Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a plurality of sequential image data samples for display, is disclosed. A first one of the image data samples is accessed and then a second one of the image data samples is accessed. The first and second image data samples may then be provided for display, where one or more further data samples are provided in the event that the first and second image data samples are not contiguous. These further data samples indicate that image data samples are not available between the first and second image data samples.

Abstract: Video object units are generated from a program stream. The generated video object units have navigation portions respectively, and compose video objects. The navigation portions are void of ending time information and search information. The video object units are sequentially recorded on the recording disc without being buffered. Ending time information and search information are detected from the program stream. A decision is made as to whether or not the recording of video object units composing one video object has been completed. Navigation information is generated which includes the ending time information and the search information, and which corresponds to the last recorded video object. The generated navigation information is recorded on zones in the recording disc which correspond to the navigation portions of the video object units composing the last recorded video object each time the recording of video object units composing one video object has been completed.

Abstract: A method for processing a source frame is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an intermediate frame by digitally processing the source frame, wherein the intermediate frame has an intermediate resolution and has an intermediate color space, (B) generating a video frame by down-sampling the intermediate frame, wherein the video frame has a video resolution lower than the intermediate resolution and has a video color space different than the intermediate color space, (C) generating a video stream by compressing the video frame with a video encoding technique and (D) generating a still picture by formatting the intermediate frame with a picture formatting technique, wherein (i) the still picture has the intermediate resolution and (ii) generating the still picture occurs substantially simultaneously with generating the video stream.

Abstract: The image pickup device of the present invention is capable of photographing still images during photography of a moving image, and is provided with a notifying means for visually notifying a subject that a photographic operation of a still image is to be performed when a release button 23 is pressed half-way down during photography of the moving image, and then performs the photographic operation when the release button 23 is fully pressed. The first notifying means may be a light emitting means 25 which lights up or flashes when the release button 23 is pressed half-way down, or maybe a flash lamp device in which a light source 27 pops up when the release button 23 is pressed half-way down.

Abstract: A variable-power optical system includes, in order from an object side thereof: a first lens group with a negative optical power; a second lens group with a positive optical power; a third lens group with a negative optical power; and a fourth lens group with a positive optical power. An interval between the first lens group and the second lens group decreases when a power of the variable-power optical system varies from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. The second lens group includes at least one aspheric surface. The variable-power optical system satisfies the predetermined conditional expressions.

Abstract: Provided is a device and method for taking a still picture and recording a moving picture. The device includes a user interface unit for generating a user input instruction to record the moving picture, and a user input instruction to take the still picture while recording the moving picture; a moving picture recorder for compressing the still pictures into the moving picture, and recording the compressed picture; a camera picture capturing unit for, when there is the user input instruction to take the still picture while recording the moving picture, capturing the still picture; a camera controller for controlling an operation of a camera, and an operation of the camera picture capturing unit; a take-while-record setting unit for storing information on picture-taking; and a controller for generating a signal for controlling to detect the user input instruction to take the still picture while recording the moving picture, and take the still picture while recording the moving picture.

Abstract: The frame interpolation unit 61 generates an interpolation image for interpolating in a non-photographic section that is between one exposure section in which exposure occurs and a next exposure section, with use of photographed images in both exposure sections temporally adjacent to the non-photographing section. The frame compositing circuit 62 generates a composite image corresponding to a predetermined time section with use of a photographed image photographed in the predetermined time section and the interpolation image generated by the frame interpolation circuit 61.

Abstract: A camera body includes an imaging unit, a reflecting mirror, a determination unit, and a mirror controller. The imaging unit is configured to convert the optical image into an image signal and acquires an image of the subject. The reflecting mirror has a first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and a second state of being outside the optical path. The mirror controller is configured to retract the reflecting mirror to outside the optical path of the optical system when the reflecting mirror is in the first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and a moving picture photography mode is selected, which is a mode for capturing moving pictures.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus capable of continuous shooting, the continuously shot image data are sequentially recorded, and some image data selected from the recoded image data are displayed on a display portion. At this selection, data associated with the shooting period of the image data is divided into approximately equal time intervals, and image data corresponding to shooting time positions of the approximately equally divided time intervals are selected.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of preventing a decline of resolution of a still image while keeping a dynamic range of exposure control. The image pickup apparatus capable of photographing with changing over a moving image and a still image, includes an iris mechanism for changing an amount of light input to an image pickup element by changing an aperture diameter, a filter unit, having a single density or a plurality of densities, for changing the amount of the light input to the image pickup element by its advancing towards and withdrawing from the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism, a unit for driving the iris mechanism and the filter unit independently, and a control unit for setting the filter unit in one of two types of states such as fully covering the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism and fully withdrawing from the aperture diameter in the still image photography.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a still image acquiring unit configured to acquire a still image from a moving image during recording or playback of the moving image; an information adding unit configured to add information related to the moving image at or slightly before the time the still image is acquired by the still image acquiring means, to the still image acquired by the still image acquiring unit; and a still image recording unit configured to record the still image to which the information related to the moving image has been added by the information adding unit.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus able to obtain a suitable still image from a squeezed video signal, including a converting unit configured to judge whether or not a video signal has been squeezed based on an input video signal and aspect information indicating the aspect ratio of the video signal and to inverse-squeeze it to the designated video signal when judging that it was squeezed as a result of the judgment to convert it to a video signal of a still image of a prescribed image size and a still image recording and/or reproduction unit configured to record the video signal of the still image converted by the converting unit.

