Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems and software for focusing a camera are disclosed. The camera focusing system includes a distance measuring device, a video receiver that receives video/images, a graphics overlay unit, and a monitor. The distance measuring device includes an emitter that emits a radiation beam, a detector that detects reflected radiation, and logic that determines and processes distance information for subject(s) or object(s) in detection zones from the reflections. The graphics overlay unit receives video/image information from the video receiver and the distance information from the distance measuring device, and includes a video overlay and data processing unit that generates graphics indicating a field of detection and position for each detection zone and a direction and/or magnitude of a change in focus setting(s) to bring subjects or objects within each detection zone into focus. The monitor displays the video/image and the graphics overlaid thereon.

Abstract: There is provided a camera module including: a lens; an image pickup device arranged on an optical axis of the lens; and an actuator section configured to reciprocate the image pickup device in an optical axis direction of the lens, wherein the actuator section includes a movable joint section on which the image pickup device is fixed, a parallel link mechanism section having a movable end section attached to the movable joint section and a mounting end section, and a movable element that is configured to perform displacement motion by a displacement amount depending on a level of a voltage to be applied and that is coupled to a coupling region between the movable joint section and the movable end section of the parallel link mechanism section in such a manner that the displacement motion is transmittable.

Abstract: An optical apparatus which is capable of, when performing manual focus shooting, freely adjusting a rack focus speed and stabilizing a final focusing accuracy for a shooting subject. Operation of the focus lens, which is driven in a direction of an optical axis by a motor, is controlled in accordance with rotation of a manual focus ring. A position of the focus lens in the direction of the optical axis, which is detected when the focus lens lies at a predetermined position, is stored in a storage unit. According to the relationship between a signal indicative of a current position of a focus lens and a signal indicative of a position of the focus lens, which is stored in the storage unit, the amount by which the focus lens is driven relative to rotation of a manual focus ring is changed.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a lens, a first light receiving element, a second light receiving element, and an element separation area. The first light receiving element is configured to receive light from the lens. The second light receiving element is configured to receive light from the lens. The element separation area is between the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element. The lens has an optical axis, which is offset from a center of the element separation area.

Abstract: A controller configured to move a lens to reduce a defocus amount of a focus area selected from among a plurality of focus areas, wherein the controller repeats a detection of a defocus amount while moving the lens, and performs a selection of a focus area by using face position information, which is obtained and output by the first detection unit after detection of the defocus amount is repeated a plurality of times.

Abstract: A barrel assembly includes a barrel, at least one lens group disposed in the barrel to move in an optical axis direction, an aperture disposed in the barrel that adjusts an amount of light passing through the at least one lens group; and a light adjustment unit disposed in the barrel to move in the optical axis direction and that blocks light passing through a peripheral area of the at least one lens group when the at least one lens group is in at least one part of a travel section along which the at least one lens group moves in the barrel.

Abstract: A method of operating a camera with a microfluidic lens to identify a depth of an object in image data generated by the camera has been developed. The camera generates an image with the object in focus, and a second image with the object out of focus. An image processor generates a plurality of blurred images from image data of the focused image, and identifies blur parameters that correspond to the object in the second image. The depth of the object from the camera is identified with reference to the blur parameters.

Abstract: A pixel selection unit sets an area based on a detection result of a contrast detection unit, in a case where it is determined that reliability of a focusing state detected by a phase difference detection unit is low.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method enables an automated extended depth of field capability that automates and simplifies the process of creating extended depth of field images. An embodiment automates the acquisition of an image “stack” or sequence and stores metadata at the time of image acquisition that facilitates production of a composite image having an extended depth of field from at least a portion of the images in the acquired sequence. An embodiment allows a user to specify, either at the time of image capture or at the time the composite image is created, a range of distances that the user wishes to have in focus within the composite image. An embodiment provides an on-board capability to produce a composite, extended depth of field image from the image stack. One embodiment allows the user to import the image stack into an image-processing software application that produces the composite image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, an analyzer and a computer program product for focus prediction in a sample arranged on a measuring surface of an analyzer. The method comprises row wise scanning sample positions by means of an optical system of said analyzer, said sample positions being positions in a coordinate system for said measuring surface containing said sample, for the first sample position on each row, determining a focus and storing said focus, and for each subsequent sample position: if a stored difference exists, predicting a focus by adding said stored difference to said stored focus, or if no stored difference exists, determining a focus and storing said focus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device for performing imaging, including a camera means for creating image data (ID) from an imaging target (IT), the imaging target (IT) including at least one primary image object (I1) and at least one secondary image object (I2), an image-processing chain arranged in connection with the camera, for processing the image data created from the imaging target, and a focussing unit for focussing the camera on at least the primary image object. In addition, a blurring unit is arranged in the image-processing chain, to blur at least some of the said secondary image objects in the image data, and arranged to use the information produced by the focussing unit.

