Abstract: An imaging device includes phase difference detection pixels. The imaging device receives an image formed by an optical system and includes a plurality of pixels that are two-dimensionally arranged. Each of the plurality of pixels include a micro lens; a photoelectric conversion unit positioned below the micro lens; and an optical aperture disposed between the micro lens and the photoelectric conversion unit and that is eccentric with respect to an optical axis of the micro lens, wherein the plurality of pixels of the imaging device output a signal for obtaining phase difference. The imaging device performs phase difference detection on the entire surface of a captured image without addition of pixels.

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

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a first unit to convert light into an electrical signal and a second unit to convert light into an electrical signal. The first unit includes a first lens and a first pair of light receiving elements to receive light from the first lens. The second unit includes a second lens and a second pair of light receiving elements to receive light from the second lens. A profile of the second pair of light receiving elements is different in plan view than a profile of the first pair of light receiving elements.

Abstract: An imaging lens system has, from an object side, at least one positive lens element convex to the object side, a negative lens element, and at least one lens element having an aspherical surface. The positive and negative lens elements are arranged next to each other. The formulae 0.1<Ton/Dopn<7, 0.1<(Rona?Ronb)/(Rona+Ronb)<1.5, and 0.3<Y?/TL<0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical unit and an imaging apparatus, which can realize a lens element that has a high MTF, is small, bright, and optimal to a fixed-focus camera while having an advantage of a three-group configuration that the depth of field is deep. An optical unit 100 includes a first lens group 110, a second lens group 120, and a third lens group 130, which are arranged in order from an object side to an image plane side, and the first lens group 110 includes a first lens element 111, a first transparent body 112, and a second lens element 113, which are arranged in order from the object side to the image plane side.

Abstract: An imaging unit obtains image data. An imaging controller controls the imaging unit to obtain a plurality of pieces of image data having different exposure values. A standard image decision unit decides the image data with the shortest length of exposure time of the plurality of pieces of image data as standard image data. A correlation quantity detection unit detects a correlation quantity between the standard image data and the plurality of pieces of image data. A first combination processing unit generates first combined image data by combining the plurality of pieces of image data in accordance with the correlation quantity. A second combination processing unit combines the standard image data and the first combined image data.

Abstract: A catadioptric lens system includes, in order of light travel: a first lens group that includes a concave mirror and a convex mirror and has a positive refractive power; a second lens group that is positioned on the image side of the concave mirror and has a negative refractive power; and a third lens group that has a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens group has a plurality of lenses on the image side of the concave mirror, and some lenses of the plurality of lenses are formed as a vibration-proof group so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis.

Abstract: A system and method for stabilization of an image capture device are disclosed. Also disclosed are a system and method for autofocus of an image capture device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lens assembly and a camera module having the lens assembly. An aspect of the present invention provides a lens assembly that can include: a barrel arranged having a space inside thereof; a first lens accommodated in the space; a second lens stacked over the first lens and arranged to be separated from the first lens; and a cap installed over the barrel and configured to provide a load to support the second lens to the barrel.

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel comprising a lens holding member that holds a lens; a guide axle that extends in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the lens; and an oil-retaining bearing that is fixed to the lens holding member, and into which the guide axle is slidably inserted. In the lens barrel, the guide axle and the oil-retaining bearing may be made of metal, and at least a portion of the lens holding member to which the oil-retaining bearing is fixed may be made of resin.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a lens component having one or more lenses attached to a retainer portion configured to removably attach to communication devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, media players, and the like. The retainer portion may be configured so as not to interfere with a user's view of a display panel of the communication device. In some embodiments, a plurality of lenses may be provided, and the lenses may be removably attached to the retainer portion and may be interchangeable. A structure for providing a flash may also be provided. In some embodiments, additional features may be provided, such as attachment components to facilitate attachment to stability devices, such as tripods, and to user-wearable accessories.

Abstract: A drive device capable of engaging a drive shaft and a part holding the drive shaft with a suitable force without accompanying increase in the size of the drive device. The drive device includes a couple member with a piezoelectric element and a transmission shaft coupled together, a lens holder that holds a lens and to which the couple member is secured, a biasing member that biases the transmission shaft in a direction intersecting a placement direction of the transmission shaft viewed from the lens holder (excluding a lengthwise direction of the transmission shaft), and a link member (link body) that holds the transmission shaft in a slidable manner together with the biasing member.

