Abstract: An optical assembly for an autofocus imaging system for capturing at least one image of an object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV) is provided. The optical assembly includes a front aperture along an optical axis and a front lens group along the optical axis that receives light from the object of interest. The position of the front lens group is adjustable to change a focal distance of the optical assembly. The optical assembly further includes an actuator physically coupled to the front lens group that adjusts the position of the front lens. A rear lens group is disposed along the optical axis to receive the light from the front lens group, and an imaging sensor is disposed at a back focal distance of the rear lens group, to detect the light.

Abstract: An exposure control apparatus accepts a specification of a shutter speed, determines, based on the specified shutter speed, a first accumulation time in which an image sensor accumulates a charge for image capture during a live view, determines, based on the specified shutter speed, a second accumulation time in which the image sensor accumulates a charge for image capture when obtaining a still image; and controls the image sensor to accumulate a charge over the first accumulation time or the second accumulation time. The accumulation time that can be set in the image sensor differs between during the live view and when obtaining a still image, and the first determination unit varies a method of determining the first accumulation time according to whether or not the specified shutter speed is longer than a predetermined shutter speed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adjusting a scanning status are provided. In one example method, a mobile terminal can determine whether a target object is a preset target type. If so, a reference scan parameter is determined corresponding to the preset target type, and a real-time scan parameter is obtained that is used when the mobile terminal performs scanning around the target object. A determination is made as to whether the real-time scan parameter conforms to the reference scan parameter. If it does not, a prompt message used to prompt a user to adjust a scanning status corresponding to a current scan parameter is generated.

Abstract: A method for time-of-flight (ToF) guided down-up sampling includes calculating a guide function from a full resolution output of a ToF sensor, downsampling the full resolution output by a predetermined scaling factor, calculating a downsampled depth data from the downsampled output and upsampling the downsampled depth data to full resolution using the full resolution guide function.

Abstract: Computing devices, such as mobile computing devices, have access to one or more image sensors that can capture images with multiple subjects. Some of these subjects may be known to the user capturing an image with the image sensor. The user may prefer to have the captured image data be optimized around the known subjects. Low-power, fast-response machine learning logic can be configured to allow for the generation of a plurality of inference data. This inference data can be utilized along with other sensor data, such as a motion sensor, for the generation of one or more image sensor configuration changes that may be implemented to optimize the subsequent capture of image data. This cycle of image data analysis, image sensor optimization, and subsequent capture can continue multiple times until a threshold of optimization or time is met. The captured image data optimized around the known subjects is then stored.

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: A device includes a circuitry which has an image sensor with a plurality of pixels, wherein the circuitry obtains a differential mode for a quad of each pixel from the plurality of pixels of the image sensor, being representative of a depth information; obtains a first input based on a common mode signal for the quad of the pixel, being representative of an intensity of ambient light; obtains a second input being representative of a background light rejection ratio of the pixel; and estimates a phase for the pixel from the plurality of pixels of the image sensor based on the differential mode, the first input and the second input.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a focus controller configured to adjust focus by driving a lens; a relative tilt angle controller configured to incline a focus surface by controlling a relative tilt angle of the lens to an image sensor; and an acquisition unit configured to acquire an installation angle of the imaging apparatus based on a relative tilt angle and a distance from a standard surface on the focus surface inclined in accordance with the standard surface. The acquisition unit acquires a relative tilt angle when the focus surface is inclined in accordance with a height of a subject based on the installation angle and a distance between the standard surface and height information of the subject, and outputs the relative ti It angle to the relative tilt angle controller.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a focus detector configured to detect a defocus amount based on a phase difference between a pair of image signals generated based on light beams having passed through mutually different pupil areas in an imaging optical system, and a controller configured to control a focus lens in the imaging optical system. The controller is configured to perform an autofocus control based on the defocus amount detected by the focus detector, and a manual focus control based on an operation of a user via an operation member. The controller performs the autofocus control when a change amount relating to a speed of the focus lens in the manual focus control falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An image pickup device of the present invention includes an image pickup element, an image pickup element holder that supports the image pickup element and is rotationally movable with respect to a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of an image pickup lens, an optical filter, and an optical filter holder that extractably supports the optical filter onto the optical axis of the image pickup lens. The optical filter holder rotationally moves along with a rotational movement of the image pickup element holder in an identical direction.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor capturing an image of a subject via an optical system including a focus lens, and generating image data; a distance measuring part calculating a subject distance and a movement distance of the subject by using the generated image data; and a controller that performs an auto-focus action by using the calculated subject distance or movement distance. The distance measuring part uses: first image data when the subject lies at the first position; second image data when the subject lies at the second position; and a PSF of the optical system corresponding to a focused position of the subject lying at the first position, thereby finding a distance between the first position and the second position, and calculating the subject distance and the movement distance of the subject for an image indicated by the second image data based on the found distance.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imager that performs imaging of a subject through an imaging optical system including a focus lens capable of changing a position of a principal point in a range between a first position and a second position in a direction of an optical axis; and an imaging controller that continuously performs plural imaging control operations for causing the imager to perform imaging of the subject through the imaging optical system in a state where the principal point of the focus lens is set at each of plural imaging positions which are set in a movement range as at least a partial range of the range, and the imaging controller makes distances between the plural imaging positions narrower and sets a larger number of the plural imaging positions in an imaging control operation performed later in time series among the plural imaging control operations.

