Abstract: In a control device (10), a determination unit (11) determines “a plurality of collision-occurrence-estimated devices” for which “transmission collision” is estimated to occur due to overlapping of transmission schedule timings among the plurality of communication devices. A transmission control unit (12) executes transmission control of transmitting, to each of some of the plurality of collision-occurrence-estimated devices, each of a plurality of “timing distribution control signals” for distributing transmission timings of the plurality of collision-occurrence-estimated devices determined by the determination unit (11).

Abstract: Apparatus for an optical system optimized for PDAF depth sensing are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a phase detection auto focus (PDAF) sensor including a plurality of focus pixels and a plurality of micro lenses. The example apparatus also includes an optical system located above the PDAF sensor and configured to direct light to the micro lenses of the PDAF sensor. In some examples, the optical system includes a lens and an opaque element configured to block light through the lens except for at least one circular asymmetric subsection of the lens.

Abstract: A light system includes a light source for emitting divergent light, and only one imaging lens arranged in front of the light source in the divergent light for imaging the divergent light directly received from the light source, where the imaging lens is one-piece fabricated part and comprises a first lens section with a non-structured and convex light entry surface curved in a direction of the light source for the entry of the divergent light of the light source into the imaging lens, a second lens section with a convex light exiting surface curved in a light propagation direction for imaging the light entered, and a mask arranged between the first and second lens sections for modifying the light entered into the first lens section before leaving the light exiting surface.

Abstract: An imaging unit is configured with use of an imaging element including an image output pixel and a phase difference detection pixel. A control unit performs focus control based on image-plane phase difference information obtained using the phase difference detection pixel over a predetermined period, generates focus state change information indicating whether or not a change in a focus state is a monotonous change, and continues the focus control based on the image-plane phase difference information on the assumption of a large blur state in a case where the focus state change information indicates that a change in the focus state is a monotonous change. The control unit switches from the image-plane phase difference auto-focus operation to an auto-focus operation in a case where a change in the focus state is not a monotonous change. Thus, it becomes possible to perform a high-speed and high-quality auto-focus operation.

Abstract: A resolution at the time of addition of pixels is changed in a solid-state image sensor performing pixel addition. In an array unit, a predetermined number of charge storage units that store charges generated through photoelectric conversion are arrayed in a 2-dimensional lattice form. A connection line is wired for each set of the charge storage units arrayed in a predetermined direction. A connection path opening and closing unit opens and closes a path between each of the charge storage units and the connection line corresponding to the charge storage unit. An inter-line path opening and closing unit opens and closes a path between the connection lines. A scanning circuit controls the connection transistor and the inter-line path opening and closing unit so that the amounts of charges of the charge storage units are caused to be added.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing a digital image of a slide using an imaging line sensor and a focusing line sensor. In an embodiment, a beam-splitter is optically coupled to an objective lens and configured to receive one or more images of a portion of a sample through the objective lens. The beam-splitter simultaneously provides a first portion of the one or more images to the focusing sensor and a second portion of the one or more images to the imaging sensor. A processor controls the stage and/or objective lens such that each portion of the one or more images is received by the focusing sensor prior to it being received by the imaging sensor. In this manner, a focus of the objective lens can be controlled using data received from the focusing sensor prior to capturing an image of a portion of the sample using the imaging sensor.

Abstract: A focusing method includes a step of preparing a microscope, a step of mounting a sample, and a predetermined processing step, the predetermined processing step includes a step of receiving light emitted from the observation optical system, a step of obtaining the quantity of light based on light from a predetermined region of the received light, a step of calculating a difference or a ratio between the quantity of light in the predetermined region and the quantity of light as a reference, a step of comparing a calculation result with a threshold, and a step of changing the distance between the sample and the observation optical system, and in the step of preparing, a partial region of illumination light is shielded or darkened, and when the result of the calculation is equal to or smaller than the threshold, the predetermined processing step is terminated.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an image sensor, a processing method, and an electronic apparatus that enable reduction of power consumption.

