Abstract: In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention there is at least a method, executable computer program, and apparatus to provide operations including logically separating into a plurality of parts at least one sub-window of interest of a plurality of sub-windows of interest arranged in a grid formation in an autofocus window of interest, assigning a focus value mask to each of the plurality of parts of the at least one sub-window, and executing an autofocus algorithm using the assigned focus value masks.

Abstract: A content data processing device includes: a stability score computing unit to compute a stability score corresponding to the stability of an image for each frame, based on the image data of each frame making up content data; and a playing segment selecting unit to select a playing segment from the content data based on the stability score computed with the stability score computing unit.

Abstract: An auto-focusing apparatus controls backlash compensation driving of a focus lens during exposure preparation when focusing is performed by moving the focus lens to a target position of the focus lens. A shutter release time lag can be reduced, and in particular, the auto-focusing apparatus can be usefully applied to the case where a moving subject is photographed.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: a detection unit detecting a movement amount of an image between first image data constituting image data generated by an image capturing element provided with a plurality of image generating pixels generating pixel values for generating an image and a plurality of pairs of phase difference detecting pixels generating pixel values for performing focusing determination by phase difference detection, and second image data subsequent to the first image data on a time axis, wherein the movement amount is a movement amount of one phase difference detecting pixel when a defective pixel included in the pair of phase difference detecting pixels is one of the pair; and a correction unit correcting the pixel value of the defective pixel in the second image data on the basis of the detected movement amount and the pixel value of one phase difference detecting pixel in the first image data.

Abstract: A technique for managing the display of content on a display of an electronic device may be based on a distance of the user to the display. The distance may be estimated by analyzing video data to detect a face of the user and establish a distance parameter based on a relationship between facial features. Based on this information, the displayed content may be adjusted to facilitate easy viewing of the displayed content, such as by changing the size of the displayed content, the layout of the displayed content, or the number of visual elements that make up the displayed content.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus arranged to detachably mount a lens unit including a focus lens, controls such that if the focus lens is movable by the amount of movement within a predetermined time, a next amount of movement of the focus lens is decided on the basis of a first focus signal extracted from an image signal corresponding to charges accumulated in a focus detection area at a first timing, and if the focus lens is not movable by the amount of movement amount within the predetermined time, a next amount of movement of the focus lens is decided after completion of the movement of the focus lens on the basis of a second focus signal extracted from the image signal corresponding to the charges accumulated in the focus detection area at a second timing at which the focus lens is stopped.

Abstract: In a digital camera 1, a storing means stores feature quantities of a subject area in an image, and a search point setting means sets a plurality of search points in the subject area. Next, an updating means updates coordinates of the set plurality of search points using random numbers. Then, a weight setting means compares feature quantities of the updated search points with the stored feature quantities, and sets a weight for each search point based on similarity. Next, a sorting means sorts the search points depend on those weight, and a variance acquiring means calculates the variance of the sorted search points. Then, an angle-of-view adjusting means determines the amount of adjustment for the angle-of-view based on the calculated variance.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system, a first focusing section that controls a focus of the optical system, and performs a first focusing process based on a first evaluation value, a second focusing section that controls the focus of the optical system, and performs a second focusing process based on a second evaluation value, and a focusing process switch section that switches a focusing process between the first focusing process and the second focusing process. The first focusing section includes an in-focus determination section that determines whether or not the first focusing process has been accomplished. The focusing process switch section switches the focusing process from the first focusing process to the second focusing process when the in-focus determination section has determined that the first focusing process has been accomplished.

Abstract: A system for capturing a composite image of an object with a curved surface includes a conveyor configured to transport the object to be imaged to a predetermined imaging position. A sensor is configured to produce a signal when the object to be imaged is at the predetermined position, and several cameras are arranged to photograph the object at the predetermined position from a plurality of different angles. A tracking module is used to receive the signal from the sensor, and output an actuating signal to the several cameras, such that each camera captures an image when the actuating signal is received. A processing device receives a captured image from each of the several cameras, manipulates the received images, and generates a composite image based on the manipulated images.

