Abstract: A camera may comprise a sensor-shift structure including a substrate to allow an image sensor to be movable relative to one or more lenses of the camera in one or more directions. During a drop or shock event, the substrate may experience unwanted movement and collide with a base structure in the vicinity. The camera may include one or more protection structures to prevent the substrate from directly colliding with the base structure to protect the base structure from potential damages. The protection structures may be implemented using components placed at the substrate and/or the base structure.

Abstract: An example camera movement control method includes: activating, by an electronic device, a camera functionally connected to the electronic device; displaying, on the basis of the activation of the camera, an image of an object outside the electronic device on a display functionally connected to the electronic device; confirming the movement of the image of the object; and correcting the image by means of an image stabilizer functionally connected to the electronic device on the basis of the movement. The correcting of the image can include: calculating an image correction angle with respect to the movement; and controlling the image stabilizer based on the image correction angle.

Abstract: A printing cassette that is to be attached to and detached from a printing apparatus main body is provided. The printing cassette includes: a first roll in which a first tape is wound around a winding center axis parallel to a first direction; and an input gear that is disposed at a different position from the first roll in the first direction, engaging another gear, and configured to transmit a driving force of a drive shaft of the printing apparatus to the another gear. The first roll has a cylindrical shape in which a hollow portion is defined by an inner peripheral surface. The drive shaft is inserted into the hollow portion of the first roll and the input gear is engaged with the drive shaft in a state where the printing cassette is attached to the printing apparatus main body.

Abstract: An image sensor according to the present disclosure includes a lens configured to receive light, a preliminary operation performer configured to generate position correction information based on a difference between first pixel values, the first pixel values corresponding to pixels of a first micro-lens for the light of a first image received through the lens, and a lens position controller configured to change a position of the lens for a second image on the basis of the position correction information.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels each including: a first and a second photoelectric conversion unit that perform photoelectric conversion upon light that has passed through a micro lens and generates a charge; a first accumulation unit that accumulates the charge generated by the first conversion unit; a second accumulation unit that accumulates the charge generated by the second conversion unit; a third accumulation unit that accumulates the charges generated by the first and second conversion units; a first transfer unit that transfers the charge generated by the first conversion unit to the first accumulation unit; a second transfer unit that transfers the charge generated by the second conversion unit to the second accumulation unit; and a third transfer unit that transfers the charges generated by the first and second conversion units to the third accumulation unit.

Abstract: In order to provide a subject tracking device capable of reducing erroneous tracking of a subject, the subject tracking device includes an image acquisition unit configured to sequentially acquire images, a tracking unit configured to track a subject which is detected from the images acquired by the image acquisition unit by comparison between images over a plurality of images which are sequentially acquired by the image acquisition unit, and a switching unit configured to switch a time for continuing tracking in the tracking unit in accordance with a type of the subject detected from the images.

Abstract: This application provides a zoom assembly, including a first refraction component and a first lens apparatus. The first refraction component is configured to change a transmission path of light, and the first refraction component includes a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and a first reflection structure. The three surfaces of the first refraction component are all transmission surfaces. An optical axis of the first lens apparatus is perpendicular to the second surface of the first refraction component. The first reflection structure is attached to the third surface, and is configured to receive light transmitted by one of the transmission surfaces and reflect the light to another transmission surface.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first image sensor configured to perform imaging, and a control unit configured to perform precapture imaging, when acquiring a first imaging instruction, to cause the first image sensor to repeatedly perform imaging, and causes the first image sensor to perform main imaging when acquiring a second imaging instruction during the precapture imaging, and a first detecting unit configured to detect a change in a main object to be focused, and to output information about the change in the main object. The control unit changes control in the precapture imaging using the information about the change in the main object.