Abstract: An auto-focusing method of an electronic device is provided. The auto-focusing method includes collecting sensor information using a plurality of sensors of the electronic device when a camera of the electronic device is driven, determining at least one focusing sensor, from among the plurality of sensors, based on the collected sensor information, and focusing on a subject located in an image collected from the camera using the at least one determined focusing sensor.

Abstract: A camera apparatus includes a photogrammetric range sensor, small aperture lens and a processor configured to carry out a method for simulating a large aperture lens. The method includes capturing a photographic image data of a scene using the camera with the lens set to a small aperture size. Simultaneously or near-simultaneously with capturing the image, the camera captures photogrammetric range data pertaining to depth of objects in a field of view of the camera, using the range sensor. The processor then processes the photographic image data using the photogrammetric range data to obtain second photographic data simulating an image captured using a lens set to an aperture size larger than the small aperture size.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically focusing an image capture device on a page of a document object. A predetermined light pattern is projected onto the page being imaged. The light pattern varies as a function of the separation of the page being imaged from the end page. The light pattern projected onto the page being imaged is sensed. Based on the sensed light pattern, the image capture device is focused on the page being imaged.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes an image pickup element; a lens optical system including a focus lens; a driving section for driving one of the image pickup element and the focus lens so as to change a distance between the image pickup element and the focus lens; a displacement control section configured to output an instruction to the driving section to control displacement of the image pickup element or the focus lens which is driven, based on a prescribed displacement pattern; and a synchronization section configured to control the displacement control section based on timing for exposing the image pickup element.

Abstract: An image capture device according to the present disclosure includes: an image sensor; a lens optical system condensing light onto the image sensor and including a focus lens; a driving section driving one of the image sensor and the focus lens to change a distance between the image sensor and the focus lens; a displacement control section configured to control the displacement of the one being driven according to a predetermined displacement pattern by outputting an instruction to the driving section; and a synchronizing section configured to control the displacement control section by reference to timing of exposure of the image sensor. The displacement range of the image sensor or focus lens includes a first range, a second range separated from the first range, and a third range interposed between the first and second ranges.

Abstract: The present invention determines the dimensions and volume of an object by using a novel 3-D camera that measures the distance to every reflective point in its field of view with a single pulse of light. The distance is computed by the time of flight of the pulse to each camera pixel. The accuracy of the measurement is augmented by capture of the laser pulse shape in each camera pixel. The camera can be used on an assembly line to develop quality control data for manufactured objects or on a moving or stationary system that weighs as well as dimensions the objects. The device can also ascertain the minimum size of a box required to enclose an object.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for reconstruction of a three-dimensional image of an object. A first image is acquired of the object lit by a luminous flux having, in a region including the object, a luminous intensity dependant on the distance, with a light source emitting the luminous flux. A second image is acquired of the object lit by a luminous flux having, in a region including the object, a constant luminous intensity. For each pixel of a three-dimensional image, a relative distance of a point of the object is determined as a function of the intensity of a pixel corresponding to the point of the object in each of the acquired images.

Abstract: Provided is a ranging apparatus or the like capable of high-accuracy ranging. The image sensor, comprising multiple pixels, wherein the pixels comprises a ranging pixel including a light collecting member, a waveguide, and first and second photoelectric conversion units, wherein: the first and second units are arranged along a first direction; when a region decentered from a center of pupil in a second direction opposite to the first direction is a first pupil region, a region decentered in the first direction is a second pupil region, a region located in the second direction is a first region, and a region located in the first direction is a second region, the collecting member collects lights passed through the first and second pupil regions to the second and first regions; and the waveguide guides lights collected in the second and first regions toward the first and second units.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an electronic apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The electronic apparatus includes a photography lens that receives an optical signal from an object. The photography lens includes a focus lens. The electronic apparatus further includes a distance sensor that outputs image data based on the optical signal incident thereon through the photography lens and that outputs distance information. The electronic apparatus further includes a controller that calculates respective distance positions of the focus lens for one or more distances based on the distance information and that calculates respective contrast positions of the focus lens corresponding to the distance positions based on the image data and that corrects respective reference positions of the focus lens for the one or more distances.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an optical system that forms an image corresponding to subject light incident through a lens; an imaging device that produces a signal corresponding to the subject light incident through the lens and outputs the signal as a captured image; acquisition means for acquiring the distance to the subject; and correction means for correcting blur in the captured image outputted from the imaging device based on an imaging characteristic of the optical system specific to the subject distance acquired by the acquisition means.

