Abstract: A camera module includes an imaging lens assembly, an image sensor, a first reflecting member and a first driving apparatus. The imaging lens assembly is for converging an imaging light on an image surface. The image sensor is disposed on the image surface. The first reflecting member is located on an image side of the imaging lens assembly, the first reflecting member is for folding the imaging light, and has a first translational degree of freedom. The first reflecting member is assembled on the first driving apparatus, and the first driving apparatus is for driving the first reflecting member moving along the first translational degree of freedom.

Abstract: A camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first plate comprising a cavity in which a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid forming an interface are disposed; a common terminal disposed on the first plate; a plurality of individual terminals disposed below the first plate; a second plate disposed on the common terminal; a liquid lens comprising a third plate disposed below the individual terminals; a lens assembly comprising at least one solid lens and the liquid lens; a sensor substrate disposed below the lens assembly and having an image sensor disposed thereon; a connection substrate for electrically connecting the liquid lens and the sensor substrate; and a control unit for supplying a driving voltage applied to the common terminal and the individual terminals, wherein the control unit may sense the voltage applied between the common terminal and the individual terminals, and supply the compensated driving voltage to the common terminal and the individual ter

Abstract: An embodiment provides a camera module comprising: a holder; a first lens part disposed at an upper part of the holder; a second lens part disposed at an lower part of the holder; a liquid lens coupled to the holder and disposed between the first lens part and the second lens part; a substrate electrically connected to the liquid lens; and an image sensor disposed in the optical axis direction of the liquid lens and mounted on the substrate, wherein a distance from a rear surface of the first lens part to a front surface of the second lens part on an optical axis is 1.8 to 2.1 times the thickness of the liquid lens.

Abstract: A method includes, in response to a trigger instruction, obtaining first images from a first camera and displaying the first images on a first display area, and obtaining second images from a second camera and displaying the second images on a second display area. The first camera and the second camera are located at different positions. The first display area is different from the second display area.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus includes an image sensor having a plurality of pixels and an AD converter configured to switch a low-luminance conversion mode and a high-luminance conversion mode, a determination unit configured to determine whether an output signal is a signal AD converted in both the low-luminance conversion mode and the high-luminance conversion mode or a signal AD converted in only one of the two modes, an inhibition unit configured to, in a case where the output signal from the AD converter is a signal AD converted in both the two modes, inhibit a level difference of the output signal at a boundary between the two modes, and a calculation unit configured to, based on the signal for which the level difference is inhibited, calculate an amount of defocus of the imaging lens.

Abstract: An image sensor with a distance sensing function and an operating method thereof are provided. The image sensor includes a pixel array, a cluster analog to digital converter readout circuit, and a column readout circuit. The pixel array includes a plurality of sub-pixel groups arranged in an array. The plurality of sub-pixel groups are spaced apart from each other by a circuit layout area. The cluster analog to digital converter readout circuit is disposed in the circuit layout area of the pixel array. A distance sensing pixel of each of the plurality of sub-pixel groups is configured to perform time-of-flight ranging. The column readout circuit is disposed adjacent to the pixel array. A plurality of image sensing pixels of each of plurality of the sub-pixel groups are configured to perform image sensing.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel array, a memory configured to be input a signal output from the pixel array, and an arithmetic operation processing circuit configured to input the signal output from the memory and perform arithmetic operation processing using the signal. The photoelectric conversion device includes a first pixel including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions shielded from light, and a second pixel and a third pixel each including the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions on which the light is incident. The pixel array outputs a first signal, a second signal, and a third signal in this order. The first signal, the second signal, and the third signal output from the memory are input to the arithmetic operation processing circuit in the order of the first signal, the third signal, and the second signal.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a first photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a first opening to an electric charge, a second photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a second opening which is smaller than the first opening to an electric charge, and a signal output wiring that outputs a first signal generated by the electric charge converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal generated by the electric charge converted by the second photoelectric conversion unit. The second photoelectric conversion unit is disposed between the second opening and the signal output wiring.