Abstract: A time of flight range detection device includes a laser configured to transmit an optical pulse into an image scene, a return single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array, a reference SPAD array, a range detection circuit coupled to the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array, and a laser driver circuit. The range detection circuit in operation determines a distance to an object based on signals from the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array. The laser driver circuit in operation varies an output power level of the laser in response to the determined distance to the object.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus, comprising: an image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally; a drive control unit configured to cause exposure for accumulation times that differ in respective pixel rows of the image sensor to be performed; and a focus detection unit configured to detect a defocus amount by using a signal obtained from pixels of a line that includes pixels of a plurality of pixel rows, wherein the focus detection unit detects the defocus amount based on accumulation times of pixel rows corresponding to each pixel included in the line.

Abstract: To extend dynamic range, a depth imager can expose a scene with two different exposures to obtain two depths. The two different exposures are selected to have respective depth ranges that overlap each other. The two depths can be combined by taking into account the difference in exposures and where the two depths are located with respect to boundaries of an overlapping range of the two depth ranges. The combination of the two depths in this manner can help avoid image artifacts such as contouring.

Abstract: A camera system includes a lens unit, an image sensor, a sensing unit, an adjustment unit, a memory, and a controller. The lens unit focuses reflected light to form an image. The image sensor converts the image formed by the lens unit into a digital image. The sensing unit senses an internal temperature of the camera system and an external temperature outside the camera system. The adjustment unit adjusts the lens unit. The memory stores preset adjustment amounts for adjusting the lens unit according to different internal temperatures of the camera system operating at different external temperatures. The controller receives the internal temperature and the external temperature sensed by the sensing unit, retrieves the corresponding preset adjustment amount from the memory according to the sensed temperatures, and controls the adjustment unit to adjust the lens unit according to the preset adjustment amount.

Abstract: A structured-light (SL) method of dynamically generating a depth map includes moving a lens of an image capture device to a first position associated with first depth of field (DOF); capturing first reflected structured light with the first DOF, thereby resulting in a first image; processing the first image to generate a first depth map; moving the lens to a second position associated with second DOF, the second DOF being nearer the image capture device than the first DOF; capturing second reflected structured light with the second DOF, thereby resulting in a second image; processing the second image to generate a second depth map; and combining the first depth map and the second depth map to result in a combined depth map.

Abstract: Parallax views of objects are used to generate 3D depth maps of the objects using time of flight (TOF) information. In this way, the deleterious effects of multipath interference can be reduced to improve 3D depth map accuracy without using computationally intensive algorithms.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.

Abstract: A multiple-lens camera has only one image sensor to capture a number of images at different viewing angles. Using a single image sensor, instead of a number of separate image sensors, to capture multiple images simultaneously, one can avoid the calibration process to calibrate the different image sensors to make sure that color balance and the gain are the same for all the image sensors used. The camera has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the image lenses, and a processor to receive from the image sensor electronic signals indicative of image data of the captured of images. The camera has a connector to transfer the processed image data to an external device or to an image display. The image display device is configured to display one of said plurality of images.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus and an electronic apparatus that are capable of receiving light a plurality of times temporally per pulse emission. After instructing a light emitting unit to perform pulse emission, a control unit instructs an image sensor to start exposure at a time T11=(2×D11)/c, finish exposure at a time T21=(2×D21)/c, start exposure at a time T12=(2×D12)/c, finish exposure at a time T22=(2×D22)/c, start exposure at a time T13=(2×D13)/c, and finish exposure at a time T21=(2×D23)/c. The present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a gated imaging apparatus that is an apparatus that emits pulsed light and performs imaging for only a specific time period.

