Abstract: Provided is an image generation device generating a high-quality image of an object under a pseudo light source at any desired position, based on geometric parameters generated from a low-quality image of the object. The image generation device includes: a geometric parameter calculation unit (102) that calculates a first geometric parameter regarding a surface structure from light source position, viewpoint position, and geometric normal information regarding the surface structure; a high-resolution database unit (103) that stores an exemplum indicating a mesostructure of a portion of the surface and has a spatial resolution higher than the geometric normal information; an exemplum expansion unit (104) that increases the exempla to be spatially expanded; a geometric parameter modification unit (105) that modifies the first geometric parameter using the increased exempla; and an image generation unit (106) that generates an output image by applying the modified geometric parameter to a reflection model.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and method of controlling a mobile terminal are provided. While a preview image is displayed on a screen and a camera zooms in, a zoom-in region is stored after being cropped from the preview image. According to the present invention, when an image resulting from zooming in a preview image is photographed and stored, the region corresponding to the zoomed-in image is cropped from the preview image and then stored instead of the zoomed-in image with a resolution size of the preview image being stored. Therefore, the present invention reduces a size of a stored image without degradation of a picture, thereby increasing an available size of the memory.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: receiving means for receiving selection input for an imaging mode; discriminating means for discriminating, when the selection input is received through the receiving means, a selected imaging mode on the basis of the received selection input; and scanning controlling means for causing, when it is discriminated by the discriminating means that a simple imaging mode for limiting operation input and allowing a user to appropriately take an image of a subject is selected, the imaging apparatus to execute scanning processing for specifying a position of the subject, which is performed to set focus on the subject, in a maximum range from a near scene to a distant scene.

Abstract: An electrical device with zooming function includes an image-sensing module, a display unit and a processing unit. The processing unit is electrically connected to the image-sensing module and the display unit respectively. The image-sensing module senses an image. The processing unit includes an image display module, a selecting module and a zooming-control module. The image display module makes the display unit display the sensed image. The selecting module receives a selection signal for selecting a reference point from the image displayed on the display unit. The zooming-control module makes the image-sensing module sense another image, the reference point is in the center of which, by zooming.

Abstract: Using correction values obtained based on image signals outputted from an image sensing unit by controlling the image sensing unit in the first mode, in which image signals are read out from a first photoelectric conversion element group arranged in a first region of an image sensing plane, the image signals outputted from an image sensing apparatus by controlling the image sensing unit in the second mode, in which image signals are read out from a second photoelectric conversion element group arranged in a second region that is smaller than the first region of the image sensing plane, are subjected to a white balance process.

Abstract: Provided is an image capture apparatus which allows concurrent output of high resolution video images and high resolution still images even if the number of readout pixels is reduced. In the image capture apparatus, a solid-state imaging device which includes a plurality of pixels disposed in rows and columns, generates: first pixel mixture signals each obtained by mixing pixel signals for a first region including a predetermined number of the pixels; second pixel mixture signals each obtained by mixing pixel signals for a second region in the first region; and third pixel mixture signals each obtained by mixing pixel signals for a third region in the first region, and outputs, for each first region, one of the first pixel mixture signals, at least one of the second pixel mixture signals, and at least one of the third pixel mixture signals.

Abstract: A video camera includes an image sensor which repeatedly outputs an object scene image produced on an imaging surface by an exposure operation of a focal-plane electronic shutter system in a raster scanning manner. A post-processing circuit extracts a partial object scene image belonging to an extraction area, out of the object scene image outputted from the image sensor. A moving image based on the extracted partial object scene image is displayed on an LCD monitor by an LCD driver. A motion detecting circuit detects motion of the imaging surface in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis. A position of the extraction area is changed by a CPU so that the motion detected by the motion detecting circuit is compensated. The CPU also changes a shape of the extraction area so that a focal plane distortion is restrained, based on the motion detected by the motion detecting circuit.

