Abstract: A system for controlling photoflash includes a signal processing unit, a calculating unit, a photoflash module and an adjusting unit. The photoflash module includes a capacitor. The signal processing unit is configured for analyzing image information to get a current brightness value of the image, and the calculating unit is configured for calculating a first photoflash time of the photoflash module based on a first voltage value of the capacitor via analyzing the current brightness value. The adjusting unit is configured for adjusting the first photoflash time to get a second photoflash time according to a second voltage value of the capacitor, and outputting the second photoflash time to the photoflash module to control flashing of the photoflash module.

Abstract: A hand-held accessory for a camera-equipped device comprises a short-range transceiver to transmit signals to and receive signals from the camera-equipped device. A controller and a display are operatively connected to the short-range transceiver. The controller generates control signals responsive to user input, and conveys the control signals to the short-range transceiver for transmission to the camera-equipped device. The control signals control the camera functionality on the camera-equipped device. Images captured by the camera-equipped device may be displayed on the accessory display.

Abstract: A camera flash is disclosed for producing a warm light having a desired color temperature. In one embodiment, the flash has a xenon flash component producing a light with a spectrum having a color temperature at a higher Kelvin rating than the warm light, and a light emitting diode flash component producing a light with a spectrum having a color temperature at a lower Kelvin rating than the warm light. The color temperature of the light of the xenon flash component and the color temperature of the light of the light emitting diode flash component together produce the warm light having the desired color temperature.

Abstract: An electronic camera that makes it possible to determine an image-capturing angle of view by displaying a live image on an LCD before a still image-recording even if the object is dark. When the live image is displayed, a cycle for outputting image signals in one field from a CCD can be changed to another cycle; e.g., from a normal video rate of 1/60 second to 1/30 second. Therefore, the exposure time of the CCD can be longer than the normal exposure, and thus, the live image with a suitable brightness can be displayed on the LCD even if the object is dark. The electronic camera is provided with an electronic flash that can be intermittently activated by switching on a switch or automatically if the object is dark before the image recording. This enables the display of the live image with the suitable brightness on the display even if the object is so dark as to require the electronic flash, and the image-capturing angle of view can be determined in view of the live image on the display.

Abstract: A solid state image pickup device which can prevent color mixture by using a layout of a capacitor region provided separately from a floating diffusion region and a camera using such a device are provided. A photodiode region is a rectangular region including a photodiode. A capacitor region includes a carrier holding unit and is arranged on one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region as a region having a side longer than the one side. In a MOS unit region, an output unit region including an output unit having a side longer than the other side which crosses the one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region is arranged on the other side. A gate region and the FD region are arranged between the photodiode region and the capacitor region.

Abstract: Provided is a strobe unit compatible with both a camera that has a synchro switch that does not cause chattering and that can achieve a large number of times of flash photography per unit time and a camera that has a synchro switch whose chattering time is long or short. The strobe unit comprises: a chattering preventing unit that is connected to a flashlight emission initiating unit; a checking unit that checks the type of synchro switch included in an image sensing apparatus, which is connected to the strobe unit via a communication terminal, through transfer of information with the image sensing apparatus; and a control unit that controls the chattering preventing unit according to the result of checking performed by the checking unit.

Abstract: A flash device includes at least one light emitting unit is attachable to a plurality of connection portions. A shielding portion shields the connection portion without an attached light emitting unit. A capacitor accumulates an electric charges and is charged by a charging circuit. A control circuit includes judges both (1) whether or not all the plurality of connection portions are shielded and (2) whether or not the light emitting unit is attached to at least one of the plurality of connection portions, and permits the capacitor to be charged if both all the connection portions are shielded and the light emitting unit is attached to at least one of the plurality of connection portions.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a solid-state image pickup device, an optical system, and a flash. The solid-state image pickup device has an electronic shutter function of outputting accumulated signal charges at a timing corresponding to a shutter speed. The optical system collects incident light to an image pickup area of the solid-state image pickup device. The flash irradiates light to an object to be photographed by the solid-state image pickup device. The solid-state image pickup device includes a pulse generator circuit for generating one or more of an electronic shutter pulse for controlling an accumulation time of signal charges by using the electronic shutter function, an optical system movement pulse for controlling movement of the optical system, and a flash pulse for controlling an emission timing of the flash.

