Abstract: An AF camera includes a focusing lens group; an autofocus system which performs a searching process for detecting an in-focus position by moving the focusing lens group within a predetermined searching range to move the focusing lens group to the in-focus position; and a first switch and a second switch. After completion of the searching process, the autofocus system repeats the searching process over a first searching range closer to a far side than a near-side movable end upon the first switch being turned ON, with a current position of the focusing lens group serving as the near-side movable end; and the autofocus system repeats the searching process over a second searching range closer to a near side than a far-side movable end upon the second switch being turned ON, with a current position of the focusing lens group serving as the far-side movable end.

Abstract: An imaging acquisition system that generates a picture depth from an auto focus curve generated from picture of a three dimensional spatial scene is described. The auto focus curve comprises a step edge. The system generates the depth based on the step edge and a reference auto focus normalization curve.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed, which is suitable for the focus detection by the TTL phase difference detection method, and capable of producing a pair of phase difference images for focus detection with high accuracy. The optical apparatus comprises a deflection optical element which deflects at least one of first and second luminous fluxes with respect to the other. The first and second luminous fluxes are transmitted respectively through first and second areas of an exit pupil of an optical system, and then reach a photoelectric conversion element. The deflection direction of the luminous flux is different from the division direction of the first and second areas.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a zoom optical system including a focusing lens unit, a first cam member that rotates around the optical axis and moves along the optical axis in a magnification-changing operation, the first cam member including a focus cam portion for driving the focusing lens unit, and a speed-changing mechanism that changes the relative rotational speed between the focusing lens unit and the first cam member in accordance with the focal length of the zoom optical system in the magnification-changing operation. The speed-changing mechanism moves along the optical axis in the magnification-changing operation. In addition, the speed-changing mechanism includes a transmission member that is rotatable around the optical axis with respect to the first cam member and that includes a speed-changing cam portion for changing at least one of the rotational speed and the rotational direction of the focusing lens unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image generation unit configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed by an imaging optical system to generate an image, a control unit configured to perform focusing control of the imaging optical system, an object detecting unit configured to detect a plurality of object regions based on the image generated by the image generation unit, and a display unit configured to display the plurality of object regions detected by the object detecting unit. The object detecting unit sequentially detects the object regions at a plurality of positions to which the imaging optical system is moved, and the display unit juxtaposes and displays the object regions detected by the object detecting unit with respect to the image.

Abstract: Autofocus device has a lens-driving unit, a focal-point-position-detecting unit, and a distance measurement sensor that measures a distance to a subject. The device also has a control unit for controlling the lens-driving unit to drive the lens, thereby meeting the detected position of the focal point of the lens to an in-focus position. If a restart condition has not yet been satisfied after meeting the position of the focal point to the in-focus position to stop the focus operation, the control unit determines a switch of focusing on subjects based on the detected position of the focal point and a measured distance result by the distance measurement sensor and then restarts the focus operation based on a determination result thereof, thereby driving the lens to meet the position of the focal point to an in-focus position based on a measured distance result by the distance measurement sensor.

Abstract: An image is divided into areas in accordance with degrees of focusing. As the divided areas, there are a focus area and a non-focus area. With respect to the non-focus area, the image thereof is processed so as to emphasize its blur. In contrast, with respect to the focus area, the image thereof is processed so as to emphasize its sharpness. The processed image is displayed on a monitor so that perspective is expressed like a single-lens reflex.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a first part and a second part. The first part has a camera module mounted therein, which includes a lens-barrel and a focusing mechanism engaged with the lens barrel. Wherein the focusing mechanism has a focusing lever. The second part is movably attached to the first part between a first position and a second position. The second part further has a first and second lever-driving portions for driving the focusing lever to rotate between a first focus position where the focusing lever is located adjacent to the first lever-driving portion and the second is moved to the first position, and a second focus position where the focusing lever is located adjacent to the second lever-driving portion and the second part is moved to the second position.