Abstract: An article of eyewear includes an eyeglass frame having an integrally formed camera enclosure, an imaging sensor disposed within the camera enclosure, and a single button to control on, off, record on, and record off functions of the article of eyewear. The eyeglass frame may have a camouflage pattern. A system for recording video includes an eyeglass frame having an integrally formed camera enclosure, an imaging sensor disposed within the camera enclosure, and a wireless transceiver disposed within the eyeglass frame, and a single button to control on, off, record on, and record off functions of the article of eyewear. A method of documenting a hunt using an article of eyewear is provided.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit which forms a subject image on an image pickup device through an optical system to generate an image pickup signal; an adjustment unit which changes an optical zoom magnification with respect to the subject image; and a control unit which records image data as a moving image in a memory in response to a moving image recording command, the image data being obtained based on the image pickup signal, and stops recording the moving image for a time period during which the zoom magnification is changed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an imaging apparatus configured to display a through image in a visible manner when it is assumed that a status of a focus is confirmed even if a multiple live view display suitable for composition adjustment is performed in multiple exposure photography. The imaging apparatus includes a generation unit configured to multiple-synthesize a through image and at least a captured image, and to generate a multiple-composite image, a display control unit configured to perform control to display the multiple-composite image on a display unit while sequentially updating the multiple-composite image, a magnification instruction receiving unit configured to receive an image magnification instruction, and a control unit configured to perform control to display a through image magnified without multiple-synthesizing, on the display unit when receiving the magnification instruction while displaying the multiple-composite image.

Abstract: An imaging method includes a step of setting, when a digital zoom operation mode for enlarging an image imaged by a imaging part of an X-Y address type is selected, a zoom magnification and enlarging the image at the zoom magnification set. The imaging method includes the steps of: setting an imaging range in a vertical direction of the imaging part according to the zoom magnification set in the digital zoom step; outputting a driving signal for scanning the shutter signal and the readout signal to perform exposure in the imaging range set in the imaging range setting step and driving the imaging part; and discarding, when the zoom magnification is changed in the digital zoom step, images imaged by the imaging part before and after the change of the zoom magnification to prevent the images from being used.

Abstract: A lens optical system includes a first optical system and a second optical system. The lens optical system includes at least one reflection member to selectively redirect optical paths of light representing objects from first and second directions toward a photographing device. The first optical system includes, in order from an object to the photographing device along the optical axis, a first lens group including a first reflection member, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power. The second optical system shares at least one optical element with the first optical system.

Abstract: In a photographing apparatus, a user pre-selects a number of special effect modes to be applied to pictures not yet taken. The special effect mode selections are stored as an ordered set of special effect mode indicators. When the pictures are subsequently taken, the special effects are automatically applied in the order they were selected, based on the order reflected in the stored special effect mode indicators.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject and outputs image data containing the image; a display unit configured to display a live preview image of the subject based on the image data output from the imaging unit; a processor configured to set an image size of the image to be recorded and perform image processing on the live preview image to control a display range of the live preview image to be displayed on the display unit based on the image size to be recorded.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to perform photoelectric conversion of an optical image, an optical zoom unit configured to perform optical magnification variation in response to a zooming operation, an electronic zoom unit configured to perform electronic magnification variation on a signal output from the imaging unit, and a controller configured to operate the electronic zoom unit together with the optical zoom unit in a first zoom range in response to the zooming operation, to operate the optical zoom unit without operating the electronic zoom unit in response to the zooming operation in a second zoom range, which is closer to a telephoto side than the first zoom range, and to operate the electronic zoom unit together with the optical zoom unit in response to the zooming operation in a third zoom range, which is closer to the telephoto side than the second zoom range.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus acquires and displays an image of a subject such that a target subject remains displayed on a monitor even after performing an area zoom operation. An imaging unit acquires a subject image at a variable subject acquisition magnification and acquisition angle. A controller conducts an area zoom control such that, when a given area is specified as a sub-area of a predetermined image display region, the acquisition magnification and angle are modified to enlarge the given area. A limiting magnification is also set as the zoom magnification when the ratio of the dimensions of the predetermined display region with respect to the given area exceeds the limiting magnification. When the limiting magnification is not exceeded, the ratio of the dimensions is set as the zoom magnification.

