Abstract: In a method for forming an image of a subject on a solid-state imaging device, a first time period for splitting a light beam from a subject into a plurality of light beams that have different polarization directions and then combining the plurality of light beams to form a single subject image on the solid-state imaging device and a second time period for splitting the light beam from the subject into the plurality of light beams that have different polarization directions and forming a plurality of subject images that overlap each other partially on the solid-state imaging device are switched time-wise. A first image information on the single subject image is obtained based on pieces of signal information in the first time period, and a second image information on one of the plurality of subject images is calculated by using and computing pieces of signal information in the second time period.

Abstract: A mobile phone (100) includes a main body (20), a display (21) embedded in a user interface (24) of the main body, a containing space (23) spanning through to the user interface and at least one of a top surface (26) and a back (25) of the main body, and a camera assembly (30) set in the containing space. The photo-taking apparatus includes a lens module (31), a holophote (32) rotatably set opposite the lens module for reflecting or transmitting incident light rays into the lens module, and an orientation apparatus (33) including a gear (34) for adjusting the holophote. A user can conveniently change the position of the holophote by rotating the gear, so that an object or the user himself/herself can be photographed. In all cases, the user can conveniently see a preview of the photo on the display.

Abstract: A digital camera includes: a mirror box that defines a space in which a light flux from a photographic lens is guided to an imaging unit; a mirror unit that is arranged inside the mirror box and is configured to rotate between a viewing position in which the mirror unit is inserted in a photographic light path from the photographic lens to the imaging unit to reflect the light flux and a photographing position in which the mirror unit is retracted from the photographic light path; and an opening section that discharges from the mirror box air that is moved when the mirror unit is rotated.

Abstract: An image taking apparatus performs a focusing operation quickly and includes a light splitting unit which splits a light flux from an image-taking lens into a plurality of light fluxes, a view finder optical system observing an object image formed by the light flux from the lens, an image pickup element which photoelectrically converts the object image to an electrical signal and a focus detector detecting the focusing state of the lens according to a phase difference detector. Here, the light splitting unit changes between a first state for directing the light flux to the view finder optical system and the focus detector, a second state for directing the light flux to the image pickup element and the focus detector, and a third state in which the light flux is directed only to the image pickup element.

Abstract: According to the present invention, light from a taking lens is reflected by a quick return mirror in a lateral direction of a body unit. Then, after passing through a screen, the light is reflected toward an upper side of the body unit by a second mirror except part of the light. The light reflected by the second mirror is reflected by a third mirror in a direction opposite to a direction in which the light is reflected by the quick return mirror, and is further reflected by a fourth mirror toward an eyepiece located on a back side of the body unit. Part of the light which passing though the screen is taken by an AF sensor unit provided in rear of the second mirror, and an image formation position of an optical image is detected.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and a method for correcting a shake of an image photographing device, which enables miniaturization and thin-shaping of the image photographing device, and yet can implement an anti-shake function. This apparatus includes a shake sensing unit sensing the shake of the image photographing device which photographs an image of a subject, a first optical path changing unit changing an optical path of light incident to the image photographing device, an angle adjusting unit adjusting an angle of an light-incident surface of the first optical path changing unit according to the sensed shake, and an image generating unit generating the image of the subject through the light, the optical path of which has been changed by the first optical path changing unit.

Abstract: A digital image capturing apparatus includes a housing, a first hole installed on the front side of the housing for inputting light from the front, a second hole installed on the rear side of the housing for inputting light from the rear, a reflector module installed in the housing for reflecting the light input from the first hole or the second hole, a photosensor installed in the housing for sensing the light from the reflector module, and an image generating module installed in the housing for generating an image according to the light sensed by the photosensor.