Abstract: This invention can increase the focusing speed and quickly focus a camera to an object regardless of the position of the object within the field of the viewfinder. When the position of a main object falls within a range in which phase difference AF is impossible, the lens scan range of contrast AF is determined by referring to distance measurement information of phase difference AF near the main object or immediately preceding distance measurement information of phase difference AF. The scan range of contrast AF is narrowed to increase the focusing speed.

Abstract: This invention provides a metering method of automatic exposure for determining an exposure value of a picture having a subject, including a subject detecting step that uses focus values of the picture to detect the subject, and an exposure value calculating step that uses an auto exposure metering function to calculate an exposure value of the picture. The present invention can provide a simpler and smaller metering method.

Abstract: Provided are an automatic focusing method in which a photograph region is brought into focus through automatic movement of a focal lens to a focal position, in response to a photographing-command signal, and a digital photographing apparatus using the method. The method includes dividing the photograph region into a plurality of sub-regions, focusing on the sub-regions and obtaining focal position values, selecting a same focal position value if sub-regions in the same horizontal position have the same focal position value, selecting a same focal position value if sub-regions in the same vertical position have the same focal position value, and moving the focal lens to a focal position corresponding to a focal position value having the shortest focal distance among the selected focal position values.

Abstract: A lamp bracket and illumination optics assembly interface including at least one bracket engaging member formed on the illumination optics; and a receiving member formed on the lamp bracket corresponding to the bracket engaging member such that the bracket engaging member is configured to be received at least partially within the receiving member in an overlapping configuration.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing module for capturing an image; a display module for displaying the captured image captured by said image capturing module; a main object selecting module for selecting a main object out of the captured image; a frame display module for displaying a frame, which surrounds the main object, over the captured image on the display module. The frame display module may display a frame in the neighborhood of and around the circumference of the main object, in order to capture a high quality image easily by recognizing a main object correctly and controlling an image capturing condition on the basis of the image of the recognized main object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to autofocusing apparatus of a camera. The autofocusing apparatus of a camera includes a lens section on which a light signal is incident; an image sensor and ISP section that receives the light signal incident on the lens section so as to convert into an electrical signal and then outputs digitalized image data; an autofocus DSP that receives the image data from the image sensor and ISP section so as to extract predetermined image components, divides the central region of a picture into N regions (N is an integer larger than two), calculates a focus value for each region by integrating the predetermined image components, and calculates the maximum value while moving the focus lens of the lens section in the up and down direction in accordance with the focus value calculated for each region; and a driving section that drives the focus lens of the lens section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately auto focusing a lens of an imaging device. An imaged scene is split into an array of zones. The minimum and maximum sharpness score for each zone is determined over a plurality of lens positions. A histogram of the lens positions of the corresponding maximum weighted sharpness score for each zone is created. The peak of the histogram is determined to be the best focus position for a given scene.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a taking lens, an image sensor, an image processing unit, an input device, a processor, and a driving unit for moving the taking lens. The image processing unit is configured for receiving the electrical signals from the image sensor and obtaining image information of each image. The input device is configured for selecting focus areas in a photographing area and setting a focus power of each of the focus areas. The processor is configured for performing an auto-focus process using a base evaluation value of an image of the photographing area, wherein the base evaluation value is calculated by taking the total of multiplying an evaluation value of each of the focus areas and non-focus areas of the photographing area by the focus power corresponding to said each of the focus areas and a focus power corresponding to each of the non-focus areas.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an imaging apparatus including: a detecting device; a selecting device; a determining device; and a instructing device configured to instruct the determining device to display on an imaging screen at least one AF frame determined to be within a focusing range, where the focusing range is the range of a positions of an imaging optical system positioned within a predetermined depth of focus of a focusing position selected by the selecting device.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid-state image pickup device for an auto-focus and a camera for an auto-focus in which focusing precision is improved. The device has first and second linear sensor pairs (for example, 2-1, 2-2) each having a linear sensor for a base portion with a plurality of pixels and a linear sensor for a reference portion with a plurality of pixels in order to perform a focal point detection of a TTL passive-type phase detection system. The first and second linear sensor pairs have the same pixel pitch, the first and second linear sensor pairs are neighboring in parallel and are arranged so as to be relatively deviated in the arranging direction of the linear sensors, and a signal output to detect the focal point is executed by using both of the first and second linear sensor pairs.