Abstract: A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a first lens unit of positive power, a second lens unit of negative power, a third lens unit of positive power, and a fourth lens unit of positive power, wherein the first lens unit is composed of three or fewer lens elements, wherein the second lens unit is composed of three lens elements, wherein in zooming, the first to the fourth lens units are moved individually along an optical axis such that air spaces should vary, so that variable magnification is achieved, and wherein the conditions are satisfied: tan 2?W×m2W??1.78, tan 2?W×|fG2|/fG1?1.25, ?W?37 and fT/fW?10 (m2W is a lateral magnification of the second lens unit at a wide-angle limit, fG1 and fG2 are composite focal lengths of the first and the second lens units, ?W is a half view angle at a wide-angle limit, and fT and fW are focal lengths of the entire system respectively at a telephoto limit and at a wide-angle limit), an imaging device and a camera are provided.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a correction lens to move along an optical axis to perform zoom tracking, a correction lens driver to drive the correction lens, a zoom lens, a zoom ring to be turned by a user, a zoom lens driver to mechanically move the zoom lens according to an amount of turn of the zoom ring, a position detector to detect a position of the zoom lens, a rate detector to detect a change rate of the position of the zoom lens, a storage unit to store relational information which associates the position of the zoom lens with a focus position of the correction lens, and a controller to control the correction lens driver. The controller determines a focus position of the correction lens corresponding to a position more distant by a predetermined amount from the position of the zoom lens detected by the position detector, by referring to the relational information, and controls the correction lens driver to drive the correction lens with a target position set to the determined focus position.

Abstract: According to the invention, extracting still and moving pictures having different aspect ratios from an original picture from within an extraction range suitable for an imaging mode can be performed. An embodiment of the invention, according to the selected imaging mode, sets the still picture extraction range with an aspect ratio of 4:3 for extracting a still picture and the moving picture extraction range with an aspect ratio of 16:9 for extracting an HD moving picture within the imaging range of the imaging device 17. Then, the embodiment, from the imaged picture, extracts a picture within the set still picture extraction range as still picture, and extracts a picture within the set moving picture extraction range as HD moving picture. That is, the embodiment can switch between the still picture extraction range and the HD moving picture extraction range having different aspect ratios according to the imaging mode. And thus, from the picture within the imaging range (i.e.

Abstract: An image capturing device which image-captures a device to be controlled as a photographic subject and is controllable through a communication, includes an imaging unit that images an image of the photographic subject as a photographic subject image, a photographic subject recognition unit that recognizes the photographic subject from the photographic subject image, a photographic subject state determination unit that determines an image-captured state of the photographic subject in the photographic subject image, a menu generating unit that generates an operating menu by extracting a specific operation item from a plurality of operation items associated with the photographic subject according to the determination result in the photographic subject state determination unit, and a display unit that displays the operating menu generated by the menu generating unit.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention pertain to enhanced zooming capability of user devices. A user device such as a mobile phone with a camera may capture images of different objects of interest. The capture and zooming limitations of the user device are overcome by replacing, supplementing or otherwise enhancing the image taken with one or more geo-coded images stored in a database. For instance, if the user attempts to zoom in on a feature of an object of interest and exceeds the zooming capability of the user device, a request is sent to a remote server to provide an image showing the feature of the object of interest at a desired resolution. The server determines which, if any, stored images correlate to the captured image of the object of interest. The resulting imagery is provided to the user device and is presented on a display.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving image data and calculating brightness information of the image data. The method includes correcting at least one lens roll-off value to be used in a lens roll-off correction operation based on the brightness information. The method also includes performing the lens roll-off correction operation on the image data using the at least one corrected lens roll-off value.

