Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging optical system that obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; a plurality of image sensor elements that output image data based on the optical image of the photographic subject obtained by the imaging optical system; an electric power supply controller that controls electric power supply to the plurality of image sensor elements; and a distance metering device that includes the plurality of image sensor elements and the electric power supply controller, and measures a distance to the photographic subject based on an output of the image sensor elements, wherein the plurality of image sensor elements are aligned in line and formed on one semiconductor wafer, and the electric power supply controller performs electric power supply to the plurality of image sensor elements in accordance with operating conditions set to the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An auto-focus controlling apparatus includes a focus evaluation value generating device generating a focus evaluation value based on image data acquired through the focus lens, a target lens position determining device determining a target lens position, a timing determining device determining a plurality of acquisition lens positions for acquiring the focus evaluation values in a scanning direction from a present lens position of the focus lens toward the target lens position, a scanning device driving the focus lens in the scanning direction, a predicted focus lens position determining device predicting a predicted focus lens position based on the acquired focus evaluation values and a moving device stopping the scanning device to drive the focus lens when the predicted focus lens position is determined and driving the focus lens in the same direction as the scanning direction to move the focus lens to the predicted focus lens position.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus has a function of automatically focusing on an object to be photographed. The apparatus includes a first image-obtaining unit that includes a picture-taking lens which includes a focusing lens, and a first imaging sensor to obtain a first image of the object; a second image-obtaining unit that includes a range-finding lens and a second imaging sensor to obtain a second image of the object; a range finder that calculates a distance to the object by using the first image data and the second image data; and a focus control unit that moves the focusing lens according to the distance calculated by the range finder to attain focus on the object. The range finder includes an image-forming-position determining unit which determines a first image forming position and a second image forming position, based on which a distance calculating unit calculates a distance to the object.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging optical system that obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; a plurality of image sensor elements that output image data based on the optical image of the photographic subject obtained by the imaging optical system; an electric power supply controller that controls electric power supply to the plurality of image sensor elements; and a distance metering device that includes the plurality of image sensor elements and the electric power supply controller, and measures a distance to the photographic subject based on an output of the image sensor elements, wherein the plurality of image sensor elements are aligned in line and formed on one semiconductor wafer, and the electric power supply controller performs electric power supply to the plurality of image sensor elements in accordance with operating conditions set to the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An auto-focus controlling apparatus includes a focus evaluation value generating device generating a focus evaluation value based on image data acquired through the focus lens, a target lens position determining device determining a target lens position, a timing determining device determining a plurality of acquisition lens positions for acquiring the focus evaluation values in a scanning direction from a present lens position of the focus lens toward the target lens position, a scanning device driving the focus lens in the scanning direction, a predicted focus lens position determining device predicting a predicted focus lens position based on the acquired focus evaluation values and a moving device stopping the scanning device to drive the focus lens when the predicted focus lens position is determined and driving the focus lens in the same direction as the scanning direction to move the focus lens to the predicted focus lens position.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus has a function of automatically focusing on an object to be photographed. The apparatus includes a first image-obtaining unit that includes a picture-taking lens which includes a focusing lens, and a first imaging sensor to obtain a first image of the object; a second image-obtaining unit that includes a range-finding lens and a second imaging sensor to obtain a second image of the object; a range finder that calculates a distance to the object by using the first image data and the second image data; and a focus control unit that moves the focusing lens according to the distance calculated by the range finder to attain focus on the object. The range finder includes an image-forming-position determining unit which determines a first image forming position and a second image forming position, based on which a distance calculating unit calculates a distance to the object.

Abstract: A digital camera according to the present invention includes a device to set up a plurality of exposure conditions, a device to obtain a plurality of imaging data imaged in accordance with the plurality of exposure conditions set by the plurality exposure conditions set up device, and a device to compare a sharpness based on the plurality of imaging data obtained by the plurality of imaging data obtaining device, and a shake of the camera or a blur of a subject is determined corresponding to the comparison result of the sharpness comparison device.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that includes a device for discharging charge or F/E-IC for discharging charge accumulated in an imaging device or CCD and for canceling exposure in a discharging term of the charge. The imaging apparatus also includes a light shielding device or mechanical shutter unit for a mechanical shutter, which shields light by the mechanical shutter, and a control device or CPU block for hastening by a predetermined time the charge discharging term of the CCD in the discharging device and a light shielding timing of the mechanical shutter in the light shielding device, when a shutter speed for recording a subject is more than a predetermined time.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes an imaging optical system to guide light from a subject, a movement mechanism to move the imaging optical system, a sub control section to move the imaging optical system toward a predetermined position with the aid of the movement mechanism when a power supply is turned on, and a main control section to execute system initialization when the power supply is turned on, and to move the imaging optical system with the aid of the movement mechanism and interrupt the movement of the imaging optical system at the predetermined position. The sub control section may also start a lens barrel initialization processing to drive the lens barrel from a non-photographing position to a photographing standby position while the main control section executes system initialization, and the main control section may drive the lens barrel to the photographing standby position after the system initialization is finished.

