Abstract: Quantities of motion regarding an imaging device such as an electronic camera are calculated and used to adjust the exposure time and one or more other exposure parameters used to capture an image to improve the quality of the image. Motion blur caused by movement of the camera or by movement of an object within the scene being photographed is reduced by selecting appropriate exposure parameters. Further, when there is little or no motion detected, the exposure parameters may be selected to improve the depth of field and reduce the noise in the captured image.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus allowing a user to easily process a captured image. This image processing apparatus displays an image generated based on image data and an item representing processing for the image data on a screen, detects a change in the orientation thereof, and performs processing upon the image data corresponding to the displayed image based on a detection result of the change in the orientation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control method of a photographing apparatus, the photographing apparatus and a control program, which are capable of automatically determining a photographing mode capable of generating a sharper image. If a first exposure time is equal to or shorter than a first threshold value, a control circuit 18 makes a decision to take an input image in a first mode. The first exposure time is an exposure time required for taking one input image on the assumption that a photographing operation is carried out in the first mode for generating one output image by taking one input image. If the first exposure time is neither equal to nor shorter than the first threshold value, on the other hand, the control circuit 18 makes a decision to take a plurality of input images in a second mode provided that a second exposure time is equal to or shorter than a second threshold value.

Abstract: A method of capturing a still frame is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating a plurality of initial frames with a sensor in response to an optical signal and (B) generating the still frame by combining the initial frames using a noise reduction technique.

Abstract: A MCP semiconductor device with an “anti-shake” function includes a driver chip and a logic chip. The logic chip includes a correction signal processing unit which obtains a value for vibration of apparatus based on a vibration detection signal to generate a correction signal and a control signal output unit having a plurality of types of signal output sections which output a vibration control signal in accordance with the correction signal to a vibration correction control unit which executes vibration correction control for an optical component. The logic chip further includes a driver output terminal which outputs the vibration control signal to the driver chip, an external output terminal which outputs the control signal to an external circuit other than the driver chip, and also an output switch unit which connects one of the plurality of signal output sections with the driver output terminal or the external output terminal.

Abstract: Image pickup means is capable of picking up an image at a first frame rate and a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate. A highlight scene is detected by detection means. When detecting the highlight scene, image pickup operation is performed at a high speed mode and an image signal at high frame rate (240 fps) is produced for a period of predetermined time. When detecting no highlight scene, image pickup operation is performed at a normal mode and an image signal at normal frame rate (60 fps) is produced. It is possible to save time and labor for performing a switchover operation of a frame rate when imaging a highlight scene. It is also possible to save power consumption and a capacity of a storage medium.

Abstract: The camera system is constituted by the camera main body and the interchangeable lens which is removably attachable to the camera main body. The camera main body has an imaging unit, a main body shake detector, a main body image blur corrector, and a body microcomputer configured to control the imaging unit, the shake detector, and the image blur corrector. The interchangeable lens has a shake detector, an image blur corrector, and a lens microcomputer configured to control the shake detector and the image blur corrector. The body microcomputer selects either the main body or lens shake detector, activates the selected shake detector, and stops the other shake detector.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an image of an object to obtain an image signal, a detection unit configured to set a detection area in a captured image based on the image signal obtained by the imaging unit and calculate a detection value from an image signal in the detection area, an exposure adjustment unit configured to perform exposure adjustment, a control unit configured to control the exposure adjustment unit so that the detection value becomes equal to a predetermined value, and a presentation-image detecting unit configured to detect a presentation image presented by an image presentation device from the captured image on the basis of a difference in luminance in the captured image. When the presentation-image detecting unit detects the presentation image, the detection unit sets the detection area in a location different from a location of the detected presentation image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to track and to photograph a mobile object over a wide range, by a cooperative operation of multiple cameras. In addition, a mobile tracking system is provided for tracking the mobile object by the cooperation of multiple cameras, in which each camera includes a photographing device which photographs and recognizes the mobile object, a changing device which changes a view angle of the photographing device, a position deriving device which derives a position of the camera, a distance deriving device which derives the distance between the camera and the mobile object, and a communication device which transmits an identifier of the camera, a position of the camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and the distance between the camera and the mobile object to another camera and receives an identifier of the other camera, a position of the other camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and a distance between the other camera and the mobile object from the other camera.