Abstract: A surveillance video camera to be operative in combination with a surveillance system for watching an object, includes: an optical section having passed therethrough light to be provided as an image indicative of the object; a converting section constituted by a plurality of pixel units to be exposed to the light provided through the optical section; a plurality of sensitivity enhancing units; a surveillance mode selecting section for selectively setting at least two surveillance modes; and an executing section for allowing the sensitivity enhancing units to start, in sequence corresponding to the selected surveillance mode, to enhance the sensitivity of the converting section, and to stop enhancing the sensitivity of the converting section, the sequences corresponding to the respective surveillance modes being different from each other.

Abstract: A moving image generating apparatus of the present invention generates moving image data that is smoothly replayed from a taken still image.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus such as a digital camera, digital video camera, or the like, if a photography mode which requires photography with priority on precision is selected, photography is executed in accordance with precision priority setting even when the photography setting is so made as to put a higher priority on speed. This makes it possible to prevent the user's intention from disagreeing with setting as to whether a higher priority is put on speed or precision in photography.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus recording motion picture data and still image data includes a management time adding unit that adds frame image display management times to temporally continuous multiple pieces of frame image data in the motion picture data; a management time detecting unit that detects the frame image display management time as a still image display management time; a presence indication data generating unit that generates presence indication data indicating that the still image data exists on the basis of the still image display management time; a multiplexing unit that outputs the motion picture data as recording data while only the motion picture photography is performed and that performs time division multiplexing to output the presence indication data and the motion picture data if the still photography is performed during the motion picture photography; and a recording unit that records the recording data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit that repeatedly captures images of a subject to obtain image information; a recording unit that records timing information indicative of a given point in time during an imaging period of the image information; and a display unit that displays an image corresponding to the timing information, which is extracted from the image information, in response to an end of the imaging period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method, a reproducing apparatus and method, and a program that make it possible to photograph and record a still image and moving images before and after the still image as well. In step S1, when a still-image-with-moving-image photographing mode is set, moving image temporary storage is started. When a shutter is depressed in step S2, in step S3, a photographed still image is recorded and one moving image is generated from the moving image before the still image stored in step S1, a moving image obtained by converting the photographed still image, and a moving image photographed after the depression of the shutter and the one moving image generated is recorded. Therefore, the moving images before and after the still image are recorded together with a high-definition still image.

Abstract: In this invention, when images, in image files managed according to photographing dates, which match a search condition are to be displayed, the images matching the search condition are sequentially displayed such that the positions or distribution of the image files, of all image files, which match the search condition can be checked. For this reason, when the search condition is changed by operating upper and lower keys provided on the back face of a digital camera, a search is made for images matching the condition after the change. Indicators indicating the relative positions of the images matching the search condition in the list of image files arranged in the order of photographing dates are displayed. When the left and right keys are operated, one of images matching the search condition is displayed in the image display area.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus which uses image sensors with different spectral sensitivities depending on driving modes executes still image sensing in accordance with a predetermined operation instruction from a user, during a predetermined operation of driving the image sensor in the driving mode different from still image sensing. In such still image sensing, a still image sensing white balance control value is obtained based on an image signal obtained by driving the image sensor in the driving mode for still image sensing, and a white balance is controlled in still image sensing. When returning to the predetermined operation state from still image sensing, the white balance control value obtained in still image sensing is converted to the white balance control value corresponding to the driving mode of the image sensor in the predetermined operation state to apply the obtained white balance control value.