Abstract: Provided is a distortion correction method for an image pickup mode in which an image pickup is performed with an image pickup area, whose diagonal length is Ib, of an image pickup element which receives light from an optical system, an expression, 1.05<Ia/Ib, being satisfied in a case where a distortion correction is not performed, where Ia represents a diagonal length of an effective pixel area of the image pickup element, wherein distortion correction is performed for an image having a positive distortion so that image information positioned at an image height of Ic/2 is positioned at an image height of Ib/2, and so that a conditional expression, 1.0<Ic/Ib, is satisfied.

Abstract: An image acquisition device includes a first camera and a second camera. When detecting that shaking occurs, the depth information obtaining apparatus may obtain images captured by the first camera and the second camera, detect an initial distance between a target shooting object in the two images, correct the initial distance by using an offset difference between a first image and a second image, and determine a depth of the target shooting object by using the corrected initial distance. In the embodiments of the present invention, the two cameras may both have an OIS function, or either of the cameras has an OIS function. When performing OIS, the depth information obtaining apparatus corrects the distance between the same shooting object in the images obtained by the two cameras, so that finally obtained depth information is relatively accurate.

Abstract: Image pickup apparatuses, control methods and storage mediums for use therewith are provided herein. At least one image pickup apparatus includes: a display unit that displays an image generated by an imaging unit; an image processing unit that extracts in-focus areas from a plurality of images different in in-focus position that are generated by the imaging unit and that composites the extracted areas; and a control unit. The control unit acquires, out of image magnifications corresponding to the plurality of images different in in-focus position, a reference image magnification, and the image processing unit corrects the image to be displayed on the display unit based on an image magnification corresponding to the image to be displayed on the display unit and the reference image magnification.

Abstract: There is provided an image-taking system including an information processing apparatus and an image-taking apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a detector configured to detect brightness of an object image, and to output external brightness information, a determining unit configured to determine if an external image-taking apparatus exists or not, and an output unit configured to output the external brightness information to the image-taking apparatus if the image-taking apparatus exists. The image-taking apparatus includes a detector configured to detect brightness of an object image, and to output internal brightness information, and a controller configured to control exposure based on an exposure value, the exposure value being based on the internal brightness information detected by the detector and external brightness information received from an external apparatus.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for determining a configuration of the lens system. In an embodiment, respective distances from a reference are determined for each of a plurality of objects that are observable via the lens system. Based on the object distances, counts of in-focus objects are determined, each for a corresponding focal configuration of the lens system. Each such count of in-focus objects represents a total number of objects that are (or would be) in focus during the corresponding focal configuration, wherein a respective one of the plurality of objects is at a near depth of field of the corresponding focal configuration. In another embodiment, a preference of one focal configuration over another focal configuration is determined based on the counts of in-focus objects.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of unit pixels that each have a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions, and are arranged in a matrix; a plurality of column output lines arranged for each column of the unit pixels; and a switching unit configured to switch between a first read out mode where signals that have been accumulated in the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions of a unit pixel are read out from respectively different column output lines, and a second read out mode where signals that have been accumulated in the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions of a unit pixel are combined and then read out from a single column output line.

Abstract: Methods and systems describe calculating an estimated focal point for a feature of interest within an ocular area of a subject using acquired test images and focal points. A curve is approximately fit to the defocus measurements located at different focal points. A maximum of the curve is identified that corresponds to an estimated focal point of the subject's iris. An image capture device can then record an approximately focused image of the iris using the estimated focal point. This reduces the time and computing resources needed to capture an image iris that is in focus where the subject may be located at a variable, unknown standoff distance. These methods and systems can be used for biometric identification using iris imaging, among other applications where quickly focusing an imaging system is advantageous.

