Abstract: A photographing apparatus is provided that comprises a photographing lens capable of moving a focal plane of a subject image, a CCD for receiving the subject image and outputting a signal into which the subject image is photo-electrically transferred, as image output, a motor section for driving the photographing lens, and a CPU for controlling an operation of the motor section. This CPU divides a range for enabling driving of the photographing lens 1 into a minimum number of or more sections which are capable of being interpolated, drives the photographing lens to each divided section in sequence, figures out a focus signal based on a photographing signal obtained from the photographing device at the each driving position, and performs interpolation processing of an evaluation value obtained from the focus signal. Further, by the interpolation processing, the CPU derives a focus position of the photographing lens which position causes the focal plane to coincide with the photographing plane.

Abstract: A digital camera simulates the use of fill flash. The camera takes a series of photographs of a scene at various focus distances. The photographs are stored, along with their corresponding focus distances. The photographs are analyzed to determine the distance to objects at various locations of the scene. Regions of a final photograph are selectively adjusted in brightness based on the distance information to simulate the effect that would have resulted had fill flash been used.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus for electronically photographing a still image using a photo-voltaic transducer device. The focusing position of a focusing lens is detected from the contrast of the photographed image as AF supplementary light is illuminated on the object. The focusing lens then is moved to its focusing position and the contrast of the photographed image, in both the state where the AF supplementary light is illuminated and the contrast in the state where the AF supplementary light is not illuminated, is calculated. The contrast ratio between the contrast values of the two states is estimated and the focusing position is corrected based on this ratio.

Abstract: A method of imaging and a system therefore are provided. The imaging system includes an image forming device for generating a first image and a second image and a controller coupled to the image forming device. The controller receives the first image and the second image. The first image is divided into a structure portion and non-structure portion. In the method the controller generates an image ratio of the non-structure portion of the first image and the second image, regularizes the image ratio of the second image with respect to the non-structure portion of the first image to form a regularized image ratio and filters the image ratio to form a filtered ratio. The controller then multiplies the second image by the filtered ratio to form a non-structure contrast matched image. The controller then combines the structure portion to the non-structure contrast matched image to form a desired image.

Abstract: An image of which restoration degree is determined based on the difference between each pixel and a neighboring pixel of the pixel in a light receiving element array 101 is divided into a plurality of areas based on the determined restoration degree, and the areas of the image are each restored in accordance with the determined restoration degree. By doing this, not only ringing and noise enhancement can effectively be suppressed but also the border between the areas which is conspicuous when the image is divided into two kinds of areas becomes less conspicuous, so that a natural restored image can be obtained.

Abstract: An image based autofocus method and system that includes receiving image data; monitoring and analyzing the contrast between different portions of the image data in determining the location of a target wherein the different portions of the image data contain at least one type of image pixel information and the monitoring and analyzing are performed using at least one kernel filter to determine a focus measure; adjusting a focus mechanism that is focusing on the image data; observing an image quality of the image data that has been focused; and continuously outputting an image to support an image processing frame rate and adjusting the focus mechanism to obtain an improved focus image by adjusting the focus mechanism in a positive direction, a negative direction or a zero (0) direction based upon effectuating a desired change in the observed image quality of the image data.

Abstract: A photographing composition determination apparatus of an electronic camera includes an area sensor having a plurality of light receiving elements and disposed in an area shape so as to correspond to a photographing scene. A light receiving lens introduces an object image to the area sensor. An A/D converter converts analog signals output from the respective light receiving elements of the area sensor into digital data. A CPU detects the distribution of luminance and the distribution of distances in the photographing scene based on the digital data output from the A/D converter and determines a photographing composition according to the distribution of the luminance and the distribution of the distances.