Abstract: Remote control devices that can be used to independently modify multiple visual presentations that are simultaneously displayed by a screen assembly are described, wherein at least one of the visual presentations is observable by a first viewer but not a second viewer. The remote control devices can also be used to independently select media content upon which each of the multiple visual presentations is based and to control the manner in which such media content is delivered to the screen assembly. In accordance with certain embodiments, at least one of the visual presentations comprises a three-dimensional visual presentation. Display systems that include such remote control devices and methods of operating the same are also described.

Abstract: Autofocusing is performed in response to a capturing object images upon which multiple depth estimation techniques are applied to yield a plurality of iterations. An iteration from one of these depth estimation techniques is selected based on results, such as based on largest absolute value, and checked. If the iteration fails the check, another of the iterations is selected and tested. Once a valid iteration is found, additional focus positions are executed in like manner from which an accurate focus position is determined.

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.

Abstract: An approach is provided to generate a composite image of a moving object by using image stacking on a set of captured digital images of the moving subject. A composition depth-of-field of the moving subject is identified. A digital camera with a focus distance setting and an auto-focus system is used to capture the set of digital images with each of the digital images are at a different focus distance within the composition depth-of focus. Each of the digital images is focused using the digital camera's auto-focus system. The captured digital images are stored in a memory and the composite image is generated from the stored images by using an image stacking process on the set of images.

Abstract: An imaging device is provided that includes an image blur evaluator, an imaging processor, a distance map generator and a filter. The image blur evaluator evaluates the amount of blurring due to a camera shake. The imaging processor captures a plurality of secondary images of the same object at different lens positions by driving a photographing lens. The distance map generator prepares a distance map including distance information of the objects captured in each area of an image based on the contrast in each of the areas. The filter reduces noise in the distance map. A relatively large filter size is selected for the filter when blurring is evaluated to be relatively large and a relatively small filter size is selected for the filter when the evaluated blurring is relatively small.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a face area selecting unit configured to select at least a face area situated at a first object distance and a face area situated at a second object distance, and to select a face area occupying the smallest area in a picked-up image among two or more face areas in a case where the two or more face areas are situated at the first object distance or at the second object distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for auto focusing camera module includes a DFoV value measurer measuring a DFoV value of a lens; storage stored with a designed DFoV value of a lens, a controller comparing the DFoV value of a lens measured by the DFoV value measurer with the designed DFoV value of a lens stored in the storage to recognize an initial position of a lens, and a lens mover focusing the lens by winding the lens or by unwinding the lens in response to the initial position of the lens recognized by the controller.

Abstract: A digital photographing device includes an input unit that receives face information, an image generating unit that generates an image having at least one face, a face detecting unit that detects faces from the image, a determination unit that determines whether the detected faces correspond to the received face information, and an output signal generating unit that generates an output signal when the detected faces correspond to the received face information based on a determination result of the determination unit. A method of controlling a digital photographing device includes: receiving face information, generating an image having at least one face, detecting the faces from the image, determining whether the detected faces correspond to the received face information, and generating an output signal when the detected faces correspond to the received face information based on a determination result.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate having a principal surface, and three or more pixel regions formed in at least one direction of two different directions along the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate. Each pixel region includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions having different sensitivities. The photoelectric conversion region having the highest sensitivity in peripheral pixel regions of the pixel regions has a higher sensitivity than the photoelectric conversion region having the highest sensitivity in a central pixel region of the pixel regions.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an imaging unit which captures an image, and a focal range control unit which changes a focal position and a depth of field of a captured image by controlling an imaging device or a focus lens in the imaging unit. Further, the image processing apparatus includes a distance measurement unit which measures a distance to a subject, from a degree of blur in each of n images (where n ?2) captured by the imaging unit controlled by the focal range control unit and having focal ranges different from each other.