Abstract: The present invention provides a video detecting device including a first pixel detector, a second pixel detector, and a determining unit. The first pixel detector compares the intensity of a target pixel of a target scan line in a first field with the intensity of first comparing pixels of scan lines corresponding to the target scan line in a second field to generate a first detection value corresponding to the target pixel. The second pixel detector compares the intensity of a reference pixel of a nearby scan line in the second field with the intensity of second comparing pixels of scan lines corresponding to the nearby scan line in the first field to generate a second detection value corresponding to the reference pixel. According to the first and second detection values, the determining unit generates a diagnostic value which helps determine sawtooth occurrences in video frames.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes an imaging element, a storage controller, and a focus detector. The imaging element is provided on a light path of a light flux incident via an optical system and has a plurality of pixels of charge storage type two-dimensionally arranged. The storage controller controls to sequentially store charges in pixels arranged in a first direction among the plurality of pixels and controls to sequentially store charges in pixels arranged in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The focus detector detects a focus adjustment state of the optical system based on a first output obtained when the storage controller sequentially performs storage control in the first direction and a second output obtained when the storage controller sequentially performs storage control in the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to track and to photograph a mobile object over a wide range, by a cooperative operation of multiple cameras. In addition, a mobile tracking system is provided for tracking the mobile object by the cooperation of multiple cameras, in which each camera includes a photographing device which photographs and recognizes the mobile object, a changing device which changes a view angle of the photographing device, a position deriving device which derives a position of the camera, a distance deriving device which derives the distance between the camera and the mobile object, and a communication device which transmits an identifier of the camera, a position of the camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and the distance between the camera and the mobile object to another camera and receives an identifier of the other camera, a position of the other camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and a distance between the other camera and the mobile object from the other camera.

Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an object image input via a focus lens to output image data, a focus adjustment unit configured to perform focus adjustment by controlling a position of the focus lens based on the image data, a motion detection unit configured to detect a motion of the object image based on the image data, and a control unit configured to control the focus adjustment unit to perform a first focus adjustment operation if motion of the object image is not detected by the motion detection unit, and to control the focus adjustment unit to perform a second focus adjustment operation different from the first focus adjustment operation if motion of the object image is detected by the motion detection unit.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a plurality of lens portions, each having at least one lens; a plurality of image pickup regions which are provided to correspond to the lens portions, respectively, and each of which has a light receiving surface substantially perpendicular to a direction of an optical axis of the corresponding lens portion; an image pickup signal input portion 133 which receives image pickup signals generated by the image pickup regions; a transfer range determining portion 144 which determines a transfer range of the image pickup signals transferred from the image pickup regions to the image pickup signal input portion 133; an image pickup region driving portion 132 which drives the image pickup regions such that the image pickup signals corresponding to the transfer range determined by the transfer range determining portion 144 are transferred to the image pickup signal input portion 133; and a parallax calculating portion 142 which calculates a parallax based on the image pickup signals tr

Abstract: An image capture device, including: a motion vector detection unit that detects a motion vector of a plurality of successive images; a determination unit that determines whether the motion vector detected by the motion vector detection unit is of a predetermined amount or more in a fixed direction; and a warning unit that issues a warning when the determination unit determines that the motion vector is of the predetermined amount or more in the fixed direction.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes a light receiving element, an image shift detection unit, a movement detection unit, and a focus detection unit. The light receiving element receives a pair of light fluxes passing through different regions of a pupil of an optical system. The image shift detection unit detects an image shift amount caused by the pair of light fluxes, based on outputs of the pair of light fluxes received by the light receiving element. The movement detection unit detects an image movement amount caused by the optical system. The focus detection unit detects the focus adjustment state of the optical system by correcting the shift amount detected by the image shift detection unit, with the image movement amount detected by the movement detection unit.

Abstract: A system and method for three-axis stabilization of focal plane data. The system and method include performing a two-dimensional vertical shear transformation and a two-dimensional horizontal shear transformation. The system and method further incorporate a SIMD computer architecture and an array of addressable processing elements that process the field-of-view for a target image received by a focal plane array of detector elements. Each processing element includes a calculation device that calculates the row and column address of virtual pixels for a virtual field-of-view. The system and method further include a plurality of memory modules configured to store data in a plurality of addressable storage locations by column and row, and each memory module is identified with a different processing element. A dedicated memory routing network for the processing elements and memory modules permits the exchange of information between processing elements and memory modules associated with each processing element.

Abstract: An image recording comprising: an initialization step of generating a predetermined number of search points in a specified region of an image, a filtering step of updating coordinates of a plurality of search points, comparing a characteristic value of the specified region with a characteristic value of each of the search points after updated in the image, assigning to the search points weights determined so as to be increased in proportion to a degree of similarity therebetween, screening the search points according to the weights, calculating a variance and a weighted average of the coordinates of the screened search points, and an image recording determination step of determining, based on the variance and weighted average of the coordinates of the screened search points, and the tracking range, whether or not to record the image, and recording the image if it is determined to record the image.