Abstract: An imaging unit outputs a video signal at a frame rate higher than a standard frame rate. During a zoom operation period or a period including the zoom operation period and periods before and after the zoom operation, a video signal from the imaging unit is recorded in a recording medium at a high recording frame rate. Other than this period, a video signal is recorded in the recording medium at the standard frame rate. The recording frame rate and zoom operation information is recorded as metadata in the recording medium. During reproduction, based on a set reproduction mode, thinning processing is carried out on a video signal recorded during a zoom operation, and the processed signal is output at the standard frame rate. In this way, it is possible to change a frame rate in view of a photographer's intention and assure compatibility with existing viewing and reproduction environments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera that can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations. At least four distinct viewing configurations are provided: a reading mode wherein the camera rests flatly upon the viewed object; a writing mode wherein the camera rests at an angle upon the viewed object; a hand-held mode wherein the user holds the camera relative to a distant object; and an inspection mode wherein the user holds the viewed object relative to the camera. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.

Abstract: A camera module is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module includes a lens unit, an image sensing unit, which converts light received through the lens unit to an electrical signal, a housing, which supports the lens unit, and a shield can, which supports a lower side of the housing and is made of a conductive metallic material so as to shield an electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A method of estimating motion by estimating motion parameters of a complex motion model using reconstructed neighboring pixels of the current block and then applying the estimated motion parameters to the coordinates of the current block to determine motion compensated in a corresponding reference block. The parameters are not transmitted to a decoder and are derived at the decoder side. The encoder only sends a 1-bit control-flag to indicate whether the derived parameters should be used.

Abstract: A camera system and a method for zooming the camera system is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an electronic image by sensing an optical image received by the camera, the sensing including electronic cropping to a window size to establish an initial resolution for the electronic image, (B) generating a final image by decimating the electronic image by a decimation factor to a final resolution smaller than the initial resolution and (C) changing a zoom factor for the final image by adjusting both of the decimation factor and the window size.

Abstract: There is disclosed a platform for a stereographic camera system, a stereographic camera, and a method for operating a stereographic camera. The platform may include a first linear motion mechanism and a second linear motion mechanism. A camera mounting plate may be rotatably coupled to the first linear motion mechanism at a first rotation axis and rotatably coupled to the second linear motion mechanism at a second rotation axis.

Abstract: To provide a flash apparatus and a camera provided with the same which can carry out more appropriate adjustment of the light distribution field angle. An electronic flash apparatus with a variable light distribution field angle wherein the light distribution field angle is determined according to a focal length of a photographic lens and a photographic region on an imaging area, comprising a plurality of light distribution field angles corresponding to one combination of one of the focal length and one of the photographic region, and one light distribution field angle is selectable from among the plurality of light distribution field angles.

Abstract: A method of providing an image captured by using a digital photographing apparatus includes: displaying a first image from among a plurality of images stored in the digital photographing apparatus; obtaining a second image captured within a predetermined distance in a first direction from where the first image was captured, from the plurality of images by using position information about each of the first image and the second image; providing a user interface corresponding to the first direction; and displaying the second image in response to a user's input for selection of the user interface corresponding to the first direction.

Abstract: A code reader device, prior to extracting a code from an image captured by a camera, receives an image size data, and according to the received image size, displays the captured image on the display device so that a code extracting target area is discriminated from a remaining area. A layout of the captured image on a display screen becomes flexible, so that usability for reading the code can be improved.

Abstract: A digital image photographing apparatus for informing a user (e.g., a photographer) that a size difference between detected face areas is greater than a predetermined reference difference by comparing sizes of the detected face areas with each other and methods of controlling the same are disclosed. Thus, when a plurality of people is photographed, a captured image in which sizes of detected face areas are similar to each other may be acquired.

Abstract: Sound correction processing is performed for a sound signal obtained from a sound collecting portion. In particular, sound correction processing is performed after determining what is performed as the sound correction processing based on an image signal paired with a sound signal, the image signal obtained from an imaging portion, the sound signal, control data of the imaging portion, and the like.

