Abstract: An optical axis tunable liquid crystal lens includes a liquid crystal layer; and a control electrode configured to adjust an optical axis of the optical axis tunable liquid crystal lens. The control electrode includes a first electrode configured to be provided with a common voltage signal and a second electrode configured to be provided with a control voltage signal. The first electrode is on a side of the liquid crystal layer away from the second electrode. The second electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode spaced apart from each other and being on two opposite sides with respect to a center of the second electrode, the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode being independently addressable, the first sub-electrode configured to be provided with a first voltage signal and the second sub-electrode configured to be provided with a second voltage signal.

Abstract: A focusing method, device, and mobile terminal are provided. The focusing method is applied in the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a first camera having a first lens module and a second camera having a second lens module. In the focusing method, an in-focus distance corresponding to a first in-focus position of the first lens module is obtained. The first in-focus position indicates a position at which the first lens module is in focus. A second in-focus position of the second camera corresponding to the in-focus distance is obtained. The second in-focus position indicates a position at which the second lens module is in focus. The second camera is in focus at the time when the second lens module is in focus. The second lens module is driven to move to the second in-focus position and to focus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a sample that includes a plurality of red blood cells. A series of images associated with a series of depth levels of the sample are acquired, by performing a depth scan of the sample with a microscope. One of the depth levels is identified as being an optimum focal plane for imaging one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, by identifying that a drop in image contrast occurs at the identified depth level. The sample is imaged using the microscope, by focusing the microscope at an investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: In a focusing position detection method, a second step is carried out. The second step includes dividing the object image into a plurality of local regions, obtaining a local value indicating the degree of focalization from the local region for each of the plurality of local regions and obtaining the focus degree on the basis of the plurality of local values. Thus, even when a plurality of object images acquired by imaging an imaging object by using an imager while changing a focal position along an optical axis are relatively dark or include a high-luminance region, it is possible to stably detect a focusing position without repeating detection operations.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a cell sample. For each of one or more imaging fields of the cell sample, a depth scan of the cell sample is performed using a microscope. One of the depth levels is identified as being an optimum focal plane for imaging one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, at least partially in response to detecting that the depth level corresponds to a drop in image contrast relative to image contrast at other depth levels. Based upon the depth level identified as being the optimum focal plane for each of the one or more imaging fields of the cell sample, a scanning depth interval over which to perform a depth scan of the cell sample at a further imaging field is defined. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An illuminator/collector assembly can deliver incident light to a sample and collect return light returning from the sample. A sensor can measure ray intensities as a function of ray position and ray angle for the collected return light. A ray selector can select a first subset of rays from the collected return light at the sensor that meet a first selection criterion. In some examples, the ray selector can aggregate ray intensities into bins, each bin corresponding to rays in the collected return light that traverse within the sample an estimated optical path length within a respective range of optical path lengths. A characterizer can determine a physical property of the sample, such as absorptivity, based on the ray intensities, ray positions, and ray angles for the first subset of rays. Accounting for variations in optical path length traversed within the sample can improve accuracy.

Abstract: A method for moving an optical device relative to an image sensor to focus an image includes receiving a current image acquired by the image sensor when the optical device is at a current position relative to the image sensor, obtaining a current contrast value of the current image and a current contrast variation rate at the current position, determining whether the current contrast variation rate meets a first threshold criterion, moving the optical device from the current position to a next position in accordance with the determination result, and repeating the aforementioned operations until a next contrast variation rate for a next image meets a second threshold criterion. The next image is acquired when the optical device is at the next position.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a multi-function lens device including a liquid crystal lens unit and a controller. Two liquid crystal lens structures of the liquid crystal lens unit respectively have a first matrix electric field and a second matrix electric field, and different electric field areas of the first and second matrix electric fields cooperate with each other according to a predetermined operation mode provided by the controller for generating at least two divisional scenes on a display screen of the multi-function lens device.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is able to perform limit control of limiting a drive range of a focus lens and performing control of the focus lens. When first information regarding an end position of the drive range of the focus lens in the limit control is set, a body control unit drives the focus lens from a position set as one end position of the drive range of the focus lens in the limit control on a near side and a far side to one end position of the movable range of the focus lens on a near side and a far side, and then stores information corresponding to a drive amount during the drive as the first information.