Abstract: The optical path of the light having spread at each point of an object to be shot is limited by an iris unit of a density filter. Since the density filter unit has a desired transmittance characteristic, the amount of the light passing through the density filter unit continuously changes from the center of the luminous flux toward the periphery. After the luminous flux forms an image on the image forming surface, it spreads toward the light-receptive surface of an image sensor, and becomes an image spreading on the light-receptive surface in a predetermined range.

Abstract: An imaging system having a front side and rear side enveloping a light transmitting space formed therebetween A front lens situated on the front side forms a portal through which light from an object enters into the light transmitting space wherein at least one optical element composed of glass or elastic material, liquid lenses or liquid crystal elements, and an image sensor are positioned to develop a folded beam path between the front lens and the image sensor, and a real image of the object on the image sensor. Electrically driving at least one optical element enables alteration of the focal length within the system in a manner switchable between at least two values. The change in focal length is realized with the aid of electrically controlled piezo-actuators or by an electric field applied to at least one variable optical element.

Abstract: A lens unit 1 acquires identification information for an attached lens unit from the lens unit and stores the acquired identification information in a second memory 37. In a case in which correction information for the stored identification information is not registered, a CPU 36 reads the correction information for the stored identification information out from an external memory 39 and registers it.

Abstract: Provided are a method for manufacturing an imaging device at low cost while ensuring easiness in manufacturing, and the imaging device. In the imaging device, a diaphragm 14a can be used as a diaphragm by insert molding a metal plate material MP in a transparent resin material which forms a lens, a diaphragm as a separate member is not required to be assembled, and troubles in assembly are eliminated. Further, a shield of an imaging element can be grounded by assembling a lens array LA to an imaging element array IA while making a leg section 14b abut to an earth terminal T1g. Thus, wire connection by soldering is eliminated and troubles in assembly are eliminated.

Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein the zoom lens system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a first lens unit having positive optical power and comprising four lens elements; a second lens unit having negative optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power; wherein in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the first lens unit is moved along an optical axis direction so as to achieve variable magnification, and wherein the conditions are satisfied: 0.30<f1/fT<0.70 and Z=fT/fW>20.5 (f1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit, fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit, and fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit), an imaging device and a camera are provided.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a ceramic base with a cavity therein, the ceramic base including a sidewall forming a conductive layer embedded therein. A protrusion extends from the sidewall toward the center of the cavity. An infrared filter is mounted on the upper surface of the protrusion with a most upper surface of the infrared filter not higher than the upper surface of the ceramic base; and an image unit is mounted in a recess of a bottom plate assembled with a lower surface of the ceramic base.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging lens by which astigmatism and field curvature are satisfactorily corrected by arranging on a first surface a concave surface having an appropriate radius of curvature. Condition (1) defines the radius of curvature of the concave surface arranged on the object-side surface of a bonded compound lens. By fulfilling condition (1), a lens can be obtained in which astigmatism and field curvature are satisfactorily corrected. Condition (1): ?1.5<rL11/f<?5.0, wherein rL11 is the local curvature radius of the object-side surface of the first lens calculated by the equation below; f is the focus distance of the entire system. rL11={(h1)2+(s1)2}/(2s1); h1 is 1/10 of the effective radius of the object-side surface of the first lens; and s1 is the displacement amount in a direction parallel to the optical axis from the surface apex point at a lens surface height h1.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided that is capable of avoiding an image pickup device and control system devices thereof from being affected by heat generated by a wireless transmitter-receiver unit, whereby the control system devices can stably be operated, while avoiding the quality of photographed image from being deteriorated. In the image pickup apparatus, a power unit has an upper limit of guaranteed temperature higher than that of the image pickup device and higher than those of an image processing unit and a control unit which are the control system devices, and is mounted on a mounting surface of a board together with the image processing unit and the control unit. A wireless transmitter-receiver unit is disposed parallel to and facing the mounting surface of the board so as to cover the power unit mounted on the board.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a high dynamic range image. A single reset of an image sensor may be executed followed by two or more reads of the sensor to retrieve data. These reads of the image sensor may be done prior to a subsequent reset of the sensor. These reads may also be accomplished at predetermined times relative to one another. Data read out during these scans may be deinterleaved by an image signal processor and combined into a high dynamic range image.

Abstract: A plastic lens includes a flange portion on an outer circumference of a lens effective-diameter portion and manufactured by injecting a resin into a mold via a gate portion. The plastic lens is characterized by having a shape satisfying conditions of s/t?0.61 and E.D/D?0.4 when s [mm] and t [mm] represent a peripheral thickness, a central thickness of the lens effective-diameter portion, E.D [mm] represents a lens effective diameter, and D [mm] represents a lens diameter.