Abstract: A control method for an optical device includes a detector detecting a current position of a lens, a processor calculating a distance between the current position and a target position, the processor determining whether the current position is within a predetermined range according to the distance, and the processor controlling a driving device to move the lens into an allowable range according to whether the current position is within the predetermined range. The predetermined range and the allowable range are corresponding to the target position.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include optical aberration control for a camera system. Such a camera system may implement optical aberration control, e.g., by combining one or more variable focus devices with one or more actuators (e.g., a voice coil motor actuator) for moving a lens stack of the camera system to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) functionality. A variable focus device may have variable optical power to achieve AF, OIS, and/or introduce optical aberrations such as spherical aberration. In some implementations, the variable focus device may be driven to introduce optical aberrations, and the actuator for moving the lens stack may be driven to compensate for the optical power from the variable focus device.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor that captures a subject image formed to generate image data; a recorder that records first image data showing images sequentially captured by the image sensor at a shooting period; and a controller operates the image sensor with a frame period shorter than half period of the shooting period, to generate one or plural frames of second image data by capturing in another frame period than the frame period for capturing the first image data within the shooting period. The second image data shows an image used for control in the imaging apparatus, captured with a setting different from a setting for the first image data. The control is performed based on a plurality of frames of image data including the one or plural frames of second image data, the plurality of frames being obtained by multiple times of capturing in the shooting period.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor comprising a light receiver, receiving optics in front of the light receiver, and a focus adjustment unit having an actuator and configured to move the light receiver, wherein the focus adjustment unit comprises a parallel guide having at least one flexible retaining element and moving the light receiver in a constant orientation on the optical axis of the receiving optics.

Abstract: There is provided an overlay measurement device controlling a focus movement, which includes: a lighting part being configured to orient lighting toward an overlay measurement target; a collection part comprising an objective lens and a detector for obtaining one or more of images of each focus in the overlay measurement target; a lens focus actuator moving the objective lens to adjust a distance between the objective lens and a wafer; and a processor controlling an operation of the lens focus actuator. The processor obtains a focus graph respectively in relation to two layers from one or more of the images of each focus, and the processor identifies a reference focus in relation to the obtained focus graphs to move the objective lens.

Abstract: An apparatus including circuitry configured for obtaining a sequence of first images captured by an image sensor; circuitry configured for obtaining image metadata dependent upon a sequence of zoom levels, wherein the sequence of zoom levels is a sequence corresponding to the sequence of first images; circuitry configured for enhancing zoom including circuitry configured for: using the image metadata to obtain the sequence of zoom levels; smoothing the sequence of zoom levels to produce a smoothed sequence of zoom levels; creating a sequence of new images from the sequence of first images based on the smoothed sequence of zoom levels, wherein the smoothed sequence of zoom levels vary a size of a crop used on the sequence of first images to produce the sequence of new images; and circuitry configured for storing, displaying or transmitting the created sequence of new images.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a control unit that performs a control of performing, a plurality of times in parallel, a recognition operation in which a recognition unit recognizes a specific subject included in an imaging region based on a captured image obtained by imaging the imaging region by an imaging unit, and a distance measurement operation in which a distance measurement unit performs distance measurement by emitting light to the imaging region and receiving reflected light of the light from the imaging region, and a change unit that changes irradiation energy of the light to the imaging region for each distance measurement operation.

Abstract: An image sensor including: a pixel array including first and second pixel groups, each of the first and second pixel groups includes of pixels arranged in rows and columns; and a row driver configured to provide transmission control signals to the pixel array, the first pixel group includes a first auto-focus (AF) pixel including photodiodes arranged in a first direction, the pixels of the first pixel group output a pixel signal through a first column line, and the second pixel group includes a second AF pixel including photodiodes arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the pixels of the second pixel group output a pixel signal through a second column line, and the first AF pixel of the first pixel group and the second AF pixel of the second pixel group receive same transmission control signals.

Abstract: In a learning device (10), an optical conversion unit (11) receives light from a learning target and uses the received light to output light according to a configuration value of a parameter. A sensing unit (13) senses the light output from the optical conversion unit (11). An estimation unit (15A) forms an estimation result for an answer to a configuration problem based on the light sensed by the sensing unit (13). An update unit (15B) calculates an update value of the parameter of the optical conversion unit (11) based on the estimation result by the estimation unit (15A), and updates the configuration value of the parameter of the optical conversion unit (11) with the calculated update value. The optical conversion unit (11) includes a plurality of optical devices in which the configuration value of the parameter is set independently of each other.

Abstract: Compact folded camera modules having auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) capabilities and multi-aperture cameras including such modules. In an embodiment, a folded camera module includes an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The lens module can be actuated to move in first and second orthogonal directions in a plane perpendicular to the first optical axis, the movement in the first direction being for auto-focus and the movement in the second direction being for OIS. The OPFE can be actuated to tilt for OIS.