Abstract: A control apparatus (204, 212) includes a calculator (204) that calculates a defocus amount based on a first signal and a second signal that correspond to light beams passing through different pupil regions of an image capturing optical system (101, 102, 103) from each other, and a focus adjuster (212) that performs focus adjusting operation based on the defocus amount, and the focus adjuster is configured to change a detection property of the first signal and the second signal depending on a type of the focus adjusting operation.

Abstract: A method for mixing a first video signal and a second video signal, the method comprising at a mixing device receiving the first video signal; receiving the second video signal; receiving a transformation information signal dividing the first video signal into a transparent region and a non-transparent region and representing a spatial relationship between the first video signal and the second video signal; transforming the second video signal in accordance with the transformation information signal; and combining the non-transparent region of the first video signal with a portion of the transformed second video signal, the portion of the transformed second video signal being rendered in the transparent region of the first video signal.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including a spatial frequency characteristic adjusting unit configured to perform an adjustment on at least one of first image data corresponding to a first image and second image data corresponding to a second image to match a spatial frequency characteristic of the first image data with a spatial frequency characteristic of the second image data, the second image having an overlapping area that overlaps with an overlapping area of the first image, and an image processing unit configured to perform a process using the first image data and the second image data, on at least one of which the adjustment has been performed in the spatial frequency characteristic adjusting unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting defects on a specimen based on structural information are provided. One system includes one or more computer subsystems configured for separating the output generated by a detector of an inspection subsystem in an array area on a specimen into at least first and second segments of the output based on characteristic(s) of structure(s) in the array area such that the output in different segments has been generated in different locations in the array area in which the structure(s) having different values of the characteristic(s) are formed. The computer subsystem(s) are also configured for detecting defects on the specimen by applying one or more defect detection methods to the output based on whether the output is in the first segment or the second segment.

Abstract: A method for displaying a user interface (UI) of a display apparatus on a remote control and a remote control applying the same are provided. The remote control includes a controlling unit which identifies information regarding a UI where a cursor is located on a screen of the display apparatus, and a display unit, such as a touch screen, which displays an image corresponding to the identified UI information. Accordingly, a user may remotely control the display apparatus more intuitively and delicately using the touch screen display unit on the remote control.

Abstract: A focus evaluation value generation apparatus includes a low frequency image data generation unit configured to generate low frequency image data, a thinned image generation unit configured to generate thinned input image data and thinned low frequency image data, and a focus evaluation value generation unit configured to generate the focus evaluation value based on the thinned input image data and the thinned low frequency image data.

Abstract: The method includes changing a focal length of a camera device while capturing one or more frames of sensor data from a sensor array of the camera device by sequentially reading signals from different areas of the sensor array, such that different sections of each of the one or more frames corresponds to sensor data captured at different focal lengths of the camera device. The method further includes deriving focus statistics from the one or more captured frames, each focus statistic providing a measure of an extent to which a section of a frame to which the focus statistic relates is in focus at a given focal length; identifying from the focus statistics an optimal focal length at which an optimally focused image can be captured; and adapting the focal length of the camera device in accordance with the optimal focal length.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a shooting lens having a focus lens for adjusting a degree of focus on an imaging plane; an image sensor converting an optical image of a photographic subject to an electric image signal and outputting it; a confirmation image creator creating a focus state confirmation image in which a part, or a whole of an image expressed by the image signal is enlarged; a display displaying the focus state confirmation image; and a focus evaluation value calculator calculating a focus evaluation value based on the image signal; wherein when a state of an inclination of change in a focus evaluation value calculated at a plurality of positions of the focus lens while moving the focus lens is different from a state of an inclination of change in a focus evaluation value calculated immediately before, the focus state confirmation image is displayed on the display.