Abstract: An embodiment of a digital photography apparatus includes a motion estimation unit configured to estimate an amount of motion of an object and a continuous shooting time interval determination unit configured to determine a continuous shooting time interval between consecutive stored image data frames. The continuous shooting time interval may be based at least in part on the estimated amount of motion of the object. The digital photography apparatus also includes an image capture device configured to generate a plurality of image data frames when the digital photography apparatus is operating in a continuous shooting mode. The plurality of image data frames may be generated at the continuous shooting time interval.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus fetches an optical image of an object so as to produce an image signal, records on a recording medium an image signal corresponding to a still-image-use image size according to a still-image recording instruction, records on the recording medium an image signal corresponding to a moving-image-use image size according to a moving-image recording instruction, repeatedly creates the image signal and causes a displayer to display a still-image-use through image corresponding to the still-image-use image size, repeatedly creates the image signal and causes the displayer to display a moving-image-use through image corresponding to the moving-image-use image size, switches the still-image-use through image and the moving-image-use through image, and accepts the still-image recording instruction or the moving-image recording instruction when the still-image-use through image or the moving-image-use through image is displayed

Abstract: An apparatus to record images from a coin is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a stage configured to position and rotate the coin. The stage is further configured to produce an angular positional signal output to indicate a rotational position of the coin. A first and second reflecting device are configured to concurrently image near-edge portions of both obverse and reverse sides of the coin and a recording apparatus is directed simultaneously toward an edge of the coin and the first and second reflecting devices.

Abstract: Auto focus control processing for still image recording is performed while continuously performing movie recording when an initiation instruction for a still image recording preparation process is issued during movie recording. Movie recording is interrupted to perform still image recording processing only when an initiation instruction for still image recording processing is detected during movie recording. In addition, in the auto focus control for still image recording during movie recording, focus detection is performed within a distance range that is narrower than the distance range during auto focus control performed for normal still image recording.

Abstract: A timing signal generating device capable of generating different kinds of signals is disclosed. A first, a second and a third data setting circuit each generate a particular kind of set data for generating corresponding timing signals. The set data are selectively set in a timing pulse generating circuit at the time of start-up of a camera or similar system, which includes the device, or in accordance with the operation mode of the system. The timing pulse generating circuit generates timing signals based on the set data. The timing signals are fed to a solid-state image pickup section and a signal processing section, causing them to operate in accordance with the timing signals.

Abstract: According to an electronic camera capable of capturing a still image during capturing of a moving image, by storing the zoom lens position information at that time when capturing of the moving image is temporarily stopped for capturing of the still image and using the field angle information or the like recorded after capturing of the still image is terminated, the zoom lens can be automatically returned to the original zoom position so as to prevent the generation of an uncomfortable feeling between the moving image before capturing of the still image and the moving image of which capturing is restarted just after termination of the still image capturing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus controls display of a plurality of pieces of image data containing both moving image data and still image data, and includes: a moving image/still image determining unit that determines whether or not image data to be displayed is the moving image data or the still image data, when in a continuous display mode that displays the plurality of pieces of image data continuously in a predetermined sequence; and a display control unit that starts display control of the next image in response to finishing of display of all of the moving image data when the image data to be displayed is the moving image data, and starts display control of the next image data in response to finishing of display of the still image data for a predetermined time when the image data to be displayed is the still image data.

Abstract: The present invention allows still images to be recorded during moving image recording, and does not require frame data to be generated and written for all frames missed as a result of the still image recording. Thus, when the recording of a still image is instructed during moving image recording, the moving image recording is interrupted, and the number of moving image frames missed during the still image recording is counted. The still image obtained by an image sensing device is shot, and the shot still image data is stored on a memory card. Next, a pseudo moving image frame is generated from the still image data and appended to the interrupted moving image file. Moving image recording is then resumed. Offsets are adjusted at this time so that the counted missing frames point to the pseudo frame.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of preventing a decline of resolution of a still image while keeping a dynamic range of exposure control. The image pickup apparatus capable of photographing with changing over a moving image and a still image, includes an iris mechanism for changing an amount of light input to an image pickup element by changing an aperture diameter, a filter unit, having a single density or a plurality of densities, for changing the amount of the light input to the image pickup element by its advancing towards and withdrawing from the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism, a unit for driving the iris mechanism and the filter unit independently, and a control unit for setting the filter unit in one of two types of states such as fully covering the aperture diameter of the iris mechanism and fully withdrawing from the aperture diameter in the still image photography.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus uses a plurality of recording media. The image capturing apparatus includes a detection unit for detecting the loading of a first recording medium, and a control unit for switching the operation mode of the image capturing apparatus in accordance with a detection result obtained by the detection unit.