Abstract: An image processing system according to an embodiment includes a cart having a first processor and a camera mounted on the cart. The camera photographs an object and generates an image. The first processor corrects focus of the camera based on correction information to bring the camera into focus with the object to be photographed. A second processor: calculates a standard deviation and an entropy based on tone information of pixels in the image, calculates a ratio between the standard deviation and the entropy, compares the ratio and a reference value, determines the correction information based on the comparison result, and provides the correction information to the first processor.

Abstract: An optical driving apparatus (401) is removably attached to a lens apparatus (201), and includes an attachment portion (403) that is attachable to the lens apparatus, a driver (404, 405) that electrically drives an operation member (204) that manually moves an optical system of the lens apparatus in an optical axis direction, and a controller (402) that controls the driver based on an instruction via an input portion (408), and the controller allows an operation of the driver when the optical driving apparatus is attached to the lens apparatus, and limits the operation of the driver when the optical driving apparatus is not attached to the lens apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for irregular-region based automatic image correction are disclosed. In one aspect, the method is operable by an imaging device including a touch sensor, for performing image correction. The method can include obtaining a first image of a scene and receiving, via the touch sensor, a touch input indicating a selected region of the first image and having a shape that corresponds to a shape of the selected region. The method can also include determining statistics indicating visual properties for the selected region, adjusting at least one image correction parameter of the imaging device based on the determined statistics and the shape of the touch input, and obtaining a second image of the scene based on the adjusted at least one image correction parameter of the imaging device.

Abstract: An image sensor captures a subject image of a partial luminous flux passed through different regions from among a total luminous flux through one optical system. The image sensor is configured from a pixel arrangement in which a plurality of each of at least three types of pixels are arranged, including non-parallax pixels which comprise an aperture mask that produces a viewpoint in a reference direction, first parallax pixels which comprise an aperture mask that produces a viewpoint in a first direction different from the reference direction and second parallax pixels which comprise an aperture mask that produces a viewpoint in a second direction different from the reference direction, wherein each of the aperture mask of the first parallax pixels and the aperture mask of the second parallax pixels has a width of a greater-than-half-aperture aperture area in the direction of change of the viewpoint.

Abstract: A lens focusing device includes a lens holding module for clamping at least one test lens to be tested, a replaceable chart display module, and a focal length shortening module. The replaceable chart display module includes a frame structure, a first chart display element detachably disposed on the frame structure, and a plurality of second chart display elements detachably disposed on the frame structure, and each second chart display element is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the first chart display element. The focal length shortening module includes a first focal length shortening structure and a plurality of second focal length shortening structures. The first focal length shortening structure is disposed between the at least one test lens and the first chart display element, and each second focal length shortening structure is disposed between the at least one test lens and the corresponding second chart display element.

Abstract: An image sensor including: a first control circuit; a plurality of pixels, each including a photodetector, a comparator of the level of an output signal of the photodetector with a reference value, and a second control circuit connected to the first control circuit, the second circuit being capable of sending a signal of address reading request to the first circuit when the pixel turns on, of receiving an address reading acknowledgement signal transmitted by the first circuit, and of deactivating the pixel on reception of the reading acknowledgement signal; and at least one third control circuit capable, when a pixel receives a reading acknowledgement signal, of blocking the transmission of address reading request signals in at least one adjacent pixel.

Abstract: The accuracy of focus detection of a phase-difference detection type using a signal obtained from a focus detection pixel is improved. A defocus amount of an imaging optical system is computed based on an image signal obtained from an image sensor. Meanwhile, an evaluation value that is based on contrast information of the image signal is computed, and it is determined based on the evaluation value whether or not to consider a defocus amount computed in the past. If it is determined to consider the defocus amount computed in the past, a final defocus amount is computed based on a plurality of defocus amounts including the defocus amount computed in the past.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus in the present disclosure includes an imaging unit for capturing an object image and generating image data, a focus lens for focusing the object image onto the imaging unit, an operation unit for receiving an instruction of a user, and a controller. The operation unit can set a first focus point and a second focus point that is different from the first focus point. The controller obtains information on a first focus position that is a position of the focus lens to focus on an object image at the first focus point and a second focus position that is a position of the focus lens to focus on an object image at the second focus point, before receiving from a user an instruction for capturing a moving image.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes, for each field of view of a plurality of fields of view forming a field of regard, positioning a rotating disk in a first position corresponding to a first section of a plurality of sections. Each section of the plurality of sections may have a different focal length. The method further includes receiving a first image representing a first field of view, analyzing the first image, adjusting the plurality of mirrors based on the analysis, positioning the rotating disk in a second position corresponding to a second section, and receiving a second image representing the first field of view captured while the rotating disk was in the second position. The method further includes generating a range image of the field of view using at least the first image and the second image, and determining a range to a target using the range image.

