputted at a time of the angular velocity zero. During the initialization, the reference signal value is applied to both sides of the filter to remove drift components included in the output signal thereof.

Abstract: Output of a gyro sensor is read at intervals of control time ts, time integration is carried out, an integrated value is computed, and an amount of change in an integrated value is determined from a difference between the calculated integrated value and an integrated value of a previous time. Thereafter, on the basis of the amount of change and a delay time determined by a shaking correcting module and the control time, an addition value (an acceleration value of an integrated value of the current time) is computed in order to obtain an amount of movement of a shift lens which can compensate tilting of an optical axis of a lens. After the computed addition value is added to the integrated value of the current time, a control value for moving the shift lens is computed by using the integrated value after addition.

Abstract: A printer prints a calibration pattern on a leading end portion of a roll of recording paper when the recording paper is loaded in the printer. A cutter cuts the leading end portion off the recording sheet so as to make an end edge rectangular to side edges of the recording sheet. A photometric device measures densities of the printed calibration pattern, and a system controller derives correction values for correcting density or color from the measured densities. After the calibration process, an image is printed in an image recording area on the recording paper following the leading end portion. For a printer that prints an image on a cut sheet recording paper, a calibration pattern is printed on a margin outside an image recording area. After densities of the calibration pattern are measured, the margin with the calibration pattern is cut off the recording paper.

Abstract: A printer prints a calibration pattern on a leading end portion of a roll of recording paper when the recording paper is loaded in the printer. A cutter cuts the leading end portion off the recording sheet so as to make an end edge rectangular to side edges of the recording sheet. A photometric device measures densities of the printed calibration pattern, and a system controller derives correction values for correcting density or color from the measured densities. After the calibration process, an image is printed in an image recording area on the recording paper following the leading end portion. For a printer that prints an image on a cut sheet recording paper, a calibration pattern is printed on a margin outside an image recording area. After densities of the calibration pattern are measured, the margin with the calibration pattern is cut off the recording paper.

Abstract: An electronic shutter controlling method is provided for an electronic still video camera having a solid state imaging device, wherein a first field shift pulse is generated for discharging unnecessary charges from the solid state imaging device and for starting signal charge storage in accordance wth a determined exposure time, but is latched at intervals of the horizontal synchronizing signal, and the discharge of the unnecessary charges is started when the first shift pulse is latched. The timing of the start of the signal charge storage is therefore displaced by a half of the horizontal synchronizing signal period in the even field relative to the odd field, thereby making the charge storage time always N times as long as a horizontal synchronizing signal period.