Abstract: There is provided a pivot hinge mechanism to support a main body and grip unit of a video camera pivotably in relation to each other. It includes a stationary plate to be installed to one of the main body and grip unit, rotating plates to be installed to the other of the main body and grip unit, and a spindle to support the rotating plates rotatably in relation to the stationary plate. The stationary plate and each of the rotating plates have formed therein a first and second openings, respectively, through which a harness routed between the main body and grip unit is penetrated. The first and second openings are formed to overlap each other at least partially in an angular range in which the grip unit is pivoted in relation to the main body.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus includes a reproduction unit configured to reproduce content data from a recording medium, a management unit configured to classify a plurality of content data recorded on the recording medium into a plurality of groups, and a control unit configured to, responsive to stopping reproducing content data, output to a display device inquiry information for classifying the content data into one of the groups.

Abstract: An apparatus which concurrently shoots a movie and a still image, comprises an image sensing unit which generates movie data and still image data; a storage unit which stores the generated still image data in a temporary memory area at predetermined time intervals; a detection unit which detects at least one of feature information, audio information and operation information; an analyzing unit which analyzes the detected information; a control unit which outputs, based on an analysis result, an instruction used as a trigger for selecting still image data among the still image data stored in the temporary memory area; an image processing unit which performs image processing on the selected still image data selected in accordance with the instruction used as the trigger; and a recording unit which records the processed still image data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for capturing a still or moving picture is disclosed. The imaging apparatus includes a substrate and an aperture. The substrate includes an imaging array and a pixel. The aperture exposes the imaging array to radiation. The pixel is isolated from radiation passing through the aperture. In some embodiments, the radiation gathered by the pixel can be used to improve the still or moving picture captured by the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which processes image data includes a plurality of modes of operation for processing the image data; and a first manipulating member which is manipulated during a first one of the modes of operation, wherein in the first mode of operation, a process is run which is run in the first mode of operation when the first manipulating member is manipulated; and in a second one of the modes of operation, the mode of operation is changed to the first mode when the first manipulating member is manipulated.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an apparatus where a still image can be picked up during the recording of moving images, where still images are picked-up in a first state, in which part of a luminous flux is transmitted through a mirror unit to an image-capturing device, or a second state, where the entire luminous flux is introduced to the image-capturing device.

Abstract: A digital video camera (10) includes a CPU (52) mounting a multitasking OS. A plurality of frames of YUV data forming a motion image are recorded in a recording medium (50) in a compressed manner under the control of the CPU 52. Here, a plurality of tasks to be executed by the CPU (52) includes an imaging processing task in relation to a compression process of the plurality frames of the YUV data and a BG processing task in relation to a recording process of a plurality of frames of JPEG data. Furthermore, the imaging processing task includes a determining process for periodically determining a recording processing speed of the JPEG data and a changing process for changing a compression ratio of the YUV data on the basis of the determination result.

Abstract: An image recording and reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces image data shot at a frame rate higher than a normal reproduction rate employed during reproduction of a moving image can generate a still image by attaching still image recording information to at least one frame image included in the recorded image data and combining a plurality of frame images of the recorded image data in accordance with the still image recording information.

Abstract: A moving picture imaging apparatus simultaneously generates main image data and sub image data having a smaller image size, transmits the main image data to a server over a network, and stores the sub image data in a storage device. Editing or the like is performed on the sub image data. When the image data is reproduced on a television monitor or the like, the main image data is read out from the server and reproduced.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a signal processing unit that generates moving image data and still image data using image data output from an imaging unit, a moving image coding unit that encodes the moving image data, a still image coding unit that encodes the still image data, a recording unit that records the coded moving and still image data on a recording medium, a setting unit that sets a data rate of the coded moving image data, and a control unit that controls the moving and still image coding units. The control unit controls the moving image coding unit based on the set data rate to adjust the data rate of the moving image data and the still image coding unit based on the set data rate and a recording data rate of the recording medium to adjust an amount of the still image data.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a capturing unit that captures a motion picture at one of a plurality of frame rates; a buffer that temporary stores the motion picture captured by the capturing unit; a signal generation unit that generates a signal used for specifying a core frame that is to be subjected to a resolution enhancement processing, while the capturing unit captures the motion picture at a first frame rate; a capturing control unit that controls the capturing unit to capture the motion picture, after the core frame specified by the signal, at a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate; a reference frame determination unit that determines a frame stored in the buffering unit at the second frame rate as a reference frame; and an image processing unit that performs the resolution enhancement processing by converting the core frame into a high-resolution frame by reference to the reference frame determined by the reference frame determination unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus provided with a function of shooting a moving image and a still image, and capable of displaying an image to be captured on a display unit includes a first display control unit configured to display an confirmation image for checking an in-focus state on the display unit when a moving image is shot; and a second display control unit configured to change the confirmation image for checking an in-focus state displayed on the display unit by the first display control unit when a still image is shot during moving image shooting.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a determining unit configured to determine whether processing-target image data has image content matching a previously set motion pattern; and a validating unit configured to validate image data that is determined to match the motion pattern by the determining unit.