Abstract: The invention provides an image processing device, an imaging device, an image processing method, and a non-transitory computer readable recording medium recorded with an image processing program which can ensure a split image with a simple structure. A control unit selects the pixels in a 3n-th (n is an integer equal to or greater than 0) row as a first pixel group which functions as left phase difference pixels and reads a signal charge generated in a photodiode (PDL). The control unit selects the pixels in a (3n+2)-th row as a second pixel group which functions as right phase difference pixels and reads a signal charge generated in a photodiode (PDR). The control unit selects the pixels in a (3n+1)-th row as a third pixel group which functions as normal pixels, adds the signal charges generated in the photodiodes (PDL and PDR) and reads the sum of the signal charges.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a unit pixel including a plurality of light receiving elements, a plurality of column output lines provided, for each column, at a number greater than or equal to at least a number of the light receiving elements of each unit pixel, and a switching unit configured to switch between a first readout mode for reading out signals from the plurality of light receiving elements via respectively different column output lines and a second readout mode for reading out signals from the plurality of light receiving elements via the same column output line for each unit pixel.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image pickup device with a plurality of pixels each of which includes at least two photoelectric conversion portions, a readout unit configured to read out a first image signal and an added signal obtained by adding the first image signal and a second image signal, a subtraction unit configured to subtract the first image signal from the added signal, a focus detection unit configured to detect a focus state based on the first and the second image signal, and a limiter unit configured to suppress an output of the first photoelectric conversion portion and an output of the second photoelectric conversion portion not to exceed a predetermined threshold, wherein the limiter unit suppresses the output of the first photoelectric conversion portion and the second photoelectric conversion portion for different color filters.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging plane phase-difference type first focus detecting unit and a contrast type second focus detecting unit. A saturation detecting unit detects saturation of focus detecting pixels or imaging pixels provided in an imaging element. A brightness detecting unit detects the brightness of an object. If the number of pixels detected by the saturation detecting unit exceeds a predetermined value or the brightness of an object detected by the brightness detecting unit is less than a predetermined value, a CPU controls a focus adjustment operation only using a first detection amount. Alternatively, the CPU controls a focus adjustment operation based on the result obtained by weighting processing of a first detection amount and a second detection amount in response to an increase in the number of pixels of which saturation of the outputs has been detected or a decrease in the brightness of an object.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing device, an imaging device, a program, and an image processing method which can suppress a reduction in the visibility of a split image when distortion is corrected. A first display image which is used as a live view image and a second display image which is used to check a focus are generated on the basis of an image signal output from an imaging element including first and second pixel groups on which an object image that passes through first and second regions of an imaging lens and is pupil-divided is formed (S403, S415). The distortion of the first display image is corrected (S403, S411). The distortion of the second display image in a division direction is corrected and distortion in a direction orthogonal to the division direction is not corrected (S409, S417).

Abstract: A generation section generates a first display image based on an image signal output from an image pick-up device, and a second display image based on first and second image signals output from the image pick-up device. An identification section identifies an image region in the second display image generated by the generation section satisfying both a first condition and a second condition. The image region identified by the identification section is then displayed so as to be distinguishable from other regions in the second display image. The first condition indicates a condition of the magnitude of contrast being a first specific value or greater, and the second condition indicates a degree of matching between the first image and the second image being a second specific value or greater.

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 focus detection apparatus is arranged to obtain image data of an object obtained by an imaging unit having a pupil division unit of a photographing optical system for forming an optical image of the object, obtain setting information of a focus detection mode of the photographing optical system, set a focus detection area set into a pixel array area of the imaging unit, by dividing a predetermined area into a plurality of division areas in accordance with the focus detection mode and arranging the plurality of division areas in accordance with a different positional relation, form focus detection information by using the image data of the set focus detection area, and generate a drive signal of the photographing optical system on the basis of the focus detection information.

Abstract: There is provided a processing apparatus including a focus control unit configured to perform a reliability determination for determining a reliability of phase difference information based on a camera shake correction amount of camera shake correction performed by changing a relative positional relationship in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis in an optical system between an image sensor that includes as some of pixels, phase difference pixels that are pixels for obtaining phase difference information to be used in focus control based on a phase difference method, and the optical system, which is for forming an image on the image sensor from light from an object.

