Abstract: This invention relates to a video camera for inputting an image of an object as an electrical signal. This video camera includes a CCD, a clock selector for selecting a clock having a frequency corresponding to a read object region in which pixels are read out from the CCD, a CCD controller for driving the CCD in accordance with the clock having the selected frequency to read out pixels from the read object region, and a monitor for displaying an image on the basis of the pixels read out from the CCD.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device includes an extracting circuit which extracts a focus signal corresponding to a degree of focus from a picked-up image signal, a focusing lens and a direction deciding circuit which decides the direction of driving the focusing lens on the basis of the output of the extraction circuit when the state of focus deviates from an in-focus state. The extracting circuit is arranged to simultaneously extract a plurality of focus signals having different frequency components from each other. The direction deciding circuit is arranged to perform computing operations on the focus signals separately from each other with respect to the focusing lens driving direction and to decide the focusing lens driving direction when the results of the computing operations come to coincide with each other.

Abstract: In an electronic still camera where the signal charges accumulated corresponding to the image of a subject formed by an imaging optical system 1 are read from a CCD and displayed on an LCD via an imaging circuit, an A/D converter, a buffer memory, and a D/A converter, or recorded on a recording memory via a compression/expansion circuit, the photoelectric conversion elements of the CCD are divided into groups composed of combinations of lines spaced at specific intervals, charge accumulation start timing is controlled in such a manner that the elements belonging to the same group start to accumulate charges with the same timing and the elements belonging to another group start to accumulate charges with different timing, an AF processing section finds an in-focus position from the image signal read from each of the photoelectric conversion element groups in the CCD 5, and on the basis of the in-focus position, a focus lens group is driven.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjusting device in which a distance measuring area is set from a plurality of distance measuring areas including a first distance measuring area and a second distance measuring area which differs in size from the first distance measuring area. A state of focus is discriminated in a distance measuring area before a focus adjusting operation is started by driving an optical element for focus adjustment when the optical element is in an in-focus state, and on the basis of the discrimination, a distance measuring area to be used after the focus adjusting operation is started is selected from the first distance area and the second distance area.

Abstract: A still camera utilizes a focus evaluation value based on an imaging video signal to execute an autofocus operation by a hill-climbing control method. A CPU divides a focus area into a plurality of regions to obtain a focus evaluation value from a digital integrator for each of the regions. When the autofocus operation is restarted from the state of a monitoring mode in accordance with a variation of the focus evaluation value, the CPU detects a further hill of the focus evaluation value while forcibly moving a focus lens position always toward a near side, and when a maximal value of the once detected focus evaluation value is less than a certain standard value, additionally executes the autofocus operation.

Abstract: A CPU calculates integrating values of image-capturing signals in a band 1 obtained by removing through a band pass filter a low frequency component of image-capturing signal output from an image-capturing device and integrating values of the image-capturing signals in a band 3 retaining the low frequency component intact, each calculated in correspondence to one of a plurality of lens positions. The CPU then obtains focal point evaluation values based upon these integrating values in correspondence to the individual bands. In addition, when it is judged that the image-capturing signals are saturated, the CPU calculates a new evaluation value parameter 1 history record=(focal point evaluation value history record in band 3−focal point evaluation value history record in band 1). The CPU then determines a new evaluation value parameter 1 history record extremal value through a 3-point interpolation operation and calculates a lens position corresponding to the extremal value.

