Abstract: Camera module with switchable light filters includes a lens module, a bearing rotating device, a visible light filter, and an infrared light filter. The bearing rotating device includes a rotating shaft, at least one guiding stick, and a bearing plate. The rotating bearing plate holds the two filters and defines an arcuated guiding slot. The circle center of the arcuated guiding slot is the rotating shaft. A visible light filter and an infrared light filter are switchable, their movement being governed by the guiding stick and the guiding slot, to respective alignment with an optical axis of the lens module. The camera module can rotate the bearing plate to switch the infrared filter for the visible filter where the acquisition of infrared light is required.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera module capable of selectively using according to a mode by disposing an imaging sensor and a recognition sensor within a view angle of a lens, the camera module including: a sensor die including a silicon substrate and a sensor implemented on the silicon substrate; and a lens barrel hermetically holding the sensor die and including at least one lens, wherein the silicon substrate includes an imaging sensor and a recognition sensor implemented adjacent to each other so as to be included within a view angle of the lens.

Abstract: An infrared absorption film includes a polymer resin substrate, a polymer dispersant and an infrared absorption material. The infrared absorption material has a plurality of tungsten oxide and/or composite tungsten oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer resin substrate by the polymer dispersant, wherein a weight ratio of the polymer dispersant to the infrared absorption material is between 0.3 and 0.6.

Abstract: A color filter substrate and a display device are provided. The color filter substrate comprises a substrate; a color filter layer provided on the substrate; and a photochromic material, the photochromic material and the color filter layer cooperating to display different colors by adjusting the light irradiated onto the color filter substrate. In the color filter substrate and the display device, the photochromic material is introduced into the color filter substrate. In this way, by adjusting the light emitted from the backlight source, the photochromic material is excited to display different colors and the color gamut of the pixel units is thus changed. This color filter substrate and liquid crystal panel can be better applied to different environments.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging optical system, a bending optical element and an image sensor; an inclination adjusting plate which mounts the image sensor onto a housing with a pair of opposed sides of the image sensor extending in a direction orthogonal to a pre-bending optical axis, of the imaging optical system; a pair of end portions formed on the inclination adjusting plate and positioned outside the pair of opposed sides of the image sensor; a swing fulcrum formed between an inner end portion, which is closest to the pre-bending optical axis, and the housing; and an inclination adjuster provided between an outer end portion, which is farthest from the pre-bending optical axis out, and the housing, to make the inclination adjustment plate swing about the swing fulcrum to adjust the inclination adjustment plate.

Abstract: A dynamically controllable polarizer integrated with an imaging detector to provide “on demand” variable polarization measurements. In one example, an imaging system includes a detector array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array, and a dynamic polarizer coupled to the detector array, the dynamic polarizer including at least one patterned layer of a material disposed on the detector array, the material being operable to alter its conductivity responsive to an applied stimulus to reversibly transition between a polarizing state and a non-polarizing state.