Abstract: Provided is a method and of controlling a voltage of power supplied to a 3-dimensional (3D) graphics data processor and the 3D graphics data processor using the method. The method includes controlling the voltage of the power supplied to the graphics data processor based on the amount of data representing an object included in graphics data and re-controlling the voltage of the power supplied to the graphics data processor based on a time difference between scheduled processing time according to the controlled voltage for the object and actual processing time consumed by the graphics data processor, thereby reducing power consumption.

Abstract: In an embodiment, when a sleep mode is turned off, if vibration less than a limit value occurs, the sleep mode is turned on and a hand shake correction unit is turned off so that power consumption may be reduced. Moreover, when the sleep mode is turned on, if vibration greater than a limit value occurs, the sleep mode is turned off and the hand shake correction unit is turned on so that an image blur does not occur. In another embodiment, when the sleep mode is turned off, if vibration less than a limit value occurs, the hand shake correction unit is turned on in the state where the sleep mode is turned on and a HPF is turned on so that an image blur is prevented from occurring due to a shock caused by pushing a release button or shock caused by opening or closing a shutter.

Abstract: When a digital camera 1 is being swung, the CPU 10 judges whether or not a block group having motion vectors which are varyingly different from the motion vectors of a peripheral area 32 in a field angle photographing area as shown in FIG. 3A exists in a center area 31 as shown in FIG. 3B. When judged that a block group having varyingly different motion vectors exists in the center area 31, the digital camera 1 determines this block group as an observed photographic subject area. Subsequently, when the scalar quantity of the largest motion vector, among the motion vectors of each block in the determined observed photographic subject area, is smaller than a threshold v, the digital camera 1 judges that the user is attempting to perform a follow shot and there is no blurring of the photographic subject, and performs automatic shooting.

Abstract: In order to provide a photographed image process changeover apparatus of a video telephone function which reduces the power consumption by providing only the most optimal functions in accordance with the state of a portable terminal, the comprisal at least includes an image cutout unit 11 for cutting out a predefined zone including a photography target from a photographed image taken by a camera comprised by the portable terminal, a handheld state detection unit 12 for detecting a handheld state, and a changeover unit 13 for changing over between the validity and invalidity of the image cutout unit 11 in accordance with the state of the portable terminal.

Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus is disclosed which allows a reduction in degradation of images associated with a changed image magnification due to movements in a focus direction during image pick-up operation. The image pick-up apparatus has an image pick-up controller which performs a plurality of image pick-up operations for producing a single image and performs focus adjustment operation before each of the image pick-up operations to produce a first plurality of images, and an information producer which produces information on an image magnification of each of the first plurality of images. The image-pickup apparatus also has an image producer which produces a second plurality of images based on the first plurality of images and the information on the image magnification, and an image combiner which combines the second plurality of images to produce a single image.

Abstract: Image-exposure systems and methods are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a motion detecting device, and logic configured to determine when to terminate an image-exposure based on detected motion of a camera.

Abstract: As shown in FIG. 2B, a photographing area is divided into a plurality of blocks. The block at the center of the photographing area is defined as an observation block 31, and the blocks at the periphery of the photographing area are defined as background blocks 32. When the number of background blocks 32 having the largest number of identical motion vectors is larger than a threshold m, when the scalar quantity of the motion vectors of these background blocks 32 with the largest number is larger than a threshold v, and when the scalar quantity of the motion vector of the observation block 31 is smaller than a threshold vc, the digital camera 1 judges that the user is performing a follow shot and there is no blurring of the observed photographic subject, and performs an automatic shooting.