Abstract: An area image sensor outputs the difference between charges received by light-receiving cells arranged in an array pattern. A system controller generates a timing signal for generating a pulse or modulation signal. A control signal generator generates a control signal for separately controlling the light-receiving timings of the light-receiving cells of the area image sensor on the basis of the timing signal from the system controller. A light emitting controller controls a light source to generate light, the intensity of which changes on the basis of the timing signal from the system controller. A reflected light image processor extracts a reflected image of an object from the difference outputted from the area image sensor.

Abstract: When a photographing apparatus that is in a photographing enabled state but, at the same time, in a blur correction disabled state, is expected to be subjected to a shock, e.g., when an flash device in the photographing apparatus is about to be deployed, a blur correcting optical system is held at a constant position over a necessary length of time. In addition, at the start of a photographing operation, the blur correcting optical system is moved to a position at which the optical axis of the photographic optical system and the optical axis of the blur correcting optical system are substantially aligned with each other and the blur correcting optical system is held at the position. As a result, it becomes possible to dispense with a lock mechanism for holding the blur correcting lens and, at the same time, power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of completing photography normally without falling in a low battery (LB) state in the middle of the photography in case of performing the photography with a light emitting device such as an LED emitting light is disclosed. The maximum current value (the maximum light emission amount) of the LED is calculated by the LED maximum current operation unit from the electric power source voltage value obtained by an electric power source control circuit and the data read from a memory. Hereupon, the current operation unit calculates the maximum LED current value at which the electric power source voltage dropping by the light emission of the LED does not become the minimum drive voltage (LB) or less of the image pickup device.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus may be configured to illuminate a subject while the subject is undergoing a motion during a time period. An imaging system may be configured to generate image data representative of a sequence of frames of the moving subject. A controller may be configured to drive the lighting apparatus and the imaging system so that the lighting apparatus sequentially illuminates the moving subject with a time-multiplexed series of lighting conditions, and so that each one of the frames shows the subject illuminated with a respective one of the lighting conditions. The controller may be further configured to process the image data to generate re-illumination data representative of novel illumination conditions under which the subject can be re-illuminated, subsequent to the time period.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a digital single lens reflex camera which includes a motor on a side of a mirror box above a battery storage unit for a detachable battery, such that the motor's output shaft can be substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, which facilitates reduction of the size of the entire camera.

Abstract: A method for macro photographing with a digital camera without attaching a separate light source apparatus for macro photographing is provided.

Abstract: Provided are a method for controlling a digital photographing apparatus that informs a user when a flash is set to go off when photographing, and photographs with the flash according to user manipulation, and a digital photographing apparatus utilizing the method. In one implementation of the method, the digital photographing apparatus stores an image file in a recording medium after photographing a subject, plays the image file stored in the recording medium, and displays the image file on a display panel. Various implementations of the method include: determining the on/off state of the flash when a shutter release button is pressed to a first step when a mode that protects the subject from the flash is set; and if it is determined that the flash is “on,” informing the user of the “on” state of the flash.