Abstract: An imaging device that includes a first color filter, a second color filer and an image sensor. The first color filter includes a first plurality of color filter regions that transmit a color of a first set of colors. The second color filter includes that transmit a color of a second set of colors. The second set of colors is different from the first set of colors. The image sensor detects light that passes through both the first color filter and the second color filter and generates an image signal.

Abstract: An optical signal processing apparatus may acquire a plurality of image signals using an optical signal output from a light source toward a target, and may determine a characteristic of a target by using the obtained plurality of image signals. The obtained image signal may be obtained from a plurality of sensor arrays including a plurality of image sensors.

Abstract: Provided is an end face inspection device capable of inspecting different end face shapes without replacing an adapter for attachment. An end face inspection device includes: an optical system that forms an image of an end face of a test object, which is fixed at a predetermined position, at a position of an image sensor; and a focus detection section that acquires image data, which is output by the image sensor, and determines whether or not the end face is brought into focus in the image data. The focus detection section acquires a plurality of the image data pieces, in which parts of the end face are brought into focus by changing a focal position of the optical system by a predetermined distance at a time, and acquires focused image data by synthesizing the respective parts brought into focus in the plurality of image data pieces.

Abstract: A distance detecting apparatus includes an imaging unit that generates a first image signal and a second image signal and an arithmetic processing unit. The distance detecting apparatus detects the distance to a subject on the basis of an amount of defocus indicating the distance between an imaging plane of the imaging unit and an image forming plane of light fluxes. The arithmetic processing unit executes a first step of calculating an amount of temporary defocus on the basis of the first image signal and the second image signal, a second step of calculating a conversion factor used to convert an amount of image displacement between a first image and a second image into the amount of defocus on the basis of the amount of temporary defocus, and a third step of calculating the amount of defocus by using the conversion factor.

Abstract: A method for modelling an imaging device including an image sensor and an optical system is disclosed. The optical system has an aperture iris diaphragm defining an entrance pupil of the optical system. For a given configuration of the imaging device the method includes estimating a set of characteristic intrinsic parameters of the imaging device, in which a first intrinsic parameter is representative of a distance between the image plane and a sensor conjugated plane conjugated to the image sensor with respect to the optical system; a second intrinsic parameter is representative of a distance between the sensor conjugated plane and the entrance pupil and a third intrinsic parameter is representative of a magnification of the optical system; determining first and second modelling data respectively as a function of the first and third intrinsic parameters and second and third intrinsic parameters; and establishing a model of the imaging device as a function of the second and third modelling data.

Abstract: An integrated display and input device including a pixel array operative to provide a visually sensible output, at least one sensor operative to sense at least a position of at least one object with respect to the pixel array when the at least one object has at least a predetermined degree of propinquity to the pixel array and circuitry receiving an output from the at least one sensor and providing a non-imagewise input representing the position of the at least one object relative to the pixel array to utilization circuitry.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus that performs phase difference focus detection using signals output from focus detection pixels each having first and second photoelectric portions that share one microlens, comprises: a setting unit that sets a focus detection area; a detection unit that detects whether a position and/or a size of a subject in an image has changed; a division unit that divides the focus detection area into a plurality of divisional areas by a divisor that is smaller when the detection result yields true than when it yields false; and a focus detection unit that adds signals respectively for the first and second photoelectric portions included in each divisional area in the divisional direction and obtains correlation amounts between the added signals, and adds the obtained correlation amounts for each focus detection area, then performs the focus detection.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel region that includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix pattern. Some of the plurality of pixels are configured to be phase difference detection pixels that include a photoelectric conversion section disposed on a semiconductor substrate and a light blocking film disposed above a portion of the photoelectric conversion section. In particular a location of the light blocking film for the phase difference detection pixels varies according to a location of the phase difference detection pixel. For example, the location of the light blocking film for a phase difference detection pixel positioned at a periphery of the pixel region is different than a location of the light blocking film for a phase difference detection pixel positioned in a center portion of the pixel region.