Abstract: Provided are: a zoom lens which exhibits a large variable-power ratio, an increased degree of freedom with respect to aberration correction, and which has been achieved having a sufficient reduction in size in the optical axis direction; and an imaging device equipped therewith. The zoom lens includes at least, from the object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group, and a fifth lens group, in that order. In the zoom lens, prescribed conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: In a security camera system, the power to the illumination system is controlled based on the quality of the images generated by the imaging system. Specifically, the images in the frames detected by the imaging chip of the security camera are analyzed to determine whether or not there is adequate or inadequate power to the illumination system. The controller then changes the power to the illumination system until optimal illumination of the scene is achieved. Generally the power to the illumination system is reduced in response to increasing blur in the images or halos around edges in the images.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging element, a phase plate to modulate the optical transmission function of the optical image of the object, and an optical system for focusing the optical image modulated via the optical plate on the imaging surface of the imaging element, a spatial filter processing unit for image restoration processing to remove modulation by an optical phase filter by implementing two-dimensional spatial filtering processing on the image focused on the imaging surface of the imaging element. Modulation characteristics applied to the optical system by the phase plate are respectively different in the horizontal and vertical directions crossing at right angles along the flat surface of the imaging surface perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: Generally, an integrated circuit, an apparatus and a method for buffering analog information capture first analog information with a capture element and store at least portions of the analog information in a first passive variable resistance memory element coupled to the capture element and in a second passive variable resistance memory element. The portions of the analog information stored in the first passive variable resistance memory element and in the second passive variable resistance memory element may be the same or may be different.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image obtaining portion 200 that obtains a first and second images having exposures different from each other, a region selecting portion 203 that selects a first region different from a region containing a luminance saturation part from the first image, and that selects a second region corresponding to the region containing the luminance saturation part of the first image from the second image, an image restoration processing portion 201 that performs an image restoration processing using an image restoration filter generated based on an optical transfer function for the first region of the first image and the second region of the second image, and an image replacing portion 202 that replaces the region containing the luminance saturation part of the first image with the second region of the second image so as to synthesize the first and second regions to generate one image.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus, method and computer-readable medium that photographs an object through at least one aperture of each of pixel of a display panel. The imaging apparatus includes a camera unit in back of the display panel and photographs the object through the at least one aperture of each of the pixels of the display panel to enable a location of the camera unit to be the same as a location of a display unit, measures a distance to the object using a blur effect occurring when photographing through the at least one aperture of the display panel, and restores an image where the blur effect is included.

Abstract: An imaging system may include an image sensor having an array of image pixels. Some image pixels in the array may be provided with spectral response adjustment structures. For example, a plurality of broadband pixels in the array may include spectral response adjustment structures. The spectral response adjustment structures may be configured to narrow the spectral response of the broadband pixels in high light conditions. For example, the spectral response of the broadband pixels may transition from clear to gray, from clear to green, or from yellow to green as the light level increases. The spectral response adjustment structures may, for example, be formed from photochromic materials or electrochromic elements. Processing circuitry in the imaging system may generate a color correction matrix for an image based at least partly on the state of the spectral response adjustment structures.

Abstract: There is provided a solid state image capturing apparatus including an image capturing element for photoelectric converting an incident light; a light shielding filter for shielding a part of the incident light; and a metal plate partly having an opening for fixing the light shielding filter at a position for blocking the opening, an end of the opening of the metal plate being etched and antireflection treated. Also, a camera module and an electronic device are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an image capture assembly, digital camera and a mobile device having an improved construction. In one example embodiment, there is provided an image capture assembly, comprising: a lens; an image sensor; an optical grade plate disposed between the lens and the image sensor, wherein the plate comprises a substrate which material is selected from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and sapphire glass; and an image signal processor coupled to the image sensor, wherein the image signal processor is configured to process data provided by the image sensor to generate a digital image.

Abstract: An image capturing module includes an image sensing unit and an optical auxiliary unit. The image sensing unit includes a carrier substrate and an image sensing chip disposed on the carrier substrate and electrically connected to the carrier substrate. The optical auxiliary unit includes a housing frame for covering the image sensing chip and a movable lens assembly movably disposed in the housing frame. The movable lens assembly includes a movable casing movably disposed in the housing frame, at least one optical lens group disposed in the movable casing, a microlens array substrate disposed in the movable casing, and a nonconductive photosensitive film layer disposed on the microlens array substrate for increasing the light absorption capability.

Abstract: Apparatus for imaging a scene, comprising a focusing structure for focusing light emanating from a scene on an imaging subsystem, and an imaging subsystem. The imaging subsystem includes an imager, disposed within the optical path of the focusing structure, having an array of pixels sensitive to light at frequencies higher than far infrared frequencies, and a frequency shifter disposed between the lens element and the imager. The frequency shifter includes an array of frequency-shifting elements disposed over a subset of the array of pixels, the elements shifting the far infrared frequencies from the focused light to higher frequencies and transmitting the resulting signals to the subset of the array of pixels.