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

Abstract: An imaging apparatus on which a lens unit having a photographic optical system including a focus lens and capable of controlling driving of the photographic optical system based on information received from the imaging apparatus is mountable includes a filter driving unit configured to insert or retract an optical filter on an optical path of the photographic optical system, a detection unit configured to detect an insertion state of the optical filter, and a control unit configured to calculate, based on a change of the insertion state of the optical filter detected by the detection unit, a movement amount of an image forming position of an object image, and to transmit information on the movement amount of the image forming position of the object image and information indicating the insertion state of the optical filter to the lens unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image pickup lens with a large focal depth from the center to the outer part of an image plane formed on an image sensor and capable of maintaining its focal depth within a practical range and thus suppressing a decline in the resolution. An image pickup lens 7 includes, in order from the object side to the image plane side, an aperture stop 5, a first lens 1 that is a biconvex lens having positive power, a second lens 2 that is a meniscus lens having negative power and whose lens surface facing the object side is convex, a third lens 3 that is a meniscus lens having positive power and whose lens surface facing the object side is concave, and a fourth lens 4 that is a biconcave lens having negative power. The image pickup lens 7 includes a multifocal lens on the lens surface of the first lens 1 facing the object side. D and Ymax satisfy the following conditional expression (1): 0?D/Ymax?0.

Abstract: This invention provides an image capturing lens system comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; a second lens element with positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface; a third lens element with positive refractive power, at least one of the two surfaces thereof being aspheric; a fourth lens element with negative refractive power, both the two surfaces thereof being aspheric; and a stop disposed between the first and third lens elements, wherein there are four lens elements with refractive power.

Abstract: A zoom lens including, in order from object side: a positive first unit fixed for zooming; a negative second unit moving for zooming; a zoom unit including at least one unit moving for zooming; a stop; and a fixed unit. The first unit includes a negative first sub-unit not moving for focusing, and a positive second sub-unit and a positive third sub-unit moving toward image side and object side, respectively, when focusing from infinity object to proximity object. A focal lengths of the first and second units, a distance from a vertex of a surface closest to the image side in the first unit to an image side principal point position of the first unit, a thickness of the first unit on an optical axis, and lateral magnifications of the second and third sub-units when focusing on infinity object are appropriately set.

Abstract: Provided is an adapter optical system attachable between an image pickup lens and a camera body, the adapter optical system including, in order from an object side: a first optical unit having negative refractive power; a second optical unit that is insertable in and removable from an optical path; and a third optical unit having positive refractive power, in which the following expression is satisfied: 0.03<|?a2|<0.50, where ?a2 represents an incident converted inclination angle obtained by normalizing an incident inclination angle of an axial beam entering the second optical unit inserted in an optical path with an exit inclination angle of an axial paraxial ray emerging from a surface closest to an image plane side in the adapter optical system being set to one (1).

Abstract: An image pickup optical system made of five lenses, includes in order from an object side, an aperture stop, a first lens L1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens L2 having a negative refracting power, a third lens L3 having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens L4 having a positive refracting power, and a fifth lens L5 having a negative refracting power. Moreover, an image pickup apparatus includes this image pickup optical system.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes: a plurality of micro-lenses disposed in a two-dimensional pattern near a focal plane of an image forming optical system; an image sensor that includes a two-dimensional array of element groups each corresponding to one of the micro-lenses and made up with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which receive, via the micro-lenses light fluxes from a subject having passed through the photographic optical system and output image signals; and a synthesizing unit that combines the image signals output from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements based upon information so as to generate synthetic image data in correspondence to a plurality of image forming areas present on a given image forming plane of the image forming optical system, the information specifying positions of the photoelectric conversion elements output image signals that are to be used for generating synthetic image data for each image forming area.

Abstract: An image capture system comprises a lens module, a color filter frame, and a cover. The lens module has an image sensor received in the cover. The cover has a threaded hole corresponding to the image sensor. The color filter frame comprises at least one bracket and a fixing frame. The bracket including a color filter is fixed by the fixing frame corresponding to the threaded hole.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus, which is mountable a lens apparatus thereon, obtains information of a mounted lens apparatus and if the lens apparatus is identified as the interchangeable lens which fails in firmware update based on the obtained information, controls to restrict an operation in which an interchangeable lens is used and to enable an operation which does not use the interchangeable lens.

