Abstract: A compound-eye imaging device comprises a flash control means for controlling a flash unit to alternatively emit two kinds of near-infrared lights having different wavelengths while multiple single-eye images are read using a rolling shutter; a single-eye image reading means for reading, from the single-eye images, a single-eye image (hereafter “pre-change single-eye image”) imaged under a first illumination condition before an illumination condition change by the flash control means, and a single-eye image (hereafter “post-change single-eye image”) imaged under a second illumination condition after the illumination condition change; and an eye position detecting means for detecting eye positions in the single-eye images based on a comparison between the read pre-change and post-change single-eye images.

Abstract: A compound-eye imaging device comprises: an optical lens array with integrated multiple optical lenses; a photodetector array for imaging images formed by the optical lenses; and a light shielding block placed between the two arrays for partitioning a space between the two arrays into a matrix of spaces as seen on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of each optical lens so as to prevent lights emitted from the optical lenses from interfering each other. The light shielding block is formed of flat unit plates of two kinds having different thicknesses and stacked between the optical lens array and the photodetector array. Since the light shielding block is formed of stacked flat unit plates, it is easy to manufacture a light shielding block having apertures with dense structure having a small distance between adjacent apertures, and also easy to adapt to variations in focal length of the optical lenses.

Abstract: A photographic device includes an image sensor in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed. A vertical scan circuit selects horizontal drive lines of the image sensor in order. And a horizontal scan circuit reads out in order voltages due to electric charges from the pixels in the horizontal row which is selected by the vertical scan circuit. A plurality of optical lenses are arranged in a direction parallel to the vertical drive lines, and these optical lenses form images of the same photographic regions upon respective pixel regions which face them. The voltages due to electric charges are read out in order from the pixels, and a plurality of images are acquired with some time difference between them. The emission of light by a light source is controlled, so that photography in each of the pixel regions is performed in different photographic conditions.

Abstract: A compound-eye imaging device comprising: an optical lens array with multiple integrated optical lenses having mutually parallel optical axes; a photodetector array placed at a predetermined distance from the optical lens array for imaging multiple images (referred to as single-eye images) formed by the optical lenses; and a microprocessor for reading the single-eye images imaged by the photodetector array. The image reading mode of the microprocessor is switchable between an all-read mode in which all the single-eye images on the photodetector array are sequentially read, and a partial-read mode in which a part of the single-eye images thereon are selectively read. The image reading speed of the microprocessor is changeable. The compound-eye imaging device enables a high frame rate and a high resolution imaging while reducing an increase in a clock frequency for the frame rate and thus reducing an increase in power consumption.

Abstract: A compound-eye imaging device comprises: an optical lens array with integrated optical lenses; a stop member for shielding unnecessary ambient light from entering the optical lens array; a photodetector array placed at a predetermined distance from the optical lens array for imaging images formed by the optical lenses; and a light shielding block placed between the two arrays for partitioning a space between the two arrays into a matrix of spaces as seen on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of each optical lens to prevent lights from the optical lenses from interfering each other. The optical lenses are formed of a molded glass having a refractive index distribution to increase the refractive index of each optical lens in the direction of light propagation. The focal length of each optical lens can be reduced as compared with an ordinary lens, thereby reducing the thickness of the compound-eye imaging device.

Abstract: A compound-eye imaging device comprises: an optical lens array with integrated optical lenses; a stop member for shielding unnecessary ambient light from entering the optical lenses; a photodetector array formed of a semiconductor substrate and placed at a predetermined distance from the optical lens array for imaging images formed by the optical lenses; a light shielding block placed between the two arrays; and an optical filter for transmitting light from the optical lenses in a specific wavelength range. The optical filter is a part of, and integral with, the photodetector array. The optical filter can be a deposited film formed by depositing silicon oxide and titanium oxide on a glass plate provided for protecting a surface of, and integrally formed on, the semiconductor substrate. This enables to easily omit an optical filter separately provided between the two arrays, thereby reducing the thickness of the imaging device.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes an imaging unit for performing a photon-to-electron conversion on an incident optical image so as to generate picture data, a weather information determination unit for determining weather information when taking a picture, and a control unit for storing the picture data generated by the imaging unit in a storage unit, for storing the weather information determined by the weather information determination unit in the storage unit, and for reading the picture data and the weather information stored in the storage unit.