Abstract: An automatic focal point sensing device includes an image sensor on which an optical image is projected and which photoelectrically converts the image pixel by pixel to generate image data, a first calculation circuit which generates more than one pixel block, each pixel block being the sum of consecutive pixel data items, calculates one of the sum of the differences between signal levels of two adjacent pixel blocks and the sum of the square of each of the differences of two adjacent pixel blocks as a contrast value, and which determines more than one contrast value by changing a combination of pixel data items contained in each pixel block, and a second calculation circuit for calculating the sum of the contrast values determined by the first calculation circuit as an evaluation value and determining the degree of focusing on the basis of the evaluation value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for identifying objects in a digital image include a thresholding unit and a threshold calculation unit. The thresholding unit is designed to receive the digital image and compare the luminance values of the digital image with threshold values of a threshold matrix in order to create a binary image on the basis of the comparison. The threshold calculation unit is designed to estimate, on the basis of a first and second division of a reference image which corresponds to the digital image into first and second subareas, a background luminance value for each first subarea and an object luminance value for each second subarea. The apparatuses and the methods permit quick and memory-efficient identification of the individual objects, even if the digital image contains variation in the luminance and/or sharpness.

Abstract: In a focus detection apparatus, an accumulation-type sensor formed of a plurality of sensor cells accumulates an image signal, and a component of the image signal is read from each cell for a focus detection calculation. A signal is read from a part of the cells in the sensor, and it is determined from the signal whether an image signal has a low contrast. When it is determined that the image signal has a low contrast, reading signals from the other cells is disabled to omit unnecessary signal reading operations.

Abstract: Flash emission is required when image data have a low luminance value and when it is determined that flash emission is not prohibited, the built-in flash is used for autofocus (AF). An AF evaluation value is obtained under the flash emission, and the lens is driven based on this value. This operation is repeated until it is determined that the lens is focused, and accurate AF is executed even in dark conditions.

Abstract: An electronic image pick-up apparatus acquires auto-focus data from each of an AF sensor module and an image sensor disposed in conjugate positions in a test mode, stores data on any relative deviation between those items of auto-focus data and drives a photographic lens based on the data of relative deviation of auto-focus in a normal mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an autofocusing method, particularly for telescopes for surveying instruments which are fitted with image sensors that resolve the image signal into individual image elements (pixels), such as CCD lines and/or matrices as well as CMOS image sensors. On the basis of the pixel that is located closest to the optical axis, the local signal amplitude is calculated from the monotonically decreasing or increasing signal all the way to the next local maximum and minimum. In this process, as long as this local signal amplitude is considerably smaller than the maximum signal and the focusing member of the telescope lens is in the focusing position for short focusing distances, this focusing member is shifted in large increments. Depending on the magnitude of the local signal amplitude, the focusing distance is shortened in the area of greater focusing distances in relation to the maximum signal and to the position of the focusing member.

Abstract: A luminance signal is extracted from an image pickup signal photographed by a solid state image pickup device and at least a high frequency component in the extracted luminance signal is extracted by a filter. A gain of at least the high frequency component in the luminance signal extracted by a filter is varied. The luminance signal from a luminance signal extracting unit and at least the high frequency component in the luminance signal in which the gain has been varied by a gain control unit are added, thereby emphasizing an edge portion. A focusing lens is driven on the basis of the level of at least the high frequency component in the luminance signal extracted by the filter, thereby controlling an in-focus point.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus and method allow for robust autofocusing operation regardless of contrast characteristics of the environment. The endoscopic apparatus and method can focus on a field stop edge and store default information of the apparatus focused on the edge. Later, if the endoscope fails to focus on an internal target object during the course of normal operation, the endoscope recalls the default information from memory to focus the lens on the edge of the field stop. Thus, internal structural objects in front of the endoscopic apparatus are brought into reasonable focus for visualization.

Abstract: A focusing device is provided with an image sensor having a plurality of light receiving elements which output analog video signals, respectively. The analog video signal output by the image sensor is converted into an 8-bit data and contrast is calculated based on the 8-bit data. If thus calculated contrast is lower than a predetermined reference contrast, then the analog video signal is converted into a 9-bit data, and the contrast is calculated again.

Abstract: In an electronic imaging system, the focal point control is performed on the basis of the output of the high frequency component detecting means 14 when the brightness of the scene is higher than a predetermined brightness, and the focal point control is performed on the basis of the output of the light detecting means 30 when the brightness of the scene is lower than the predetermined brightness. The output of the light detecting means 30 is obtained by controlling a power supply to cut off current or supply a relatively low current flowing in the imaging means 5 and then driving the light detecting means 30 for emission of light toward the scene and reception of light reflected light from the scene.