Abstract: An image processing method operable in a hand held image acquisition device comprising at least one camera comprises obtaining an image with the camera and identifying at least one face region detected within the image. A mean intensity of intensity values for pixels of at least one identified face region is determined. Responsive to the mean intensity for a face region being less than a threshold amount, at least some of the pixels of the image are lightened. A contrast of pixels of the image is enhanced as a function of pixel intensity distribution within the image and a contrast of pixels of the face region is enhanced as a function of pixel intensity distribution within the face region. The contrast enhanced pixels of the face region are blended with pixels of the image which have been lightened and/or whose contrast has been enhanced to provide a processed image.

Abstract: An AF controller includes: a signal generator configured to generate an image signal pair for each of a plurality of areas in an imaging angle of view; a target position deriver configured to derive a driving target position of a focus lens based on a defocus amount derived by the image signal pair input from the signal generator and based on an acquired position of the focus lens; and a driving command unit configured to output a driving command of the focus lens based on the driving target position, wherein the driving command unit outputs the driving command of the focus lens based on the driving target position in a range of a threshold.

Abstract: A systems, article, and method to provide automatic focus with self-calibration.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for focusing a digital camera to capture a scene. It is first detected that a change in a scene requires the digital camera to be focused or refocused. The camera focus is automatically scanned from a closest settable distance to farther distances until a first closest object in the scene is detected. Once the first closest object in the scene is detected, the camera focus is set at the distance of the first closest object and a finer scan is executed. In an embodiment, a dynamic movement threshold is calculated and used to determine that the change in scene requires the digital camera to be focused or refocused.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide two-dimensional to three-dimensional image conversion. The apparatus can include an input configured to receive a first image. The apparatus can include a controller configured to segment the first image into a plurality of regions, configured to perform a Fast Fourier Transform on at least one of the regions, and configured to determine a relative horizontal displacement distance between a first frame and a second frame of at least one region based on performing the Fast Fourier Transform.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus that uses an image sensor having pixels for capturing an image and pixels for detecting a phase difference. If, in the case where it is determined that it is necessary to restart focus detection during recording of a moving image, an opening diameter of an aperture is not an opening diameter at which phase-difference detection type AF using the pixels for detecting a phase difference can be performed, the aperture is changed to an opening diameter at which phase-difference detection type AF can be performed during focus detection. Thus, even if a photographic lens that does not support driving within a minute range is mounted, a focus detection operation suitable for shooting a moving image can be performed.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus includes a position detecting unit for a focus unit, a driving unit for the focus unit, a focus detecting unit using a phase difference method, a contrast acquiring unit for picking up an image of object, and a focusing determining unit based on a contrast, a cyclic pattern determining unit for an object based on focus information obtained by the focusing detecting unit, a target position setting unit for driving of the focus unit, and a focusing direction determining unit, and, when the object has a cyclic pattern, the apparatus determines a direction of an in-focus point, sets a target position in the determined direction of the in-focus point, drives the focus unit toward the target position, and determines whether or not in-focus state is achieved by using the focusing determining unit.

Abstract: An image-sensing apparatus is provided. The image-sensing apparatus includes: an optical filter array including a two-band passing filter and an infrared filter; an RGB pixel array placed below the two-band passing filter; and a TOF pixel array adjacent to the RGB pixel array and placed below the two-band passing filter and the infrared filter, wherein a combination of the two-band passing filter and the infrared passing filter permits only the incident light in the infrared region to pass to the ToF pixel array.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first parametric spatial audio signal representing a first listening position or a first listening orientation in a spatial audio scene to a second parametric spatial audio signal representing a second listening position or a second listening orientation is described, the apparatus including: a spatial audio signal modification unit adapted to modify the first parametric spatial audio signal dependent on a change of the first listening position or the first listening orientation so as to obtain the second parametric spatial audio signal, wherein the second listening position or the second listening orientation corresponds to the first listening position or the first listening orientation changed by the change.