Abstract: An image switching apparatus for an electronic camera. The electronic camera has a lens, an image sensor and a viewfinder. The image switching apparatus includes a housing, an optical assembly and a reciprocating driving device. The housing is disposed between the lens and the image sensor. The lens is opposite the image sensor and the viewfinder is above the housing. The optical assembly is rotatably and movably disposed in the housing and has a beam splitter and an optical compensator. The beam splitter is connected to the optical compensator at a predetermined included angle. The reciprocating driving device is coupled to the optical assembly to rotate and move the optical assembly between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes pixels 2 arranged two-dimensionally on a semiconductor substrate 1. In a predetermined area in each pixel is formed a light-sensitive area 3 for receiving incident light 11, and each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion portion 4 for converting the incident light into a signal charge. In at least some of the pixels, the center of the light-sensitive area is offset from the center of the pixel when seen from directly above a principal surface of the semiconductor substrate. Each pixel further includes a light-path change member 12a and 12b for deflecting incident light traveling toward the center of the pixel so as to be directed toward the center of the light-sensitive area. Thus, a solid-state imaging device simultaneously realizing the miniaturization of pixels and a high image quality is provided.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus that can be manipulated to provide multiple views to a single camera module. The apparatus includes a cylindrical rotating prism assembly that can be rotated about its vertical axis. A first reflective surface reflects the field of view of a lens assembly 90° along the vertical axis of the cylindrical rotating prism assembly. The camera module is positioned beneath the cylindrical rotating prism assembly to capture an image reflected by the first reflective surface along the vertical axis of the cylindrical rotating prism assembly. An illumination source is positioned above the cylindrical rotating prism assembly and emits an illumination beam along the same vertical axis that is reflected by a second reflective surface through an illumination aperture that illuminates the field of view. The entire assembly can be rotated to take advantage of multiple lens assemblies.

Abstract: A digital camera enables high-speed zooming operation without use of a zoom lens. Light originating from a fixed-focal-length lens is split into two beams by a beam splitter, to thus form respective images on a first image sensor and a second image sensor. The first image sensor and the second image sensor are equal to each other in terms of the number of pixels, but differ from each other in terms of a pixel size. The first image sensor acquires a wide image, and the second image sensor acquires a telephotography image. An output is produced by means of switching between the first image sensor and the second image sensor, in response to zooming operation. When the image from the first image sensor is recorded, focus detection is performed by use of an image signal from the second image sensor, to thus effect automatic focusing.

Abstract: A camera comprises a beam splitter configured to divide an incident light from a subject through a photographing lens, an eyepiece lens configured to observe the incident light divided by the beam splitter with a viewfinder, a relay lens provided between the beam splitter and the eyepiece lens, and a shutter provided in a vicinity of the relay lens and configured to cut a reverse-incident light from the eyepiece lens.

Abstract: A mirror apparatus has a reflecting surface to reflect an incident luminous flux. A fixed member has a plurality of driving electrodes on a surface of the fixed member. A movable member is formed with the reflecting surface on one side, and capable of escaping out of the optical path of the incident luminous flux along the fixed member. A driving circuit is capable of applying a voltage to the driving electrodes to generate an electrostatic force between the driving electrodes and movable members. A control circuit supplies a control signal to the driving circuit to change the electrostatic force acted on the movable member.

Abstract: A digital camera which allows to make thickness, height and width of its camera body small. The camera has a first optical member for generally perpendicularly bending a first optical axis of light coming from an object through a lens opening part, a second optical member for bending a second optical axis of light coming from the first optical member, and an image taking element having a light receiving surface for receiving a third optical axis of light coming from the second optical member in which the light receiving surface crosses the third optical axis of light. The third optical axis of light is included in a plane which is different from a plane including both of the first optical axis of light and the second optical axis thereof.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup apparatus body, an image recording/reproducing section placed on the right-hand side within the image pickup apparatus body when viewed in a photographing direction, an image-displaying monitor disposed on the left-hand side within the image pickup apparatus body when viewed in the photographing direction, and a power-supplying battery located on a side surface of the image pickup apparatus body.

Abstract: A digital still camera of the present invention has a photographing optical system, a body, an image sensor, a half mirror, a phase difference focus detector. The image sensor is arranged in the body and backward of the photographing optical system along an optical axis. The light-path space is formed between the photographing optical system and the image sensor along the optical axis, light from the photographing optical system passes through the light-path space and is received by the image sensor. The half mirror is provided along the optical axis in the light-path space and the phase difference focus detector is provided outside the light-path space. The half mirror is arranged in the light-path space such that all of the light directed from the photographing optical system to the image sensor substantially passes through the half mirror.

