Abstract: For auto-focusing of a focusing lens within an image sensing system, an N-bin luminance histogram is generated by a digital signal processor from an image. A microprocessor determines a type of the image from the N-bin luminance histogram. The microprocessor also determines a focus position using a first set of at least one focus value if the image is determined to be of a first type. The microprocessor also determines the focus position using a second set of at least one focus value different from the first set if the image is determined to be of a second type.

Abstract: AF lens position determination systems and methods. The system comprises an anti-dazzling screen, a sensor and a processing module. The anti-dazzling screen comprises first and second areas. The length of a respective covered sub-area in the first area is a first distance, and the length of a respective uncovered sub-area in the first area increases progressively from the center to a first border of the anti-dazzling screen. The length of a respective uncovered sub-area in the second area is a second distance, and the length of a respective covered sub-area in the second area increases progressively from the center to a second border of the anti-dazzling screen. The sensor moves within a range, and generates high and low signals based on the anti-dazzling screen. The processing module determines the position of an AF lens according to the signals generated by the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention, which transforms multiple images so that positions of corresponding points will coincide between the images and composites the images with the corresponding points matched, provides an image pickup apparatus, image processing apparatus, image pickup method, and image processing method which make it possible to obtain an intended all-in-focus image or blur-emphasized image even if there is camera shake or subject movement.

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: In a digital still camera, an image is picked up by detecting object light from a lens system having a focus lens. A region of a human face is detected within the image by image analysis thereof. An estimated distance of the facial region is determined according to a size of the facial region. A lens moving distance of the focus lens is determined according to the estimated distance. A contrast value of the image is acquired in moving the focus lens by the lens moving distance. An in-focus lens position is determined according to the contrast value, to set the focus lens in the in-focus lens position. Furthermore, before the image pickup step, so great an aperture value of the lens system on the optical path is set as to enable image pickup of the facial region within a depth of field.

Abstract: A storage unit is configured to store beforehand a table that shows a relation between spread parameters and command values supplied to a control unit to acquire a focused image of an object, and information that designates a command value corresponding to an inflection point on an approximated curve showing the relation that the spread parameters have with the command values, the control unit being configured to control a state of an optical system in accordance with an input command value. The luminance information about the object that lies at a distance falling within a range over which focusing should be detected is acquired, at the position of the optical system, which is obtained by the command value corresponding to the inflection point shown in the table.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus comprises: a photographing device which takes an image of a subject; a focusing control device which controls the focusing status of the photographing device in response to an input of a focusing instruction; a focusing judgment device which, upon an input of the photographing instruction after the input of the focusing instruction, judges whether or not a focus position at the time of the input of the focusing instruction is optimum; and a photographing control device which controls to execute photographing using the focus position as it is if the focus position at the time of the input of the focusing instruction is judged to be optimum, and controls to execute photographing after performing focusing control again if the focus position is judged to be not optimum.

Abstract: A focus detection device for an image forming optical system comprises a micro-lens array constituted with a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed micro-lenses, a light-receiving element array that includes a plurality of light-receiving elements receiving a light flux from the image forming optical system via the micro-lenses, the plurality of light-receiving elements being disposed in correspondence to each micro-lens, and a focus detection unit that generates image data representing an image formed by the image forming optical system and a focus detection signal, which corresponds to a focus adjustment state at the image forming optical system, based upon signals output from the light-receiving elements at the light-receiving element array, and that detects the focus adjustment state at the image forming optical system based upon the image data and the focus detection signal.

Abstract: The auto focus system obtains focus information on a lens-interchangeable camera body of a TV camera and sends the focus information to a lens apparatus mounted on the camera body. The lens apparatus controls an auto focus based on the focus information. It is thereby possible to control the focus on adequate conditions according to optical specifications of the lens apparatus and so on.

Abstract: In a camera system according to the present invention, a lens controller obtains an exposure synchronizing signal that is generated by a camera controller from a camera body, causes a configuration formed of a first encoder, a second encoder and a counter to detect the position of a focus lens according to the obtained exposure synchronizing signal, and notifies the camera body of the detected position of the focus lens. The camera controller associates the position of the focus lens or the mechanism member obtained from the lens controller with an AF evaluation value based on the exposure synchronizing signal, and controls an autofocus operation of the camera system based on the position and AF evaluation value that are associated with each other. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of an autofocus operation with a contrast system.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus, in which a light is projected toward a physical object by projection means, and based on the reflected light by the physical object of the light, a defocus amount is detected (steps S2003 to S2008) by the first focus detection means and the second focus detection means, respectively, and a correction value for matching the defocus amount detected by the first focus detection means with the defocus amount detected by the second focus detection means is calculated and kept stored (step S2009), and at the photographing time, based on the defocus amount detected by the first focus detection means and the correction value kept stored, a focus adjustment lens within a photographic lens is driven, thereby preventing an inappropriate correction of the defocus amount.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a focusing image and shifting the focusing image to obtain a shifted focusing image. In the method, a focus metric of the focusing image is calculated from the focusing image and the shifted focusing image, where the focus metric is configured for use as a factor in making an automatic focus adjustment determination. An automatic focusing apparatus includes a controller configured to implement the method.