Abstract: A multispectral imaging device includes: an illumination optical system; and an imaging optical system, wherein the illumination optical system includes a filter group disposed in an overlap region of bundles of illumination rays which reach points in an imaging area of a subject, and including at least a first filter and a second filter having different transmission properties, and the imaging optical system includes: an image sensor which includes at least first light receiving elements and second light receiving elements; and a separation optical element which guides light which has passed through the first filter to the first light receiving elements, and guides light which has passed through the second filter to the second light receiving elements.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device which includes a plurality of pixels including an imaging pixel for generating a captured image and a focus detection pixel for detecting a focus, in which the focus detection pixel includes a microlens, a photoelectric conversion unit which receives light incident from the microlens, a light-shielding unit which shields a portion of light incident on the photoelectric conversion unit, and a dimming filter which dims the light incident on the photoelectric conversion unit and is formed to contain a black pigment. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor.

Abstract: A camera system and method provide a trailing motion blur effect without the use of a flash. In one embodiment, a variable light-transmissive filter is positioned in front of an image sensor. While the light-transmissive property of the filter is lower, the blurred image of the object in motion is produced. The light-transmissive property of the filter is increased during the exposure in order to produce a clearer image of the object. In a method, a plurality of images taken in rapid succession are combined to produce a clear image of the object with a trailing blurred image of the object.

Abstract: A filter device for a camera which has an optical path, comprises at least one filter unit which has an actuation device and at least one first filter element and one second filter element. The actuation device has a holding device which can be magnetically coupled to the first and to the second filter element and which can be displaced linearly to bring the filter elements selectively into the optical path of the camera or to move them out of the optical path of the camera.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a heat sink radiating the image sensor, a cooling fan unit configured to cool the heat sink, and a first lens barrel including a hollow portion configured to guide light to the image sensor. The first lens barrel holds the cooling fan unit and house the holder unit movably in the hollow portion in an optical axis direction of the image pickup optical system. The holder unit includes a first inlet and a first outlet. The first lens barrel includes a second inlet for taking in external air and a second outlet for exhausting the external air taken in through the second inlet. The first inlet is connected to the second inlet and the first outlet is connected to the second outlet when the holder unit is positioned in the hollow portion of the first lens barrel.

Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to Fourier ptychographic imaging systems, devices, and methods such as, for example, high NA Fourier ptychographic imaging systems and reflective-mode NA Fourier ptychographic imaging systems.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and corresponding method according to an embodiment of the present invention enables high-resolution, wide-field-of-view, high sensitivity imaging. An embodiment of the invention is a camera system that utilizes motion of an optical element, such as a spatial filtering mask or of the camera itself, to apply different spatial filtering functions to a scene to be imaged. Features of a spatial filtering mask implementing the different filtering functions are adjacent along an axis of the spatial mask, and a pitch of the features of the mask is smaller than a pitch of the sensor elements. An imaging reconstructor having knowledge of the filtering functions can produce a high-resolution image from corresponding low-resolution coded imaging data captured by the imaging system. This approach offers advantages over conventional high-resolution, wide-field imaging, including an ability to use large-pitch, lower cost sensor arrays, and transfer and store much less data.

Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to aperture-scanning Fourier ptychographic imaging devices comprising an aperture scanner that can generate an aperture at different locations at an intermediate plane of an optical arrangement, and a detector that can acquire lower resolution intensity images for different aperture locations, and wherein a higher resolution complex image may be constructed by iteratively updating regions in Fourier space with the acquired lower resolution images.

Abstract: An imaging element includes: a semiconductor substrate in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a two-dimensional array; a color filter layer which is laminated in a position corresponding to the pixel on an upper layer of the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of micro lenses which is laminated on an upper layer of the color filter layer to condense light which is incident onto the pixel; and an isolated columnar reflective wall which is vertically provided in an intermediate layer between the semiconductor substrate and the micro lens at every position of a gap enclosed by the plurality of adjacent micro lenses and reflects the light which is incident onto the color filter from the gap to a direction facing the pixel corresponding to the color filter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using infra-red light provide for enhanced operation in camera applications. In an embodiment, a safety camera includes an optical filter that provides an input to an imager from received light having wavelengths in the infra-red spectrum. Output from the imager can be analyzed to determine safety hazard events in an area viewed by the safety camera.