Abstract: An image restoration device according to the present invention includes: a point spread function storage unit which stores any two PSFs among a first range PSF for restoring a first sweep image serving as a sweep image when a sweep range is a first range; a second range PSF for restoring a second sweep image serving as the sweep image when the sweep range is a second range which excludes the first range; a third range PSF for restoring a third sweep image serving as the sweep image when the sweep range is a third range obtained by combining the first range and the second range; and a PSF calculation unit which performs addition or subtraction on the two PSFs to calculate a remaining one among the first, second, and third range PSFs.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for displaying first media content item with a second media content item inserted within the display of the first media content item. In particular, the second media content item can be displayed with the first media content item when location information associated with the second media content item describes a location with a capture zone of the first media content item.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image capturing device and a lens actuating device and a lens actuating method thereof. The lens actuating device comprises a focus lens group, a zoom lens group, a motor and a microcontroller. The focus lens group is arranged for changing a focus point of the image. The zoom lens group is arranged for changing distance of the image. The motor is arranged for driving the movements of the focus lens group and the zoom lens group respectively. The microcontroller is arranged for receiving a plurality of instructions, and controlling the motor at one of a plurality of predetermined speeds according to the instruction received to control the motor to drive the focus lens group or the zoom lens group to perform a focus motion or a zoom motion.

Abstract: A digital video camera performs a method to improve the image quality of captured images in a video image stream. The method includes capturing a first subset of images, outputting the images of the first subset of images as the video image stream, moving an image sensor and/or a lens of the digital video camera from a respective normal position to a respective test position before capturing an image of a second subset of images. The digital video camera captures a second subset of images interspersed with the first subset of images, compares image quality of the first subset of images with an image of the second subset of images, and determines if the image of the second subset of images exhibits improved image quality as compared with the image of the first subset of images. If so, an image quality improvement operation is initiated.

Abstract: An auxiliary light projection system employed by a camera having an auto-focus detection unit, comprises a light pattern generator configured to generate an auto-focus detection pattern. The auto-focus detection pattern comprises a first pattern region and a second pattern region that is denser than the first pattern region, and a center of the first pattern region and a center of the second pattern region are separated by a distance determined in response to difference in visual characteristics of the auto-focus detection pattern between when viewed from (i) from an axis through the lens of a camera and (ii) from an axis through a focus pattern projection source. A light pattern projection source configured to project the generated auto-focus detection pattern onto a subject enabling auto-focus detection.

Abstract: An imaging module includes a plurality of optical units configured to form an image of a subject. At least some of the optical units are each provided with a polarization filter. Information about a distance from the optical units to the subject is estimated based on image data acquired by the optical units provided with the polarization filters.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a camera comprising a photosurface that is electronically turned on and off to respectively initiate and terminate an exposure period of the camera at a frequency sufficiently high so that the camera can be used to determine distances to a scene that it images without use of an external fast shutter. In an embodiment, the photosurface comprises pixels formed on a substrate and the photosurface is turned on and turned off by controlling voltage to the substrate. In an embodiment, the substrate pixels comprise light sensitive pixels, also referred to as “photopixels”, in which light incident on the photosurface generates photocharge, and storage pixels that are insensitive to light that generates photocharge in the photopixels. In an embodiment, the photosurface is controlled so that the storage pixels accumulate and store photocharge substantially upon its generation during an exposure period of the photosurface.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes: an imaging element formed on a semiconductor substrate; a first optical system configured to focus an image of a subject on an imaging plane; a second optical system including a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses corresponding to the pixel blocks, and re-focusing the image of the imaging plane onto the pixel blocks corresponding to the respective microlenses; a first filter placed on the second optical system, and including a plurality of first color filters corresponding to the microlenses; and a second filter placed on the imaging element, and including a plurality of second color filters corresponding to the first color filters of the first filter. The first and second filters are designed so that the first and second color filters deviate to a periphery of the imaging area, the deviation becoming larger toward the periphery of the imaging area.

