Abstract: There are provided a focus adjusting apparatus and method in which judgment of an object area to be focused can be favorably performed when the judgment of the object area to be focused is executed at the time of image-taking preparation operation. In the focus adjusting apparatus and method, a first operation of determining the object area to be focused is performed prior to the image-taking preparation operation, and a second operation different from the first operation is performed to execute a focusing operation at the time of the image-taking preparation operation. Prior to the first operation, whether or not an object to be focused can be predicted is judged to change a manner of the first operation based on a result of a judgment.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system including a focus lens unit, a branching optical unit disposed at the image side of the focus lens unit, a focus-state detecting unit including a focus detecting element having a focus detection area that receives light beams from the branching optical unit, and detecting a focus state by using the focus detecting element, an actuator that drives the focus lens unit in an optical axis direction thereof, a controller that controls the actuator, in accordance with an output from the focus-state detecting unit, and a movable image-side optical unit disposed at the image side of the branching optical unit. The controller changes the size of the focus detection area of the focus detecting element within a range in accordance with the position of the image-side optical unit.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus including: a mode determiner configured to determine a mode that is set; an automatic focus detectable frame display controller configured to, if a predetermined mode is found set by the mode determiner, control displaying an automatic focus detectable frame for a predetermined period of time to delete the displayed automatic focus detectable frame after passing of the predetermined period of time; and a main controller configured to, if an automatic focus point is set at a position outside the automatic focus detectable frame, make the automatic focus detectable frame display controller control redisplaying the automatic focus detectable frame.

Abstract: A camera system, including voice recognition, one or multiple microphones, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation. Another aspect of the disclosed invention provides for gesture recognition to be used to interface with and control the camera system.

Abstract: A focusing device capable of setting (S402) a focusing area according to a detection result of a target subject, wherein even if the target subject is no longer detected, when the target subject is assumed to be present, the velocity of the movement of the focusing lens (104) is made slower. Thus, even if the target subject can no longer be detected, it is possible to suppress the in-focus position from changing significantly.

Abstract: A focus adjustment device includes: a first focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state for a subject image in a first focusing area; a second focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state in a second focusing area through a method different from a method adopted by the first focus detection unit; a judgment unit that makes a judgment as to whether or not the first focusing area and the second focusing area have a specific positional relationship; and a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment based upon focus detection results obtained via the first focus detection unit and focus detection results obtained via the second focus detection unit when the judgment unit decides that the first focusing area and the second focusing area have the specific positional relationship.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, once the mode setting device sets the person photographing mode, and the face zooming instruction device instructs zooming to the face of the person, the detection device detects the size of the face of the person captured by the image pickup device. The zooming device is then controlled so as to capture the face of the person in a certain size based on the detection result. Subsequently, the photographer instructs zooming in the telephoto direction or the wide direction using the zooming instruction device as necessary to thereby allow fine adjustment of the composition. This enables to easily and quickly photograph an image in a user's desired composition.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: image capturing pixels and focus detection pixels disposed together on a single substrate; and adjacent pixels that are not equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit and are disposed adjacent to the focus detection pixels.

Abstract: Disclosed is an auto focus system having an auto focus (AF) frame auto-tracking function that detects the image of an object to be tracked as an AF target using a pattern matching process and moves an AF frame indicating an AF target range to the position of the object, thereby tracking the object. When a person's face (face image) is included in the AF frame, the auto focus system having an AF frame auto-tracking function automatically sets the AF frame in an appropriate range so as to correspond to the position and size of the face image. Therefore, even when the size of the face image is changed, it is possible to appropriately track the face and perform focusing on the face.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus performs focus control based upon image data of a region corresponding to a focus control region, the image data being a part of one screen of image data. The apparatus includes a camera-shake detector for detecting camera shake, and a focus detection zone designating unit for changing the focus control region with respect to the screen.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, wherein when performing auto focus control while continuously moving a focusing lens by using an image sensor that has a lag in timing of electric charge accumulation, a focusing accuracy can be improved. To this end, the imaging apparatus includes the rolling shutter function, an imaging unit configured to convert an object image into an image signal, and a setting unit. When a difference exceeds a predetermined amount in the barycentric position of the optical system between an upper line and an a lower line of the AF area due to the rolling shutter function, the setting unit imposes a limitation on the AF area to reduce the size of a desired AF area to an AF area where the difference in the barycentric position becomes a predetermined amount.