Abstract: A CPU calculates integrating values of image-capturing signals in band 1 obtained by removing a frequency component equal to or lower than a first cutoff frequency from an image-capturing signal output from an image-capturing element through a band pass filter and integrating values of an image-capturing signal in band 2 obtained by removing a frequency component equal to or lower than a second cutoff frequency through a band pass filter, each in correspondence to one of a plurality of lens positions. The CPU then calculates focal point evaluation values by using these integrating values in correspondence to the individual bands. In addition, when the largest evaluation value in band 1 is judged to correspond to the closeup end position of the lens, the CPU makes a decision as to whether or not a focus match is achieved at the closeup end.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to realize stable autofocus operation by reducing the influence of an object which is different from a main object and exists on the periphery of a distance measurement frame on the autofocus operation. In order to achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing device which generates an image sensing signal by photoelectrically converting light from an object, an extraction unit which extracts a predetermined frequency component from a signal component corresponding to a focus detection area in a frame sensed by the image sensing device, a weighting circuit which weights the predetermined frequency component extracted by the extraction unit, and a driving unit which moves a focusing lens to an in-focus position on the basis of the signal weighted by the weighting circuit.

Abstract: In the autofocus system, a signal of the high-frequency component is extracted from a picture signal so that the major object in focus can be easily distinguished from other objects (background images). Then, the position of the major object moving on the viewing area is determined according to the signal of the high-frequency component. Thus, it is possible to modify the range of the focus area to include the determined position of the major object or modify the viewing area of the camera so that the focus area includes the position of the major object so as to keep focusing on the major object.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus has a lens unit detachably mounted on a camera body. A zoom ring is rotatably arranged on the lens unit. A magnification varying action of a zooming lens is controlled by a lens microcomputer according to the rotation of the zoom ring detected by a rotation detecting circuit. The magnification varying action can be controlled also by a camera-body microcomputer according to the operation of a zoom switch disposed on the side of the camera body. The magnification varying action by the zoom ring has priority over the magnification varying action by the zoom switch.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus which permits switching between a moving-image shooting mode and a still image shooting mode and is provided with an automatic focusing device for focus adjustment by detecting a high frequency component of a video signal to use it as a focus evaluating signal, the focusing action of the automatic focusing device is arranged to be restarted when the moving-image shooting mode is switched to the still-image shooting mode.

Abstract: An autofocusing system is comprised of an image pickup device which performs a photoelectric conversion of an image of a subject, formed through an imaging optical system, to produce an electric image signal. An image pickup unit, including the imaging optical system, produces the subject image. A driving device drives the image pickup unit through one of a first range and a second range the second range being smaller than the first range. A high-frequency component detecting device detects a high-frequency component in an image signal obtained while at least a portion of the image pickup device is shifted by a predetermined quantity through the use of the driving device. A focusing drive device adjusts a focal condition of an image by an image signal on the basis of an output of the high-frequency component detecting device.

Abstract: A focus point detecting apparatus comprises a HPF which extracts a high-frequency component from a picked-up image, and an ABS circuit which obtains an absolute value of the outputs of the HPF. A base clipping circuit removes a component equal to or less than a first threshold value from the output of the ABS circuit, and an another base clipping circuit removes a component equal to or less than a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value from the output of the ABS circuit. An integrator integrates the output of one of the base clipping circuits and an another integrator integrates the output of the other base clipping circuit. Finally, a computing circuit detects a focus point according to the integrated values in the two integrators. Therefore, focus point can be detected with higher precision.

Abstract: The autofocus apparatus determines a focus position according to a result of sampling an AF evaluated value and drives a lens system to the focus position. This autofocus apparatus further performs a flash in synchronism with a sampling timing of an AF evaluated value, and the light quantity of each flash is maintained substantially constant.

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: An interchangeable lens video camera system which can stably focus on a main target object under any conditions of the object or the environment. The camera system includes a lens assembly detachably attached to a camera for photoelectrically converting incident light to sense an image and output an image signal. The camera system further includes a zoom lens and a focus lens controlled on the basis of an automatic focus evaluation value and data associated with exposure which are received from the camera while referring to a lens cam data unit which stores locus information of the zoom lens and the focus lens in advance. The interchangeable lens video camera system allows for the reduction of blurring and degradation of image quality.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for an automatic focusing device including an optical system including receiving a light flux from an object to be photographed, the received light flux being passed through an optical system having a focusing lens system to form an image of the object and converting the received light flux into an output image signal; converting the image signal to output digital image data; outputting luminance data according to the digital image data as an automatic exposure (AE) evaluation value; setting at least an area of an imaging screen of an imaging device as an automatic focusing (AF) area; determining if the AE evaluation value is smaller than a predetermined value and setting an enlarged AF area as the AF area when the AE evaluation value is smaller than the predetermined value; integrating high frequency components of luminance data of image data in the AF area and outputting resulting data as an AF evaluation value; sampling AF evaluation values while moving the foc