Abstract: A camera has a viewfinder that forms a subject image to be observed, a multipoint auto-focus adjuster that focuses the subject image on the basis of multiple focus points defined on the subject image, a superimposer that superimposes an indicator mark on a position of a given focus point, and a focus point luminance detector that detects a luminance of the position. Then, the superimposer superimposes the indicator mark such that a brightness of the indicator mark increases as the luminance of the position increases.

Abstract: A focusing device includes a distance measurer, a focus adjuster, a focusing judge, and an area display. The focus adjuster measures area subject distances that are distances to a plurality of distance-measuring areas on a subject. The focus adjuster adjusts a focus to focus on the distance-measuring area. The focusing judge determines whether or not the distance-measuring area is a focus-adjustable area for which the focus adjuster can adjust a focus, based on the area subject distance. The area display displays the focus-adjustable area, such that one of the focus-adjustable areas for which the focus adjuster adjusts a focus can be selected as a selected area, based on the area subject distance.

Abstract: Subjects are detected in a captured image and a main subject is selected from the detected subjects. Focusing areas are set up that correspond to the detected subjects and focus detection is performed in the focusing areas that have been set up. When providing in-focus indication representing focus detection results, focus detection results associated with the particular focusing area among the focusing areas that corresponds to the main subject are displayed in a manner different from focus detection results associated with those focusing areas within the depth of field that correspond to subjects other than the main subject.

Abstract: The present invention further improves operability related to setting the position and size of a focus detection region. An image capturing apparatus of the invention is provided with an image sensor that photo-electrically converts an object image formed by an optical lens, a focus detection unit that detects the focus state of the object image using an image signal from a focus detection region that is a region that is a portion within a frame of the image sensor, a setting unit that sets one focus detection mode from among a plurality of focus detection modes in which the size and position of the focus detection region within the frame differ, and a storage unit that stores a focus detection region size and position for each of the plurality of focus detection modes.

Abstract: A camera comprising a first imaging part for capturing IR image data of a first field of view, said first imaging part comprising IR optics, a second imaging part for capturing visible light data of a second field of view at least partially overlapping the first field of view, said second imaging part comprising visible light optics, a laser pointer for providing a laser dot in the second field of view, and means for adjusting the first and second field of view relative to each other in dependence of the focusing distance of the first or second imaging part. The camera is arranged to determine the distance z between the camera and an object being imaged by means of the distance d, using the stored relationship. The distance z may be used to align the IR image and the visible light image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately auto focusing a lens of an imaging device. An imaged scene is split into an array of zones. The minimum and maximum sharpness score for each zone is determined over a plurality of lens positions. A histogram of the lens positions of the corresponding maximum weighted sharpness score for each zone is created. The peak of the histogram is determined to be the best focus position for a given scene.

Abstract: A taking lens capable of being used for photographing by light in each of at least two wavelength regions including a first wavelength region and a second wavelength region is provided and include: the flange back adjusting lens; a storing unit that stores a correcting amount of the flange back adjusting lens in photographing by light in the second wavelength region; and the lens driving unit. When the taking lens is used in photographing by light in the first wavelength region, the lens driving unit moves the flange back adjusting lens to a set position adjusted at the flange back; and when the taking lens is used in photographing by light in the second wavelength region, the lens driving unit moves the flange back adjusting lens based on the correcting amount so that an image location in photographing by light in the second wavelength region coincides with an image location in photographing by light in the first wavelength region.