Abstract: Optical motion sensing systems and methods are described. In one aspect, light from subfields of a scene is focused onto respective capture areas of a focal plane. Successive sets of contemporaneous local images are captured from the focused light. Respective saliency measures are derived from respective ones of the local images. Respective local motion measures are determined from comparisons of corresponding ones of the local images in ones of the contemporaneous local image sets. A respective global motion measure is produced for each of the contemporaneous local image sets based on the respective ones of the local motion measures and the respective ones of the saliency measures.

Abstract: A method of auto-photographing for an image capturing device is disclosed. A predetermined time for auto-photographing is counted down. Consecutive preview images of a scene to be photographed are acquired after the predetermined time begins to be counted. Whether a moving object bursts into the scene to be photographed is detected by comparing the consecutive preview images. If the moving object bursts into the scene to be photographed, the predetermined time for auto-photographing is recounted down again.

Abstract: A signal processing system distributes an input signal over a plurality of shaped signal distribution structures that are interconnected with a plurality of shaped signal pickup units. The signal distribution structures and/or the signal pickup units include delay lines. The shape of the signal distribution structures and the shape of the signal pickup units and the configuration of the interconnections between the shaped structures and the pickup units determine the type of analysis performed on the signals. The signal possessing is distributed across the shaped structures. Input information is diffracted or spread, such that statistical correlations can be found by reconverging the diffracted information. Signals propagated through the system can be a combination of analog, digital and pulse signals. Optionally, feedback is used to amplify or attenuate earlier stages, such that outputs or actions are based on the relative importance of the input signals.

Abstract: A camera includes a CPU. The CPU individually detects a ratio of an object which exceeds a threshold value in a moving amount to a center area of an object scene and a ratio of an object which exceeds the threshold value in the moving amount to a peripheral area of the object scene. If differences between the respective detected ratios are large, the CPU sets a photographing mode to a sports mode. When a shutter button is operated, the object scene is photographed in accordance with a set photographing mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing image blur due to camera motion, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for sensing a camera motion, calculating an amount of the camera motion based on the sensed camera motion, and expressing the calculated amount of the camera motion to a user so that the user can prevent image blur. The method includes: sensing the camera motion; calculating an amount of the camera motion based on the sensed camera motion; and expressing the calculated amount of the camera motion.

Abstract: A camera apparatus comprises an auto focus controller configured to control a focus lens to move to a focal position, a moving distance acquiring unit configured to acquire a moving distance of a main body of the camera apparatus after the focus lens is moved to the focal position by the auto focus controller, and a focus correction unit configured to correct a position of the focus lens based on the moving distance acquired by the moving distance acquiring unit.

Abstract: An auto focus unit, comprising a pursuit block, a lens driver, a detection block, and a controller, is provided. The pursuit block pursues the movements of an optical image of the target-object. The auto focus unit brings an optical image of the target-object into focus on a light-receiving surface. The target-object is desired to be brought into focus. The lens driver causes a focus lens to move so that an optical image of a scanning-area is brought into focus. The detection block detects the light intensity of an area including the scanning area. The controller causes the pursuit block to suspend a pursuit of the target-object when the light intensity detected by the detection block is lower than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An exemplary focusing method for enhancing resolution of an optical system is provided. The method includes: focusing on an object and obtaining an image of the object by a lens assembly of the optical system, using a designated point within a motion range of an auto focusing (AF) lens in the lens assembly to calculate; determine a first coordinate and a second coordinate of the AF lens according to resolution of the image; obtaining a direction and distance for positioning the AF lens according to the two coordinates, driving the AF lens to move along the direction of motion, and limiting the range of motion of the AF lens to obtain an optimum focusing location to focus on the object according to the motion distance. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A method of enhancing data. A trace may be determined from a target data point in a target frame and a respective data point in an adjacent frame. At least an approximate value of the target data point may be determined from the trace.

Abstract: An auto focus unit, comprising a pursuit block, a scanning area setting block, a change area setting block, a permission block, and a lens driver, is provided. The pursuit block pursues the movements of a target object. The scanning area setting block designates a part of an object-area as a scanning area at first timing. After first timing, the scanning area setting block is able to reset the scanning area to the now location where the targeted object has moved. The change area setting block defines an area of a predetermined range as a change area at the first timing. The permission block orders the scanning area setting block to reset the scanning area when the location where the targeted object moved is outside of the change area. The lens driver orders a focus lens to move so that an optical image of the scanning area is focused on.