Abstract: A shift amount between a plurality of image signals that is obtained from pixels in each of which a plurality of photoelectric conversion units are provided is computed from an amount of correlation based on a difference value between the plurality of image signals. Also, if the difference value that is used for computing the amount of correlation is not less than a predetermined upper limit, a predetermined value that is not more than the upper limit is used as the difference value.

Abstract: A method for improving depth for field (DOF) in microscopic imaging, the method comprising combining a sequence of images captured from different focal distances to form an all-focus image, comprising computing a focus measure at every pixel, finding the largest peaks at each position in the focus measure as multiple candidate values and blending the multiple candidates values according to the focus measure to determine the all-focus image.

Abstract: An autofocus method includes acquiring an image of a scene that includes one or more out of focus faces and/or partial faces. The method includes detecting one or more of the out of focus faces and/or partial faces within the digital image by applying one or more sets of classifiers trained on faces that are out of focus. One or more sizes of the one of more respective out of focus faces and/or partial faces is/are determined within the digital image. One or more respective depths is/are determined to the one or more out of focus faces and/or partial faces based on the one or more sizes of the one of more faces and/or partial faces within the digital image. One or more respective focus positions of the lens is/are adjusted to focus approximately at the determined one or more respective depths.

Abstract: An auto-focus controlling apparatus includes a focus evaluation value generating device generating a focus evaluation value based on image data acquired through the focus lens, a target lens position determining device determining a target lens position, a timing determining device determining a plurality of acquisition lens positions for acquiring the focus evaluation values in a scanning direction from a present lens position of the focus lens toward the target lens position, a scanning device driving the focus lens in the scanning direction, a predicted focus lens position determining device predicting a predicted focus lens position based on the acquired focus evaluation values and a moving device stopping the scanning device to drive the focus lens when the predicted focus lens position is determined and driving the focus lens in the same direction as the scanning direction to move the focus lens to the predicted focus lens position.

Abstract: In a camera unit that is mountable to a lens unit having a focus lens, an AF signal processing unit generates an AF evaluation value from an imaging signal obtained by an imaging element, and a camera control unit generates drive information for moving the focus lens to an in-focus point using the AF evaluation value and transmits the drive information to the mounted lens unit. The camera control unit transmits drive information including a focus lens position served as a reference for micro vibration and an amount of movement of the focus lens indicated by shift amount of an image plane with reference to the focus lens position to a lens unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adjusting a focal point using an imaging device including phase difference detection pixels are disclosed. An apparatus is provided that includes an imaging device comprising an optical aperture disposed between a micro lens and a photoelectric conversion unit of each of a plurality of pixels, the optical aperture being eccentric with respect to an optical axis of the respective micro lens, the imaging device configured to output a phase difference signal; and a control unit that detects a focal position from the phase difference signal detected from entire pixels of the imaging device to drive a focus lens and that adjusts a focal point.

Abstract: A lens drive unit drives a focus lens. An imaging element obtains an image signal. An evaluation value calculation unit calculates an AF evaluation value from the image signal read out based on an interlace system. A determination unit determines whether the continuous AF evaluation values have a distribution of continuous increases and decreases. If the AF evaluation values are determined to have the distribution of continuous increases and decreases, an in-focus position calculation unit calculates an in-focus position by obtaining an interpolation curve from an intermediate value of the AF evaluation values adjacent to each other, otherwise, calculates the in-focus position by obtaining an interpolation curve of the AF evaluation value. A control unit drives the focus lens to the in-focus position.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus including a focus lens; a focus lens driving unit that drives the focus lens; an imaging device configured to generate an image signal; a focus evaluation value calculating unit configured to receive an image signal from the imaging device and to calculate a focus evaluation value of a captured image; a difference calculating unit configured to calculate a difference between a current focus evaluation value and a previous focus evaluation value; a first determining unit configured to compare the difference to each of a plurality of threshold values different from each other; a counter configured to count results of comparing the difference to each of the plurality of threshold values and to generate count information; and a second determining unit configured to compare the count information to threshold count information and to determine a target drive direction in which the focus lens is to be driven.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an image sensor, a display device which displays a live-view display of an object image, an autofocus adjuster which detects a focal state and brings a specified object image into an in-focus state by moving a focal-adjusting lens group of a photographing lens, a focus lock-on device which prohibits the focal-adjusting lens group from moving and enters a focus locked-on state when the autofocus adjuster brings the specified object image into an in-focus state, a focus lock-on detector, and a distinguishing-display controller. When the focus lock-on detector detects a focus locked-on state, the distinguishing-display controller performs image processing on part or the entirety of the specified object image, and a peaking display of the specified object image is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: The focus adjustment device is characterized by comprising: a driver 231 that drives a focus adjustment optical system 213 to change a focus status; a focus detector 170 that detects evaluation values with respect to contrast of images to perform focus detection for a optical system; an obtaining unit 170 that obtains a maximum driving speed among speeds with which the focus adjustment optical system is able to be driven; and a controller 170 that causes the driver to perform a first driving operation in which the focus adjustment optical system is driven within a certain range and with a certain speed or to perform a second driving operation which is different from the first driving operation, wherein the controller compares the maximum driving speed and a first driving speed as a driving speed for the focus adjustment optical system during the first driving operation with each other when a peak of the evaluation values fails to be detected within the certain range as a result of performing the first driving