Abstract: The display system includes a display system including an image-capturing apparatus including an image-capturing element; an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on the image; and a display apparatus including a display device that displays the image resulting from the image processing. The image processing apparatus includes an image processor that performs the image processing on a predetermined number of line images corresponding to a part of a frame image captured by the image-capturing element, sequentially outputs the image to the display apparatus per the predetermined number of line images, and causes the display apparatus to display the frame image; and a storage device that stores the predetermined number of line images until the frame image is completed. The image processor is configured to perform the image processing including frame unit processing on the predetermined number of line images associated with the frame image to be output.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to creating and using an index based on eye movements of the human eye to store and retrieve images in an image database. An apparatus comprises a processor circuit and a storage communicatively coupled to the processor circuit and storing instructions operative on the processor circuit to receive a first eye movement data associated with a first image provided by the apparatus from an image database stored in the storage; determine a first identity of a first object at a first focus region in the first image indicated by the first eye movement data; search the image database for an image depicting the first object; and provide a second image depicting the first object from the image database. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein.

Abstract: Optimized automatic focusing of a microscope objective based on a cross correlation between a representative focus metric scan and a focus metric scan of a sample to be imaged.

Abstract: A modulation technique for 3D time-of-flight (TOF) cameras allows the operation of fully autonomous operated 3D TOF cameras. The method subdivides the exposure time into several sub-exposure intervals, for which the signal control unit adds a preferably pseudo-random common phase delay to the illumination and the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing a digital image of a slide using an imaging line sensor and a focusing line sensor. In an embodiment, a beam-splitter is optically coupled to an objective lens and configured to receive one or more images of a portion of a sample through the objective lens. The beam-splitter simultaneously provides a first portion of the one or more images to the focusing sensor and a second portion of the one or more images to the imaging sensor. A processor controls the stage and/or objective lens such that each portion of the one or more images is received by the focusing sensor prior to it being received by the imaging sensor. In this manner, a focus of the objective lens can be controlled using data received from the focusing sensor prior to capturing an image of a portion of the sample using the imaging sensor.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens drive ring actuated to drive a lens group along an optical axis, a driving direction detector detecting a driving direction of the lens drive ring, an actuator actuating the lens drive ring, a power transmission mechanism transmitting a driving force of the actuator to the lens drive ring, a manual operation member to manually move the lens drive ring, and a lens-driving controller controlling the actuator to drive the lens drive ring to move the movable lens group. When the lens drive ring is driven, the lens-driving controller controls a driving output of the actuator according to whether or not a first driving direction of the lens drive ring detected immediately before the lens drive ring is driven and a currently-detected second driving direction of the lens drive ring are mutually identical.

Abstract: Provided is an optical apparatus including a line sensor that includes plural detection portions arranged in a lateral direction, the detection portions including plural light-receiving elements arranged in a line shape in a longitudinal direction, a direction corresponding to the and lateral direction being set as a first direction and a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction being set as a second direction in a surface perpendicular to an optical axis of light which forms an image on the line sensor, and a reduction optical system that reflects light from an original document and guides the reflected light to the detection portion, and includes plural curved-surface mirrors that have curvatures in the first direction and the second direction as a whole.

Abstract: An image sensor in which pixels, each having a photoelectric conversion region divided into a plurality of regions, are arranged two-dimensionally, the image sensor comprising: a first pixel, from the pixels, for which each of photoelectric conversion regions divided in a first direction receives a light beam that passes through a pupil region; and a second pixel, from the pixels, for which each of photoelectric conversion regions divided in a second direction different to the first direction receives a light beam that passes through the pupil region; wherein the first pixel outputs signals having parallax in the first direction from the photoelectric conversion regions divided in the first direction, and the second pixel outputs signals having parallax in the second direction from the photoelectric conversion regions divided in the second direction.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an imaging unit that acquires a first image by capturing an object at a first focusing position, and acquires a second image after acquiring the first image, by capturing the object at a second focusing position different from the first. The second image has different blur than the first image. A depth information determination unit determines depth information of the object on the basis of a difference in blur between the first image and the second image. A focusing position setting unit sets a focus movement amount that is a difference between the first focusing position and the second focusing position, in accordance with an F-number of the imaging unit. The second focusing position is set such that an absolute value of the focus movement amount is larger when the F-number is large, as compared to when the F-number is relatively small.