Abstract: By using a result of a detection of an object such as a face, stable focus adjustment of the object can be performed with accuracy. Even if an area that includes the object is not detected, if a tilt of an imaging apparatus is not changed, or a panning or a tilting operation is not detected, a focus detection area, which is used when the object is detected, is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention is applied to a videodisc device for example, sets information necessary for reproducing a multiplexed stream, and information necessary for reproducing streams making up this multiplexed stream to one of blocks serving as management information, and assigns this multiplexed stream to the track corresponding to the block serving as this management information.

Abstract: An autofocus system includes: an imaging device which captures a subject image; a matching image detection device which detects an image that most matches a stored reference pattern image of a target subject to focus on; a determining device that determines that an image of the target subject was detected when a correlation value indicating a degree of matching of the detected image with respect to the reference pattern image is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and determines that an image of the target subject was not detected when the correlation value is less than the threshold value; a changing device which changes the threshold value; and an autofocus device which, only when an image of the target subject was detected, takes a position of the detected image as a position of the target subject to focus on and performs focus adjustment.

Abstract: In an automatic focusing device generating a luminance signal by scanning a picked-up digital image signal, evaluating the contrast of the luminance signal, and driving its focusing based on the evaluation; the scanning includes at least a part where scan is performed in a zigzag-like manner. With this configuration, focusing is facilitated for an object having no high frequency components in the horizontal direction. This invention can be understood as an invention of a method.

Abstract: The present invention provides an auto focus system capable of having an AF area which is a target range of auto focus (AF) automatically follow a follow-up target subject as a focusing target, wherein the system changes a size of a range for capturing an image of the follow-up target subject as a reference pattern image out of the range of a photographing image according to a target subject distance and a focal length of a photographing lens so as to appropriately perform detection of the image of the target subject and automatic follow-up of the AF area even in the case where the size of the image of the target subject in the photographing image of the camera changes such as the case where the distance between the camera and the follow-up target subject changes or the case where the focal length of the photographing lens (optical system of the camera) changes.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system including a focus lens unit, a branching optical unit disposed at the image side of the focus lens unit, a focus-state detecting unit including a focus detecting element having a focus detection area that receives light beams from the branching optical unit, and detecting a focus state by using the focus detecting element, an actuator that drives the focus lens unit in an optical axis direction thereof, a controller that controls the actuator, in accordance with an output from the focus-state detecting unit, and a movable image-side optical unit disposed at the image side of the branching optical unit. The controller changes the size of the focus detection area of the focus detecting element within a range in accordance with the position of the image-side optical unit.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a driver driving an optical element of an image pickup device to adjust a focus position of the image pickup device in the capturing of an image of a subject, includes a focus position control process startup unit for managing a startup of a focus position control process, a focus position control process executing unit for executing the focus position control process that is started under the control of the focus position control process startup unit, and a startup condition adjusting unit for adjusting a startup condition of the focus position control process, based on a change in a saturated luminance count contained in the image captured in the focus position control process.

Abstract: A camera device includes a camera body having an optical system, an auto focus unit which adjusts a focus of the optical system to an object which exists in a predetermined range-finding area in an image formed by the optical system, a detector which detects a direction and a quantity of an angular acceleration of the camera body, and a control unit which changes a position of the range-finding area based on the direction and the quantity of the angular acceleration detected by the detector.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus including: a mode determiner configured to determine a mode that is set; an automatic focus detectable frame display controller configured to, if a predetermined mode is found set by the mode determiner, control displaying an automatic focus detectable frame for a predetermined period of time to delete the displayed automatic focus detectable frame after passing of the predetermined period of time; and a main controller configured to, if an automatic focus point is set at a position outside the automatic focus detectable frame, make the automatic focus detectable frame display controller control redisplaying the automatic focus detectable frame.

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: 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: An image sensing apparatus performs focus control based upon image data of a region corresponding to a focus control region, the image data being a part of one screen of image data. The apparatus includes a camera-shake detector for detecting camera shake, and a focus detection zone designating unit for changing the focus control region with respect to the screen.