Abstract: The present invention is an automatic focusing apparatus for automatically focusing on a subject in an image plane. The automatic focusing apparatus includes a focus lens for focusing on the subject, drive means for moving the focus lens, an image element for picking up image data from the subject through the focus lens, an image processor for extracting luminance signals of each pixel from the image data picked up by the image element, and a controller for computing contrast value under the luminance signals of each pixel extracted by the image processor, for computing moving quantity of the focus lens by using inverse number of the contrast value, and for controlling the drive means according to the moving quantity.

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

Abstract: Correlation value calculation is carried out while a pair of window ranges being shifted using uncorrected AF data, and a pair of window ranges providing the highest correlation value is determined. Then, the difference between the smallest values in the respective window ranges is evaluated. If it is determined that the distance is large, the AF data is corrected so that the smallest values in the respective window ranges are consistent with each other, and the corrected AF data is used to carry out correlation value recalculation. Then, if the highest correlation value after correction is smaller than the highest correlation value before correction, the result of correlation value calculation after correction is employed.

Abstract: A method of automatically focusing an imaging system and an imaging system having automatic focusing use an image of an object created by the imaging system to determine an optimum focus position. The present invention employs one or both of an edge detection approach and an image comparison approach to automatic focusing. The edge detection approach comprises computing an edge density for each image of a set of images of the object, and using a focus position corresponding to an image of the set that has a greatest computed edge density as the optimum focus position. The image comparison approach comprises adjusting a focus position for the image of the object by a difference between focus positions for a reference image and a closely matched image of a typical object. The imaging system has a computer program comprising instructions that implement the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method and a device used in an optical microscope apparatus and for automatic focusing, and using an image contrast detection method which is not affected by noise. In order to remove a noise component, a contour component of an image picked up by the microscope is detected as a contour signal obtained by a difference between an original image and a delayed signal of the original image. A difference in level in maximum and minimum values of this contour signal is adopted as an image contrast signal. Such image contrast signals are produced at various microscope focusing direction positions. A position where a maximum image contrast signal is obtained is made to be an in-focus position.

Abstract: An alignment command is transmitted from a video conference application to a television receiver using an existing command path within the television receiver. The television receiver is then configured in accordance with the alignment command. Transmitting the alignment command may include formatting the command according to a protocol compatible with the existing command path within the television receiver. For example, a signal protocol compatible with a television remote control may be used. Further, the alignment command may be received at an input jack associated with the existing command path within said television receiver. Configuring the television receiver may be accomplished by decoding the alignment command to obtain an alignment parameter for the television receiver. This may include accessing a table (e.g., a look-up table stored in a memory) to obtain the alignment parameter. The alignment parameter may then be used to produce a display alignment command for the television receiver.

Abstract: A video camera includes a gate circuit for extracting a sharpness signal relative to an area which is set in a portion of a picture, a focus adjusting device for performing focus adjustment on the basis of the sharpness signal relative to the area, and an area selecting circuit for controlling the gate circuit to vary the area in size and determining a size of the area during a driving of a variator lens in accordance with a size of the area and a focal length used before the driving of the variator lens.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjusting device is provided with an AF evaluation value detecting circuit for detecting an AF evaluation value indicative of a focusing state of a lens, a lens driving part for moving the lens in an optical axis direction, a control circuit for controlling the lens driving part on the basis of the AF evaluation value detected by the AF evaluation value detecting circuit in such a way as to cause the lens to move back and forth by a predetermined amount of movement at a time until the AF evaluation value becomes a maximum value, an inversion detecting circuit for detecting inversion of a direction of movement of the lens, and an altering circuit for altering the predetermined amount of movement of the lens in response to detection of the inversion by the inversion detecting circuit.