Abstract: In this invention, when images, in image files managed according to photographing dates, which match a search condition are to be displayed, the images matching the search condition are sequentially displayed such that the positions or distribution of the image files, of all image files, which match the search condition can be checked. For this reason, when the search condition is changed by operating upper and lower keys provided on the back face of a digital camera, a search is made for images matching the condition after the change. Indicators indicating the relative positions of the images matching the search condition in the list of image files arranged in the order of photographing dates are displayed. When the left and right keys are operated, one of images matching the search condition is displayed in the image display area.

Abstract: An image capturing unit outputs an image data signal. A first moving picture data generating unit generates first moving picture data based on the image signal from the image capturing unit. A trigger signal generating unit causes a trigger signal to be generated, every time a predetermined trigger condition is met, while the first moving picture data generating unit is in process of generating the first moving picture data. A second moving picture data generating unit causes, every time the trigger signal is generated, generation of moving picture data corresponding to an image signal of the predetermined period of time based on the point of time the trigger signal has been generated. A recording unit effects recording of the first moving picture data and the second moving picture data.

Abstract: A signal processor 12 acquires a second signal obtained by detecting a first signal, as a signal of the real world, having a first dimension. The second signal is of a second dimension lower than the first dimension and has distortion relative to the first signal. The signal processor 12 performs signal processing which is based on the second signal to generate a third signal alleviated in distortion as compared to the second signal.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging section configured to output a first set of digital images; a section generating a plurality of sets of one-dimensional data from each of digital images respectively based on an object movement direction representing a movement direction of a moving object; a section configured to detect object regions for each of the digital images respectively based on the respective sets of the one-dimensional data; a section configured to select a second set of digital images from among the first set based on the object regions; a section configured to generate a background image from the second set of digital images; and a section configured to generate a stroboscopic image by combining the background image and a plurality of object images corresponding to the object regions of the second set of digital images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, an image recording method, and an image compressing apparatus capable of performing a still image process during moving image shooting without stopping a sequence of a moving image process also in the case of performing the still image shooting during the moving image shooting. In a moving image shooting mode, CCD data of an odd-numbered frame image and image data of an even-numbered frame image are separately stored into an SDRAM. In the case of writing CCD data of an odd-numbered frame image, in parallel with the writing, a moving image process based on CCD data of an even-numbered frame image written in the immediately preceding cycle is performed. When shooting still images is directed during the moving image, the still image process is divided into processes for a plurality of cycles and then executed.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, the camera system for a weapon includes a camera subsystem, a mounting mechanism adapted to mount to the weapon, a bushing located between the camera subsystem and the mounting mechanism and adapted to reduce the propagation of undesirable motion and vibrations from the weapon to the camera subsystem, and an end cap connected to the bushing and selectively fastenable to the proximal end of the camera subsystem. The camera subsystem preferably has a distal end and a proximal end and including an image sensor located at the distal end and a memory device connected to the image sensor and accessed from the proximal end. The end cap preferably facilitates a waterproof seal of the memory device when fastened to the camera subsystem and allows access to the memory device when not fastened to the camera subsystem.

Abstract: An optical apparatus having a recording mode that is switchable between motion picture recording and still picture recording includes an optical element, a motor that includes a rotor having a magnet, and a stator having a coil configured to provide a rotational force to the magnet, the motor being configured to drive the optical element, a position sensor configured to detect a position of the rotor of the motor, and a driving circuit configured to select, in accordance with the recording mode, first driving configured to switch an electrization to the coil in the motor in accordance with a determined time interval, or second driving configured to switch an electrization to the coil in the motor in accordance with an output of the position senor.