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus of an optical image formation system performs focus adjustment by: splitting light coming from an object into at least two rays along light paths of different lengths and projecting an image of the object; sensing the split rays and converting them into an image signal; filtering a first signal component out of the image signal and outputting a first value corresponding to an amount of the first signal component; filtering a second signal component, having a frequency different from the first signal component, out of the image signal and outputting a second value corresponding to an amount of the second signal component; judging a focus condition of the projected image by comparing the first value with the second value; and controlling the optical system to adjust the focus condition in accordance with a signal derived from the judging step.

Abstract: This endoscope apparatus utilizes a phenomenon called “curvature of field” of a lens to satisfactorily bring a shape, into focus, of an object to be observed such as unevenness especially during enlargement in accordance with a shape of unevenness or the like of the object. For example, there is provided an objective lens group having two movable lenses, and variable-power is performed and field curvature characteristics are changed by moving these movable lenses. This change in the field curvature characteristics is performed by operating an image surface curving switch and driving the movable lenses through the use of an actuator or the like. Also, information on differences in height on the image central part to the peripheral part is operated from the amount of field curvature changed by the objective lens group to display the information on differences in height on the monitor.

Abstract: The autofocus adjustment device comprises a distance-measuring sensor and a contrast system AF, and is capable of attaining further speeding up and high accuracy. The autofocus adjustment device drives a focus lens according to the measurement result of a distance-measuring sensor and then performs focus adjustment according to a contrast system according to the image signal outputted from a solid-state image pickup element, and makes variable the search range and determination area of the contrast AF according to the measured distance from the object, brightness of the object, focal length and aperture, etc. of the lens. The distance-measuring sensor measures the distance from the object periodically before a release button is depressed and speeds up the focusing when the release button is depressed.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device includes a motion vector detecting circuit which detects from a picked-up image signal a movement of a picked-up image within an image plane, a filter which extracts a signal of a predetermined frequency component from the picked-up image signal, a gate circuit which takes out from the signal extracted by the filter a signal corresponding to a focus detecting area in the image plane, an area setting circuit which corrects the position of the focus detecting area by controlling the gate circuit on the basis of a detection output of the motion vector detecting circuit, and a driving part which moves a focusing lens to an in-focus position according to the signal extracted by the gate circuit.

Abstract: An image pickup signal extracted by a gate circuit is applied to a brightness signal generating circuit and a brightness signal is generated. By a high pass filter, high frequency component of the brightness signal is extracted. A digital integrator integrates high frequency signals of one image plane, and outputs the result as an evaluating value to a CPU. CPU detects a situation where there are two peaks of focus evaluating values and the position having maximum focus evaluating value does not correspond to the optical in-focus position, and drives a focus motor such that a focus lens is set at an position where the focus evaluating value is smallest between the two peaks.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling focus using an adaptive filter are provided. The apparatus includes an adaptive low-pass filter for covering an image signal captured through the lens with a mask of a predetermined size, comparing brightness level differences between a central pixel located in the center of the mask and pixels adjacent to the central pixel with a threshold value, multiplying a weight calculated in response to the comparison result by the brightness level of a concerned pixel in the mask, adding together the multiplication results of all the pixels, and outputting the addition result as an adaptively low-pass filtered image signal. A high-pass filter filters a high-frequency component of the adaptively low-pass filtered image signal.

Abstract: A lens control device is arranged such that, in deciding a direction in which a focus lens is to be driven on the basis of the amount of change caused to take place in the level of a video signal by causing the focus lens to vibrate at a predetermined amplitude, the amplitude of the vibration of the focus lens is controlled according to the state of an AGC circuit.