Abstract: A range in which a focus lens is to be moved is set; the focus lens is moved within the set range; an in-focus state is determined based on output signals from an image sensing unit which are obtained in association with the movement of the focus lens within the range; and the focus lens is driven so that an object image is brought into focus. When a difference between the positions of the focus lens, at which the plurality of images are brought into focus, is equal to or lower than a preset threshold, the range will be set to be wider than a range in the case where the difference exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus that enables to appropriately set a holding time in which there is a possibility of returning to a state that allows tracking when a subject cannot be tracked temporarily during the subject tracking to improve the ease-of-use for a user. A specifying unit specifies a subject included in a captured image. A display unit displays the captured image on a screen and displays identification information showing that the specified subject is tracked. A tracking unit tracks the subject. A setting unit sets a holding time in which the display of the identification information is held according to at least one of a focal length of the image pick-up apparatus and a subject distance. An elimination unit eliminates a display of the identification information when the holding time has passed after the tracking unit lost the subject.

Abstract: Provided are a method of controlling a focus lens to be moved to a target location by generating a normalized focus graph by use of relative values of a plurality of focus values obtained by using a plurality of filters each having different cut-off frequencies, and predicting a target position of the focus lens according to the normalized focus graph, an apparatus operating by using the method, and a recording medium for recording the method. According to the present invention, in terms of performing an auto-focusing function, by optimizing the motion line of the focus lens, wasteful power consumption can be prevented and a scanning time of the focus lens can be shortened.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a motion-blur adding mechanism performing filter processing on moving image data to be subjected to coding processing in accordance with motion information indicating motion of an image between unit images included in the moving image data as pre-processing of the coding processing so that motion-blur addition processing is performed.

Abstract: It is enabled to check a detail of a subject being a tracking object more rapidly and easily by including an image-capturing unit capturing a subject image and generating an image, a selecting unit continuously selecting a focus detection object area at the time of image-capturing by the image-capturing unit based on the image generated by the image-capturing unit, a displaying unit capable of displaying the image generated by the image-capturing unit, a generating unit cutting out a part corresponding to the focus detection object area from the image generated by the image-capturing unit and generating a tracking object checking image, and a controlling unit displaying on the displaying unit by overlapping a through image for a composition checking based on the image generated by the image-capturing unit and the tracking object checking image at the time of image-capturing by the image-capturing unit.

Abstract: A digital imaging device, such as a digital camera, minimizes shutter lag by determining some capture parameters, such as focus and exposure settings, before a user of the device has indicated that a photograph is to be taken. The parameters are updated when the device becomes substantially still before the indication that a photograph is to be taken.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an image detector for producing a continuous image signal from an image received thereat; oscillation means coupled to the image detector for inducing a spatial oscillation in the image relative to the image detector; and a spatio-temporally matching filter in communication with the image detector and the oscillation means. The matching filter is configured to filter out aspects of the image signal not associated with the induced oscillation, to thereby provide enhanced image processing of the image.

Abstract: If another registration pattern exists in an image as well as a selected tracking target in the course of tracking the selected tracking target and if the tracking target disappears from the image, said another registration pattern existing in the image is tracked.

Abstract: A focusing technique detects motion vectors of a plurality of images, combines the images in accordance with the detected motion vectors, extracts a signal corresponding to a focusing state of a lens unit with respect to a subject, and controls the lens unit in accordance with the extracted signal to perform focusing.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional array, a scanning circuit that selects a specific pixel among the pixels by selecting a pixel row and a pixel column and a signal output circuit that outputs a signal from the pixel selected by the scanning circuit. The plurality of pixels include a plurality of first focus detection pixels and a plurality of second focus detection pixels. The first focus detection pixels and the second focus detection pixels are disposed within a single row or a single column. The scanning circuit selects a plurality of first or second focus detection pixels disposed within the single row or column at once. The signal output circuit combines signals from the plurality of first or second focus detection pixels selected by the scanning circuit and outputs a resulting composite signal.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes an imaging element, a storage controller, and a focus detector. The imaging element is provided on a light path of a light flux incident via an optical system and has a plurality of pixels of charge storage type two-dimensionally arranged. The storage controller controls to sequentially store charges in pixels arranged in a first direction among the plurality of pixels and controls to sequentially store charges in pixels arranged in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The focus detector detects a focus adjustment state of the optical system based on a first output obtained when the storage controller sequentially performs storage control in the first direction and a second output obtained when the storage controller sequentially performs storage control in the second direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an autofocus system for controlling the focus of a taking lens by specifying a subject to be autofocused within an AF area, which is part of the field of view of a camera, and automatically focusing on the subject, comprising: a target subject specifying device which specifies a target subject to be focused, a target subject movement detection device which detects the movement of the target subject specified by the target subject specifying device, within the field of view, and an AF-area altering device which alters the extent of the AF area to track the movement of the target subject detected by the target subject movement detection device.