Abstract: The imaging apparatus includes an image sensor for obtaining a picture image from an optical image that is projected to the image sensor through an optical system, an image moving portion for moving the optical image on the image sensor, a motion detecting portion for detecting a movement on the picture image of a moving subject that appears in the optical image, and a control portion for controlling, during an exposure period after a predetermined operation, the image moving portion in the direction of canceling the movement of the moving subject on the image sensor due to a movement of the moving subject in the real space, based on a movement of the moving subject detected in advance. The control portion sets length of the exposure period based on the movement of the moving subject detected in advance.

Abstract: Whether a digital camera body (1) is in a horizontal shooting attitude (a) or in either of vertical shooting attitudes (b), (c) is detected by using drive means of an image blurring compensation device. In the case where a focus drive means detects that the digital camera body (1) is either in an upward attitude (d) or in a downward attitude (e), a shooting attitude thereof can be inputted. The inputted shooting attitude is recorded together with an image, whereby the image can be displayed in the same orientation as the image at the time of shooting thereof, even if the image is shot either in the upward attitude (e) or in the downward attitude (e).

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capture unit for capturing an image, a reproducing unit for reproducing and displaying an image, an attitude detecting unit for detecting an attitude, and a control unit for executing a preset and predetermined operation if a predetermined attitude change pattern is detected with the attitude detecting unit.

Abstract: An image display apparatus having an electronic zoom function. The apparatus includes: imaging means capable of changing a start position of reading an image; in order for at least a part of a predetermined range of the image data to be written at the time of reading the image from a memory, writing means for extracting the predetermined range of the image and writing the extracted image in the memory; reading means for starting to read the image in the memory at the time of reading the image, converting the predetermined range of the image read from the memory into an image of a predetermined resolution, and outputting the image; and when the range of the image read is wider than a range to be expanded, control means for controlling the start position of reading so as to narrow the range of the image to be read.

Abstract: A driver-assisting apparatus includes a video camera and a display. The video camera is attached to a vehicle for taking pictures in a field further than a driver's field of view with bare eyes. The display is connected with the camera for displaying the pictures. With the driver-assisting apparatus, the driver can see an object that is too far for her or him to see with the bare eyes. Thus, the driver can take actions to avoid running over or bumping into the object earlier with the driver-assisting apparatus than without.

Abstract: In an image sensing system including at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, the communication apparatus transmits the operating status of the communication apparatus to the image sensing apparatus. The image sensing apparatus determines the received operating status and displays the operating status on the display in accordance with the determination result.

Abstract: To enable a prompt switching operation by a user. An image processing device connected to an image capturing section has a process execution section for executing any of a plurality of processes, obtains area specification data for specifying an area where the user is shown in the image, based on a difference between the images sequentially captured by the image capturing section images, and switches a process to be carried out by the process execution section, depending on the position of an edge of the area specified by the area specification data obtained.

Abstract: A portable apparatus, comprising a first detector, a second detector, and a controller, is provided. The portable apparatus has a photographing function. The first detector detects a movement in a first direction. The second detector detects a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. The controller switches the running and suspension of a first and second function according to the combination of movements in the first and second directions. The first and second functions are different from each other.

Abstract: A camera includes a CPU. The CPU individually detects a ratio of an object which exceeds a threshold value in a moving amount to a center area of an object scene and a ratio of an object which exceeds the threshold value in the moving amount to a peripheral area of the object scene. If differences between the respective detected ratios are large, the CPU sets a photographing mode to a sports mode. When a shutter button is operated, the object scene is photographed in accordance with a set photographing mode.

Abstract: A digital camera can employ logic to delay capturing a still image after a person has operated the control button until such time as predetermined subject criteria are met, e.g., the subject is smiling with eyes open, three or more players are in the field of view to ensure a good action shot, etc.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for triggering recording of digital video in a fast frame rate mode. In one example, a digital video recording apparatus includes a video sensor that captures digital video data at a fast frame rate in a fast frame rate mode, a video buffer that buffers the captured digital video data according to a first-in-first-out storage schema, a video storage that stores digital video data, and a motion detection unit that detects fast motion in the buffered digital video data, that stores digital video data from the video sensor in the video storage after detecting the fast motion, and that copies the contents of the video buffer to the video storage prepended to the stored video data. The digital video recording apparatus may be incorporated in a wireless communication device, such as a cellular phone.