Abstract: A film image reading method includes reading an image on the film to generate image signals, calculating a contrast value based on the image signals, extracting attribute information regarding the film, normalizing a contrast value in accordance with the extracted attribute information, and displaying the normalized contrast value, and a device for effecting the method.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided with a visual line detecting device for detecting the position of a fixation point of the eye of the operator obtained within the image plane of an electronic viewfinder which displays an image of an object of shooting, and an image processing circuit for processing and enlarging the image with the detected position of the fixation point as the center of the enlarging action.

Abstract: When a camera lens is in the midst of pan operation or tilt operation and in an autofocusing mode (AF mode) (step S101), not normal autofocus processing, but wobbling AF processing (step S103) is carried out to move a focus lens constituting the camera lens forwardly or backwardly while oscillating the position of the focus lens forwardly/backwardly, and search the peak position of the high-frequency component value in an image signal picked up through the camera lens. Accordingly, the focus position can be searched with high precision even under operation.

Abstract: A camera comprising the following components is disclosed:

Abstract: A camera comprises a lens and an LED array at its front. The LED array is composed of red, green and blue LEDs, which are individually turned on and off for light emitting purposes, as well as changeable in their quantities of red, green and blue lights to be emitted under control of an MPU. Thus, the LED array is capable of emitting light having any color having a different brightness by controlling the respective quantities of red, green and blue lights to be emitted by the corresponding LEDs. That is, the camera is capable of irradiating an object with light having a desired color for image pickup.

Abstract: A focus detecting device for determining the focus state of an imaging optical system, of a type for time-sequentially entering light beams, transmitted by different areas of an imaging optical system, into a sensor and detecting the phase difference between the image signal obtained from the sensor means corresponding to such time-sequentially entered light beams. The device determines the positional difference in the vertical direction of the light beams (images) time-sequentially entering the sensor, and determines the storage positions of the outputs (image signals) from the sensor corresponding to the light beams (images) of the respective areas, thereby enabling exact focus detection even in case the images are received in vertically different positions on the sensor.

Abstract: An adaptive peak value detector, wherein the peak value for a peak hold section is detected, the peak hold section being selected by a peak hold control circuit. A solid-state imaging sensor generates pixel signals representative of an image and the peak value of portions of the pixel signals is detected. The exposure time of the sensor is adjusted as a function of the detected peak value and auto-focusing of the image for the camera is carried out on the basis of the image received during the adjusted exposure time.

Abstract: Briefly, a camera for film photography and electronic photography in accordance with the present invention comprising film photography mechanism for exposing a subject image on a film; a digital photography mechanism for picking up the subject image with a CCD and converting it into a digital image signal; a photometry element for measuring the brightness of the subject; a photometry unit for obtaining the subject brightness based on the image signal obtained by the digital photography mechanism; first setting means for setting the exposure conditions of the film based on the photometry results of the photometry element; second setting means for setting the image-pickup pickup conditions of the digital photography mechanism based on the photometry results of the photometry unit; control means for controlling the film photography mechanism based on the exposure conditions and controlling the digital photography mechanism based on the image-pickup conditions during a release operation; and initial conditions se

Abstract: A lens control device comprising a variator lens, a compensation lens for compensating for the displacement of the focal plane associated with the movement of the variator lens, a conversion lens disposed in an optical path in a detachable manner for limiting the area of the movement of the variator lens, and correction means for modifying the area of the movement of the compensation lens in response to the mounting of the conversion lens.

Abstract: In an interchangeable lens assembly video camera system including an interchangeable lens assembly and a camera, a filter of an AF signal processing circuit (113) of the camera extracts a focus evaluation value signal from an image sensing signal corresponding to one or a plurality of focus detection areas in an image sensing surface, and on the basis of the transmitted focus evaluation value signal from the camera and data stored in a ROM (120), the microcomputer (116) performs a zooming operation of a zoom lens (102) while maintaining an in-focus state of a focus lens (105).