Abstract: An apparatus including means for: identifying audio-focus attenuation of a sound source; determining a correspondence between the sound source that is subject to audio focus attenuation and a corresponding visual object; and modifying capturing of an image to at least partially exclude and/or modify the visual object corresponding to the sound source subject to audio focus attenuation.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including a processor. The processor is configured to: reconstruct, by employing an image set acquired by means of an endoscope, three-dimensional information of an imaging subject; estimate, by means of an estimator, imaging-subject distances from the image set by employing a learning parameter; calculate, on the basis of the estimated imaging-subject distances and the imaging-subject distances in the three-dimensional information, a scale coefficient; convert relative dimensions of the three-dimensional information to absolute dimensions by employing the scale coefficient; and output the three-dimensional information containing the absolute dimensions.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an area setter configured to set a target area in a first image among a plurality of captured images acquired by imaging at different time from each other, an area detector configured to detect a corresponding area relevant to the target area in a plurality of second images among the plurality of captured images, a focus state acquirer configured to acquire focus states of the target area and the corresponding area, and a classification processor configured to perform classification processing that classifies the plurality of captured images into a plurality of groups according to the focus states.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions which, when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, cause the image processing apparatus to function as an acquisition unit configured to acquire image signals from an image capturing element in which a plurality of pixels that receive rays of light having passed through different pupil areas of an image forming optical system is arrayed, a combining unit configured to, based on the image signals acquired by the acquisition unit, combine virtual objects with the respective image signals corresponding to the different pupil areas to generate a pair of mixed reality images, and a focus adjustment unit configured to adjust a lens position of the image forming optical system based on an image defocus amount between the pair of mixed reality images.

Abstract: In order to provide a tilt control device capable of performing tilt control optimal at a high speed by controlling both a focus position and a tilt angle even when a scene changes such as in a case in which a subject changes, there is provided an imaging apparatus including a tilt control unit that performs tilt control by driving at least one of an imaging device and an imaging optical system, a focus lens driving unit that drives a focus lens, and a control unit that has a plurality of control modes for performing focus correction using at least one of the tilt control unit and the focus lens driving unit and selects one of the plurality of control modes in accordance with the number of subject areas displayed on an image screen.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first evaluator configured to evaluate under a first evaluation condition a focus state of each of a plurality of image data acquired by consecutive capturing, a second evaluator configured to evaluate the focus state of each of the plurality of image data under a second evaluation condition different from the first evaluation condition, and a recorder configured to record first evaluation information indicating an evaluation result under the first evaluation condition and second evaluation information indicating an evaluation result under the second evaluation condition.

Abstract: When filming a scene, the focal distance of the video camera is often controlled remotely, and can be switched between manual and autofocus modes. To overcome sudden movements in the lens upon reverting to manual mode, and to avoid disrupting a user's grip on the manual control during autofocus, the traditional distance ring indicator is split into separate controller and indicator components. The controller permits manual input, while the indicator tracks the desired distance. In manual mode, the controller and indicator move in unison. In autofocus mode, the indicator tracks a rangefinder input but the controller is not moved. In a hybrid mode, the controller offsets the rangefinder input. In all cases, the position of the lens moves with the indicator.

Abstract: A distance information generation apparatus includes a generation unit configured to generate distance information using first and second image signals captured from different viewpoints, a detection unit configured to detect a known-shape subject using the image signals, an extraction unit configured to extract, from the distance information generated by the generation unit, distance information corresponding to the subject, a calculation unit configured to calculate, based on the distance information and the shape of the subject detected by the detection unit, a correction parameter for correcting the distance information extracted by extraction unit, and a correction unit configured to correct, using the correction parameter calculated by the calculation unit, the distance information generated by the generation unit.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a tilt driving unit configured to perform tilt driving, a focus driving unit, a control unit configured to control the focus driving unit and the tilt driving unit for focusing on at least a first area and a second area in a plurality of areas in an image, and a first determination unit configured to determine a control method of the control unit based on whether or not a difference between a position of at least one of the first area and the second area and a position corresponding to a tilt axis in the image is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An optical device is provided that comprises a multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) and an achromatizing compensation mechanism that reduces refractive dispersion created by the MOD-DFL, thereby reducing the focal range of the MOD-DFL. A method is also provided of using the optical device in an image processing system to obtain images of an object and processing the images to perform image enhancement.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: a gaze detecting unit configured to detect a position of gaze input on an image displayed on a display unit; a subject detecting unit configured to detect from the image a subject of a specific type and a region included in the subject of the specific type; and a control unit configured to execute control so that, in a case where a position selected prior to a user operation on an operating member is not on the subject in the position of gaze input, a region corresponding to the user operation, which is included in the subject in the position of gaze input, is selected in response to the user operation, regardless of the position selected prior to the user operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prediction-based technique for encoding light field data by removing redundant information of light field data, reducing a number of bits by employing a prediction of a pixel value in all four dimensions of the light field. Using this technique to represent light field data, allows it to be transferred through a limited-bandwidth medium and/or to significantly reduce the required storage capacity for this purpose.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a first photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a first opening to an electric charge, a second photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a second opening which is smaller than the first opening to an electric charge, and a signal output wiring that outputs a first signal generated by the electric charge converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal generated by the electric charge converted by the second photoelectric conversion unit. The second photoelectric conversion unit is disposed between the second opening and the signal output wiring.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reference coordinate selection unit configured to select reference coordinates of two points from a focus frame area set by a setting unit, and determines arrangement intervals of focus frames based on coordinates on image data before correction corresponding to the coordinates selected by the reference coordinate selection unit and a number of focus frames.