Abstract: A method for matching a photographic image with related identifying data, including the steps of creating a digital image that includes a datafile containing image time data, generating a signal when the digital image is created, and storing in a digital storage device identifying information relevant to the digital image. The identifying information also has information time data associated therewith. A signal is transmitted to the digital storage device and a time stamp is applied to the signal at the digital storage device. The image time data is stored in the digital storage device in time sequenced order. The image time data and the information time data are synchronized, and the digital image is associated with the identifying information by matching the synchronized image time data and the information time data.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which includes: an image pickup unit that picks up a shooting object; an illuminating unit that illuminates the shooting object; a specifying unit that specifies a range of illumination by the illuminating unit; an illumination range image generating unit that generates an image of the range of illumination which shows the range of illumination specified by the specifying unit. An image is generated by superimposing the image of the shooting object picked up by the image pickup unit and the image of the range of illumination generated by the illumination range image generating unit, so that the generated superimposed image is displayed.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a digital photography device includes a global shutter to control exposure time, a sensor array, and a flash illumination are described. The global shutter is in the optical path of light going to the sensor. The flash illumination generates a pulsed illumination. The shutter speed of the global shutter during a pre-flash illumination substantially matches the shutter speed during the flash illumination during the taking of a picture using the flash illumination based on the global shutter receiving a trigger signal from a controller.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with a camera of the present invention comprises a camera portion, a first light source outputting a first light as a strobe light emitting operation in connection with a photographing operation of the camera portion, a second light source outputting a second light for display and an illumination lens through which the first light and the second light exit the device. The illumination lens outputs both of the first light and the second light. A light diffuser, such as a prism reflects the second light to the illumination lens side between the illumination lens and the first light source, the second light reaching the first light source having been made as small as negligible.

Abstract: A digital still camera has a cylindrical image pick up portion with a lens, a strobe unit, and a display. The image pick up unit is cylindrical and is rotatably held at each end, so that the lens and strobe unit move in concert. The image pick up unit can be rotated to face the rear of the camera, where the display is located, so that the user can do self-images.

Abstract: A flash apparatus to perform preliminary flashing, detect an average brightness of surroundings in synchronization with a periodic signal subsequent to the preliminary flashing, and set main flashing time according to the detected average brightness, is controlled by controlling the flash apparatus to start preliminary flashing at a point earlier than a first point at which either a rising edge or a falling edge of a first pulse of the periodic signal is generated, detecting a first average brightness of surroundings at the first point, controlling the flash apparatus to terminate the preliminary flashing at a point later than the first point, detecting a second average brightness of surroundings at a second point at which either a rising edge or a falling edge of a second pulse subsequent to the first pulse of the periodic signal is generated, setting the main flashing time according to the detected first and second average brightness, and controlling the flash apparatus to perform main flashing according to

Abstract: In an embodiment of a flash apparatus, a semiconductor laser device is used as a flash-use light source. Laser light beams are approximately evenly scattered by a reflector plate whose reflection surface is formed of Ag coarse film, whereby illumination of a wide range and safety are secured. In an embodiment of the semiconductor laser device, the semiconductor laser device is disposed such that a longitudinal direction of an imaging area 20a of a camera and a wide direction of far-field patterns 11a1, 12a1 and 12b1 of laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser device match.

Abstract: This invention makes it possible to execute photography with a sufficient red-eye relaxation effect. To do this, in this invention, the amount of a red eye is detected on the basis of a signal obtained by reading an object image under light projection by a light projection unit. The light projection by the light projection unit is controlled on the basis of the detection result.

Abstract: A portable camera-phone has a strobe consisting of LEDs emitting light with a determined quantity of light emission, as an auxiliary light source for image pick-up of an object by a camera. In an image pick-up mode, the light emission quantity is adjusted repeatedly until a total exposure value matches an optimal exposure value, based on a difference between a total exposure value of an image signal output from the camera with the light emission quantity determined last time and a total exposure value when emission is OFF. Therefore, in the image pick-up mode, two reference values are used for determining the light emission quantity to have the total exposure value match the optimal exposure value, and hence the light emission quantity can be determined with high accuracy. As a result, an optimal exposure level can be obtained with high accuracy.

Abstract: An auto focusing device for a camera includes a focus detecting section which detects a focused state of an image taking lens an AF mode setting section sets an AF mode of the camera to either a first AF mode or a second AF mode. An auxiliary light emitting section emits an auxiliary light to the object in association with the focus detecting operation by the focus detecting section if the object has a low luminance. An emission control section limits the number of times that the auxiliary light emitting section emits the auxiliary light to the object to one per a predetermined number of operations by the focus detecting section if the AF mode setting section has set the AF mode to the second AF mode.