Abstract: An image capturing device in one aspect of the present invention includes: an imaging device; a lens optical system including a focus lens; a driving section for driving one of the imaging device and the focus lens; a displacement control section for controlling displacement of the imaging device or the focus lens to be driven based on a predetermined displacement pattern; a diaphragm having an aperture having a size which can be changed and being provided in the lens optical system; an aperture control section for controlling the size of the aperture of the diaphragm; a synchronizing section for controlling the displacement control section and the aperture control section based on exposure timing; and an image capturing parameter determining section for determining the exposure time, the size of the diaphragm aperture, and the displacement pattern, wherein: the predetermined displacement pattern includes a first-type displacement pattern and a second-type displacement pattern by which the imaging device or t

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a camera comprising a photosurface having a substrate comprising photopixels and associated storage pixels and a controller that controls the photosurface to image a scene by maintaining a bias between the photopixels and their respective storage pixels at all times during an exposure period of the photosurface so that photocharge, substantially upon its generation in a photopixel by light from the scene incident on the photopixel moves towards the photopixel's storage pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus support a zoom microphone function in a mobile terminal. The apparatus includes a plurality of microphones, a camera, and a controller. Each of the plurality of microphones has a different directional characteristic. The camera captures an image. And the controller determines a zoom level of the camera, and adjusts gains of the plurality of microphones based on a zoom range to which the zoom level belongs.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a camera comprising a photosurface having a substrate comprising photopixels and associated storage pixels and a controller that controls the photosurface to image a scene by maintaining a bias between the photopixels and their respective storage pixels at all times during an exposure period of the photosurface so that photocharge, substantially upon its generation in a photopixel by light from the scene incident on the photopixel moves towards the photopixel's storage pixel.

Abstract: A method for contamination detection in a time-of-flight (TOF) range imaging system is described, wherein the TOF range imaging system receives light reflected from a scene, through an optical interface, on an imager sensor having an array of pixels, and wherein distance information and amplitude information are determined for the sensor pixels. The presence of contamination on the optical interface is determined on the basis of amplitude information determined for the sensor pixels.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprises a first pixel group includes a first photoelectric conversion unit that converts into electric charges reflection light pulses from an object irradiated with an irradiation light pulse, a first electric charge accumulation unit accumulating the electric charges in synchrony with turning on the irradiation light pulses, and a first reset unit resetting the electric charges; and a second pixel group includes a second photoelectric conversion unit that converts the reflection light into electric charges, a second electric charge accumulation unit that accumulates the electric charges synchronously with a switching the irradiation light pulses from on to off, and a second reset unit that releases a reset of the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: The lens apparatus includes a first member having a first cam, a second member having a first cam follower engaging with the first cam and a second cam follower, which rotates in a circumferential direction and is moved in an optical axis direction by the first cam, a third member provided with a second cam engaging with the second cam follower and rotating the second member, and biasing members generating between the first and second members a biasing force in a direction oblique to the optical axis direction. The biasing force presses the first and second cam followers respectively against the first and second cams. A biasing force generation direction changes with rotation of the second member, and the biasing force presses the first and second cam followers respectively against same cam surfaces of the first and second cams in an entire second member rotation range.

Abstract: A focusing method includes operations (a) through (d). In (a), a maximum focus value generated during a searching is set as a first maximum focus value. In (b), the focus lens moves to a first position that is the position of the first maximum focus value. In (c), a focus value generated when the focus lens moves to the first position is set as a second maximum focus value. In (d), if it is determined that a difference value between the first maximum focus value and the second maximum focus value is greater than a first set allowance value, a position of a focus value, whose difference value from the first maximum focus value is less than a second set allowance value, is searched for within a second range that has the first position as its center and is narrower than the first range.

Abstract: A compact camera module has an EMI housing configured to shield camera module components from electromagnetic interference and having defined therein a focus-adjustment aperture to permit an optical train to extend to at one end of an auto-focus range, and a light leak baffle partially overlaps the focus-adjustment aperture along the optical path outside the auto-focus range.

Abstract: A zoom lens in which aberration variations at telephoto end during focusing are suppressed while suppressing breathing at wide angle end, which includes, from object side: a positive first unit which does not move for zooming; a negative second unit which moves during zooming; at least one zooming unit which moves during zooming; a stop; and an imaging unit which does not move for zooming. The first unit includes: a negative first sub unit which does not move for focusing; a positive second sub unit which moves to image side during focusing from infinity to proximity; and a positive third sub unit which moves to object side during focusing from infinity to proximity. Focal lengths of the first, second, first sub, and second sub units, and amounts of movement of the second and third sub units during the focusing from infinity proximity are appropriately set.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a focus lens, an image sensor which captures an image and a controller which moves the image sensor or the focus lens. A distance measurer measures a distance to a subject based on a first image and a second image. A focal position moves for the first focal range by moving the image sensor or by moving the position of the focus lens during the first exposure time period, and the focal position moves for the second focal range by moving the image sensor or by moving the position of the focus lens during the second exposure time period.