Abstract: A focusing device includes an imaging element, an imaging lens, a focus evaluation value detecting section, a control section. The imaging lens includes focus lens groups including first and second focus lens groups, and the imaging element to enable focus adjustment. The focus evaluation value detecting section detects a focus evaluation value based on an image signal acquired by the imaging element. The control section moves focus lens groups based on the focus evaluation value, effects a wobbling operation of the first focus lens group to focus on the subject, and moves the second focus lens group while effecting the wobbling operation of the first lens group for one period alone, so that image surface positions of the focus lens groups are moved by predetermined amounts.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging plane phase-difference type first focus detecting unit and a contrast type second focus detecting unit. A saturation detecting unit detects saturation of focus detecting pixels or imaging pixels provided in an imaging element. A brightness detecting unit detects the brightness of an object. If the number of pixels detected by the saturation detecting unit exceeds a predetermined value or the brightness of an object detected by the brightness detecting unit is less than a predetermined value, a CPU controls a focus adjustment operation only using a first detection amount. Alternatively, the CPU controls a focus adjustment operation based on the result obtained by weighting processing of a first detection amount and a second detection amount in response to an increase in the number of pixels of which saturation of the outputs has been detected or a decrease in the brightness of an object.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus that has a mixture readout mode configured to mix and read outputs of a plurality of pixels in an image sensor (107), when pixels to be mixed are image pickup pixels, they are mixed. When the pixels to be mixed contain a focus detection pixel, a signal of the image pickup pixel is not mixed with a signal of the focus detection pixel.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and sensor of processing time-of-flight (TOF) signals in a TOF camera system including an illumination unit and an imaging sensor. The method comprises illuminating the scene with light at a first frequency, detecting reflected light from at least one object in the scene at the first frequency, and determining a phase measurement using I and Q values. In addition, the scene is illuminated with light at a second frequency, the second frequency being 2?n of the first frequency where n=1, 2, . . . , etc., and the signs of I and Q values for both the first and second frequencies is used to determine the presence of aliasing in the phase measurement so that it can be corrected. The phase measurement is then corrected for aliasing and the effective range of the TOF camera system is extended by multiples of 2n. In addition, relative signal strength needs to be considered in accordance with the reflectivity of objects within the scene.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a first calculation unit configured to calculate a first defocus amount by a phase-difference detection method using a first signal and a second signal, a second calculation unit configured to calculate a second defocus amount based on a contrast evaluation value of a synthesized signal, an instruction unit configured to give an instruction of focus control, and a control unit configured to perform the focus control in response to the instruction of the focus control by the instruction unit, the synthesized signal is a signal obtained by relatively shifting phases of the first and second signals and synthesizing the first and second signals, and the control unit refers to the second defocus amount prior to the first defocus amount in the focus control.

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: An optical sensor device, system, and method are described that include a substrate, an electronic device disposed on the substrate, a molding layer, a lens, and a light-emitting diode (LED) package disposed on the substrate and at least partially over the sensor and molding layer. The LED package can include an LED substrate, an LED, a lens disposed on the LED, and electrical interconnections for coupling the LED to the substrate. In implementations, a process for fabricating the optical sensor device includes backgrinding a sensor die to a slim profile; attaching the sensor die onto a substrate; placing a molding layer on the sensor die; forming a lens on the molding layer; and placing an assembled light-emitting diode package on the substrate and at least partially over the sensor die and molding layer, where the assembled light-emitting diode package includes a 3D substrate.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a display unit which displays an image, a focus unit which detects a focus deviation, and a display controller which causes the display unit to display a composite image in which a first image of a region of at least a portion of a second image of the image data, and the second image are superposed and combined. The region is in a position in accordance with the focus deviation.