Abstract: An imaging device may include two channels, for example each with different magnification or fields of view as two examples. The user may select one of the channels and the image captured through that channel may be both viewed through a viewfinder and recorded on an imaging array or other recording media.

Abstract: A multifocal lens system to be used for digital cameras for setting any one of a plurality of lenses in a picture taking (image capturing) position comprising a wide-angle lens (shorter focal length lens) mounted in front of an image sensor in a picture taking (image capturing) position, a telephoto lens (longer focal length lens) mounted alongside the wide-angle lens, a parallelogram prism (rhombic prism) or a pair of triangular prisms removably arranged between the two lenses at the rear of them. When the wide-angle lens is to be used, the parallelogram prism or one of the two triangular prisms is to be removed from the rear of wide-angle lens so that the wide-angle lens can be focused on the sensor enabling light to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided having first and second image pickup portions for receiving at least first and second distinct wavelength components of object light, respectively, and first and second optical systems for guiding the first and second wavelength components to the first and second image pickup portions, respectively, via different optical paths. The first and second optical systems are formed to have respective shapes so that the focal length of the first optical system with regard to the first wavelength component is equal to the focal length of the second optical system with regard to the second wavelength component.

Abstract: A shutterless digital camera includes an optical viewfinder having a pair of spaced apart mirrors for facilitating in one mode of operation through-the-lens viewing of an object image to be captured and for facilitating in the same one mode of operation through-the-lens display unit viewing of a captured object image. A mirror control system facilitates the moving of at least one of the mirrors to permit the object image to be captured and further facilitates the moving of at least the other one of the mirrors to permit display unit viewing of the captured object image.

Abstract: In a multi-eye camera head unit (10), a panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) and three-dimensional image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (112) are exchanged in correspondence with the image sensing mode. The panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) includes a pair of optical elements (111R, 111L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces. The three-dimensional image sensing camera head unit (112) includes a pair of optical elements (112R, 112L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces.

Abstract: A technique for producing electronic video signals representative of color images of a scene, includes the following steps: providing a luminance sensor and a color sensor having a color filter thereover; providing a beamsplitter, and providing a motion picture film camera type of lens system that focuses light from the image, via the beamsplitter, onto the luminance sensor and the color sensor; and producing electronic video signals from outputs of the luminance sensor and the color sensor.

Abstract: In an electronic image pickup apparatus, a beam splitter and an image pickup element are incorporated into an optical finder unit together with optical parts used for an optical finder. The optical finder unit includes a finder case for receiving the optical parts used for the optical finder and a holding member for holding the beam splitter and the image pickup element. The image pickup element has an image pickup surface which is inclined to the light beams incident upon the beam splitter. The light beam incident upon the image pickup element is reflected twice in the beam splitter, while the light beam incident upon the optical finder penetrates the beam splitter without being reflected.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display unit has a transmissive liquid crystal plate having a number of pixels arranged on a two-dimensional basis, on which an image is formed, and a light source unit emitting beams of light of a plurality of luminescent colors for irradiating said liquid crystal plate from back. An interface circuit receives an image signal representative of a color image to sequentially form on said liquid crystal plate a plurality of separation images in which the color image is separated in association with the plurality of luminescent colors of said light source unit. The interface circuit causes said light source unit to flash with a luminescent color associated with a separation image formed on said liquid crystal plate in synchronism with a sequential formation of the separation images onto said liquid crystal plate. Beams of light emanated from the light source unit and transmitted through the liquid crystal plate reproduce an image.

Abstract: Two plane parallel plates, orthogonally intersecting each other, are provided in front of a CCD device. The plane parallel plate is supported by its two ends which are deviated from an optical path. Each end of the plane parallel plate includes an armature made of soft electromagnetic iron, and two electromagnets are provided in the optical axis direction, while sandwiching each armature. By the on/off state of the two electromagnets, the armature can control the optical device in three angled positions, thus the optical device can have three shift positions with respect to the optical axis. Therefore, by virtue of the optical devices, an optical path can be determined by selecting a shift position of said optical device from nine shift positions (3×3).