Abstract: The digital camera includes a CPU which controls the operation of the digital camera. The digital camera has an audio recording mode in which sound data can be continuously recorded. If this audio recording mode is under execution and if the CPU receives an instruction, through the operation section, to capture a still image of an object, the CPU provides control to record the sound and the image data corresponding to the still image simultaneously.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a recording function or replaying function for moving image data or voice data, other than a recording or replaying function for at least still image data, and a continuing mode for recording simultaneously or in a predetermined order a plurality of data of same kind or different kind in the still image data, moving image data or voice data, the plurality of data being associated and capable of recording or replaying, in accordance with the continuing mode, the continuing mode having a function in which an associated information for a first data using the continuing mode is maintained after recording of the first data and a third data to be newly recorded is associated with the first data, if the continuing mode is selected again, after a second data that the continuing mode is not used, is recorded.

Abstract: When an external communication device (14) is connected to an image processing apparatus, the external communication device (14) transfers identification information to the image processing apparatus through a communication driver (10). A central processing portion (8) transmits information of the image processing apparatus through the communication driver (10) when a communication with the connected communication device (14) is possible. This information of the image processing apparatus is information which can be processed by the communication device, and includes a program which can be executed by the communication device (14). As a result of executing the program of the information of the image processing apparatus, functions of photographing and playback and the like of the image processing apparatus can be selected and instructed from the communication device (14).

Abstract: A digital camera further includes a compression/multiplex section for providing compressed motion picture data by compressing the respective frames constituting a motion picture in a predetermined operation mode, a communication interface for outputting the compressed motion picture data in an appropriate format, and a picture selection unit which permits a user to select a picture. When the user selects a picture, the compression/multiplex section outputs the selected picture instead of compressed motion picture data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a device for discharging charge or F/E-IC for discharging charge accumulated in an imaging device or CCD and for canceling exposure in a discharging term of the charge. The apparatus also includes a light shielding device or mechanical shutter unit for a mechanical shutter, which shields light by the mechanical shutter, and a control device or CPU block for controlling the discharging term of the discharging device and the light shielding timing of the mechanical shutter. The charge discharging term of the CCD in the discharging device is shortened and a light shielding timing of the mechanical shutter in the light shielding device is hastened by the control device or CPU block, when a computer exposure time computed by the control device or CPU block for recording a subject is shorter than an image recording term of one frame.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a device for discharging charge or F/E-IC (102) for discharging charge accumulated in an imaging device or CCD (101) and for canceling exposure in a discharging term of the charge, a light shielding device or mechanical shutter unit (7-4) for a mechanical shutter (7-4a), which shields light by the mechanical shutter (7-4a), and a control device or CPU block (104-3) for hastening by a predetermined time the charge discharging term of the CCD (101) in the discharging device (102) and a light shielding timing of the mechanical shutter (7-4a) in the light shielding device (7-4), when a shutter speed for recording a subject is more than a predetermined time.

Abstract: In a voice mode, when a shutter button of a camera is fully depressed, first and second switches are turned ON, recording of voice starts. The shutter button is released. When the shutter button is half depressed after the shutter button is released the recording of the voice is stopped. Since the recording of voice is performed between when the shutter button is released and when it is depressed half, no mechanical sound is recorded.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a recording function or replaying function for moving image data or voice data, other than a recording or replaying function for at least still image data, and a continuing mode for recording simultaneously or in a predetermined order a plurality of data of same kind or different kind in the still image data, moving image data or voice data, the plurality of data being associated and capable of recording or replaying, in accordance with the continuing mode, the continuing mode having a function in which an associated information for a first data using the continuing mode is maintained after recording of the first data and a third data to be newly recorded is associated with the first data, if the continuing mode is selected again, after a second data that the continuing mode is not used, is recorded.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a device for discharging charge or F/E-IC (102) for discharging charge accumulated in an imaging device or CCD (101) and for canceling exposure in a discharging term of the charge, a light shielding device or mechanical shutter unit (7-4) for a mechanical shutter (7-4a), which shields light by the mechanical shutter (7-4a), and a control device or CPU block (104-3) for hastening by a predetermined time the charge discharging term of the CCD (101) in the discharging device (102) and a light shielding timing of the mechanical shutter (7-4a) in the light shielding device (7-4), when a shutter speed for recording a subject is more than a predetermined time.

Abstract: When an external communication device (14) is connected to an image processing apparatus, the external communication device (14) transfers identification information to the image processing apparatus through a communication driver (10). A central processing portion (8) transmits information of the image processing apparatus through the communication driver (10) when a communication with the connected communication device (14) is possible. This information of the image processing apparatus is information which can be processed by the communication device, and includes a program which can be executed by the communication device (14). As a result of executing the program of the information of the image processing apparatus, functions of photographing and playback and the like of the image processing apparatus can be selected and instructed from the communication device (14).

Abstract: A digital camera according to the present invention includes a device to set up a plurality of exposure conditions, a device to obtain a plurality of imaging data imaged in accordance with the plurality of exposure conditions set by the plurality exposure conditions set up device, and a device to compare a sharpness based on the plurality of imaging data obtained by the plurality of imaging data obtaining device, and a shake of the camera or a blur of a subject is determined corresponding to the comparison result of the sharpness comparison device.