Abstract: A digital camera (400) comprises a sensor array (410) having image pixels (I) for capturing image data during an exposure period (EP), and focus-detection pixels (F) for determining focus information in a first mode of operation. The digital camera (400) is adapted for obtaining brightness related data (v) from the focus-detection pixels (F) in a second mode of operation, during capturing of an image by means of the image pixels (I), the digital camera further comprising a controller (428) adapted for determining the exposure period (EP) based on the brightness related data (v) obtained from the focus-detection pixels (F). A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a mirror unit comprising a movable mirror that pivots back and forth between an observation position and a withdrawn position; a movable mirror drive section that accumulates bias force using drive force of a drive force source, and causes the movable mirror to pivot from one of the observation position and the withdrawn position to the other by releasing the accumulated bias force; an attachment drive section that accumulates bias force using the drive force of the drive force source, and drives a working section other than the movable mirror by releasing the accumulated bias force; and an interlocking section that interlocks with the movable mirror and the attachment drive section, accumulates bias force in the attachment drive section while the movable mirror drive section releases bias force, and releases bias force from the attachment drive section while the movable mirror drive section accumulates bias force.

Abstract: An image sensor (810) comprises a plurality of image pixels (R, G, B) and a plurality of focus-pixels (F), each focus-pixel comprising a light shield (51a, 51b) for partly shielding the focus-pixel from incident light so as to obtain a focus-related signal in a first mode of operation. The image sensor further comprises additional circuitry for processing the focus-related signal, which additional circuitry is conveniently located underneath the light shields. The additional circuitry may be adapted for accumulating the charge of two focus-pixels (F1a, F2a), e.g. by charge binning, and for providing the accumulated charge in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A method for generating image data includes adjusting an angle formed by each of a plurality of lenses attached to the imaging device relative to a reference plane based on a photography mode, obtaining at least one first image data using the plurality of adjusted lenses, and generating second image data corresponding to the photography mode using the at least one first image data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus disclosed in the present application includes a lens optical system including a lens and a stop; an imaging; and an array-form optical element located between the lens optical system and the imaging device and including optical components extending in a row direction in a plane vertical to an optical axis of the lens optical system, the optical components being arrayed in a column direction in the plane. The imaging device includes pixel groups, each of which includes first pixels arrayed in the row direction and second pixels arrayed in the row direction at positions adjacent, in the column direction, to the first pixels. The pixel groups are arrayed in the column direction. Border positions between the optical components are respectively offset in the column direction with respect to corresponding border positions between the pixel groups.

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: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor on which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and which has a plurality of image forming pixels and a plurality of types of focus detecting pixels that are discretely arranged among the plurality of image forming pixels and respectively have different distributions of received light, and selection means for, when the plurality of pixels are read out from the image sensor while thinning out the plurality of pixels, selecting one thinning-out read-out mode from a plurality of thinning-out read-out modes having different thinning-out phases of the plurality of pixels, wherein the plurality of types of focus detecting pixels are arranged so that in each thinning-out read-out mode, only signals of the focus detecting pixels of one type of focus detecting pixels are read out, and signals of the focus detecting pixels of other types are not read out.

Abstract: The camera includes a field lens into which light from the image taking optical system enters, a conductive lens holding member holding the field lens, a conductive member electrically connected with the lens holding member, a secondary image-forming lens causing the light from the field lens to form plural optical images, a light-receiving element converting the plural optical images into electric signals, a focus detection part detecting a focus state of the image taking optical system by using the electric signals, and a conductive camera chassis. A coating having a light transmissive property and a conductive property is provided on an entrance surface of the field lens. The coating is electrically connected with the camera chassis through the conductive member and the lens holding member.

Abstract: The image pickup lens is composed of, in order from the object side, an aperture stop; a first lens with positive refractive power, including a convex surface facing the object side; a second lens with negative refractive power, including a concave surface facing an image side; a third lens with positive refractive power, including a convex surface facing the image side; a fourth lens with positive refractive power, having a meniscus shape including a convex surface facing the image side; and a fifth lens with negative refractive power, including a concave surface facing the image side. The image pickup lens satisfies conditional expressions relating to curvature radiuses of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fourth lens, a distance on an optical axis from the aperture stop to a focal point at the image side, and a focal length of the total system of the image pickup lens.