Abstract: A camera to which a lens unit is exchangeably attached includes a phase difference detection type focus detection unit, a contrast detection type focus detection unit, and a processor configured to acquire correction information used to correct a shift amount between a focus detecting light flux and an image-pickup light flux from the image pickup lens. The contrast detection type focus detection unit performs scanning in a single direction from a focus position detected by the phase difference detection type focus detection unit, the single direction being set based on the correction information.

Abstract: An adaptive lens module is disclosed for connecting to a camera. The camera has a zooming lens. The adaptive lens module includes a first magnetic unit, an adapter and a lens unit. The first magnetic unit is arranged on the camera. The adapter has a second magnetic unit for detachably connecting to the first magnetic unit, and a through hole for passing through the zooming lens. The lens unit is arranged on the adapter and optical connects with the zooming lens.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: a lens apparatus; and a camera apparatus that can be attached and removed from the lens apparatus, wherein the camera apparatus includes: an image pickup element; and an optical element configured to be inserted and removed from an optical path, the optical element is a ND filter, and the ND it has a surface with positive refractive power. A ratio of a thickness of the optical element on an optical axis and a thickness of the optical length adjustment unit on the optical axis is appropriately set.

Abstract: An inner focus lens, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein the second lens unit is moved along an optical axis so that focusing from an infinite-distance object side to a short-distance object side is achieved, the first lens unit includes a bi-convex air lens, and the following conditions: 0.65<|f2/f|<5.00 and 0.5<f23/f1<9.0 (f2: a focal length of the second lens unit, f and f23: a focal length of the entire system and a composite focal length of the second and third lens units in an infinity in-focus condition, f1: a focal length of the first lens unit) are satisfied; an interchangeable lens apparatus; and a camera system are provided.

Abstract: A method of controlling a lens-interchangeable digital photographing apparatus including acquiring a temporary image using a first lens in response to a signal; producing additional temporary images that could be acquired were respective lenses used instead of the first lens, by processing the acquired temporary image; and displaying the temporary image and the additional temporary images on a display unit.

Abstract: Camera apparatus with dual lenses that allows quickly switching between lenses in a single camera.

Abstract: A camera system includes a lens unit, a mount, a camera body, and a control unit. The lens unit includes at least one lens unit operation portion and changes the magnification of an optical image electrically. The mount supports removably the lens unit. The camera body includes at least one camera body operation portion. The control unit controls the lens unit so as to change the magnification of an optical image electrically in response to either one of the operation of the camera body operation portion or the operation of the lens unit operation portion. The control unit controls the lens unit so as to execute an operation that is different from the operation which changes the magnification of an optical image, in response to the other of the operation of the camera body operation portion or the operation of the lens unit operation portion.

Abstract: Provided is a small-sized five-element image pickup lens which ensures a sufficient lens speed of about F2 and exhibits various aberrations being excellently corrected. The image pickup lens is composed of, in order from the object side, a first lens with a positive refractive power, including a convex surface facing the object side; a second lens with a negative refractive power, including a concave surface facing the image side; a third lens with a positive or negative refractive power; a fourth lens with a positive refractive power, including a convex surface facing the image side; and a fifth lens with a negative refractive power, including a concave surface facing the image side. The image-side surface of the fifth lens has an aspheric shape, and includes an inflection point at a position excluding an intersection point with the optical axis.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor having image forming pixels for receiving light that has passed through an entire pupil area of an imaging lens which forms an object image, and focus detection pixels, which are arranged discretely among the image forming pixels, for receiving light that has passed through part of the pupil area of the imaging lens; a detection unit configured to detect an edge direction of an object based on an image signal acquired by the image sensor; an averaging unit configured to average image signals, while shifting a phase of the image signals, which are acquired respectively from each of the focus detection pixels, based on the edge direction detected by the detection unit; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a defocus amount of the imaging lens using the image signal averaged by the averaging unit.

Abstract: An image pickup lens compatible with small high-pixel image pickup elements (e.g., from CCD and CMOS image sensors having a pixel pitch of 1.75 ?m and a pixel count of 5 mega pixels to CCD and CMOS image sensors having a pixel pitch of 1.4 ?m and a pixel count of 8 mega pixels) is provided. An image pickup lens 7 includes, in order from an object side to an image surface side: an aperture stop 5, a first lens 1 having positive power; a second lens 2 that is a meniscus lens having negative power and whose lens surface facing the image surface side is concave; a third lens 3 that is a meniscus lens having positive power and whose lens surface facing the image surface side is convex; and a fourth lens 4 that has negative power, whose lens surfaces are both aspherical and whose lens surface facing the image surface side is concave near the optical axis. A diffractive optical element is formed on one of the lens surfaces of the first lens 1 or the second lens 2.