Abstract: An imaging system, comprising a battery checker, an anti-shake controller, and an image processor, is provided. The imaging system is able to carry out mechanical and electronic anti-shake functions. The battery checker detects available charge of a battery. The anti-shake controller orders the mechanical anti-shake function to be carried out if the available charge is greater than a first threshold value. The anti-shake controller orders the electronic anti-shake function to be carried out if the available charge is less than the first threshold value. The image processor treats an image captured in a second area in the imaging area as a captured moving image while the mechanical anti-shake function is carried out. The size of the second area is second size, which is determined according to the available charge.

Abstract: Provided is an image-taking apparatus having an easier human machine interface than before. Instead of operating an operator, a mode for a flash condition among multiple shooting conditions displayed on a display panel of a liquid crystal display device is switched from an automatic mode to a forced on mode by shaking a digital camera vertically. Then, the shooting condition is switched to a focusing condition by shaking the digital camera horizontally. The shooting condition is switched from the focusing condition to a white balance condition by shaking this image-taking apparatus horizontally again. Thereafter, a mode for the shooting condition is switched from a macro mode to a macro-off mode by shaking this image-taking apparatus vertically again. Likewise, it is possible to set up various modes for the respective shooting conditions by shaking this image-taking apparatus.

Abstract: A camera is provided with an image blur reducing function and rotation means. The image blur reducing function is turned off during rotation in a constant-speed drive pattern in which the rotation means rotates the camera at a constant speed from a start to an end of the rotation operation. The image blur reducing function is turned on during rotation in an intermittent drive pattern in which the rotation means intermittently executes drive operation from the start to the end of the rotation operation.

Abstract: A digital camera can employ logic to delay capturing a still image after a person has operated the control button until such time as predetermined subject criteria are met, e.g., the subject is smiling with eyes open, three or more players are in the field of view to ensure a good action shot, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate image stabilization with adaptive shutter control is described. An embodiment of the apparatus includes an image sensor, a movement detector, and a shutter controller. The movement detector is coupled to the image sensor. The shutter controller is coupled to the movement detector. The image sensor is configured to obtain image data. The movement detector is configured to obtain movement measurement information during a shutter period having a predetermined duration. The shutter controller is configured to adjust the shutter period of a shutter based on the movement measurement information. The shutter controls the time the image sensor is responsive to light incident on the image sensor. Embodiments of the apparatus provide a smaller and less costly implementation for image stabilization.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus configured to pick up a still image includes an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels to convert an object image formed by an optical system to an electric charge. A pixel reading circuit operates in either a first reading mode for reading electric charges obtained from the respective pixels of the image pickup device on a pixel by pixel basis or a second reading mode for adding and reading the electric charges obtained from the respective pixels of the image pickup device. A controller evaluates camera shake during exposure. When an evaluation level of the shake is greater than a predetermined level, this controller controls the pixel reading circuit to operate in the second reading mode. when the evaluation level is smaller than the predetermined level, the controller controls the pixel reading circuit to operate in the first reading mode.