Abstract: When focal lengths are discretely set, zoom positions are set, relative to a focal length fr at a position at which a movement direction of a correction group, is reversed, such that a difference value between a focal length which is the closest to the focal length fr and falling between a focal length fw at a wide angle end and the focal length fr, and a next focal length is larger than a difference value between any remaining adjacent focal lengths. By moving from the zoom position of the closest focal length directly to the zoom position of the next focal length, a movement range of the correction group can be made smaller than a movement range in the case where the lens position of the focal length fr is set as the zoom position.

Abstract: A zoom lens system according to the present invention, from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens unit having positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit having positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power. In zooming, the first to the fourth lens units all move along the optical axis. The conditions (1): 0<?(f4·fW·tan ?)/LW<0.13 and (2): 0.05?f3/f4?0.97 are satisfied (where, 16<fT/fW, ?>35; ? is a half view angle at a wide-angle limit; LW is an overall optical axial length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit; f3 is a focal length of the third lens unit; f4 is a focal length of the fourth lens unit; fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit; and fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit).

Abstract: A communication apparatus using an image sensor captures an image including a light signal transmitted from a transmission apparatus that includes a transmission light source, and obtains data from the captured image. In a case that a reception error rate generated by the obtained data is changed, a cause of the change of the error rate is measured, and at least one of a zooming operation and a focusing operation is performed depending on the measured result, thereby correcting the error.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus and method which allows high-speed image processing and prevents the field-of-view rate from being degraded due to pixel reduction by the number of ring pixels.

Abstract: A camera system that can maintain a good focus state regardless of the speed of zooming during variable proportion zooming is provided. The camera system has a control portion that, based on information on the speed of the change in the focal length, determines whether to control a focus lens drive portion in either a first control mode or a second control mode. If it determines that control is to be performed in the first control mode, then the control portion controls the focus lens drive portion so that it drives a focus lens in the direction that brings a predetermined captured object into focus based on estimated values for auto focusing that have been calculated from the image data at various positions by controlling the focus lens drive portion so that the captured object distance is moved forward and backward in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: An image capturing device may include a detector including a plurality of sensing pixels, and an optical system adapted to project a distorted image of an object within a field of view onto the sensing pixels, wherein the optical system expands the image in a center of the field of view and compresses the image in a periphery of the field of view, wherein a first number of sensing pixels required to realize a maximal zoom magnification {circumflex over (Z)} at a minimum resolution of the image capturing device is less than a square of the maximal zoom magnification times a second number of sensing pixels required for the minimum resolution.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of changing a zoom speed in a wide range in accordance with an amount of movement of a zoom lever without oversizing the zoom lever, and has excellent operability of the zoom lever. An amount of change of zoom speed relative to an amount of movement of the zoom lever during when the zoom lever is operated from a first neutral position in a first or second direction differs from that during when the zoom lever is operated from a second neutral position in the first or second direction. Thus, the zoom speed can be varied in a wide range according to the amount of movement of the zoom lever, while ensuring the operability of the zoom lever.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a focus position table. The focus position table, in which focus positions for person-priority pan focus have been set, is used when a face has been detected, and the focus position table, in which focus positions for non-person priority pan focus have been set corresponding to the types of non-person priority pan focus, is used when a face has not been detected. When a face has been detected, the digital camera determines the pan focus as the person-priority pan focus, and after acquiring a focus position from the focus position table, executes the pan focus processing. On the other hand, when a face has not been detected, the digital camera acquires, from the focus position table, a focus position corresponding to a type of non-person priority pan focus determined based on the photography scene and executes the pan focus processing.