Abstract: Imaging lens device has a zoom lens system and an image sensor. The zoom lens system has a first reflecting surface, a first movable lens unit, an aperture stop, a second reflecting surface, a second movable lens unit. A first reflecting surface bends a first optical axis which is an incident optical axis of the zoom lens system 90 degrees into a second optical axis. A second reflecting surface bends the second optical axis 90 degrees into a third optical axis. The first optical axis, the second optical axis and the third optical axis are mutually perpendicular. The first movable lens unit and the aperture stop are disposed on the second optical axis. The second movable lens unit is disposed on the third optical axis. During zooming, the first and second reflecting surfaces and the aperture stop are stationary; the first and second movable lens units are moved, respectively.

Abstract: An area image sensor outputs the difference between charges received by light-receiving cells arranged in an array pattern. A system controller generates a timing signal for generating a pulse or modulation signal. A control signal generator generates a control signal for separately controlling the light-receiving timings of the light-receiving cells of the area image sensor on the basis of the timing signal from the system controller. A light emitting controller controls a light source to generate light, the intensity of which changes on the basis of the timing signal from the system controller. A reflected light image processor extracts a reflected image of an object from the difference outputted from the area image sensor.

Abstract: An electronic shutter apparatus and light shuttering method for a still image capturing device are provided according to the invention. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a beam splitter positioned in an incoming light beam path and splitting the incoming light beam into a first light beam and a second light beam. The apparatus further includes first and second polarizing shutters respectively positioned in paths of the first and second light beams and capable of being electrically activated to transmit light and to respectively form first and second polarized light beams. A polarization orientation of light from the second polarizing shutter is in non-alignment with a polarization orientation of light from the first polarizing shutter. The apparatus further includes a beam combiner receiving and combining the first and second polarized light beams to form a substantially non-polarized resultant light beam. The resultant light beam is focused onto an image sensor.

Abstract: An electronic camera including a built-in strobe, an external strobe synchronization terminal, a photographic optical system, a prism, an imaging device, a viewfinder optical system, a light adjustment device, a movable mirror, and a drive source and drive circuit. External strobes are connected to the external strobe synchronization terminal so that they can be flashed synchronously with the built-in strobe. The prism splits a beam having passed through the photographic optical system. One portion of the split beam is converged on the imaging device to form an image thereon. The other portion of the split beam enters the viewfinder optical system. The light adjustment device detects the luminance of an object illuminated by the strobes. The movable mirror can selectively assume a position for transmitting a beam and a position for reflecting a beam. In the position for transmitting a beam, the movable mirror lies within the viewfinder optical system and routes a beam towards an eyepiece.

Abstract: The optical system includes a first set of optics, an optical switch and a second set of optics. The first set of optics is capable of receiving light and directing the light along a first optical path. The optical switch is capable of directing a first portion of the light to continue along the first optical path, and directing a second portion of the light along a second optical path. The second set of optics is subsequent to the optical switch and is capable of receiving the first portion of light from the optical switch, and directing that portion of light along a third optical path. The third optical path and the second optical path are substantially co-aligned. The optical system has variable magnifications and requires no moving parts.

Abstract: A system for providing a printed output image including information from a data collection system onto a single print medium is disclosed. Data collection systems and methods are disclosed for collecting data from a plurality of spatially separated sources and for providing that data as a sequence of output signals. The data collection system includes a housing a selection element, one or more image paths and an image plane. The selection element selectively and alternatively couples visual images from separate object sources along the image paths and onto the image plane. The selection element may include optical shutters for selectively occluding or transmitting the visual images and may include illumination elements for providing a controlled sequence of illumination at selected ones of the object sources. The system can assemble the printed data in a format suitable for printing as an identification card.