Abstract: In a method for correcting shading effects in an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, shading effects on at least one readout pixel of the image sensor are modeled based on a parametric component, and the shading effects on the at least one readout pixel are corrected based on the modeled shading effects. The parametric component is dependent on at least one of a color channel corresponding to the readout pixel and a color correlated temperature of light incident on the at least one readout pixel.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus comprises photo-electric conversion means comprising a first pixel group which receives a light beam passing through a first pupil area of an image forming optical system that forms an image of an object, and a second pixel group which receives a light beam passing through a second pupil area of the image forming optical system; focus detection means for detecting a focus state of the image forming optical system based on a first object image generated by the first pixel group and a second object image generated by the second pixel group; a correction calculator for performing correction calculation for the first object image and the second object image based on the output from the focus detection means; and determination means for determining, based on the output from the focus detection means, whether to perform the correction calculation again.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus includes a first focus detector configured to provide a focus detection by detecting a phase difference between a pair of image signals of an object, a second focus detector configured to wobble one of an image-pickup lens and an image-pickup element, to observe a variation of a contrast value of an image of the object, and to maintain an in-focus position, and a controller configured to make the first focus detector provide the focus detection in the wobbling by the second focus detector, and to correct a shift amount of an amplitude of wobbling by the second focus detector in the focus detection result by the first focus detector.

Abstract: A method for controlling a camera through a Multi-Hop-based wireless sensor network includes: sensing whether an event occurs or not in a corresponding area and transmitting position information on the corresponding area and type information on the event, converting the received position information on the event into a movement control signal for the camera, calculating camera driving values in a left/right direction and an up/down direction using the converted signal, controlling a zoom-in operation of the camera lens using the calculated camera driving values according to the received event type and photographing an object located in the corresponding direction, and transmitting the photographed images over the outer network.

Abstract: A camera apparatus includes a photogrammetric range sensor, small aperture lens and a processor configured to carry out a method for simulating a large aperture lens. The method includes capturing a photographic image data of a scene using the camera with the lens set to a small aperture size. Simultaneously or near-simultaneously with capturing the image, the camera captures photogrammetric range data pertaining to depth of objects in a field of view of the camera, using the range sensor. The processor then processes the photographic image data using the photogrammetric range data to obtain second photographic data simulating an image captured using a lens set to an aperture size larger than the small aperture size.

Abstract: The ranging apparatus of the present invention measures the distance to an object to be imaged by an imaging apparatus using the principle of triangulation ranging, and has a measurement unit in which a maximum distance that can be ranged to an object is not less than ½ of a maximum value of the hyper focal length of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) camera comprising: a camera housing having an image capturing device; an objective with an optical lens system for generating an IR image of an object; a focusing mechanism for focusing the optical lens system; a focus ring that is displaceably mounted on the objective and adapted to control an electromechanical focusing servo system actuating the focusing mechanism dependent on a displacement of the focus ring.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus of the present invention is a distance measuring apparatus for determining a distance to an object, comprising: a plurality of optical systems for forming images of the object; and an image capturing section (N) having a plurality of image capturing areas which are associated with the plurality of optical systems on a one-to-one basis, the image capturing section (N) being configured to convert images of the object formed in respective ones of the image capturing areas through the plurality of optical systems to electric signals, the distance to the object being determined based on a parallax between the images of the object formed through the plurality of optical systems, wherein each of the plurality of optical systems includes n lens surfaces (r1, r2), where n is an integer not less than 2, and a direction of a decentration between an ith lens surface (r1) and a jth lens surface (r2) (counting from the object side) is identical among at least one pair of the plurality of opti

Abstract: An imaging apparatus with a solid-state imaging device having phase difference detection pixels arranged on a light receiving surface acquires the size of a main subject image by identifying the main subject image picked on the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device, sets an AF region subjected to autofocus processing in accordance with an image size, and selects a phase difference AF mode (step S32) or a contrast AF mode (step S31) depending on whether the image size is larger than a required size (step S23) as a mode used for the autofocus processing.

Abstract: A method of increasing signal-to-noise ratio of a distance-measuring device includes a light-emitting component emitting a detecting light to a measured object during an emitting period for generating a reflected light, a delay period after the light-emitting component emitting the detecting light, a light-sensing component sensing the energy of the reflected light to generate a light-sensing signal, and obtaining a measured distance between the distance-measuring device and the measured object according to the energy of the detecting light and the light-sensing signal. Since the measured distance is longer than a predetermined shortest measured distance, the method can accordingly calculate a proper delay period for ensuring that the reflected light reaches the light-sensing component after the delay period. In this way, the light-sensing component does not sense the background light during the delay period, so that the signal-to-noise ratio of the light-sensing signal is improved.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit, a focus detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of a focus lens, a designation unit configured to receive a designation of an in-screen position of an object displayed on a display screen, and a control unit configured to control a movable range of the focus lens when the focusing state is detected by the focus detection unit such that if the designation unit does not designate the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to be a first range and, if the designation unit designates the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to a second range that is wider than the first range.