Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a three-dimensional image. The apparatus includes a projector which projects a reference light on an object; an image sensor which senses an image of the object; and a controller for controlling the projector and the image sensor, wherein the image sensor includes an aperture that restricts the passage of entering light; and an aperture controller for setting an aperture value for the aperture when receiving a two-dimensional image input, and setting an aperture value for the aperture when receiving a three-dimensional image input. The aperture value is set based on the intensity of received reference light. A processing unit determines the position of the object based on a relationship between an illumination direction of the reference light at the determined time center Npeak and an entrance direction of the reference light relative to the target pixel.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement apparatus includes an optical system for scanning a reference beam across a target object to be measured, a light sensor which receives light reflected from the target object, and a processor for calculating a three-dimensional shape of the target object from the received light. An image for calculating the three-dimensional shape of the target object and an image for displaying the target object are both captured by the same sensor. The displayed image is a grayscale image that is based on a centroid that is calculated from multiple data samples taken for each pixel in the image as the target is being scanned.

Abstract: When a scanning start position set signal is input in an area image sensor, the content is transferred to a vertical scanning circuit, and the scan start position is set. Image of a desired row is read by horizontal scanning. Then, one shift signal for vertical scanning is input, the position of scanning is shifted by one row, and horizontal scanning is performed. Thus image of the next row is read. By repeating this operation, a desired strip-shaped image is read. The shape of the object is determined and when a portion is determined to have complicated shape, the image data is input by means of a lens having long focal length, and image data of other portions are input by means of a lens having short focal length. By putting together a plurality of input image data, image data as a whole is generated.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement device employs a slit ray projection technique to optically determine a three-dimensional image. The device offers a choice in operating modes between high-speed measurement, high-resolution measurement and large dynamic range in the depth direction, to accommodate various situations. The different modes of operation are achieved by selectively modifying one or more of the scanning speed of a projected reference beam, the readout speed of a photosensor, the line width or line spacing of the photosensor, and the number of lines per image frame.

Abstract: A three dimensional information measurement apparatus employing a rotator or surface-of-rotation type mirror, an imaging apparatus disposed with its light receiving axis aligned with a center axis of said rotator type mirror for measuring three dimensional information on a target placed in a space surrounding said center axis, and a reference light projection means for projecting reference light. Also, main scanning is performing by deflecting the reference light in a circumferential direction centered about the center axis or, in an alternative embodiment, avoided by providing a conically shaped reference beam.

Abstract: In a three dimensional measurement system, a three dimensional pickup apparatus picks up an object repeatedly to generate image information including a shape of the object, and an information processor receives image frame signals and digital signals from the pickup apparatus to process the image information. Image information is sent as image frame signals through a first output terminal, and digital signals are sent through a second output terminal in correspondence to output of the image information through the first output terminal. In the information processor, an input controller receives the digital signals from the first output terminal and receives the image frame signals suitable for transmission of moving images in correspondence to the received digital signals from the second output terminal. For example, the pickup conditions for a next period are set based on the pickup information obtained in a current period.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measuring system comprises an optical system for emitting a light and optically scanning an object, a measuring sensor having an image pickup surface consisting of a plurality of picture elements and adapted to receive the light reflected on the surface of the object, a galvanometer mirror for changing a direction in which the light irradiates the object, a system controller for driving the measuring sensor so as to allow the same to output information on the quantity of light incident on each of the picture elements, and a barycentric calculation circuit for finding an instant when the light traverses each of the picture elements. This instant is found by implementing a barycentric calculation on the basis of outputs of the measuring sensor taken for a prescribed period of time and an instant at which each of the outputs is taken. The measuring system further comprises a host computer for finding a position on the surface of the object corresponding to each of the picture elements.

Abstract: This invention is related to a three-dimensional measuring device for measuring three-dimensional positions of an objects. The three-dimensional measuring device comprises an optical projection system and an optical reception system. In a preliminary measurement prior to an actual measurement, the optical projection system projects slit light beam on the object with varying projection angle with in a narrow range, and the optical reception system receives the slit light beam reflected by the object and generates image signals corresponding to an amount of the received light synchronously with variation of the projection angle. Measurement conditions including intensity of the light beam and the projection angle for the actual measurement are set in accordance with the image signals of the actual measurement. Under the measurement conditions, the actual measurement is executed by projecting the light beam on the object with varying the projection angle within a wide range.

Abstract: In a three dimensional measurement system, a three dimensional pickup apparatus picks up an object repeatedly to generate image information including a shape of the object, and an information processor receives image frame signals and digital signals from the pickup apparatus to process the image information. Image information is sent as image frame signals through a first output terminal, and digital signals are sent through a second output terminal in correspondence to output of the image information through the first output terminal. In the information processor, an input controller receives the digital signals from the first output terminal and receives the image frame signals suitable for transmission of moving images in correspondence to the received digital signals from the second output terminal. For example, the pickup conditions for a next period are set based on the pickup information obtained in a current period.