Abstract: A focus position maintaining apparatus and a microscope are provided. The focus position maintaining apparatus can three-dimensionally correct a shift of a specimen in real time to maintain the focal point of an objective lens in a desired position in the specimen, and the microscope includes the focus position maintaining apparatus. The focus position maintaining apparatus includes a microlens array having a plurality of unit lenses and disposed in a position where the microlens array receives light from a specimen via an objective lens, a focus imaging device disposed in a position where the focus imaging device receives light from the unit lenses of the microlens array, and a control unit that outputs a signal for controlling operation of a focus actuator based on image formation positions of a plurality of images of the specimen detected by the focus imaging device via the microlens array.

Abstract: An apparatus with autofocus includes a scanning laser projector to provide autofocus assist. The scanning laser projector may project visible or nonvisible light in contrasting patterns to provide passive autofocus assist. The scanning laser projector may include a time-of-flight determination circuit to measure distances to provide active autofocus assist. Passive and active autofocus assist are combined to provide hybrid autofocus assist.

Abstract: An auto focus method includes (a) obtaining a selected exposure value and an un-normalized contrast value; (b) executing a normalized contrast value obtaining procedure at each of the stepping positions; and (c) executing a focal point searching procedure according to the normalized contrast values. Accordingly, the normalization procedure is applied to eliminate the effect of the exposure value on the contrast value, so that the focal point of the image can be obtained correctly. In addition, an image capturing apparatus using the focus method is provided.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device including a lens, a first light receiving element, a second light receiving element, and an element separation area. The first light receiving element is configured to receive light from the lens. The second light receiving element is configured to receive light from the lens. The element separation area is between the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element. The lens has an optical axis, which is offset from a center of the element separation area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented which allow the detection of the presence, type, and misalignment of optical components in the optical train of an optical coherence tomographic instrument to be determined from the use of OCT depth information.

Abstract: An imaging element 5 includes an imaging pixel 51 and phase difference detecting pixels 51R and 51L. When there is an instruction to start capturing a moving image, a defocus amount calculating unit 19 determines a shift amount of two output signal groups at the time of performing a correlation operation in accordance with information of an F value, a focal distance, and a focal position. The defocus amount calculating unit 19 shifts two output signal groups by a unit amount within a range of a determined shift amount to perform a correlation operation and calculates a defocus amount from the result. Thereafter, when the distance to a major subject varies, the defocus amount calculating unit changes the shift amount which has been already set to a larger value.

Abstract: Present embodiments contemplate systems, apparatus, and methods to calibration a multi camera device. Particularly, present embodiments contemplate initiating a calibration of multiple cameras in response to a predetermined event. A calibration records current environmental conditions along with the sensor positions of each camera when focused. By recording a plurality of calibration points under a variety of imaging and environmental conditions, a more accurate synchronization of the multiple cameras' focus positions can be achieved.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element that includes imaging pixels and focus detection pixels and that performs a photoelectric conversion of an object image, a readout unit that reads a pair of image signals from the focus detection pixels with a predetermined period, a storage unit that stores the pair of image signals read by the readout unit and optical information of the pair of image signals, an addition unit that adds a plurality of signals of time-series continuous frames of the pair of image signals, and a conversion coefficient determination unit that determines a conversion coefficient that converts an image shift amount of a pair of image signals of an addition frame obtained by the addition unit into a defocus amount, and the conversion coefficient determination unit determines the conversion coefficient of the addition frame based on the time-series continuous optical information.