Abstract: A lens barrel unit includes gyro sensors that detect vibration. The gyro sensors are disposed around a CCD mounting portion within a range over which the lens barrel unit is projected along the optical axis of a photographic optical system. This positional arrangement allows the lens barrel unit to be provided as a compact retractable unit, and ultimately achieves miniaturization of the camera.

Abstract: To provide an interchangeable lens camera system for shooting with the best in-focus position, no matter how a group of two or more interchangeable lenses to produce different degrees of spherical aberrations and a group of cameras of different types with different evaluated autofocus frequencies are combined. The camera system of this invention includes a lens unit and a camera body to be removable and attachable from/to each other. The lens unit includes a first computing section for acquiring shooting parameters during a focusing operation and a storage section that stores reference data for changing focus positions according to the contrast of image.

Abstract: This invention provides a photographing module with optical zoom, which at least includes a focusing lens assembly, a zoom lens assembly, a focusing lens actuator, a zoom lens actuator, a photo sensor and a vibration sensor. The focusing lens actuator at least includes a first movable member, a first fixed member and a first electric unit, wherein the first electric unit can drive the first movable member to proceed axial displacement and incline at an angle with respect to at least one axis. The zoom lens actuator at least includes a second movable member, a second fixed member and a second electric unit, wherein the second electric unit can drive the second movable member to proceed axial displacement. Alternatively, the axial inclination driven by the first electric unit of the focusing lens actuator may be driven by the second electric unit of the zoom lens actuator.

Abstract: Multi-spectral imaging technique embodiments are presented which involve an active imaging approach that uses wide band illumination of known spectral distributions to obtain multi-spectral reflectance information in the presence of unknown ambient illumination. In general, a reflectance spectral distribution of a captured scene is computed by selecting a number of different illumination spectra and capturing multiple images of the scene. Each of these images is captured when the scene is illuminated by a different one of the selected illumination spectra in addition to the ambient light.

Abstract: [Object] To provide an optical unit and an image pickup apparatus that are capable of realizing a high-resolution and high-performance image pickup system. [Solving Means] An image pickup lens (100) includes a first lens group (110) and a second lens group (120) that are sequentially arranged from an object side (OBJS) to an image plane (140) side. The first lens group (110) includes a first lens element (111), a second lens element (112), a first transparent body (113), and a third lens element (114) that are sequentially arranged from the object side (OBJS) to the image plane (140) side. The second lens group (120) includes a fourth lens element (121), a second transparent body (122), a second buffer layer (123), and a fifth lens element (124) that are sequentially arranged from the object side (OBJS) to the image plane (140) side. The first lens element (111) and the second lens element (112) of the first lens group (110) form a doublet lens.

Abstract: A filter 101 of the present application has flexibility. The filter 101 includes a left protruding portion 102, a right protruding portion 103, a lower protruding portion 104a, a lower protruding portion 104b, and an upper protruding portion 105. The electronic equipment of the present application includes a main portion 2 and a display portion 3. The display portion 3 includes a left groove 11a, a right groove 11b, a lower groove 12a, and a lower groove 12b. The left protruding portion 102 can be inserted in the left groove 11a. The right protruding portion 103 can be inserted in the right groove 11b. The lower protruding portion 104a can be inserted in the lower groove 12a. The lower protruding portion 104b can be inserted in the lower groove 12b. When the filter 101 is mounted on the display portion 3, the upper protruding portion 105 is positioned on the display frame 9.

Abstract: An image sensor system includes an image sensor that can be exposed with light from an illuminated scene to produce a secondary image, a meter sensor that can be exposed with light from the illuminated scene to produce a meter secondary image, and an image processor. The image processor can be configured to determine an average pixel color in the secondary image. The image processor can also be configured to determine a white balancing point in response to the secondary image average pixel color, the meter secondary image, meter calibration information for the meter sensor, and the image calibration information for the image sensor.

Abstract: A camera body includes an imaging unit operable to generate image data by capturing an object image, an acquisition unit operable to acquire optical data of the interchangeable lens from the interchangeable lens, a correction unit operable to correct the image data generated by the imaging unit based on the optical data acquired by the acquisition unit, a detection unit operable to detect state of mounting/demounting the interchangeable lens to/from the camera body, and a display unit operable to display an image based on the image data. After detecting that the interchangeable lens is completely mounted to the camera body, when the detection unit detects that the interchangeable lens is being demounted from the camera body, the display unit stops displaying the image based on the image data.