Abstract: A photography mode selecting section allows a photographer to select continuous photographing. An imaging section captures an image of a subject. An area setting section detects a photographic subject based on a photographic image captured by the imaging section for every photographing in the continuous photographing, and sets the size and position of a photographic subject area including the detected photographic subject, when the continuous photographing is selected by the photography mode selecting section. A memory section stores an image inside the photographic subject area as a photographic subject image. Consequently, in continuous photographing of a moving body, the size of the photographic subject area for every photographing in the continuous photographing can be changed according to change in the size of the image of the moving body with respect to an image screen of the imaging section, thereby preventing wasteful usage of a memory area of the memory section.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of controlling the time elapsing from when a shooting scene is determined to when switching between shooting mode is performed, thus making it possible to take images desired by a user. A motion of the image pickup apparatus is detected, and based on the detection result, a motion of the image pickup apparatus is determined. A shooting scene is determined based on a video signal obtained from the image pickup unit. A shooting mode is determined based on the result of scene determination. Based on the result of determination, the ease of switching to the determined shooting mode is changed.

Abstract: In a digital camera 1, a storing means stores feature quantities of a subject area in an image, and a search point setting means sets a plurality of search points in the subject area. Next, an updating means updates coordinates of the set plurality of search points using random numbers. Then, a weight setting means compares feature quantities of the updated search points with the stored feature quantities, and sets a weight for each search point based on similarity. Next, a sorting means sorts the search points depend on those weight, and a variance acquiring means calculates the variance of the sorted search points. Then, an angle-of-view adjusting means determines the amount of adjustment for the angle-of-view based on the calculated variance.

Abstract: Provided is an image pickup device that enables distortion compensation with high precision. Exposure and reading are conducted on pixel rows that are discontinuous with respect to a vertical direction of an image pickup element, and multiple low resolution images are obtained. Each of these multiple low resolution images has a lower distortion than an ordinary image obtained by conducting an ordinary continuous exposure and reading. Therefore, output images with reduced distortion can be generated by using the low resolution images.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of deleting a video effect superimposed on a moving image, in timing desired by a user. A system controller of a video camera as the image pickup apparatus performs control such that a moving image taken by an image pickup section and a title superimposed on the moving image are recorded together in a storage medium. When a specific shooting condition has changed during taking of the moving image by the image pickup section, the system controller performs control to inhibit recording of the display item in the storage medium.

Abstract: An imaging method includes a step of setting, when a digital zoom operation mode for enlarging an image imaged by a imaging part of an X-Y address type is selected, a zoom magnification and enlarging the image at the zoom magnification set. The imaging method includes the steps of: setting an imaging range in a vertical direction of the imaging part according to the zoom magnification set in the digital zoom step; outputting a driving signal for scanning the shutter signal and the readout signal to perform exposure in the imaging range set in the imaging range setting step and driving the imaging part; and discarding, when the zoom magnification is changed in the digital zoom step, images imaged by the imaging part before and after the change of the zoom magnification to prevent the images from being used.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating an image filter is described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first plurality of images captured by an at least one camera with a same setting as a first camera. The method further includes creating an averaged image from the plurality of captured images, wherein the averaged image comprises a measurement value of intensity for each pixel in the averaged image. The method also includes determining an image imperfection in the averaged image. The method further includes creating the image filter to reduce the image imperfection.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes: a zoom lens; and an image pickup device converting an optical image formed by the zoom lens into an electric signal. The zoom lens includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group with a negative focal length, a second lens group with a positive focal length, a third lens group with a negative focal length, and a fourth lens group with a positive focal length. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the first lens group moves along a locus having a convex shape toward an image side while decreasing an air space between the first and second lens groups, and the second and third lens groups move toward the object side while increasing an air space therebetween.

Abstract: An optical system can provides a distorted image of an object within a field of view onto sensing pixels of an image capturing device. The optical system can expand the image in a center of the field of view and compress the image in a periphery or introduce other distortion. The distortion intentionally introduced by the optical system is corrected when the sensing pixels are read to remove some or all of the distortion and thereby produce a “rectified” image. The pixels can be read along a trajectory corresponding to a curvature map of the distorted image to rectify distortions during pixel read out, rather than waiting until all or substantially all of the sensing pixels have been read. Sensor logic and/or algorithms can be used in removing the distortion.