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus, which performs pixel shifting operation for shifting an image formation position of an image on an image sensing device using a lens capable shifting a light path and senses images at respective image formation positions, has a vibration sensor for detecting vibration. The lens is moved so as to cancel the vibration detected by the vibration sensor when performing pixel shifting operation. Since the shifting characteristics of the lens slightly changes depending upon states of zooming and focusing lenses, the lens is moved by a shift amount which is adjusted in accordance with the states of the zooming and focusing lens.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a filter for extracting, from a video signal, a high-frequency component which varies with a state of focusing, and a control part arranged to control a cutoff frequency of the filter according to a luminance level in the video signal.

Abstract: A focus control technique for use in a video camera or the like. An image of an object passes through a focus lens and an electric signal corresponding thereto is formed. High frequency components are extracted from the electric signals to generate estimation values indicative of focus states. A plurality of estimation values that are changed as the focus lens moves are stored in a storage device. A plurality of the stored estimation values are selected and along with the lens positions corresponding to the selected estimation values are used to calculate the just focus position. As a result, even if the estimation value includes noise or the estimation value constantly includes noise when the luminance is low, focus control may be performed with high accuracy. Furthermore, even if the focus lens is passed by the just focus position only once, it is possible to calculate the just focus position. Therefore, the just focus position may be determined at a high speed.

Abstract: In an automatic focus detecting apparatus, an image which is formed on an imaging device by a photographing lens is converted into a video signal containing a high frequency component. The video signal is read out for every field period VD while changing the image forming state on the imaging device, and the video signal is separated into three groups of video signal components sampled at 3 VD period, which is the least common multiple of the flicker period ({fraction (1/100)} second) of the light source and the field period VD ({fraction (1/60)} second). The peak positions of the three groups of the high frequency components are detected, and a curve of a contrast values is determined by an interpolation calculation that is performed on the basis of each peak position so as to detect the in-focus position of the photographing lens.

Abstract: Light from an object is split into two rays (ordinary rays and extraordinary rays) by a birefringent element, and a single image sensor receives the two rays, then image signals obtained from the image sensor are processed. The ordinary rays and extraordinary rays incident a photosensing surface of the image sensor at different points. The birefringent element is arranged so that the ordinary rays incident on the photosensing surface of the image sensor orthogonally, the extraordinary rays converge to a point different from the ordinary rays. Further, a scanning direction of the image sensor is set so as to scan an image projected by the ordinary rays prior to an image projected by the extraordinary rays.

Abstract: This digital camera comprises a lens system (5) for focusing the image of a subject (10) on a sensitive plate (7), a control system formed, inter alia, by a motor (8) that act on the lens system to ensure a sharp image of the subject on the sensitive plate.