Abstract: An auto-focus image system includes a focus signal generator and a pixel array coupled thereto that captures an image that includes a plurality of edges. The generator computes a focus signal from a plurality of edge-sharpness measures, each measured from and contributed by a different edge as a quantity with a unit that is a power of a unit of length, such as a distance in the edge, an area, or an even-order central moment. A relative weight of the contribution by an edge is reduced depending on at least a pair of shape measures, each being computed from a plurality of sample-pair differences of the edge. One may be the edge-sharpness measure. The weight may be zero if the pair of shape measures falls outside a predetermined region. At least one symmetrical sequence of gradients exists such that an edge with it has reduced relative weight.

Abstract: In a method to measure widths of measured parts placed on a platform, a computing device connects to one or more charge coupled device (CCD) cameras. The method controls each of the CCD cameras to capture a digital image from a measured part that is placed near the CCD cameras, obtains the digital image of the measured part from each of the CCD cameras in a predefined order, and obtains a binary expression from the digital image of the measured part. When the measured part is placed in a correct position on the platform, the method further obtains three points from an upper boundary of the measured part in the binary expression and another three points from a lower boundary of the measured part in the binary expression, and calculates width of the measured part according to the obtained six points.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus which includes an image pickup element having first and second photoelectric conversion elements sharing a lens, wherein the first and second photoelectric conversion elements perform a photoelectric conversion of images passing through different exit pupils of an image pickup optical system so as to output a focus detection signal used for focusing by a phase difference detection method, the focus detection apparatus includes an image shift amount calculator which performs a correlation calculation by using each of signal values obtained independently from the first and second photoelectric conversion elements and calculate an image shift amount, a defocus amount calculator which calculates a defocus amount by multiplying the image shift amount by a coefficient, and a coefficient correcting portion which corrects the coefficient in accordance with the signal value obtained from the first photoelectric conversion element or the second photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A user device includes a dual array camera in which a first camera includes a first image sensor without a color filter array to capture luminance, and a second camera includes a second image sensor with a color filter array to capture chrominance.

Abstract: A method for rendering an image from a light-field camera, which generates a raw light-field image, includes: generating feature data, which includes feature elements associated with position information and obtained based on the raw light-field image and a preset threshold condition; generating a raw focused image from the raw light-field image; obtaining a virtual focus position that is designated on the raw focused image; and refocusing the raw focused image according to the virtual focus position by updating pixel values of pixels of the raw focused image that correspond respectively in position to the feature elements of the feature data, so as to generate a refocused image.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit, a focus detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of a focus lens, a designation unit configured to receive a designation of an in-screen position of an object displayed on a display screen, and a control unit configured to control a movable range of the focus lens when the focusing state is detected by the focus detection unit such that if the designation unit does not designate the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to be a first range and, if the designation unit designates the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to a second range that is wider than the first range.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises: a moving unit configured to move a focus position of a photographing lens relative to an image sensor at a predetermined amplitude by changing a distance in an optical axis direction between the photographing lens and the image sensor; detection unit configured to detect a focus state of an image obtained from the image sensor; and defocus correction unit configured to perform defocus correction on the image obtained from the image sensor during motion performed by the moving unit, based on the focus state detected by the detection unit, so that the focus state of each image for display on the display device at least approaches the focus state for an in-focus image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring defects of an imaging instrument with a sensor that is accurate, simple to produce and implement and inexpensive. According to the invention, this device comprising at least one second sensor, similar to the first, inclined relative thereto and imaging the same region as the first sensor, and a device for calculating the defocusing of each element of this other sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit, a focus detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of a focus lens, a designation unit configured to receive a designation of an in-screen position of an object displayed on a display screen, and a control unit configured to control a movable range of the focus lens when the focusing state is detected by the focus detection unit such that if the designation unit does not designate the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to be a first range and, if the designation unit designates the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to a second range that is wider than the first range.