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: Disclosed is an image capturing lens system. The image capturing lens system includes an image capturing lens group having a plurality of lenses and a phase mask located in the image capturing lens group. The phase mask may satisfy phase mask functions that are defined with respect to x and y axes such that a modulation transfer function (MTF) of light is uniformized.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image taking optical system, an optical filter into which the light from the image taking optical system enters, an image pickup element electrically converting the optical image formed by the light that has passed through the optical filter, an image pickup element holding member holding the image pickup element together with the optical filter, and a lens holding member holding an image surface side lens unit disposed closest to the optical filter. The lens and image pickup element holding members are moved relatively to each other in an optical axis direction, and include dust-proof walls that surround a space between the image surface side lens unit and the optical filter and mutually overlap in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction in an entire range where the lens and image pickup element holding members are relatively moved.

Abstract: A distance measurement and photometry device includes a pair of distance measurement sensors each of which is a two-dimensional image sensor, a photometry sensor, which includes a two-dimensional image sensor, a pair of distance measurement lenses arranged to correspond to the pair of distance measurement sensors, a photometry lens arranged to correspond to the photometry sensor, a photometry process unit that calculates a brightness value of a subject, an exposure state setting unit that sets an exposure state correspond to at least the pair of distance measurement sensors, a distance measurement unit that measures a distance to the subject, wherein the exposure state setting unit alternates an exposure state of at least the pair of distance measurement sensors corresponding to a result of the photometry process unit.

Abstract: An optical system includes, in order from its object side a negative first lens unit, a positive second lens unit, a negative third lens unit, and a positive fourth lens unit. The air gaps between the lens units are variable during zooming. The first lens unit includes one positive lens, the second lens unit includes one negative lens, the third lens unit consists of one or two lens components, and the fourth lens unit consists of one lens component, where the term “lens component” refers to a single lens or a cemented lens. The system satisfies the condition “0<M3/M2<0.55”, where M2 and M3 are the amounts of movement of the second lens unit and the third lens unit respectively during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity.

Abstract: A single-reflex camera includes a mirror box, and a focus detecting unit. The mirror box further includes a first opening on a side of the image-pickup optical system, which the light flux that has passed the image-pickup optical system enters, and a bottom plate arranged between the mirror and the focus detecting unit, the bottom plate including a plate-shaped front part that extends so as to approach to an optical axis of the image-pickup optical system from the first opening. Part of the condenser lens is located on a side of the optical axis of the image-pickup optical system with respect to a line that is made by extending, parallel to the optical axis of the image-pickup optical system, an end of the first opening on a side of the bottom plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing Z-buffer generation in a camera are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise exposing a plurality of pixels on an image capture device to a modulated light signal reflected from different regions of a scene adjacent a camera after different delays. The method may also comprise correlating intensity of the modulated light signal received by the image capture device for each the different delays to determine a flight time of the modulated light signal. The method may also comprise generating a Z-buffer corresponding to the different regions of the scene based on the correlation.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device for performing photoelectric conversion to convert light from an object into an electrical signal; a phase difference detection section for receiving the light from the object to the imaging device while the imaging device receives the light, and performing phase difference detection; a focus lens group for adjusting a focus position; a focus lens position detection section for detecting a position of a focus lens; and a control section for calculating an object distance based on an output of the focus lens position detection section and an output of the phase difference detection section and automatically selecting one of a plurality of shooting modes according to the calculated object distance.

Abstract: The distance measurement and photometry device includes: a case having an opening in its front surface; a rectangular lens array which is located on a front surface side of the case, which is made of a transparent resin material, and in which first and second distance measurement lenses and a photometry lens located between the distance measurement lenses are integrally formed in line; an image sensor board which is shaped like a thin plate, which is arranged on a back surface side of the case, and which is located opposed to the lens array; and two-dimensional distance measurement image sensors and photometry image sensor which are arranged on the image sensor board.