Abstract: Optical apparatus includes an image sensor and an optical assembly, which is configured to focus optical radiation via an aperture stop onto the image sensor. The optical assembly includes a plurality of optical surfaces, consisting of a first, curved surface through which the optical radiation enters the assembly, a final surface through which the rays exit the assembly toward the image sensor, and at least two intermediate surfaces between the first and final surfaces. An interference filter, which has a center wavelength and a passband no greater than 4% of the center wavelength, and includes a coating formed on one of the optical surfaces. All rays of the optical radiation passing through the aperture stop are incident on the coating over a range of incidence angles with a half-width that is no greater than three fourths of the numerical aperture of the optical assembly.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system for and method of frequency prefiltering comprising a camera shutter capable of continuously variable illumination during a single exposure of the sensor. The shutter comprises a continuously variable exposure effector which in disposed in an image path, either in front of a lens or between a lens and a sensor. The system for frequency prefiltering further comprises a synchronization cable that synchronizes a drive system with a sensor or with film. The shutter further comprises a postfilter. The postfilter comprises a digital finite impulse response convolutional filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-spectral dual balanced imaging is provided. The apparatus includes: (a) a first member operable to produce from incident light a first band having first band wavelengths and a second band; and (b) a second member operable to produce from the second band a third band having wavelengths shorter than the first band wavelengths, excluding the first band wavelengths and having wavelengths longer than the first band wavelengths. The method involves: (a) producing from incident light a first band having first band wavelengths and a second band; and (b) producing from the second band a third band having wavelengths shorter than the first band wavelengths, excluding the first band wavelengths and having wavelengths longer than the first band wavelengths.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array and an infrared light eliminating portion. The pixel array has a plurality of pixel cells arranged as being array-shaped. The pixel array detects a signal level of each color light as being shared for each pixel cell. The infrared light eliminating portion eliminates infrared light from light proceeding toward a photoelectric conversion element. The infrared light eliminating portion is arranged for each pixel cell. The infrared light eliminating portion has selection wavelength being set in accordance with color light to be a detection target of the pixel cell.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an optical sensor including a light receiving unit, a sealing material configured to protect the optical sensor on a side of the light receiving unit, an intermediate layer formed at least between the light receiving unit and a first surface of the sealing material, the first surface being an opposed surface to the light receiving unit, and a control film configured to cause a cutoff wavelength to shift to a short wave side in accordance with an incident angle of light that is incident thereon obliquely, in which the control film includes a first control film formed on the first surface of the sealing material, the first surface being the opposed surface to the light receiving unit, and a second control film formed on a second surface of the sealing material, the second surface being opposite to the first surface.

Abstract: A polarizing optical element comprising a multdayer film in which two or more types of polymeric films are laminated, wherein a number of laminated polymeric films is 500 to 500,000 in total, each of the two or more types of polymeric films has a uniform refractive index and has a film thickness of 0.2 ?m to 40 ?m, and a difference in refractive index between the two or more types of polymeric films is larger than or equal to 0.05.

Abstract: A lens includes a substrate and an infrared-cut (IR-cut) filtering film. The substrate is made of sapphire, is configured for converging or diffusing light rays and includes an object-side surface and an image-side surface opposite to the object-side surface. The IR-cut filtering film increases the reflectivity of the substrate in relation to infrared light, and is coated on the image-side surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes an imaging unit that generates RAW image data by capturing an object image, an image processing unit that generates color image data by implementing image processing on the RAW image data, a processing mode setting unit capable of setting a filter effect mode for artificially reproducing an image effect obtained by image-capturing using an optical filter, a display unit that displays the color image data, a ring type or dial type rotary operating unit, a rotation operation detection unit that detects a rotation operation of the rotary operating unit, and a control unit that, when a rotation operation of the rotary operating unit is detected in a case where the filter effect mode has been set, controls the image processing unit to perform image processing for varying the image effect in conjunction with the rotation operation.