Abstract: A camera having an electronic image pickup element and a distance-measuring circuit that uses light signals obtained from light images of a plurality of distance-measuring areas set in a photographing screen to select a main subject and measure the distance to the subject. The camera has a focusing component, operating when the position of the main subject cannot be identified by the distance-measuring circuit, to divide the photographing screen into a plurality of areas to identify an area in which the main subject is present on the basis of a luminance distribution obtained from the areas other than those overlapping the distance-measuring areas. The focusing component focuses a photographing lens on the position of the highest contrast signal while scanning the lens position of the photographing lens.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image-taking apparatus including, a image pickup device, an optical viewfinder, focusing controlling means, display controlling means, setting means, and alarming means.

Abstract: A digital camera 100 includes a photographic optical system (21) for projecting an image of a subject; a CCD (24) for converting the projected image into an image signal and outputting it; a focus driving system (25) which changes a focusing condition of the image projected to the CCD (24) by relatively moving at least one of the photographic optical system (21) and the CCD (24) to the other; a CCDAF portion (82) which sequentially evaluates the image signal obtained in each focusing condition while subsequently changes the focusing condition by controlling the focus driving system (25), and which obtains a predetermined focusing condition based on the evaluation; an AF controlling portion (83) for controlling an operation of the CCDAF portion (82); and a ranging sensor (31) for measuring a subject distance. In addition, the AF controlling portion (83) controls the operation of the CCDAF portion (82) according to the subject distance to prioritize either a focusing accuracy or a focusing speed.

Abstract: A two-dimensional position detecting device includes a movable member which relatively moves parallel to a stationary member; a light source and a two-dimensional position sensor which are fixed to one and the other of the stationary member and the movable member, respectively, the two-dimensional position sensor receiving light emitted from the light source to detect a light-receiving point on a light receiving surface of the two-dimensional position sensor; and a reducing projector optical system, positioned between the light source and the two-dimensional position sensor, for converging the light that is emitted from the light source on the light receiving surface of the two-dimensional position sensor.

Abstract: Techniques are described for predictive focus value calculation within image capture devices. Image capture devices may include digital still cameras and digital video cameras. The techniques include performing an auto-focus process within an image capture device by predicting a focus value for a scene at a lens position of a lens included in the image capture device based on a corrupt focus value for the lens position calculated from a first frame directly after lens settlement. Therefore, the auto-focus process may determine size and direction of movement for the lens to a next lens position based on the predicted valid focus value, and move the lens to the next lens position during a second frame. In this way, the techniques may move the lens to another lens position during each frame, greatly reducing auto-focus latency by potentially doubling or tripling the speed of the auto-focus process.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically selecting a focus range in cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, a method for selecting a focus range to auto-focus a camera may include receiving focus data for different lens positions in a first focus range. The method may also include analyzing the focus data from the first focus range for focus data extending from the first focus range into at least a second focus range. The method may also include auto-focusing a camera lens using focus data in the first focus range if no focus data extends from the second focus range into the first focus range. The method may also include auto-focusing the camera lens using focus data in the second focus range if focus data in the second focus range extends into the first focus range.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of realizing a focus-effect function in a constant time without being influenced by contrast of an object or the position of a focus lens. The apparatus includes a signal generator which generates a focus evaluation signal, a detector which detects information corresponding to an object distance, and a controller which performs focus lens control on the basis of the focus evaluation signal and focus lens control on the basis of information corresponding to the object distance. The controller determines a direction and a velocity in which the focus lens is moved toward an in-focus position on the basis of the information corresponding to the object distance in the focus lens control according to the focus-effect function. The controller performs the focus lens control on the basis of the focus evaluation signal after the focus lens is moved in the determined direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an auto-focus apparatus including an evaluation value calculator periodically calculating evaluation values using high frequency components of image signals in a specific region of a subject image, a distance measurement unit measuring a distance to a subject and output a distance measurement result, a control unit outputting instruction values based on the evaluation values and determines whether a subject image is in-focus or out-of-focus, and a storage storing the distance measurement results and lens positions. In the apparatus, after searching the peak of the evaluation values, the control unit returns the lens to the position at which the relative maximum has been detected, obtains evaluation values, stores lens positions and distance measurement results when the evaluation values satisfy a prescribed condition, and retrieves distance measurement results and lens positions when the number of times that results are stored reaches a prescribed number, and computes a correction amount.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a face detecting part configured to detect a face area from the input image inputted from an imaging apparatus; a subject distance computing part configured to compute a subject distance based on the size of a face detected in the face detecting part; a lens operating range computing part configured to estimate a focus position based on information about the subject distance computed in the subject distance computing part, and to set a focus lens operating range shorter than an entire operating range of a focus lens; and a focus control part configured to move the focus lens within the lens operating range set in the lens operating range computing part, and to decide a position at which the focus lens is set.