Abstract: An image reading device is provided that includes a linear image sensor (such as a CCD), a contrast detecting system, and a focus condition judging system. The focus condition judging system is arranged to detect when the image reading device is in an in-focus condition based on output of the image sensor. Further, a driving mechanism is provided that moves an imaging lens or the image sensor, while the contrast detecting system monitors contrast data calculated from the output of the image sensor. An in-focus condition may be detected when the contrast data substantially reaches a maximum value. The maximum value may be a first maximum value detected during the movement controlled by the driving mechanism or may be a maximum value over a predetermined range of the controlled movement.

Abstract: A method of controlling automatic focusing in a video camera which has an automatic focusing means for focusing a taking lens in a contrast detecting method, an automatic iris means for controlling an iris according to the brightness of an object, and an automatic gain controlling means for increasing gain of a video signal obtained from image pickup means when a signal level of the video signal is low. The taking lens is made to focus on a point at infinity if the following three conditions are fulfilled: the iris is fully opened by the automatic iris means, and the gain is increased to the maximum extent possible by the automatic gain controlling means, and the taking lens is in a wide-angle state. Thereby, even in the dark at night, the photographing can be performed with the object being in focus.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an auto-focus measurement value for use in performing an auto-focus operation on the basis of contrast components in a video signal. The apparatus includes a line peak circuit which sequentially receives lines of the video signal and generates therefrom a sequence of maximum values of the contrast components of each of the lines. An averaging circuit calculates a rolling average of the line maximum values to form average values. A peak hold circuit outputs a maximum value of the average values as the auto-focus measurement value. The resulting auto-focus measurement value is not greatly affected either by noise or by moving objects within the image represented by the video signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining a complexity measure of a data signal is disclosed which includes an encoder, having an input terminal responsive to a data input signal and a data output terminal producing a coded output signal representing the data input signal at a constant bit rate. The encoder includes a variable quantizer, responsive to the data input signal, for producing a quantized signal, representing the data input signal, having a quantizing step size defined in response to a quantizing step size control signal. A bit rate regulator produces the quantizing step size control signal in response to the bit rate of the coded output signal and a quota input signal. A complexity analyzer generates a complexity representative signal related to the quantizing step size and the bit rate of the coded output signal.

Abstract: An image pickup frame is divided into a plurality of areas. A contrast at each area is measured. An area where a main subject is located is detected by comparing contrasts at areas. A distance to a subject in the area where the main subject is located is measured. With this range finding technique, even if a main subject is not located at the central area of an image pickup frame, an area where the main subject is located can be identified and range finding can be performed only for that area.

Abstract: An automatic focusing system for a still video camera has a light detector for outputting an image signal corresponding to an intensity of light which is incident on the light detector. An image signal is output for each of a plurality of colors of light that are incident on the light detector. The autofocusing system also includes a processor for determining the value of an AF signal corresponding to the focus condition of each of the image signals. A controller executes the autofocus operation. The AF signal having the highest value is used by the controller to execute the autofocus operation.

Abstract: A three-dimensional resolution chart is used to adjust the position of a solid-state image detector 4 in a given image-forming optical system. A plurality of blocks 10a are provided on an upper surface of a resolution chart 10. Each block 10a has an adjusting pattern A-D depicted on a slant surface thereof. An image of each adjusting pattern A-D is formed-on the solid-state image detector 4 through a master lens 2. The contrast integration value F is calculated based on the image of the adjusting pattern at each of a plurality of designated areas hj (j=1 - - - n) on the slant surface of each block 10a provided on the resolution chart 10, to find out a specific position on each block where the contrast integration value F becomes maximum, thereby identifying the specific position as focus point of the master lens 2. The back focus of the solid-state image detector 4 is calculated based on thus obtained focus point. An optimum gradient (.alpha., .beta.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device includes an image pickup device for outputting an image signal by performing photoelectric conversion of an image of an object, a band-pass filter for extracting a sharpness signal corresponding to the sharpness from among the image signal, a diaphragm for controlling the amount of light incident upon the image pickup device, and a control circuit for controlling prohibition of the drive of a focusing lens based on a change in the sharpness signal output from the band-pass filter and a change in the state of the diaphragm. It is thereby possible to exactly detect an operation, such as panning or the like, and to prevent the stop of the focusing lens at a defocused position caused by an erroneous operation by prohibiting the drive of the focusing lens when panning has been detected.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device which uses a video aperture signal in low contrast situations includes an extraction circuit for extracting a signal corresponding to a degree of focus from an input image signal. A focus control circuit is provided for detecting a focus state from the signal extracted from the extraction circuit, and for providing a driving signal for driving a focusing lens on the basis of the results of the detection. A determination circuit is provided for determining whether the image signal has a low contrast. An aperture signal extraction circuit extracts a video aperture signal from the input image signal. Control circuitry is provided for supplying the aperture signal output from the aperture signal extraction circuit to the focus control circuit on the basis of the results of the determination by the determination circuit.