Abstract: The optical filter includes a filter edge portion forming a boundary between a region through which a light flux is transmitted and a region through which the light flux is not transmitted. The filter edge portion has a concavo-convex shape whose edge outline is formed by a continuous curved line including convex portions and concave portions alternately arranged in a direction in which the boundary extends. The curved line includes part satisfying ?a?60°. ?a represents an angle formed by a tangent at an arbitrary point on the curved line between a top point of one convex portion and a bottom point of one concave portion adjacent to the one convex portion with a tangent at the top point of the one convex portion, the angle ?a becoming larger as the arbitrary point becomes farther from the top point.

Abstract: An imaging element includes a light receiving surface having pixels, and a low-pass filter device configured to focus predetermined light on a predetermined pixel of the pixels of the light-receiving surface.

Abstract: An optical imaging system and method including a movable pixelated filter array, a shutter mechanism to which the pixelated filter array is attached, and a controller configured to implement a data reduction algorithm. The shutter mechanism is configured to move the pixelated filter array into and out of the optical path, and the data reduction algorithm allows the controller to account for axial and/or lateral misalignment of the filter array relative to the imaging detector array or its conjugate. In certain examples, the controller is further configured to use the data reduction algorithms also to perform wavefront sensing, for example to estimate wavefront error.

Abstract: A spectral camera having an objective lens, an array of lenses for producing optical copies of segments of the image, an array of filters for the different optical channels and having an interleaved spatial pattern, and a sensor array to detect the copies of the image segments is disclosed. Further, detected segment copies of spatially adjacent optical channels have different passbands and represent overlapping segments of the image, and detected segment copies of the same passband on spatially non-adjacent optical channels represent adjacent segments of the image which fit together. Having segments of the image copied can help enable better optical quality for a given cost. Having an interleaved pattern of the filter bands with overlapping segments enables each point of the image to be sensed at different bands to obtain the spectral output for many bands simultaneously to provide better temporal resolution.

Abstract: A vignetted optoelectronic array for systems and methods performing electronic image formation and refinement from overlapping measurement vignettes captured by an array of image sensors and associated micro-optics. The invention is directed to a new type of image formation system that combines readily-fabricated micro-optical structures, a two-dimensional image sensor array, and electronic or digital image processing to construct an image. Image formation is performed without a conventional large shared lens and associated separation distance between lens and image sensor, resulting in a “lensless camera.” In an embodiment, an LED array is used as a light-field sensor. In an application, the LED array further serves as a color “lensless camera.” In an application, the LED array also serves as an image display. In an application, the LED array further serves as a color mage display. In an embodiment, one or more synergistic features of an integrated camera/display surface are realized.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a subminiature optical system including: a first lens group having positive refractive power; a second lens group having negative refractive power; and a third lens group having positive refractive power, wherein the second lens group is configured of a plurality of lenses of which facing surfaces are bonded to each other and the following Conditional Equation is satisfied: n1, n3>1.7??[Conditional Equation].

Abstract: Optical apparatus includes an image sensor and an optical assembly, which is configured to focus optical radiation via an aperture stop onto the image sensor. The optical assembly includes a plurality of optical surfaces, consisting of a first, curved surface through which the optical radiation enters the assembly, a final surface through which the rays exit the assembly toward the image sensor, and at least two intermediate surfaces between the first and final surfaces. An interference filter, which has a center wavelength and a passband no greater than 4% of the center wavelength, and includes a coating formed on one of the optical surfaces. All rays of the optical radiation passing through the aperture stop are incident on the coating over a range of incidence angles with a half-width that is no greater than three fourths of the numerical aperture of the optical assembly.