Abstract: AF is started in response to the depression of a shutter button 61 by the user, and a plurality of images are obtained in succession with a time interval while a first image and a second image are obtained in this order with a time interval by a CCD 11. With respect to the AF area, of the first image, set so as to be used for the evaluation of the focus condition, the number of pixels belonging to a region in a predetermined color space is counted, and with respect to a plurality of color evaluation areas (the area corresponding to the AF area and a plurality of areas in the vicinity thereof) set for the second image, the number of pixels belonging to the region in the predetermined color space is counted. Then, the amount of shift between the color evaluation area where the number of pixels closest to the number of pixels counted with respect to the first image is counted, and the AF area is detected as the object movement amount.

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: Camera having a sensor for outputting subject image data to perform distance measuring or focusing of the camera, wherein in the event that a comparison is made between subject image data output from the sensor at predetermined intervals, and detection of blurring is performed based of the image offset from the subject image data, the usage range of the subject image data by sensor is made proper.

Abstract: An imaging device having a configurable focus area comprising: (a) an imaging system for generating a video signal of an image within a field of view, wherein the imaging system is adapted to adjust the focal point of the image according to an adjustment signal; and (b) a focusing system comprising: (i) a configuration device for facilitating configuration of a focus area within the field of view; and (ii) autofocusing circuitry coupled to the imaging system and the configuration device, the autofocusing circuitry being configured for correlating a configured focus area to a portion of the video signal, analyzing the portion for resolution, and effecting an adjustment signal to the imaging system to adjust the focal point of the image to improve the resolution of the configured focus area.

Abstract: This invention constitutes a measuring distance device including a sensor array which detects image signals of an object in a finder screen, a projection unit which projects a signal light on the object, a selection unit which selects a detection area for the image signal of the sensor array, a change unit (control unit) which makes detection areas selected by the selection unit different from each other when the signal light is projected or is not projected by the projection unit, and a focus adjustment unit which performs focus adjustment by an image signal output in the detection area of the sensor array selected by the selection unit. A reduction in time lag is achieved without increasing a read area, and an influence of harmful light is reduced. This device which can perform an accurate and high-speed process can be applied to a hybrid AF camera.

Abstract: A camera senses the speed with which the photographer actuates the shutter release. This speed is interpreted as a measure of the urgency of the photograph. The camera modifies its operation in accordance with the urgency measure to give appropriate priority to taking the photograph quickly.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a first distance-measuring mode in which a subject distance is measured on the basis of a subject image signal produced by at least a pair of light-receiving elements receiving the light from subjects, a second distance-measuring mode in which the subject distance is measured on the basis of an image signal from which a steady-state light removing section has removed the steady-state light component from the subject image signal, while a projecting source is projecting light onto the subjects, and a CPU which causes the second distance-measuring mode to operate for a specific time and, according to the image signal obtained, selects a subject whose distance is to be measured, and which enables the setting camera operation modes. The distance-measuring device inhibits the subject from being selected according to a specific camera operation mode.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjusting device adapted to detect focus information of an objective lens on the basis of two images of a subject, comprises a photosensor having a number of pixels on which the two images are formed, a focus detecting area setup device for selectively setting up either of first and second focus detecting areas on said photosensor, the first focus detecting areas being initially set up and the second focus detecting areas being less in the number of pixels than the first focus detecting areas, an operation device for performing predetermined operations on outputs of the first focus detecting areas set up on the photosensor to provide focus information of the objective lens, an evaluator for evaluating whether the results of operations are proper or not, and a controller responsive to the evaluator for, when the results of operations are improper, causing the focus detecting area setup device to set up the second focus detecting areas on the photosensor and then causing the operation device

Abstract: There is provided a distance measuring apparatus in a lens-shutter type camera provided with a photographic lens, a focal length of the photographic lens being variable.

Abstract: There is provided a distance measuring apparatus in a lens-shutter type camera provided with a photographic lens, a focal length of the photographic lens being variable.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus in a lens-shutter type camera is provided with a photographic lens having variable focal length. The device includes a pair of image forming lenses each forming a subject image, a pair of line sensors on which the subject images are respectively formed through the pair of image forming lenses, the pair of line sensors each having a plurality of light receiving elements. The unit also includes a plurality of light receiving areas formed correspondingly on each of the pair of line sensors, the plurality of light receiving areas each including a predetermined number of the plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of light receiving areas respectively receive different areas of a corresponding one of the subject images formed by the pair of image forming lenses, and each adjacent pair of light receiving areas of the plurality of light receiving areas overlap each other.