Abstract: A digital electronic camera has a first stroke switch and a second stroke switch. When the first stroke switch is pressed, adjustment of focus, coarse adjustment of exposure and detection of light-source flicker are detected using a signal from an image sensing device such as a CCD. When the second stroke switch is pressed, main exposure is performed in accordance with the conditions that have been set. Thus, adjustment of focus and exposure can be performed by relying solely upon the image sensing device and without using various sensors. Moreover, processing is completed in a short period of time by the second stroke switch, which is pressed following the first stroke switch. As a result, focus and exposure adjustments can be carried out in a short period of time using solely an image sensing device without relying upon a rangefinder sensor and photometric sensor, and release time lag can be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic focusing device including a plurality of extraction means for extracting different frequency components from among image pickup signals outputted by image pickup means, driving direction decision means for deciding the driving direction of a focusing lens based on the signal extracted by the extraction means, detection means for detecting a focusing signal in correspondence with the degree of focusing by dividing a signal at the same point which is extracted by the extraction means, driving speed decision means for deciding the driving speed of the focusing lens based on the detection means, and driving means for driving the focusing lens of optical system to the focusing point based on the driving direction decision means and the driving speed decision means.

Abstract: A technique for automatically focusing the lens of an electronic still camera employs a progressive scan image sensor 20 with a fast dump structure 62. The image sensor 20 itself is operated first in a "fast flush " mode to focus a lens 22, and then in a normal readout mode to obtain the final still image. To focus the lens 22, an image is integrated on the sensor 20. The average contrast of a central region 66 of the image is used to determine how well the image is focused. The portion of the image surrounding a central focusing area 66 is rapidly read out and discarded, using "fast flush" clocking where the vertical and horizontal registers are continuously clocked and lines of image charge are dumped to the substrate through the fast dump structure 62. In the central focusing area 66, a pattern of lines are eliminated through the fast dump structure 62, and the intervening lines are transferred out to generate a focus adjustment signal.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a focus detector for extracting a focus signal according to a focus condition and for executing a focus adjustment, a detector for detecting chrominance level and luminance level in an image pickup plane from an image pickup signal output from an image sensor, a discriminator for discriminating an image pickup condition of the image pickup plane on the basis of an output of the detector and discriminating a predetermined low contrast condition where the detected chrominance and luminance levels are less than predetermined levels and a controller for controlling the focus detector on the basis of the focus signal and inhibiting a focus adjusting operation of the focus detector or reducing a speed thereof in accordance with a discriminating result of the discriminator.

Abstract: A technique for automatically focusing the lens of an electronic still camera employs a full frame image sensor 20 and a mechanical shutter 24. The image sensor 20 itself is operated first in a "fast flush" mode to focus a lens 22, and then in a normal readout mode to obtain the final still image. To focus the lens 22, the shutter 24 is opened, and an image is integrated on the sensor 20. The average contrast of a central region 66 of the image is used to determine how well the image is focused. The portion of the image surrounding the central region 66 is rapidly read out and discarded, using "fast flush" clocking where the vertical and horizontal registers are continuously clocked. The process is repeated numerous times with the shutter remaining open as the lens focus is adjusted until the maximum average contrast is obtained. At this point, the shutter is closed, and the entire sensor is cleared using "fast flush" clocking.