Abstract: An image of a surrounding area is projected onto a detector of a detector device by way of an optical system that produces an imaging beam path. A screen is disposed in the imaging beam path and the screen shadows a subarea of the image of the surrounding area on the detector. In order to allow an object which is dazzling the detector device to be masked out and nevertheless to allow the surrounding area to be monitored, the screen is subdivided into a plurality of segments which can be operated individually, and segments which are associated with the subarea are selected and operated, and are in this way heated. The transmission of the selected segments is reduced by the heating throughout the frequency range in which the detector is sensitive, and the selected segments of the screen thus shadow the subarea of the image.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging device including an image sensor, and an engagement member which is an annular or cylindrical member provided between a lens mount unit and a first optical filter fixedly installed on a subject side of the image sensor, and has a second uneven portion formed in an inner circumferential direction, the second uneven portion having a shape corresponding to a first uneven portion formed on an outer periphery of a filter holding member for holding a second optical filter, and being for engaging the filter holding member in an attachable/detachable manner.

Abstract: First, second, third, and fourth lenses (in order from an object side) are arranged between the object and an image sensor where an image of the object is formed. The first lens may have a positive refractive power and may be a meniscus lens that is convex toward the object. The second lens may have a positive refractive power and may be a meniscus lens that is convex toward the image sensor. The third lens may have a positive refractive power and may be a meniscus lens that is convex toward the image sensor. At least one of an incident surface and an exit surface of the fourth lens may be an aspherical surface. The fourth lens may have a negative refractive power or a positive refractive power. A viewing angle ? of the lens optical system may satisfy a conditional expression, 2.5<|tan ?|<3.5.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an image includes a plurality of lens elements coaxially encompassed within a lens housing. One of the lens elements includes an aspheric lens element having a surface profile configured to enhance a desired region of a captured image. At least one glare-reducing element coaxial with the plurality of lens elements receives light subsequent to the light sequentially passing through each of the lens elements. An imaging chip receives the light subsequent to the light passing through the at least one glare-reducing element. The imaging chip includes a plurality of green, blue and red pixels.

Abstract: A dichroic filter that for use with an electronic imaging device, such as a camera. The dichroic filter is located in the main imaging lens, and may permit all light to pass through a first portion and be measured by a photosensor, while restricting at least some portions of visible light from passing through a second portion thereof. In this manner, only the non-restricted portions of visible light passing through the second portion may be measured by the associated pixels of the photosensor. The filter may be formed from a first aperture permitting a first set of wavelengths to pass therethrough and a second aperture adjacent the first aperture, the second aperture permitting only a subset of the first set of wavelengths to pass therethrough. The second aperture may be a dichroic mirror or it may be an optical filter of some other type.

Abstract: Image data of a scene is captured. Spectral profile information is obtained for the scene. A database of plural spectral profiles is accessed, each of which maps a material to a corresponding spectral profile reflected therefrom. The spectral profile information for the scene is matched against the database, and materials for objects in the scene are identified by using matches between the spectral profile information for the scene against the database. Metadata which identifies materials for objects in the scene is constructed, and the metadata is embedded with the image data for the scene.

Abstract: Techniques for lens-free imaging using optical resonance, including providing a series of standing waves indexed by a wave vector to an optical resonator having a predetermined dispersion relation. The intensity of the wavelengths corresponding to the standing waves can be measured with a photodetector. A magnitude and shift of the wave vector corresponding to each of the standing waves can be determined, and spatial information in k-space can be determined from the magnitude and shift of the wave vector corresponding to each of the standing waves using an inversion relationship. A transform can be applied to the spatial information to generate an image.

Abstract: A light reduction device for adjusting an amount of light reaching an imaging device includes: a light shielding plate in which light shielding parts are discretely formed for blocking the light, and a light transmission part is formed for transmitting the light; a first light reduction plate in which light reduction parts are discretely formed for reducing the amount of the light passing through, and a light transmission part is formed for transmitting the light; and a moving unit configured to move at least one of the light shielding plate and the first light reduction plate in a first direction which intersects with an incident direction of the light, in which the light shielding plate and the first light reduction plate overlap each other at least in part, when viewed from the incident direction of the light.