Abstract: A digital camera apparatus and a printing method for printing still and motion image stored in the digital camera. A frame to be printed in motion image data stored in a removable memory is designated. The position information of the designated frame to be printed is held in a memory. Upon printing, the motion image data is read out of the removable memory according to the stored position information and then still image data is formed from the motion image data of the frame specified by the frame position information in the motion image data. The formed still image data is sent to a printer through an interface. Since a still image of the image of the print frame is formed from the motion image and sent to the printer, the printer can print by a process similar to a printing process for the still image and execute the printing without being aware of a motion image format.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus performs focus control based upon image data of a region corresponding to a focus control region, the image data being a part of one screen of image data. The apparatus includes a camera-shake detector for detecting camera shake, and a focus detection zone designating unit for changing the focus control region with respect to the screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging device having a shake correction device which corrects image shake by moving a portion of a photographic lens or by moving an imaging element, which is capable of displaying images obtained from the imaging element as a live view on a monitor prior to photography, the imaging device comprising: a detection device which detects deactivation of the shake correction device; and a display control device which turns off a display of a live view on the monitor for a predetermined period of time upon detection of deactivation of the shake correction device by the detection device.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is the network camera comprising an image sensor, image processor, and network interface, where image processor is capable of detecting the motion in the field of view of the camera, extracting/windowing the portion (sub-window) of the image that corresponds to that motion and submitting thus identified sub-window to the network interface hardware for transmission and where said image processor is also capable of submitting to the network interface the full field of view reduced-resolution (decimated) image either as the only image to be transmitted or as the image to be transmitted in a time-interleaved fashion with the said image window containing the motion.

Abstract: A photographing system having plural image pickup units for a moving apparatus with enhanced user's visibility of images for a driver of the apparatus. A system control part controls the image pickup units. Image pickup unit picks up images ahead of the moving apparatus. Image pickup unit picks up images aback. System control unit predicts surrounding state of the moving apparatus based on map information or position information and, when the moving apparatus enters a tunnel, issues a control instruction to image pickup unit so as to increase exposure quantity of image pickup device thereof, and then, when level of output image signal of the image pickup unit enters within a specified range, issues a control instruction to image pickup unit so as to increase exposure quantity of the image pickup device thereof.

Abstract: A mobile communication apparatus capable of controlling housing temperature is provided. The mobile communication apparatus includes a first and a second modules, an operating mode manager for managing a plurality of modes based on a combination of whether the first and the second modules each are supplied with power, and a memory for storing a plurality of data relating a period of operating time to a value of housing temperature for each of the modes. The communication apparatus includes a temperature estimator configured to measure the operating time, and if the mode is changed, to estimate a first and a second values of housing temperature corresponding to the operating time of the mode before the change and of the mode after the change respectively, and to have the operating mode manager stop the operation if an estimation based on the first and the second values reaches a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Quantities of motion regarding an imaging device such as an electronic camera are calculated and used to adjust the exposure time and one or more other exposure parameters used to capture an image to improve the quality of the image. Motion blur caused by movement of the camera or by movement of an object within the scene being photographed is reduced by selecting appropriate exposure parameters. Further, when there is little or no motion detected, the exposure parameters may be selected to improve the depth of field and reduce the noise in the captured image.

Abstract: Autofocus device has a lens-driving unit, a focal-point-position-detecting unit, and a distance measurement sensor that measures a distance to a subject. The device also has a control unit for controlling the lens-driving unit to drive the lens, thereby meeting the detected position of the focal point of the lens to an in-focus position. If a restart condition has not yet been satisfied after meeting the position of the focal point to the in-focus position to stop the focus operation, the control unit determines a switch of focusing on subjects based on the detected position of the focal point and a measured distance result by the distance measurement sensor and then restarts the focus operation based on a determination result thereof, thereby driving the lens to meet the position of the focal point to an in-focus position based on a measured distance result by the distance measurement sensor.