Abstract: A pop-up flash of a camera includes a slidable member mounted to a camera body, the slidable member being movable between a retreated position and an advanced position in front of the retreated position; and a flash unit supported by the slidable member to be movable between a retracted position, in which the flash unit is accommodated in the camera body, and a fully-lifted position in which the flash unit projects from the camera body. The flash unit moves from the retracted position to the fully-lifted position when the slidable member moves from the retreated position to the advanced position.

Abstract: A pop-up flash of a camera includes a flash unit movable between a retracted position, in which the flash unit is accommodated in a camera body, and a fully-lifted position, in which the flash unit projects from the camera body; a biasing device which biases the flash unit toward the fully-lifted position; and a speed-change mechanism for changing a speed of movement of the flash unit, which is driven by the biasing force of the biasing device, during movement of the flash unit in a projecting direction from the retracted position to the fully-lifted position.

Abstract: A digital camera 1 comprising a xenon strobe light device 15 and an LED strobe light device 16, wherein, when strobe light consecutive imaging is performed when the strobe light is set to “automatically-switched strobe light”, the digital camera 1 illuminates a xenon tube 27 by controlling the xenon strobe light device 15 synchronously with each instance of imaging for a predetermined number of frames, and when the number of consecutively-imaged frames exceeds a predetermined number of times, the digital camera 1 switches the strobe light to the LED strobe light, and illuminates the LED synchronously with each instance of imaging in the consecutive imaging by controlling the LED strobe light device 16.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera in which a flash emission section is aligned with a self-timer light-emitting indicator section and the amount of slide of a slide door is minimized. The camera includes; a housing with an opening for an image-taking optical system and a first opening through which both the flash emission section and the self-timer light-emitting indicator section appear; and a slide door with a second opening having a cover partially attached thereto. The opening for the image-taking optical system, the first and second openings and the amount of slide of the slide door are arranged such that, when the slide door is closed, part of the first opening overlaps with part of the second opening and the overlapped part of the first opening is shielded by the cover provided in the second opening.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus that corrects an image blur by using a plurality of images acquired by image capturing means. The apparatus comprises: blur detection means that detects a blur amount between the plurality of images; image composition means that performs the composition of the plurality of images using the detected blur amount; acquisition means that acquires, based on a difference value between the plurality of images and a threshold value thereof, region data for separating the image into regions by changing the threshold value; and display means that selectably displays the region data for each threshold value.

Abstract: A lighting control apparatus of a photographing apparatus, comprises a lighting device, a continuous imaging control processor, and a signal supplying processor. The lighting device illuminates a photographic subject by receiving one of a rectangular wave signal and a sine wave signal. The continuous imaging control processor performs a continuous imaging operation where a plurality of images of the photographic subject are continuously imaged. The signal supplying processor supplies the rectangular wave signal to the lighting device in the exposure time, and supplies the sine wave signal to the lighting device in the post-exposure time which is the time between the exposure time termination and the next exposure time start.

Abstract: For an image pickup device formed from a plurality of pixels, each of which can perform any of an exposure operation and a reading operation thereof at a timing different from that of the other, an imaging apparatus is provided, which can determine the amount of main-flashing light based on pre-flashing by a flash highly accurately. Before and during a preflash operation by the flash 21, an exposure operation is started simultaneously for all the pixels of the image pickup device 13 to form an image before and during the preflash to obtain a detected value by the detector circuit 17 before and during the preflash, respectively. The computation circuit 18 computes a differential detected value obtained by subtracting the before-preflash detected value from the during-preflash detected value. The differential detected value is a detected value containing only pre-flashed light with ambient light excluded. An amount of light for main flashing is computed on the basis of the differential detected value.

Abstract: A digital camera containing an internal flash also has an externally attached flash which is adapted to emit light by using as trigger a signal received from the internal flash. A control system for the flash includes circuits for starting and stopping preliminary and main emission of light from the external flash by using as trigger the starting and stopping of light emission from the internal flash and may also be adapted to vary the quantity of light from the external flash for the preliminary emission by changing its waveform. A light screen may be provided to prevent light from the internal flash from illuminating the target object to be photographed by the camera and a light conductor such as an optical cable may connect the internal flash with the external flash. A single knob is operated to switch between two or more different modes of operation such as automatic and manual modes.