Abstract: A camera apparatus includes an imaging device and a unit for detecting information relating to the movement of an object on the basis of an output of the imaging device. An exposure correction device is provided for making exposure correction on the basis of the detected information relating to the movement of the object.

Abstract: In an image processing device such as an electronic camera having a detecting section which detects blurring of an image (movement of the image) picked up by an imaging element, a part of evaluation or calculation required for controls (AF, AE, AWB, etc.) is performed in parallel with the detection of the blurring of the image in order to speed up the controls. After completing the detection of the image blurring, an influence of the blurring is corrected to perform final calculation. In this case, an image area as a calculation object can be limited to raise a processing efficiency.

Abstract: A camera device includes a camera body having an optical system, an auto focus unit which adjusts a focus of the optical system to an object which exists in a predetermined range-finding area in an image formed by the optical system, a detector which detects a direction and a quantity of an angular acceleration of the camera body, and a control unit which changes a position of the range-finding area based on the direction and the quantity of the angular acceleration detected by the detector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for capturing an image. Light is received through an imaging lens that has an adjustable focal center. A motion vector representing motion of the imaging lens is estimated and a shift vector is estimated in response to the motion vector. The shift vector is converted into a voltage gradient and provided to the imaging lens. The voltage gradient shifts the focal center of the imaging lens to compensate for the motion of the imaging lens.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accurately auto focusing a lens of an imaging device. The method includes the steps of focusing an image of a subject on an imager, determining that the subject has moved, and refocusing the image of the subject on the imager by comparing a first brightness of a first scene captured before determining that the subject has moved and a second brightness of a second scene captured after determining that the subject has moved. The first brightness and second brightness are provided with the assistance of a light source.

Abstract: A vibration compensation apparatus comprises: an angular velocity detector that detects a plurality of angular velocities in two orthogonal detection axes directions and outputs corresponding angular velocity signals; a compensation unit that compensates vibration in a plurality of compensation axis directions; and a conversion unit that converts the plurality of angular velocity signals obtained by the angular velocity detector or a plurality of vibration compensation signals based on the plurality of angular velocity signals into vibration compensation signals expressed in the coordinates of the compensation axes of the compensation unit. The compensation unit compensates the vibration based on the vibration correction signals converted by the conversion unit.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus capable of optically correcting blur of an object image by an optical blur correction unit comprises an image sensing unit for converting an optical image of an object into image signals; a display unit for displaying image signals converted by the image sensing unit; a display ON/OFF switch unit for switching between ON/OFF states for displaying the image signals on the display unit when the image sensing apparatus is ON and in an image sensing mode; and a control unit for changing an operational state of the optical blur correction unit depending upon the switching between the ON/OFF states for displaying by the display ON/OFF switch unit.

Abstract: Auto-focus in a digital camera is improved by stabilizing successive images. Each auto-focus image is correlated to previous images so that scene movement or motion can be tracked. The area in the scene where focus figure-of-merit is computed is adjusted according to the amount of scene movement. Also, two separate focus frames may be compared to determine the direction and speed of the motion. This improves the accuracy of the focus figure-of-merit which results in fewer autofocus failures.

Abstract: To track a region of interest (“ROI”) such as, for example, in a viewfinder of a camera, both the location and distance of a point in the ROI are estimated for a time in the future, based on actual measurements of locations and distances of the point at the present and in the past. Focus is controlled so as to focus on the point of interest based on the estimate of the future location and distance.

Abstract: A digital-camera processor receives mono-color digital pixels from an image sensor. Each mono-color pixel is red, blue, or green. The stream of pixels from the sensor has alternating green and red pixels on odd lines, and blue and green pixels on even lines in a Bayer pattern. Each mono-color pixel is white balanced by multiplying with a gain determined in a previous frame and then stored in a line buffer. A horizontal interpolator receives an array of pixels from the line buffer. The horizontal interpolator generates missing color values by interpolation within horizontal lines in the array. The intermediate results from the horizontal interpolator are stored in a column buffer, and represent one column of pixels from the line buffer. A vertical interpolator generates the final RGB value for the pixel in the middle of the column register by vertical interpolation. The RGB values are converted to YUV. The vertical interpolator also generates green values for pixels above and below the middle pixel.