Abstract: An imaging device is provided that includes a first imaging element, a second imaging element, and a focal point detector. The first imaging element includes a first opto-electrical converter configured to convert light into an electrical signal. The second imaging element is configured and arranged to receive light incident on and passing through the first opto-electrical converter. The second imaging element includes a second opto-electrical converter configured to convert the light coming from the first opto-electrical converter into an electrical signal. The focal point detector is configured to perform focal point detection based on first image data obtained by the first imaging element and second image data obtained by the second imaging element.

Abstract: A control unit that carries out focus adjustment by the drive control of a focus lens changes an oscillation convergence waiting time of the focus lens after stopped according to the imaging conditions. In the case in which an aperture value is larger than a predetermined value and the tolerated range of a focus deviation amount that accompanies the oscillation of the lens with stopped is large, the waiting time set in a timer is changed so as to be short in comparison to the waiting time that is set in the case in which the tolerated range of a focus deviation amount is small. The control unit outputs a stop command for a focus lens and ends the movement control of the focus lens after waiting for the passage of a time that has been calculated by a timer.

Abstract: Autofocusing is performed in response to a weighted sum of previous blur difference depth estimates after being adaptively fitted at each focus adjustment iteration. Variance is also determined across both past and present estimations providing a confidence measure on the present focus position for the given picture. In one embodiment focus adjustment are repeated until the variance is sufficiently low as to indicate confidence that a proper focus has been attained. The method increases accuracy and speed of focusing by utilizing previous depth estimates while adapting the matching data to overcome distortion, such as due to saturation, cut-off and noise.

Abstract: An auto-focus method controls a motor to drive an optical lens of a lens module to a focus point and includes steps of: describing a first parabola according to three coordinate points in a coordinate system; describing a second parabola according to a first highest point of the first parabola and two coordinate points selected from the three coordinate points in the coordinate system, wherein the resolution values of two selected coordinate points are greater than that of unselected coordinate point; comparing a difference between the electric current value of a second highest point of the second parabola and the electric current value of the first highest point with a preset value; wherein when the difference is less than the preset value, the second highest point is regarded as the focus point.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for selecting the recommended image among sequentially captured images. In aspect, a method of selecting the recommended image includes measuring a brightness value and a sharpness value for each of sequentially captured images. The measured brightness and sharpness values are combined for each image to obtain a combined value for each image. The recommended image is selected from among the sequentially captured images based on the obtained combined values.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit includes a plurality of capacitors, a network of switches and a control circuit. The control circuit is operable to control the network of switches so as to sample an incoming signal onto at least some of the plurality of capacitors. In such an operation, each capacitor takes a sample of the incoming signal at a different time. The sample and hold circuit outputs a signal corresponding to an average of the samples.