Abstract: An auto-focusing apparatus which obtains an evaluation value from a contrast component of a video signal and performs focus adjustment so that the evaluation value will be maximum, comprises: measurement frame setting means for setting a first frame and a second frame on the screen to obtain the evaluation value; and evaluation value generating means for obtaining a first evaluation value and a second evaluation value from the first frame and the second frame. Focus adjustment is performed by selecting the first frame or the second frame according to changes of the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value when a focus lens is moved in a very small amount.

Abstract: In an automatic focusing device for an imaging apparatus, a band-pass filter separates high frequency components from a luminance signal. A window processing section extracts a part of the output of the band-pass filter which lies in a predetermined focus area. In a slice circuit, a first and a second high level priority circuit slice respectively positive components and negative components, which constitute the extracted signal, on the basis of a reference voltage generated by a reference voltage source. A differential amplifier amplifies a difference between the outputs of the two high level priority circuits. An absolute value circuit regulates the amplified signal to a predetermined polarity. A peak hold circuit transforms the output of the absolute value circuit to a sampled peak value signal. An integrating circuit integrates the peak values of the peak value signals every predetermined period of time so as to calculate an evaluation value for focusing.

Abstract: A contrast detecting apparatus includes first extracting means for extracting a signal component of a first frequency band from a luminance signal obtained by imaging a subject, second extracting means for extracting a signal component of a second frequency band lower than the first frequency band from the luminance signal obtained by imaging the subject, and determining means for determining a state of contrast of the subject in accordance with extracted outputs of the first and second extracting means. Therefore, when the contrast detecting apparatus is used, it can be exactly and automatically determined whether the contrast of the subject exists or not in accordance with a luminance signal obtained from the subject.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus of a video camera automatically matches a focus in response to a video signal obtained from an image sensing circuit. The automatic focusing apparatus detects the level of a high frequency component of the video signal in order to supply a focus evaluating value which takes a maximum value in an in-focus position. A focusing motor controlling circuit performs an automatic focusing operation by a hill-climbing servo system based on the supplied focus evaluating value. A determination is made by employing a fuzzy inference with respect to the initialization of the direction of movement of a lens when the automatic focusing operation starts, the selection of a focusing area from a plurality of areas, and the reactivation of the automatic focusing operation due to a change of an object once the automatic focusing operation is completed.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device including a lens group by which movement of a focused field of an object changes, a drive motor for moving the lens group, a luminance processing circuit for image-sensing the object through the lens group to extract a luminance signal, an accumulating circuit for outputting a focusing evaluation value signal for evaluating a focal condition of the object on the basis of the extracted luminance signal, a least squares circuit for determining reliability of the output focusing evaluation value signal, and a control circuit for controlling the drive motor to improve the focal condition of the object on the basis of the determined reliability.

Abstract: A differential value of a characteristic curve of a focus distance of a zooming lens versus a position of a focus lens is calculated or found from a table in a contrast or phase difference type auto focus mechanism by detecting a high frequency part of an image signal. A follow-up speed of a focus lens is stepped or continuously changed based on the differential value. A focus position of a focus lens can therefore be changed smoothly corresponding to displacement of a focus distance of a zooming lens. A current brightness and a brightness when the evaluative value is peak is compared. If a brightness difference is large, a peak is not recognized and processing is repeated. Also, a gain of an amplifier is reduced corresponding to a linear-, step- or curve characteristic of a focus position of the focus lens versus a focus distance of the zooming lens when a gain of an AGC circuit is relatively high, so that noise is a high frequency part is reduced.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus of a video camera automatically matches a focus in response to a video signal obtained from an image sensing circuit. The automatic focusing apparatus detects the level of a high frequency component of the video signal in order to supply a focus evaluating value which takes a maximum value in an in-focus position. A focusing motor controlling circuit performs an automatic focusing operation by a hill-climbing servo system based on the supplied focus evaluating value. A determination is made by employing a fuzzy inference with respect to the initialization of the direction of movement of a lens when the automatic focusing operation starts, the selection of a focusing area from a plurality of areas, and the reactivation of the automatic focusing operation due to a change of an object after once the automatic focusing operation is completed.