Abstract: An SLR digital still camera includes a photographing lens, a quick return mirror made of a half mirror which is movable between a viewing position and a photographing position, a CCD located in the focal plane, an anti-reflection plate which is movable close to or away from a rear surface of the quick return mirror, and an anti-reflection plate driving mechanism which moves the anti-reflection plate to a retracted position in which the anti-reflection plate is retracted from the photographing light path when the quick return mirror is in the viewing position, and moves the anti-reflection plate to a cover position in which the anti-reflection plate extends along the rear surface of the quick return mirror when the latter is in the photographing position, respectively.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises two photographing systems which are independent of and substantially identical to each other, and each of which includes a photographing optical system and an image pickup device. The photographing optical system is configured to include a photographing lens, a focusing lens and an aperture stop. The focusing lens of one of the photographing systems is driven stepwise from a first predetermined position at which it is to be located when a focusing position lies at an infinite distance, toward a second predetermined position at which it is to be located when the focusing position lies at the closest distance, while the focusing lens of the other photographing system is driven stepwise from the second predetermined position toward the first predetermined position every step width.

Abstract: An image input device can pick up images of a plurality of subjects by switching the image pickup direction. The device is provided with an image pickup device for outputting an image signal corresponding to a picked-up image of a subject, an image pickup direction switching device for switching an image pickup direction of the image pickup device, a first detector for detecting the angle of the image pickup direction, and a memory for storing the image signal according to the detected angle.

Abstract: A method for electronic reduction of the contrast of video images as early as during recording provides electronic brightening of the shaded zones of a video image in a camera as early as during recording while maintaining the detail contrast even in the brightened regions. A blurred diffuse image of the motif is produced on the image sensor in the camera by the objective and the electronically alterable diffusion element, and is stored in a frame store. The black and white contrast of the mask is determined in the evaluation circuit, and a control variable is generated pixel-by-pixel from this. The focused video image which is subsequently produced on the image sensor when the diffusion element is switch to be crystal-clear is read and is amplified or attenuated pixel-by-pixel such that the shadowed parts are brightened and/or the bright zones are attenuated.

Abstract: A multi-lenses optical device with high resolution and low cost is provided for converting an image into electronic signals. The optical device includes a plurality of focusing units for focusing a plurality of sections of the image respectively, and correspondingly generating a plurality of focused image sections magnified with the same ratio and having different optical path lengths, a photoelectric conversion unit for converting the plurality of focused image sections to the electronic signals, a switching unit for sequentially having only one of the focused image sections transmitted to the photoelectric conversion unit at an instant, and a light-reflecting unit mounted between the photoelectric conversion unit and the plurality of focusing units for transmitting the plurality of focused image sections to the photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device of a focal angle and distance in an iris recognition system, in which the device includes: a distance measurer for measuring a distance between a user and an iris recognition camera, and an indicator for quantitatively indicating a forward-backward distance and a right and left or up and down direction the user should move, in accordance with the distance measured by the distance measurer.

Abstract: A digital camera contains biometric capability to identify a photographer, which is preferably provided by the camera's own optical sensors. The biometric feature is preferably the iris of a photographer's eye, which is recognized as unique for each individual. The camera captures an image of an iris, abstracts a set of distinguishing features, and matches this set to an on-board database. The iris image is preferably captured when the photographer brings his eye in the vicinity of the camera's viewing window, through a combination of mirrors, lenses, prisms, and the like. This capability may be used to record the identity of a photographer with the image, as an anti-theft or privacy device, or to personalize the camera settings.

Abstract: An arrangement which can produce a stereoscopic image simply and cheaply. An optical unit views an object and a stereoscopic image is provided onto a recording device or a display device by differentially polarizing the beams.

Abstract: An electronic digital still camera apparatus has a converter lens which is used in a wide angle imaging mode and which is rotatably moved so as to achieve a compact camera apparatus. The electronic digital still camera apparatus has a master lens for focusing an image of a photographing object onto an imaging plane thereof; a converter lens rotatably moved between a position on an optical path defined from the photographing object to the master lens, and another position outside the optical path defined from the photographing object to the master lens; and a reflection mirror arranged at a position substantially equal to a rotation center of the converter lens, for reflecting light derived from the photographing object toward the master lens.