Abstract: An embodiment of an autofocus system is provided, including a height detection module, an image detection module, a movement unit and a processing unit. The height detection module is arranged to output a plurality of detection lights along a Z axis direction, wherein each of the detection lights has different focal lengths and different wavelengths such that the height detection module generates a dispersion region along the Z axis direction. The image detection module is arranged to capture an image of the focus position. The movement unit is arranged to move an object along the Z axis direction, wherein the object has an internal surface and an external surface. The processing unit determines whether the external surface and the internal surface are within the dispersion region according to the quantity of the energy peaks of a reflectance spectrum received by the height detection module.

Abstract: An auto-focus system employing a tunable liquid crystal lens is provided that collects images at different optical power values as the liquid crystal molecules are excited between a ground state and a maximum optical power state tracking image focus scores. An image is acquired at a desired optical power value less than maximum optical power established with the liquid crystal molecules closer a fully excited state than the maximum optical power state having the same image focus score. This drive signal employed during image acquisition uses more power than was used to achieve the same optical power value during the auto-focus scan, while actively driving the liquid crystal molecules is fast. A pause due to image transfer/processing delays after acquisition is employed to allow slow relaxation of the liquid crystal molecules back to the ground state in preparation for a subsequent focus search.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises: a moving unit configured to move a focus position of a photographing lens relative to an image sensor at a predetermined amplitude by changing a distance in an optical axis direction between the photographing lens and the image sensor; detection unit configured to detect a focus state of an image obtained from the image sensor; and defocus correction unit configured to perform defocus correction on the image obtained from the image sensor during motion performed by the moving unit, based on the focus state detected by the detection unit, so that the focus state of each image for display on the display device at least approaches the focus state for an in-focus image.

Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes an image data generating unit for capturing a subject image to generate image data, a detecting unit for detecting a contrast value of an image represented by the image data generated by the image data generating unit, and a signal generating unit for generating a control signal controlling the driving unit. In an autofocus control, the signal generating unit generates the control signal controlling the driving unit to drive the focus lens at a first speed until a predetermined time elapses after the first detecting unit starts to detect the contrast value of the image and to drive the focus lens at a second speed higher than the first speed after the predetermined time elapses.

Abstract: The method includes a first adjusting step of adjusting a first tracking curve which has been set so as to keep an in-focus state between a position of a magnification-varying lens and a position of an image sensor, and a second adjusting step of adjusting a second tracking curve which has been set so as to keep the in-focus state between the position of the magnification-varying lens and a position of the focus lens for an object distance. The magnification-varying lens is moved in an optical axis direction during a variation of magnification. The image sensor generates an image signal by photoelectrically converting an optical image formed by an image-pickup optical system. The image-pickup optical system including the magnification-varying lens and a focus lens moved in the optical axis direction during focusing.

Abstract: In a camera system including an interchangeable lens and a camera body, a lens controller performs control to detect a position of a focus lens in synchronous with a predetermined timing received from the camera body, store it in a storage unit, and transmit it to the camera body when receiving a position information request signal for requesting transmission of position information stored in the storage unit. The body controller performs control so that a timing of transmission of the position information request signal does not overlap a timing of transmission of the timing signal.

Abstract: A portable electronic device and an autofocus control method of a camera of the portable electronic device are disclosed. The portable electronic device provides a G-sensor to detect the orientation of the portable electronic device, and provides a storage unit to store autofocus lookup tables for different orientations of the portable electronic device, respectively. According to orientation information from the G-sensor, the central processing unit of the portable electronic device selects one autofocus lookup table from the storage unit and thereby generates an actuating signal for a focus model. The focus model of the portable electronic device is actuated by the actuating signal to adjust an image distance between a lens module and an image sensor of the camera.

Abstract: A camera including a first queue, a second queue, and a processor. The processor is generally coupled to the first queue and the second queue. The processor embodies routines that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to (i) record a first topology in the first queue and a second topology in the second queue and (ii) compare the first topology with the second topology. Recording of the second topology is generally started after the first topology is completely recorded. A focus of the camera is automatically adjusted based upon one or more similarities between the first topology and the second topology.