Abstract: A pupil detection device includes a camera, a light source disposed at the camera, an optical system, and an image processing system, which are disposed so that the examinee's face is irradiated with the light from the light source from the camera, and a face image including a pupil is formed in the camera. The light source includes a first light source, having a first wavelength that makes a bright pupil image by reflection in the examinee's pupil, and a second light source having a second wavelength that makes a dark pupil image by reflection in the examinee's pupil, but otherwise exhibiting the same illumination effect as the first light source. The camera includes a first image data acquisition system using the first illumination light source, and a second image data acquisition system using the second illumination light source.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises: a moving unit configured to move a focus position of a photographing lens relative to an image sensor at a predetermined amplitude by changing a distance in an optical axis direction between the photographing lens and the image sensor; detection unit configured to detect a focus state of an image obtained from the image sensor; and defocus correction unit configured to perform defocus correction on the image obtained from the image sensor during motion performed by the moving unit, based on the focus state detected by the detection unit, so that the focus state of each image for display on the display device at least approaches the focus state for an in-focus image.

Abstract: A stereoscopic device including a sensor assembly for detecting a sequence of stereoscopic images of an object, a movement detector for detecting the movements of the sensor assembly relative to the object, and a processing unit connected to the sensor assembly and to the movement detector, wherein the processing unit selects portions of the stereoscopic images, according to a signal received from the movement detector, thereby producing a visually stable sequence of display images.

Abstract: An SLR camera having a focus detecting apparatus and a photographing method thereof are disclosed. The SLR camera may include an AF sensor, the pixels of which may be disposed in various arrangements, for example, in different sizes, in different gaps between the pixels and/or in different numbers, depending on the location of pixels and a control unit which controls the focusing operation based on the sampling levels output by the pixels.

Abstract: A focal point detector includes: a condenser lens for transmitting a light image from an optical system; and a distance measurement sensor group for receiving a luminous flux which has passed through the condenser lens. The sensor group includes a first distance measurement sensor pair for receiving divided beams of the luminous flux for a first focus detection region which is located off the center of a shooting region. The first distance measurement sensor pair includes first and second distance measurement sensors. The first focus detection region extends in a first direction in the shooting region from a position where the first focus detection region is spaced from the center in the first direction and also in a second direction. The first and second distance measurement sensors are spaced from each other and arranged at different angles in the direction associated with the first direction on the sensor arrangement surface.

Abstract: Disclosed in a focus detecting apparatus comprising: a micro lens array (161) arranged with a plurality of micro lenses (161a); a photo-detector (162) that has detecting elements (162a) provided in correspondence with the micro lenses and receives light flux from an optical system via the micro lenses; a center detecting means (163C-1) that detects a center position of each micro lens from a position of detecting element having conjugate relationship with a pupil position of the optical system; an image generating means (163C-2) that generates a two-dimensional image from the center position of each micro lens and an output of the photo-detector; a contrast detecting means (163D) that detects contrast values of image signal of the two-dimensional image; a calculation means (163D) that calculates an integrated value to be obtained by accumulating the contrast values for each of a plurality of partial images from the two-dimensional image; and a focus detecting means (163G) that detects a focus adjustment statu

Abstract: An examination apparatus that observes a specimen in a stationary state while suppressing the blurring caused by a control delay. The apparatus includes a first optical system and a second optical system for imaging light produced in a specimen, a first image-acquisition unit with a plurality of first image-acquisition devices for detecting an image formed by the first optical system, a second image-acquisition unit with a second image-acquisition device for acquiring an image formed by the second optical system, and a driving unit that causes the images to be formed at the same position in the second image-acquisition unit. The value obtained by dividing the pixel size Y of the first image-acquisition devices by the magnification X of the first optical system is smaller than the value obtained by dividing the pixel size Y? of the second image-acquisition device by the magnification X? of the second optical system.

Abstract: A focus detection device comprises: an image shift detection unit that detects a relative shift amount of a pair of images formed by a pair of light fluxes having passed through an optical system; and a conversion unit that converts the shift amount to a defocus amount based upon dimensional information of an exit pupil corresponding to an aperture restricting light flux in the optical system and distance information of the exit pupil indicating distance to the exit pupil from a predetermined imaging plane of the optical system.