Abstract: One embodiment of a camera module can comprise: a housing having a first electrode pattern and a first recessed part, which are formed on the upper surface thereof; an auto-focusing unit mounted in the first recessed part and electrically connected to the first electrode pattern; a lens barrel accommodated inside the housing; a first holder which is disposed at the lower part of the housing and to which the lens barrel is coupled; and a printed circuit board disposed at the lower part of the first holder and electrically connected to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one processor programmed to perform operations of the following units: a focus detection unit configured to detect a defocus amount; and a control unit configured to control a focus lens to move based on the defocus amount, wherein the control unit includes three speed control patterns of acceleration control, constant speed control, and deceleration control, and the speed control patterns are changed based on at least two or more parameters.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes an element configured to be displaced by application of voltage, and an annular elastic body having a bottom surface coming into contact with the element and a drive surface having a groove, configured to drive a moving element by a vibration wave produced on the drive surface by displacement of the element. The element has a density of 4.2 to 6.0×103 kg/m3. A value of [(T/B)÷W] is in a range of 0.84 to 1.94, where T represents a depth of the groove, B represents a distance from a bottom part of the groove to the bottom surface, and W represents a radial width of the elastic body.

Abstract: A focus driving control unit 34 of a control unit 30 performs speed priority driving control in which a focus lens is driven to a focusing position in a driving pattern selected in advance by a user, for example, in a case in which a defocus amount of a ranging area is greater than a driving control determination threshold set in advance. In addition, the focus driving control unit 34 performs subject priority driving control in which a focus lens movement amount by which the focus lens is located at the focusing position in accordance with the defocus amount of the ranging area is set and the focus lens is driven in a case in which the defocus amount is equal to or less than the driving control determination threshold. The focus lens is driven to the focusing position in the driving pattern selected by the user. Thereafter, a focusing state can be maintained. Accordingly, it is possible to easily perform an auto-focus operation with the high degree of freedom.

Abstract: A fixed focal length imaging optical system includes a first lens group having positive power, a second lens group having positive power, and a third lens group having negative power in order from an object side toward an image side. Upon focusing, the second lens group moves along an optical axis, and the first lens group and the third lens group do not move. The present disclosure provides the fixed focal length imaging optical system capable of favorably correcting various aberrations such as spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, and an imaging device and a camera system each of which includes the fixed focal length imaging optical system.

Abstract: In an optical system according to each exemplary embodiment, an interval between adjacent lens units changes in focusing from an infinite-distance object to a close-distance object, and a first in-focus state in which ?=?1.2 is obtained can be caused, where ? is a lateral magnification of an entire system. The optical system according to each exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of focus lens units, and out of a focus lens unit having a largest absolute value of a focus sensitivity and a focus lens unit having a second largest absolute value of a focus sensitivity in a state in which focus is put on an infinite-distance object, a focus lens unit disposed on an object side is a lens unit LA, and a focus lens unit disposed on an image side is a lens unit LB. A partial optical system LC including all lenses disposed on the image side of the lens unit LB has negative refractive power. The partial optical system LC satisfies a predetermined conditional expression.

Abstract: An imaging device stores a focal length and a position of a focus lens in a storage unit in a case in which a focal state is determined to be a focus state in which a subject is in focus and at least one of the imaging device or the subject is determined to be stationary; generates tracking data for changing the position of the focus lens according to a change in focal length, using a plurality of stored focal lengths and a plurality of stored positions of the focus lens; and performs a zoom tracking control using the generated tracking data.