Abstract: A focus control method is provided that performs focus control by sensing a plurality of images of an object while moving a position of a focusing lens and determining in-focus positions in auto focusing areas located at a plurality of positions. The focus control method calculates an in-focus position of the focusing lens based on the focusing lens position at the time of reading an image signal of each of the auto focusing areas and a degree of focused state of each of the auto focusing area that is based on the image signal of each of the auto focusing areas.

Abstract: An image signal processing unit which processes image signals corresponding to an image divided into a plurality of image-areas is provided. The image signal processing unit comprises a first detector, a second detector, and a blurring processor. The first detector detects a sharpness. The sharpness corresponds to how much of the image-area is in focus based on the image signals. The second detector detects an out-of-focus area from the image-areas when the sharpness of an out-of-focus area is out of a predetermined permissible range. The blurring processor carries out a blurring process for the out-of-focus area signal corresponding to the out-of-focus area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distance-measuring device has an AF area sensor that includes an image pick up element formed on a semiconductor substrate for receiving two images having a parallax therebetween, and a photo reception signal processing circuit formed on the semiconductor substrate for processing signals corresponding to light received by the image pick up element. On the basis of sensor data (outline data) obtained by integration executed in the AF area sensor in an outline detection mode, the distance-measuring device detects a main subject in a photography screen, sets a distance-measuring area including the main subject, and measures a distance to the main subject.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit for capturing an image of an object; a focal length storing unit for storing a focal length of the object which is outside of an image capturing region of the image being captured by the image capturing unit by corresponding to a positional relationship between the image capturing unit and the object; an image capturing region variation detecting unit for detecting variation in the image capturing region of the image capturing unit; a positional relationship predicting unit for predicting a positional relationship between the image capturing unit and the object after the image capturing region of the image capturing unit is varied on the basis of the variation in the image capturing region detected by the image capturing region variation detecting unit; and a focus adjustment control unit for controlling focus adjustment by the image capturing unit on the basis of the focal length stored by the focal length storing unit, wherein the focal length is

Abstract: An autofocus lens apparatus is disclosed which is capable of changing a focus target area in position and size without degrading the operability of manual focusing when taking images with an autofocus function. The autofocus lens apparatus comprises an operating member which is placed outside a lens barrel and movable to change the focus target area, a detector which detects the movement of the operating member, and a controller which changes at least one of the position and size of the focus target area on the basis of a signal from the detector.

Abstract: An output from an auto focus sensor is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converting section, and an output from the A/C converting section is stored in a memory section. Further, a second AF arithmetic section is used to concurrently execute a plurality of focus detection arithmetic operations based on data in the memory section.

Abstract: Provided are an automatic focusing method in which a photograph region is brought into focus through automatic movement of a focal lens to a focal position, in response to a photographing-command signal, and a digital photographing apparatus using the method. The method includes dividing the photograph region into a plurality of sub-regions, focusing on the sub-regions and obtaining focal position values DSFOC, calculating an average focal position value ADSFOC of the focal position values DSFOC, selecting focal position values DSFOC whose differences from the average focal position value ADSFOC are equal to or less than a threshold value DTH, and moving the focal lens to a focal position corresponding to the focal position value DSFOC having the shortest focal distance among the selected focal position values DSFOC.

Abstract: A first area of a predetermined size is set as a focus area from which AF evaluation values are picked up in AF control when a focus mode is a normal one. When the focus mode changes to a macro mode, a second area narrower than the first area is set as the AF area. Thus, in the macro mode, focus search is performed automatically through the narrower area. AF frames indicative of the first and second areas are displayed on a through image.