Abstract: A flashlight-exposed region is distinguished from an unexposed region during flash (or stroboscopic) photography. A region determination section of a digital camera acquires a preview image and a preview image acquired by firing preliminary flashlight. A region where a difference between the preview images exceeds a threshold value is determined to be a flashlight-exposed region. The region determination section acquires the preview image and an image captured during firing of primary flashlight. After the preview image has been resized, the preview image is compared with the captured image, and a region where the difference between the images exceeds a threshold value is determined to be a flashlight-exposed region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for compensating captured images. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises white balance compensating a strobed image data and a nonstrobed image data using a first white balance compensation value corresponding to supplemental illumination provided by a supplemental illumination source, determining a difference between the strobed image data compensated with the first white balance compensation value and the nonstrobed image data compensated with the first white balance compensation value, white balance compensating the nonstrobed image data using a second white balance compensation value corresponding to ambient light, and combining the difference to the nonstrobed image white balance compensated using the second white balance compensation value.

Abstract: An image pick-up device includes a camera body; a lens barrel mounted to the camera body; a pop-up type flash device that is retracted in the camera body when not in use and projected from the camera body when in use; and a structure including a gripping surface provided by one side surface of the camera body and an open portion provided in a given surface that extends between a front end of the gripping surface and a front part of the lens barrel. The flash device is retracted in the camera body through the open portion when not in use and projected sideward to the outside of the camera body through the open portion when in use.

Abstract: R, G and B LEDs are used as a light source of an electronic flash. Electric energy is supplied to a capacitor to the LEDs. A system controller controls light emitting amounts of the LEDs so that a color temperature of the electronic flash light becomes a color temperature that has been manually set with a color temperature setting switch or a color temperature of a light source determined by color temperature sensors.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus capable of picking up an image as a moving image, the image pickup apparatus is able to record at least one of a still image and a sound and is able to change at least one of a focal length of an image forming optical system and an illuminating angle of a flash device, and the image pickup apparatus, when recording the at least one of the still image and the sound, is prevented from changing the at least one of the focal length of the image forming optical system and the illuminating angle of the flash device. Further, there are provided a control method for the image pickup apparatus and a computer program product for controlling the image pickup apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic camera device according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a battery which supplies a power supply, a detector which detects a state of the power supply of the loaded battery, a flash device configured to illuminate a subject, a charge controller which controls a charge processing of charging an energy supplied to the flash device, a processing part which executes at least one processing requiring an electric power more than a predetermined value except a charge processing, and a part configured to execute the charge processing and at least one processing each unit of a predetermined processing by timesharing while keeping the electric power supplied by the battery to maximum.

Abstract: A flash module includes a point light source, a lens assembly, an actuator mechanism, and a control system. The lens assembly includes a lens that is positioned in front of the point light source. The actuator mechanism enables adjustment of the distance between the lens assembly and the point light source. The control system is provided to flash the point light source. A camera including a flash module, and a method for illuminating an object during flash photography, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital image capturing apparatus includes a housing, a first hole installed on the front side of the housing for inputting light from the front, a second hole installed on the rear side of the housing for inputting light from the rear, a reflector module installed in the housing for reflecting the light input from the first hole or the second hole, a photosensor installed in the housing for sensing the light from the reflector module, and an image generating module installed in the housing for generating an image according to the light sensed by the photosensor.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an image taking device comprising an image pickup device which picks up an image in a field, a luminance measuring device which divides the image into the predetermined number of blocks to measure the luminance level of each block, a reference average luminance level calculating device which calculates an average luminance level in a predetermined reference area in the image, a bright block sampling device which compares the average luminance level in the reference area with the luminance level of each block to sample a bright block high in luminance level, a backlight determining device which determines whether the picked up image is backlit based on the average luminance level of the bright blocks and the average luminance level of the reference area, and an exposure controlling device which calculates an exposure value based on the result of the determination as to the backlight to control exposure.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus including: an imaging unit for obtaining image data by imaging a subject; a light irradiation unit for irradiating light onto the subject when photographing; an eye detection unit for detecting a human or animal eye; and a light control unit for changing the irradiation condition of the light such that the light is irradiated on a position of the subject other than the eye detected by the eye detection unit.