Abstract: A camera includes a CCD line sensor divided into a plurality of blocks and a plurality of monitors provided near each of the divided blocks and sensing the amount of received light corresponding to each block. The storage of charge in each block of the CCD is controlled based on the amount of the light received by the monitor. Each block corresponds to each part of an object in a finder of the camera.

Abstract: A camera includes a CCD line sensor divided into a plurality of blocks and a plurality of monitors provided near each of the divided blocks and sensing the amount of received light corresponding to each block. The storage of charge in each block of the CCD is controlled based on the amount of the light received by the monitor. Each block corresponds to each part of an object in a finder of the camera.

Abstract: A camera includes a CCD line sensor divided into a plurality of blocks and a plurality of monitors provided near each Of the divided blocks and sensing the amount of received light corresponding to each block. The storage of charge in each Block of the CCD is controlled based on the amount of the light received by the monitor. Each block corresponds to each part of an object in a finder of the camera.

Abstract: When a scanning start position set signal is input in an area image sensor, the content is transferred to a vertical scanning circuit, and the scan start position is set. Image of a desired row is read by horizontal scanning. Then, one shift signal for vertical scanning is input, the position of scanning is shifted by one row, and horizontal scanning is performed. Thus image of the next row is read. By repeating this operation, a desired strip-shaped image is read. The shape of the object is determined and when a portion is determined to have complicated shape, the image data is input by means of a lens having long focal length, and image data of other portions are input by means of a lens having short focal length. By putting together a plurality of input image data, image data as a whole is generated.

Abstract: A camera includes a CCD line sensor divided into a plurality of blocks and a plurality of monitors provided near each of the divided blocks and sensing the amount of received light corresponding to each block. The storage of charge in each block of the CCD is controlled based on the amount of the light received by the monitor. Each block corresponds to each part of an object in a finder of the camera.

Abstract: An imaging sensing system includes a solid state image device composed of one chip and a controller for controlling the solid state image device. The solid state image device further includes an image sensor of a charge accumulation type for receiving light from an object and for outputting an electric signal to the controller. Further, an exemplary embodiment of an image device includes a decoder for decoding a control signal and for outputting a decode signal. A timing signal output indicates the timing of a charge accumulation of an image sensor controller for controlling the image sensor in accordance with the decode signal. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller includes an A/D convertor for converting the electric signal into a digital signal.

Abstract: An AF camera system for automatically controlling an objective lens for focusing an object includes a focus detector for generating a defocus data DF carrying information of a defocus amount and a defocus direction based on a focus condition of an object to be focused through an objective lens detected in a detection cycle, an infocus detector for detecting an infocus condition based on the defocus data, a lens driver for driving the objective lens based on the defocus amount and defocus direction carried in the defocus data DF when the infocus detection means did not detect the infocus condition; and a control for controlling the focus adjustment based on defocus data and/or the detection of the infocus condition detected by the infocus detection means.

Abstract: In an image sensor provided on a chip, there are a plurality of photodiodes for receiving light. The photodiodes are disposed in at least two rows which are spaced apart from one another. An elongated photodiode which is at least partially covered by a light shield is used to monitor the photodiodes in the first and second rows. The outputs from image sensor are amplified by first and second amplifiers which are also located on the same chip as the image sensor.

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera according to the present invention is an automatic focusing camera having a plurality of operation modes, including an information input device for entering a plurality of types of photographing information, an information analyzer for analyzing the photographing information entered by the information input device based on a fuzzy inference, and a mode determining device for determining one of the operation modes based on the result of the analysis of the information analyzer.

Abstract: An imaging sensing system includes a solid state image device composed of one chip and a controller for controlling the solid state image device. The solid state image device further includes an image sensor of a charge accumulation type for receiving light from an object and for outputting an electric signal to the controller. Further, an exemplary embodiment of an image device includes a decoder for decoding a control signal and for outputting a decode signal. A timing signal output indicates the timing of a charge accumulation of an image sensor controller for controlling the image sensor in accordance with the decode signal. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller includes an A/D convertor for converting the electric signal into a digital signal.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjusting device detects focus condition respectively of a plurality of areas of a scene to be photographed to calculate respective focus adjusting data, and automatically adjusts the focus of an objective lens on an object in the scene based on the focus adjusting data. And the automatic focus adjusting device decides a focus adjusting data from the plurality of focus adjusting data based on an image magnification data representing the size of the object relative to the scene, a focal length of the objective lens or an object distance to automatically adjust the focus.