Abstract: A system for real-time solar observation comprises an optical detector operable to detect sunlight and to produce image data from detected sunlight, a shadow detector operable to produce image data relating to a shadow cast by a reference object, and a controller operable to receive image data from the optical detector and from the shadow detector. The controller is operable to determine at least one of a sunrise period, a midday period and a sunset period in dependence upon received image data.

Abstract: A digital camera and method or algorithm that quickly determines if there are objects in a focus region of the camera that are nearer to or farther from the current focus position. Multiple focusing zones are used along with a technique that compares data from each of the focusing zones to determine distance relationships between objects in different zones.

Abstract: A method for focussing a film scanner provides for selecting a plurality of partial regions of the picture to be scanned for the purpose of focus monitoring. During the focussing of one of the selected partial regions, the focussing of the other partial regions is simultaneously monitored. The monitoring is effected for example by simultaneous representation of the partial regions on a monitor screen, and/or by evaluation of the frequency and amplitude conditions of the partial regions. An optimum focal point is set if all the selected partial regions are simultaneously set sharply.

Abstract: A focus control apparatus and method capable of shortening a focus adjustment time in focus control. The method includes extracting a first high frequency component depending upon a first cutoff frequency and a second high frequency component depending upon a second cutoff frequency higher than the first cutoff frequency from a video signal, generating first and second contrast signals of the video signal respectively based on the first and second high frequency components, using a quotient obtained by dividing a value of the first contrast signal by that of the second contrast signal as a parameter, exercising focus control based on the parameter, and setting the first and second cutoff frequencies so as to cause a value of the parameter to assume a peak when a focus lens in an image pickup apparatus is located in a position at a predetermined distance from an in-focus position.

Abstract: An automatic focusing method for a camera, including scanning in a macro mode, scanning in a normal mode, and additional scanning. In the scanning in the macro mode, a region within a first distance is scanned if the macro mode is set by a user. In the scanning in the normal mode, a region beyond the first distance is scanned if the normal mode is set by the user. In the additional scanning, the scanning in the normal mode is performed additionally if it is determined that the position of the focus lens found in the scanning in the macro mode does not have the largest focus value, and the scanning in the macro mode is performed additionally if it is determined that the position of the focus lens found in the scanning in the normal mode does not have the largest focus value.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises: a moving unit configured to move a focus position of a photographing lens relative to an image sensor at a predetermined amplitude by changing a distance in an optical axis direction between the photographing lens and the image sensor; detection unit configured to detect a focus state of an image obtained from the image sensor; and defocus correction unit configured to perform defocus correction on the image obtained from the image sensor during motion performed by the moving unit, based on the focus state detected by the detection unit, so that the focus state of each image for display on the display device at least approaches the focus state for an in-focus image.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus performs autofocus control that uses a face detection function. The image capturing apparatus sets a face region as an AF frame if face detection is successful. However, if a state in which face detection is successful transitions to a state in which face detection has failed, and furthermore a variation between subject distances is less than or equal to a threshold value, the image capturing apparatus maintains the previous AF frame setting instead of changing the AF frame setting. If the variation in subject distances is greater than the threshold value, the image capturing apparatus sets the AF frame to a predetermined region that does not follow a face region.

Abstract: A control method of detecting an object image to be focused from a sensed image, setting a focus detection area in detecting an in-focus state of a photographing optical system, and exercising control such that the photographing optical system is moved based on a signal output in the focus detection area to carry out focus control, wherein, in the setting of the focus detection area, a first focus detection area corresponding to an object to be focused detected from the sensed image and a second focus detection area which is larger than the first focus detection area are set, and in the focus control, control is exercised such that the photographing optical system is moved based on output signals in the set first and second focus detection areas.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a modulation of a CATV channel, the modulation being one of a digital modulation and an analog modulation. The method includes passing at least a portion of a tuner output from a tuner to a RF detector, and passing a RF detector output from the RF detector to a sync detector. The method further includes attenuating at least a portion of a sync detector output to create a remaining portion of the sync detector output, and passing the remaining portion of the sync detector output to a peak detector. The method further includes passing an output of the peak detector to a subsequent device, the output of the peak detector indicating whether the modulation of the CATV channel.