Abstract: For providing a compact, light, and cheap image pickup apparatus capable of attaining both a stereoscopic image and a high-definition plane image by itself, a changeover optical unit is provided with both a function to attain a stereoscopic image by guiding beams captured through objective lenses to respective CCDs and a function to attain a plane image by splitting the beam captured through the objective lens into two beams and guiding the two beams to the CCDs whereby the stereoscopic image and the high-definition plane image can be attained by proper changeover between these functions.

Abstract: The Invention is an image input apparatus equipped with means of image shifting which is capable of inputting images of different resolutions, and enables the transmission band of the spatial filter to be switched in accordance with resolution in order to prevent moire. When a flat transparent refraction plate 22 is inclined relative to the optical axis 10 by which light from the object is introduced, the position where the image is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 14 is shifted, thus making image shifting possible. High resolution images are obtained by shifting the image a distance shorter than the distance between the photosensitive parts of the CCD 14, and then combining the images. The transmission band of the spatial filter 12 for preventing moire can be switched by changing the relative angles of the double refraction plates 20, 21.

Abstract: A camera that includes negative film and a CCD sensor for simultaneously capturing images chemically and electronically using a beam splitter. A liquid crystal display is used for viewing the captured images immediately after they are captured or for reviewing images stored in a removable memory for deletion or output. An adjustable lens and mirror which can route light from the source directly to the film when a high quality image is to be captured, so that the source light is not split between the film negative and the sensor. The images can be stored at various densities, such as 3.times.5 print or fax resolution, to match the intended output. The memory is organized into stack locations. Each stack location can store one or more images of varying densities allowing the camera to effectively use the memory. The storage status of each stack location is indicated by stack location partition flags. A full memory can also be removed and replaced.

Abstract: Apparatus for achieving contact-less linking between a transmitting unit and a receiving unit when transmitting video signal, audio signal, control signal, or digital data therebetween. The apparatus includes a switch circuit which switches the output signal of a light emitting integrated circuit to a first set of light guides for spatial transmission of an optical signal representing the video, audio and control signals and digital data and to a second set of light guides for near-by transmission of the optical signal.

Abstract: A move camera system having a function for projecting an image of an object being presently or previously imaged on an external screen, as well as a function for monitoring the image and a method of displaying a video signal therein. A composite video signal from a camera section or a VCR section is processed by a video signal processor in a display section so that be displayed on a display device including a matrix of pixels. The processed video signal from the video signal processor includes red, green and blue color signals. Arrangement of the proposed video signal is changed according to whether the projecting junction of the view finding function is selected. According to the selected function, an optical image resulting from the video signal displayed on the display device is lighted by a large or small amount of light from a light source at the rear. The user can view or monitor the image on the display device through a focus lens unit at a front portion thereof.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for printing an image on a film or monitoring the image on a display screen. An image generator, such as a CRT, generates a viewable image. The display screen is in optical communication with the image generator and defines a first optical path. A first reflector is selectively movable into the first optical path to intercept the generated image in order to reflect the image over a second folded optical path, defined by second and third reflectors, to the film. Along the second folded optical path is an optical filter for filtering predetermined frequency components of the generated image. In a print mode, the first reflector is driven into the first optical path, such that the film is in optical communication with the image generator, for exposing the film to the generated image. In a monitor mode, the first reflector is driven out of the first optical path, such that the display screen is in optical communication with the image generator for displaying the generated image.

Abstract: The system of the present invention increases the resolution of an image that may be formed from an image sensor without increasing the resolution of the sensor. An image beam is directed along a path through a color filter wheel and a single non-rotating transparent plate and impinges on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). A cam body with an angled surface rotates about the optical axis of the image beam and tilts the transparent plate in a plurality of discrete sampling positions. At each sampling position, the tilted transparent plate displaces the image beam in a different direction. Therefore, each pixel of the CCD samples a plurality of areas of the image. The color wheel is rotated to sequentially place each filter into the path of the image beam. The CCD sequentially receives the light passed through the transparent plate and color filter wheel and converts the image formed by the light to corresponding electrical signals.