Abstract: A digital camera capable of capturing, displaying and recording images at appropriate frame rates is provided. When a current shooting scene mode is a non-sport mode, a current readout mode and a current display mode are set to a high-definition readout mode and a high-definition display mode, respectively, at the same time. Additionally, when a current operating mode is a moving image capturing mode, a current recording mode is also set to a high-definition recording mode at the same time. When the current shooting scene mode is a sport mode, on the other hand, the current readout mode and the current display mode are set to a high-speed readout mode and a high-speed display mode, respectively, at the same time. Additionally, when the current operating mode is the moving image capturing mode, the current recording mode is also set to a high-speed recording mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image capturing apparatus capable of fully utilizing the performance of an image sensor and obtaining an image having good picture quality. In an image recording standby state, on the basis of operation of an operation part by the user, a CCD obtains first and second image signals for detection while setting different exposure amounts at predetermined intervals during a period from start of an image recording preparing operation to start of an image recording operation. A saturation voltage detector detects the saturation voltage of the CCD on the basis of the first and second image signals for detection. After that, an AE/WB controller calculates and sets the minimum value of the amplification factor of an analog image signal in an analog amplifier on the basis of the saturation voltage of the CCD. In the AE/WB controller, automatic exposure control is performed so that the amplification factor of the analog amplifier becomes the set minimum value as much as possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image capturing apparatus capable of easily capturing a plurality of images of different fields of view. A digital camera has a single CCD image capturing device, alternately reads two images PA and PB (for example, an image PA corresponding to the whole area of the CCD image capturing device and an image PB corresponding to a partial area of the CCD image capturing device) from different areas on the CCD image capturing device, records the images PA and PB, and generates moving image data. After the reading mode is changed, the images PA and PB are alternately read. It is also possible to extract two images from images which are read at once from the CCD image capturing device without changing the reading mode.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a camera main body, an image sensing unit which is detachably connected to the camera main body and electrically connectable to the camera main body via a cable in a state that the image sensing unit is detached from the camera main body. The image sensing unit includes a taking lens, an image pick-up element for picking up an object image focused by the taking lens, and an A/D converter which converts an analog image signal outputted from the image pick-up element into a digital image signal. The camera main body includes an image processor for subjecting a prescribed image processing to the digital image signal outputted from the A/D converter.

Abstract: The digital camera has an image synthesizing function of synthesizing a plurality of images. As synthesizing methods in the image synthesizing function (image synthesis modes), an “addition synthesis mode” of simply adding a plurality of images and an “averaging synthesis mode” of averaging a plurality of images are prepared. The “addition synthesis mode” is suitable for a relatively dark subject and the “averaging synthesis mode” is suitable for a relatively light subject. In the case of activating the image synthesizing function, any of the image synthesis modes is selected by the user. After an image capturing instruction is given by depression of a shutter start button, the selected image synthesis mode is checked and a synthesizing process according to the image synthesis mode is performed. Consequently, by selecting the image synthesis mode in accordance with a subject, a composite image adapted to the subject can be generated.

Abstract: A digital camera 1 includes a main body 2 and an image pickup section 3 connected to the main body rotatably. The main body 2 has a display monitor 10 which displays an object picture. A switch SCPOS2 detects rotation position of the image pickup section 3. When the image pickup direction of the image pickup section 3 is detected to agree generally with the direction to the side of display monitor, the image data taken by the image pickup section is displayed in the display monitor with reversal upside down, while it is recorded without reversal in an IC card 35. Thus, when a photographer takes a picture thereof, the picture can be taken and recorded at a fast speed without a complicated and expensive circuit.

Abstract: A digital camera 1 includes a main body 2 and an image pickup section 3 connected to the main body rotatably. The main body 2 has a display monitor 10 which displays an object picture. A switch SCPOS2 detects rotation position of the image pickup section 3. When the image pickup direction of the image pickup section 3 is detected to agree generally with the direction to the side of display monitor, the image data taken by the image pickup section is displayed in the display monitor with reversal upside down, while it is recorded without reversal in an IC card 35. Thus , when a photographer takes a picture thereof, the picture can be taken and recorded at a fast speed without a complicated and expensive circuit.

Abstract: A camera has a function of determining whether a frame is exposed or unexposed by reproducing signals recorded on a magnetic-recording region of a film. When a film cartridge is loaded into the camera, the film is fed out therefrom. If it is determined that a noise having a level higher than a reference level is included in a reproduced signal read by a magnetic head, for reading the signals recorded on the magnetic-recording region, before the magnetic head reaches the magnetic-recording region, film feeding is stopped and a warning is issued.

Abstract: An apparatus provided with a magnetic head including a core, a writing coil and a reading coil wound around the core; a writing circuit connected with the writing coil for driving the writing coil; a reading circuit connected with the reading coil for generating a read signal based on an output of the reading coil; a power source for supplying an electric power to the writing circuit; and a controller for suspending the supply of electric power to the writing circuit when the reading circuit is in operation.

Abstract: When exposure of the entire film is completed, the time period until rewinding is begun is read from an EEPROM and set in a timer, and the timer is then started. If the switch to change the data recorded before the time period set in the timer elapses is switched to ON, revision mode to rewrite the print number data for the final frame is entered. If the switch to perform revisions is not operated during the time period set in the timer, and the set time period elapses, or if the rewind switch is switched to ON before the time period set in the timer elapses, the film is rewound and camera operation is completed with the completion of rewinding.

Abstract: A camera includes a feeder for feeding a film having magnetic recording portions, a reader for magnetically scanning magnetic recording portions to generate scan signals, and a judger for judging whether or not a magnetic recording portion has been recorded with magnetic data by comparing scan signals with a threshold value, and a warning device for generating a warning when judgment of the judger is impossible. This apparatus can ensure more accurate judgment as to whether a signal picked up from each recording portion is a magnetic signal.

Abstract: A camera includes a feeder for feeding a film having magnetic recording portions, a reader for magnetically scanning magnetic recording portions to generate scan signals, and a judger for judging whether or not a magnetic recording portion has been recorded with magnetic data by comparing scan signals with a threshold value, and a warning device for generating a warning when judgment of the judger is impossible. This apparatus can ensure more accurate judgment as to whether a signal picked up from each recording portion is a magnetic signal.

Abstract: A microcomputer provided in a camera body uses a data signal read by sensors facing the data disk of a film cartridge as a positional signal to set the stop position of the spool for providing exposed/unexposed indication to the film. The voltage of the power supply of the camera is detected to modulate a pulse duration by which the number of rotations of the motor can be kept constant in rewinding the film. The sensors are disposed upstream in the rotational direction of the data disk by a certain angle .theta. with respect to the point at which the spool is stopped in order to prevent the dislocation between the display mark of the cartridge and the pointing mark of the data disk. The microcomputer discriminates whether or not data has been read. The mechanism for feeding the film is controlled to set the film at a predetermined position after the decision that the data has been read.

Abstract: A camera, which uses a film cartridge having a film exposure status display, comprises an E2PROM. The E2PROM stores the fact that the film status determination operation is underway when film status determination operation is underway. When a power supply is removed while the film status determination is operating and then the power supply is mounted, the camera operates an initial process. The film exposure status display is set in `exposed` because the E2PROM holds that the film status determination operation is underway. A camera is .provided that deems the film in the film cartridge to have been exposed and does not perform exposure if the power supply is cut off while the determination of the film status of the film in the film cartridge mounted in the camera is underway.