Abstract: A detection device, comprising an image sensor provided with a plurality of pixels having a plurality of light receiving sections corresponding to a micro lens, capable of adding output signals of the plurality of light receiving sections in accordance with phase difference detection direction and outputting an added signal, and a processor for performing focus detection or depth detection using phase difference detection, based on the added signal of the image sensor, whereby the image sensor makes height of a potential barrier between the light receiving sections different in accordance with the plurality of phase difference detection directions, and the processor sets charge storage determination level differently in accordance with the phase difference detection direction, and controls charge storage operation of the image sensor based on the added signal and the charge storage determination level.

Abstract: Disclosed are a camera module and an electronic device. The camera module comprises at least two cameras. Two cameras of the at least two cameras are disposed in parallel; incident optical axes of the two cameras are parallel to each other; each camera includes a reflecting element, an optical lens assembly and a photosensitive element; and reflecting optical axes of the two cameras are consistent or parallel to each other. The incident light is reflected by the reflecting element and passes through the optical lens assembly and is then imaged on the photosensitive element.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, a positive fourth lens group, and a fifth lens group in order from an object side. In a case of zooming, an interval with an adjacent lens group is changed. The third lens group includes two positive lenses consecutively arranged in order from a side closest to the object side to an image side. The fifth lens group consists of a negative meniscus lens having a concave surface toward the object side and a positive lens having a convex surface toward the object side in order from the object side to the image side.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a driving mechanism, a camera module and an electronic device. The driving mechanism includes: a driving component, a movable assembly, and a fixed assembly, wherein the driving component includes an elastic conductor element, a closed circuit, and a magnetic element; wherein the closed circuit is located in a magnetic field generated by the magnetic element, and is configured to communicate with the elastic conductor element to generate an electromagnetic force for overcoming an elastic force of the elastic conductor element; and wherein the elastic conductor element is fixedly connected with the fixed assembly, and is abutted against the movable assembly; and the elastic conductor element is configured to drive the movable assembly to move relative to the fixed assembly during a focusing function in response to determining that the electromagnetic force is greater than the elastic force of the elastic conductor element.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an apparatus for performing control to, move, in a case where a detected defocus amount is within a range of a second in-focus management width, a focusing lens and then terminate a focusing adjustment operation without performing focus detection processing again, and move, in a case where the defocus amount is out of the range of the second in-focus management width, the focusing lens to perform the focus detection processing again. In a case where a subject to be subjected to the focus detection processing is a saturated subject, at least one of the range of the second in-focus management width and the focus detection operation is changed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising a first detection unit configured to detect a first area in an image of an image signal output from an image pickup element, a second detection unit configured to detect one or more second areas each corresponding to an eye included in the first area in the image, a specification unit configured to receive an area specification instruction by a user operation and to specify one area in the image, and a setting unit configured to set an object corresponding to the area specified by the specification unit to be focused on, wherein, in a case where the first area is detected by the first detection unit, the specification unit receives specification of the eye in an area based on the first area regardless of a detection result of the second areas.

Abstract: An optical element driving mechanism is provided, including: a fixed portion; a movable portion movably connected to the fixed portion and includes a frame and a holder, wherein an optical element having an optical axis is connected to the movable portion; a first driving assembly disposed in the fixed portion to move the movable portion relative to the fixed portion; and a resilient element, including: an outer resilient element, including: a first segment having a strip-shaped structure; a second segment having a strip-shaped structure; and a first bending segment, wherein the first segment connects to the second segment through the first bending segment, and the frame is movably connected to the fixed portion through the outer resilient element; and an inner resilient element, wherein the holder is movably connected to the frame through the inner resilient element.

Abstract: An information processing system configured to perform predetermined processing based on out-of-focus information corresponding to a first area of an image, the out-of-focus information corresponding to a difference in focus between the first area of the image and a second area of the image that is different from the first area of the image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises: an imager that captures an image of a subject to generate image data; a first detector that detects a face region corresponding to a face of the subject in the image data; a second detector that detects a subject region corresponding to at least a part of the subject in the image data; and a controller that controls exposure based on metering for the image data, wherein the controller performs, when the face region is detected by the first detector, exposure compensation according to metering in the detected face region, and continues the exposure compensation according to the metering in the detected face region, when the detected face region is lost by the first detector and the subject region corresponding to the subject of the detected face region is detected by the second detector.

Abstract: A variable magnification optical system comprising, in order from an 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, and a rear lens group; upon varying magnification, the first lens group being fixed with respect to the image plane and each distance between the neighboring lens groups being varied; the rear lens group comprising a focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing; and the predetermined conditional expressions being satisfied, whereby it is possible to suppress superbly variations in aberrations upon varying the magnification.