Abstract: A camera system including a camera having an image displaying unit that displays various images and an external flash device that is connected to the camera when in use. To the camera is connectable either a first external flash device whose light emission amount is settable according to an operation input to the first external flash device by a user or a second external flash device whose light emission amount is settable based on information on a light emission amount transmitted from the camera as the external flash device. The camera displays an image having a different content on the image display unit between when the first external flash device is connected thereto and when the second external flash device is connected thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in a camera for determining a camera setting when using pulsed flash is provided. The camera comprises a source of light. The source of light is adapted to emit light to illuminate an object. The object is further illuminated by ambient light. The method comprises the steps of: Capturing a first image data of the object when the object is illuminated by light emitted by the source of light and by the ambient light, capturing a second image data of the same object when the object is illuminated by the ambient light but not by light from the source of light, creating a difference image data by subtracting the second image data from the first image data. The method comprises the further step of determine a camera setting based on the created difference image data. The determined camera setting is to be used when capturing a third image of the object, using emitted pulsed flash by the source of light to illuminate the object.

Abstract: This electronic image pickup apparatus converts a subject image formed by an image-taking optical system into an electrical signal. In order to realize miniaturization by efficiently arranging components in the apparatus, this apparatus includes a plurality of electrical boards which have respective component sides parallel to a principal plane of the apparatus body having a flat shape and which are arranged so as to be spaced apart at a predetermined interval from the principal plane of the body. A plurality of power supply batteries are arranged in the apparatus so that the axial direction of the plurality of power supply batteries are parallel to the component sides of these electrical boards in a space sandwiched by this plurality of electrical boards. A relay board is arranged in a space between a lens barrel which holds the image-taking optical system and the plurality of power supply batteries and connects the plurality of electrical boards.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic camera and a white balance correction circuit both capable of setting white balance correction values properly at stroboscope imaging by relatively simple processing. The electronic camera has a stroboscope unit or a connection terminal to a stroboscope unit; an imaging unit for capturing an image of a subject; a calculating unit for calculating, from the image captured with double illumination of both field light and strobe light emitted by the stroboscope unit, the color temperature of the double illumination; and a reflection unit for allowing the calculated color temperature to be reflected in white balance correction values to be applied to the image. When the calculated color temperature is in a predetermined range, the reflection unit decreases the degree of the reflection.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus, an image capturing method, and a computer-readable medium storing program for correcting appropriately an image for each area independently. A digital camera for capturing a subject includes an image pick-up unit for capturing a first image of the subject using an electric flash flashing at a first flash intensity, and a second image of the subject using the electric flash flashing at a second flash intensity; a distance judging unit for judging distance to a first partial subject out of the subject based on the first image and the second image; and an image correction unit for correcting a first partial image of the first partial subject, which is a part of the first image based on the distance to the first partial subject judged by the distance judging unit.

Abstract: A digital camera including an imaging unit, a flash unit, a face detection unit that performs face detection on image data generated by the imaging unit, and an emission control unit that controls a redeye reduction emission and a main emission performed by the flash unit. The emission control unit obtains a result of face detection performed on image data generated at the time of the redeye reduction emission. Alternatively, it obtains one or more results of face detection performed on one or more sets of image data generated during the period after the time point when the redeye reduction emission is performed and before the time point when the main emission is performed. Otherwise, it obtains both of them. The emission control unit determines the emission amount for the main emission using one of the obtained face detection results.

Abstract: A flash apparatus or an image capture apparatus includes a charging unit, configured to boost a voltage of an electric source and a control unit, configured to calculate the sum of the light emission amount within a predetermined period of time. The control unit reduces the temperature rise of components which generate heat due to the continuous light emission when the sum of the light emission amount reaches a predetermined value.