Abstract: A focus detecting device includes a focus detecting optical system which forms a plurality of object images. A photoelectric conversion element array includes a plurality of pixels and subjects each of the plural object images formed by the focus detecting optical system to photoelectric conversion. An electric charge transfer path transfers an electric charge obtained by the photoelectric conversion subjected by the photoelectric conversion element array. A focus detecting section performs focus detection with respect to a plurality of focus areas on the basis of a signal associated with an electric charge transferred by the electric charge transfer path. A plurality of effective pixel regions corresponding to the plural focus areas are arranged in the arrangement direction of the pixels of the photoelectric conversion element array, and ineffective pixel regions are arranged between the plural effective pixel regions.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes a focus detection unit, determination unit, and selection unit. The focus detection unit includes a plurality of focus detection regions in a frame. The determination unit determines whether the focus detection unit has captured an object during servo autofocus in which the focus detection unit repeats focus detection even after obtaining an in-focus object image so that the focus follows motion of the object. The selection unit selects a focus detection region indicating the closest distance from the plurality of focus detection regions if the determination unit determines that the object has not been captured. The selection unit selects, as a focusing target, a focus detection region indicating a focus detection result nearest to the previous focus detection result from the plurality of focus detection regions if the determination unit determines that the object has been captured.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for mitigating and/or minimizing effects of hand jitter or shaking during an auto-focusing process of an image-capturing device. In order to more accurately focus a lens for capturing a digital image, the lens is moved between a minimum and maximum position (along an axis) while capturing sample image frames using a focus window at various lens positions. Improved auto-focusing is achieved by dynamically adjusting the relative position of the focus window for each image frame to cover substantially the same image portion of the target image. By adjusting the focus window for each image frame to cover substantially the same image portion of the target image, variations from shaking may be minimized, thereby improving auto-focusing.

Abstract: A system for backlight detection using the brightness values of the subareas in a focus area and method therefor are provided, which are applicable to an image capture device. The focus area is divided into a plurality of subareas and the brightness values of each of the subareas are calculated. Then, the brightness values of each of the subareas are converted into 0 and 1 codes, and then the codes are combined to generate the codes representing the entire focus area. The status values corresponding to each of the codes are determined with reference to a backlight detection table established in advance, so as to determine whether an object to be shot is in a backlight condition.

Abstract: Methods, software, and apparatus for focusing an image in biological instrument are disclosed. Focusing elements are moved to various focus positions within a focus element travel range, and sample images are captured at the various focus positions. The sample images are resolved into subregions and an optimal focus position is determined based on the image intensity statistical dispersions within the identified subregions.

Abstract: A device allows a user to select an arbitrary portion of a scene being previewed for picture taking. In one implementation, the device includes a camera; a display to preview a scene associated with the camera; an interface configured to allow a user of the device to select a portion of the scene; and autofocus logic to adjust the focus of the camera based on the selected portion of the scene.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for obtaining a gazing direction of a user of an image-capturing device relative to an image of an object to be captured; identifying an area of the image based on the obtained gazing direction; and performing optical focusing for the identified area using an autofocus arrangement of the image-capturing device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a “multi-region” autofocus video tool-type or mode within a machine vision inspection system. The user may efficiently define multiple regions of interest that are grouped as a “multi-region” set. The autofocus operations for the multi-region set are defined with a shared set of autofocus parameters. The same set of autofocus images may be used for the autofocus operations of the multi-region set. The user may conveniently also define individual autofocus regions of interest, defined with individual autofocus parameters, within the same field of view. Various user interface features allow a user to conveniently change between the individual autofocus tool-type or mode and the multi-region autofocus tool-type or mode.

Abstract: An imaging method and apparatus is disclosed which improves the depth of field of an image by, in one exemplary embodiment, capturing a plurality of images at respective different focus positions, and combines the images into one image and sharpens the one image. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a single image is captured while the focus positions change during image capture, and the resulting image is sharpened.