Abstract: A cellular phone body 10 includes a memory 12, a CPU 18, a camera 15, and a display 17. The CPU 18 displays on the display 17 a pointer P in a manner to overlap an image of an photographic subject photographed by the camera 15, and judges whether or not to save in an image data saving area 12f of the memory 12 the image of the photographic subject imaged by the camera 15 and buffered in a first buffer 12c of the memory 12, based on information of a move locus of the pointer P moving on the image of the photographic subject along a movement of the cellular phone body at a time of imaging the photographic subject with the camera 15.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus includes a LED emission section that irradiates a subject with light by causing a LED to emit the light and a xenon-tube emission section that irradiates a subject with light by causing a xenon tube to emit the light. The light from the xenon-tube emission section has higher intensity than the light from the LED emission section. The image-taking apparatus also includes a shake detection section that predicts a shake that will occur at shooting by detecting a shake before shooting. The image-taking apparatus also includes an emission control section that causes the xenon-tube emission section to irradiate a subject with light when the detected shake is above a predetermined level, and causes the LED emission section to irradiate a subject with light when the detected shake is equal to or below the predetermined level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a monitor device for a moving body such as a vehicle, aircraft or vessel, moving at a certain speed. The monitor device displays an image of a front scene of the moving body with the image of the central area being enlarged in accordance with the running speed of the moving body such that condition of a far away portion can be recognized accurately. A zoom ratio calculating section determines a zoom ratio in accordance with running speed of the moving body. The area of image to be displayed is selected in accordance with the zoom ratio and the image of the selected area is displayed on a display screen in an enlarged form. A specially designed distortion lens may be used to take the picture of the front scene to form an image of the scene with its central area being optically enlarged.

Abstract: A camera system comprising an imaging unit scanned by means of an X-Y address method, horizontal and vertical scanning units for scanning the imaging unit by means of the X-Y address method, a main scanning direction control signal generating unit for generating a main scanning direction control signal for designating a main scanning direction of the imaging unit, a main scanning direction control unit for controlling the horizontal and vertical scanning units so that the main scanning direction coincides with a direction instructed by the main scanning direction control signal, and an output unit for outputting an image signal read in consequence of scanning the imaging unit using the horizontal and vertical scanning units.

Abstract: Rotations of a camera around two axes are detected by two gyro sensors. A color temperature of a photographing location is detected by an AWB sensor. One of a plurality of low-pass filters, the cut-off frequency component of which is different, can be connected to one gyro sensor. The low-pass filter which is connected to the gyro sensor, is changed by a transfer switch based on the output result of the AWB sensor, so that a frequency range which is retrieved from the output voltage of the gyro sensor is controlled. With respect to another gyro sensor, a similar operation is carried out. A hand-tremble correcting circuit calculates a driving amount of an image sensor, by which the tremble is canceled, based on the output voltages of the gyro sensors in which a predetermined frequency range was retrieved in accordance with the condition of the photographing location.

Abstract: A digital camera, having a function for optically compensating for camera shake, comprises: a movement detector that detects a movement of the digital camera; a movement prediction unit that employs the movement detected by the movement detector to predict a movement of the digital camera after a predetermined period of time has elapsed; an optical system moving unit that moves an optical system of the digital camera so as to compensate for the movement of the digital camera predicted by the movement prediction unit; and an image data correction unit that corrects image data obtained while taking a photograph, based on a difference between an actual movement of the digital camera, which is detected by the movement detector while taking the photograph, and the movement of the digital camera that is predicted, by the movement prediction unit, to occur while taking the photograph, so that the image data will be the same as image data that are obtained when the optical system is moved while taking the photograph

Abstract: A video camera having a power-On recording standby mode, a power-On recording disabled mode, and a power-saving mode, in addition to power-OFF mode. The power-saving mode is a state in which the time taken to shift to said recording standby mode is shorter than the time taken to shift from power-OFF mode. Switching to the power-saving mode is inhibited when recording on the recording medium is not possible, thereby improving the operability of the video camera for the user. The user is prevented from attempting to record during power saving mode.

Abstract: A device that employs a secondary camera for use in image blur correction. The device includes a first camera that acquires a digital image and a second camera that acquires a series of digital images that enable a determination of a motion of the device during acquisition of the digital image. The determined motion may be used to correct an image blur in the digital image acquired with the primary camera.

Abstract: A collapsible-type lens barrel includes an image blurring correction unit that drives a first lens in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis so as to cancel shaking of an image sensing apparatus, and a second lens placed adjacent the image blurring correction unit. When the collapsible-type lens barrel is in the collapsed state, the image blurring correction unit causes the first lens to withdraw to a position away from the optical axis of the second lens, and causes the second lens to retract in such a manner that a portion of the second lens enters at least part of a space on the optical axis produced by the withdrawal of the first lens.