Abstract: In a zoom lens system in which the movement locus of a focusing lens unit is defined by synthesizing a focus cam and a zoom compensation cam, and the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of the optical axis, of the focusing lens unit in infinity and closest in-focus states does not vary so much, the ratio of the amount of rotation for focusing upon focusing from the infinity position to the closest distance position to the amount of rotation for zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end in the focus cam is set to fall within a predetermined range, so that the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of rotation, of the focusing lens unit satisfies a specific condition.

Abstract: The invention eliminates field mask eclipse related to a focal detection apparatus that uses a phase variation detection method, and provides an adjustment device and method for the focal detection apparatus. The focal detection apparatus includes a field mask; a separator optical system that divides and forms a set of light images of a beam of light transmitted through the field mask; an image sensor that photoelectrically converts light images from the separator optical system; a light-receiving area memory device; a masking device that masks the photoelectric output of the image sensor according to the light-receiving areas written into the light-receiving area memory device; and a focal computation device that computes a defocusing amount from the photoelectric output masked by the masking device.

Abstract: There is provided a zoom lens of an inner focusing system which is capable of an auto-focusing operation and a manual focusing operation with a high precision.A zoom lens system in which a movement locus of a focusing lens unit is defined by synthesizing a focus cam and a zoom compensation cam is arranged such that a ratio of an amount of rotation for focusing from infinity to closest to an amount of rotation for zooming from wide angle to telephoto in the focus cam is set within a predetermined range so that, when the sensitivity of a movement of an imaging point with respect to a movement of the focusing lens unit in the direction of the optical axis in the closest in-focus state is larger than that in the infinity in-focus state, the sensitivity of the movement of the imaging point with respect to the movement of the focusing lens unit in the rotational direction satisfies specific conditions.

Abstract: A zone for measuring distance is enlarged by adding an area where a contrast ratio is relatively high in the case of the photographing against the light. Thus, the sensitivity for judging a contrast ratio is increased and improper focusing is prevented. The brightness when an evaluative value is a maximum and the brightness at a moment when the evaluative value is not at maximum, for example when it is at a minimum, are compared. If the difference of brightness becomes too large, the maximum evaluative value is ignored and the detection is repeated. The determination of when the difference in brightness is too large is made to be dependent on parameters such as gain of the AGC circuit, gain of the amplifier and iris opening which affect the noise in the evaluative value so as to more accurately judge when the when the maximum evaluative value should be ignored.

Abstract: An optimum focus detection algorithm range is established in the focus detection area corresponding to the subject pattern. The method includes establishing a first region on the photoelectric conversion array; computing the contrast of the subject image in the first region based on the output signal strings of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements contained in the first region; establishing a portion of the first region as a second region; and computing the contrast of the subject image in the second region based on the output signal strings of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements contained in the second region. Subsequently, either the first region or the second region must be determined as the focus detection algorithm range based on the contrast of the first region and the contrast of second region. The focus adjustment condition of the shooting lens is computed based on the output signal strings of the first region or the second region, whichever is selected as the algorithm range.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes a pair of photoelectric converting element arrays that output a pair of signal strings and a focus detection optical system, including a photo lens, that conducts a pair of light rays from a subject to the pair of photoelectric converting element arrays. A filter extracts a pair of signal strings having a predetermined frequency component from the pair of signal strings outputted by the photoelectric converting element arrays. A calculation range setting device sets a calculation range of signals of the pair of extracted signal strings, and a focus detection calculating device calculates a focus adjustment condition for the photo lens based on the signals of the pair of extracted signal strings in the calculation range.

Abstract: A camera having a device for setting plural modes of camera operation with a single operating member. The camera operates in various modes of operation, including a first focus detection region mode in which focus detection of a photographic lens is performed in a first focus detection region in a photographic picture plane, and a second focus detection region mode in which focus detection of a photographic lens is performed in a second focus detection region which is narrower than the first focus detection region. The camera also operates in plural focusing adjustment modes of operation, including a first drive mode in which further focusing adjustment movement of the lens is inhibited once the photographic lens has been focused, and a second drive mode in which focus adjustment movement continues even after focusing of the photographic lens. The various combinations of the focus detection region modes and the focus adjustment modes are changed by the single operating member.