Abstract: A focus detection method includes moving a focusing lens group from the near extremity toward the far extremity in a search operation, and stopping the focusing lens group upon first detecting an in-focus state to determine an in-focus position of the focusing lens group when detecting a focus state in each of a plurality of focus detection areas while performing the search operation, and moving the focusing lens group firstly to one of the near extremity and the far extremity which is closer to a current position of the focusing lens group and subsequently toward the other thereof, and stopping the focusing lens group upon first detecting an in-focus state to determine an in-focus position of the focusing lens group when detecting a focus state in the single focus detection area while performing the search operation.

Abstract: The taking lens comprises a picture-taking optical system, which allows object light to enter an image-capturing element for picture-taking of a camera, and a focus determination optical system, which splits the object light and allows the split light to enter a focus status determination image-capturing element. The taking lens includes a picture-taking optical length adjusting device, which adjusts an optical length of the picture-taking optical system, and a focus determination optical length adjusting device, which adjusts an optical length of the focus determination optical system. It is hence possible to adjust the respective optical lengths separately and facilitates adjustments at the time of shipment.

Abstract: In a focus detection apparatus, an accumulation-type sensor formed of a plurality of sensor cells accumulates an image signal, and a component of the image signal is read from each cell for a focus detection calculation. A signal is read from a part of the cells in the sensor, and it is determined from the signal whether an image signal has a low contrast. When it is determined that the image signal has a low contrast, reading signals from the other cells is disabled to omit unnecessary signal reading operations.

Abstract: Correlation value calculation is carried out while a pair of window ranges being shifted using uncorrected AF data, and a pair of window ranges providing the highest correlation value is determined. Then, the difference between the smallest values in the respective window ranges is evaluated. If it is determined that the distance is large, the AF data is corrected so that the smallest values in the respective window ranges are consistent with each other, and the corrected AF data is used to carry out correlation value recalculation. Then, if the highest correlation value after correction is smaller than the highest correlation value before correction, the result of correlation value calculation after correction is employed.

Abstract: A rangefinder apparatus includes an effective minimum value certifying unit for comparing a minimum value, exhibiting the smallest value in correlation values calculated for the each rangefinding area, with a reference value for a degree of correlation and certifying a minimum value smaller than the reference value as an effective minimum value, effective for a rangefinding calculation, a distance calculating unit for calculating the distance to the object according to the effective minimum value certified for each rangefinding area; and a correlation calculation restricting unit for omitting the correlation calculation within a specific distance range, farther by at least a predetermined amount than the shortest distance calculated according to the effective minimum value in the correlation calculation for a rangefinding area to be later subjected to the correlation calculation, when the effective minimum value exists in the rangefinding area earlier subjected to the correlation calculation.

Abstract: A camera for recording an image captured using image-capturing element in a recording medium is provided with a focal point detection device for detecting a focal point adjustment state of a photographic lens in each focal point detection region of a plurality of focal point detection regions set inside an photographic field. When electronic zoom shooting is carried out, part of an imaged picture is trimmed and an image for recording in the recording medium is created. For a plurality of focal point detection regions the focal point detection regions are changed according to the trimming range of the imaged picture. Focal point adjustment of the photographic lens is carried out based on focal point detection results for focal point detection regions that have been changed.

Abstract: A camera includes software to compute a measure of focus at a plurality of focal distances. The camera includes an indicator of the measure of focus as a function of focal distance. The camera may also include an indication of present focal position. The camera may also include an indication of present depth of field.

Abstract: A camera comprises a spatial modulation optical filter that is disposed in a viewfinder optical system for subject observation at or near a position optically equivalent to an estimated image forming plane of a photographic optical system and modulates a subject light flux entering via the photographic optical system with transmission characteristics to obtain a light flux having a predetermined spatial frequency; a photoelectric conversion device that outputs a signal corresponding to detected light; an optical element that guides the subject light flux having been modulated at the spatial modulation optical filter to the photoelectric conversion device; and a focal adjustment state calculation means that calculates a focal adjustment state of the photographic optical system based upon the signal output from the photoelectric conversion device having received the modulated subject light flux.