Abstract: An object monitoring apparatus includes a movable lens. An image represented by light passing through the lens is converted into a video signal by a photoelectric conversion device. Detection is made as to a moving object in an image represented by the video signal. When a moving object is detected, the lens is moved to change an in-focus position, on which a combination of the lens and the photoelectric conversion device is focused, among predetermined positions different from each other. Detection is made as to degrees of focus of images represented by video signals which are generated when the in-focus position coincides with the predetermined positions respectively. A greatest of the detected focus degrees is decided. The video signal representing the image having the greatest focus degree is indicated.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus for capturing a video signal from a predetermined range in an image pickup screen and performing an AF operation based on the signal, a setting position of the range is made variable in the image pickup screen, the range is arranged to be moved to a viewpoint position detected by a viewpoint detecting device, and the AF operation is inhibited for a predetermined time if the setting position of the range is changed. The AF operation is also inhibited if the position to which the range is moved is in a low-contrast state or if the position is for example a display position where characters are displayed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an integrated circuit for focus control, which is obtained by integrating, on a single chip, a filter circuit for extracting a predetermined signal component, which changes in accordance with a focusing state, from an image pickup signal, a gate circuit for extracting a focus signal, corresponding to a portion in a focus detection region in a photographing frame, from a focus signal extracted by the filter circuit, an arithmetic circuit for generating an evaluation signal of the focusing state by performing predetermined signal processing for the focus signal extracted by the gate circuit and corresponding to the portion in the focus detection region, a region setting circuit for controlling the positions or the number of focus detection regions in the photographing field by controlling the gate circuit, and an interface for connecting the respective circuits to an external circuit, and allowing the circuits to be controlled by a command from the control circuit.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus of an imaging apparatus is one having an estimation-value calculating unit for obtaining a plurality of estimation values by using a plurality of areas and a plurality of filters for extracting a horizontal-direction frequency component in a specific image area of a video signal corresponding to a specific image area and supplied from an imaging apparatus for effectively carrying out an autofocus operation of a television camera, a signal processing unit for calculating a control value used for controlling an image pickup lens drive unit of the imaging apparatus in response to an estimation value calculated by the above estimation-value calculating unit, and an output unit for supplying the above control value to the above image pickup lens drive unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided with a focus detecting device for detecting a state of focus from a picked-up image signal outputted from an image sensor, and an electronic zoom device for electrically magnifying the picked-up image signal. The image pickup apparatus is arranged to control an operation characteristic of the focus detecting device on the basis of the operating state of the electronic zoom device.

Abstract: Digital focusing method and apparatus in an image processing system, for digitally focusing an out-of-focus image, are provided. A defocused image is divided into sub-images of a predetermined size. An edge direction of each of the divided sub-images is estimated. Step responses with respect to the respective edge directions are calculated. A mean step response is obtained by averaging a predetermined number of the step responses. Point Spread Function (PSF) coefficients are obtained using the mean step response. An image blur transfer function is obtained using the PSF coefficients. An image restoration transfer function is obtained using the image blur transfer function. An original in-focused image is obtained by multiplying the image restoration transfer function by the defocused image in a frequency domain. Thus, an image can be restored in real time, and the size and weight of the image processing system can be reduced.

Abstract: A video camera apparatus includes a lens for forming an image, a camera circuit for converting the image formed by the lens into an image signal and outputting the image signal, and a controlling circuit for performing an initialization operation in which, before photography is started, information indicative of the state of the optical system is obtained and the lens is initialized, and for controlling an output signal of the camera circuit to fade the output signal in association with the initialization operation.

Abstract: An automatic focus sensing device senses an in-focus position by using a high-frequency component in an image signal to step drive an imaging lens in the direction of the optical axis of the imaging lens while the image signal is being read in succession to the photoelectrical conversion and then integration of the light of an object incident on an image pickup device. The device generates, in non-synchronization with and independently of an image synchronization signal, a driving pulse fed to an imaging lens driving device for driving the imaging lens.

Abstract: A method obtains an electrical signal from the photoelectric detector, which signal corresponds to the illumination of the image formed by the focusing lens. The image screen is divided into a plurality of subdivision areas. The method then calculates for the respective subdivision areas a focus evaluation value representative of a high frequency component contained in the electrical signal and a brightness value representative of a brightness of the image. The subdivision areas are sorted in accordance with a object distance classification. The method weights with different weights the subdivision areas on the basis of the subdivision area to which a main object belongs. Variations in the focus evaluation and brightness values are calculated by comparing the values after a focus and the values for an in-focus image. Compositional changes are detected based on the weights and the variation in the focus evaluation and brightness values.

Abstract: A video camera apparatus in which a signal of a certain frequency is extracted from an image pickup signal from an image pickup element such as CCD by a band-pass filter, a difference between the maximum and minimum values of the frequency of the image pickup signal is detected by a detecting circuit, the extraction value extracted by a band-pass filter is divided by the detection value detected by the detecting circuit by a normalizing circuit, thereby normalizing a focus estimation value, and a focus adjusting lens is moved by a lens driving motor on the basis of the normalized focus estimation value, thereby executing an automatic focus adjustment.