Abstract: A focus detection method for detecting a focus state based on object images formed through a photographing optical system in at least one focus detection area, while performing a search operation, includes determining at least one support area which overlaps the focus detection area; determining an in-focus position of the focusing lens group in the focus detection area to be an in-focus position of the focusing lens group when a brightness of the object is one of equal to and higher than a predetermined value; and determining an in-focus position of the focusing lens group upon an in-focus state being detected in the focus detection area and in the support areas which overlaps the focus detection area when the brightness of the object is lower than the predetermined value.

Abstract: There is disclosed a digital camera which detects a focus of a lens unit by a method selected from a plurality of focus detection methods based on information on the lens unit taken from the lens unit attached to the digital camera. As an example of a focus detection method, there is a method by a phase difference system or a contrast system, but the method is not limited to this example.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for forming an optical image of a subject on a light-receiving surface of an imaging element via a photographing lens; the imaging apparatus comprising: a first focusing position detection device which extracts a particular portion of the subject based on image signals obtained from the imaging element and detects the focusing position of the photographing lens based on the size of the extracted particular portion; a second focusing position detection device which calculates focus evaluation values of the subject based on image signals obtained from the imaging element and detects the focusing position of the photographing lens based on the calculated focus evaluation values; and a setting device which sets any one of the first focusing position detection device and the second focusing position detection device as a device which detects the focusing position of the photographing lens.

Abstract: An electronic image pick-up apparatus acquires auto-focus data from each of an AF sensor module and an image sensor disposed in conjugate positions in a test mode, stores data on any relative deviation between those items of auto-focus data and drives a photographic lens based on the data of relative deviation of auto-focus in a normal mode.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for camera is provided which makes it possible to sequentially photograph a large number of frames while ensuring a high focusing accuracy. A first focusing unit carries out a first focusing operation. After the first focusing unit carries out the first focusing operation, a second focusing unit carries out a second focusing operation. A storage device stores a difference in results obtained by the first and second focusing operations. In sequential shooting, a controller causes the first focusing unit to correct the result of the first focusing operation according to the stored difference, and inhibits the second focusing unit from carrying out the second focusing operation.

Abstract: An autofocus system for a camera includes a contrast focus detector which detects a position of a focusing lens group, at which the contrast of an object image reaches a maximum as a contrast in-focus position; a phase-difference focus detector which separates the object image light bundle into two light bundles which form two object images on a light-receiving element to detect a phase difference between the two object images formed thereon, the phase-difference focus detector defining a position of the focusing lens group at which an in-focus state is obtained for the object as a phase-difference in-focus position; and a controller for moving the focusing lens group via the lens driver to the phase-difference in-focus position or the contrast in-focus position. The controller adjusts a moving range of the focusing lens group in accordance with a degree of reliability of the phase-difference in-focus position.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjustment device has an image sensing element for converting an object optical image into an electrical signal, and outputting an image signal, a filter for extracting high-frequency components of the image signal obtained by the image sensing element, an integrator for integrating the high-frequency components extracted by the filter and outputting an integrated value, a peak hold circuit for detecting and outputting a peak value of the high-frequency components extracted by the filter, a discrimination unit for discriminating the luminance distribution of the object optical image, and a focus adjustment unit for making focus adjustment using one of the integrated value output from the integrator and the peak value output from the peak hold circuit in accordance with the discrimination result.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for camera is provided which makes it possible to sequentially photograph a large number of frames while ensuring a high focusing accuracy. A first focusing unit carries out a first focusing operation. After the first focusing unit carries out the first focusing operation, a second focusing unit carries out a second focusing operation. A storage device stores a difference in results obtained by the first and second focusing operations. In sequential shooting, a controller causes the first focusing unit to correct the result of the first focusing operation according to the stored difference, and inhibits the second focusing unit from carrying out the second focusing operation.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an autofocus apparatus and method, and an image sensing apparatus capable of shortening the AF time without decreasing the AF precision even when the total number of acquired AF evaluation signals is large. To achieve this object, whether previous and current photographing conditions satisfy a predetermined requirement in photographing is determined. When the previous and current photographing conditions are determined to satisfy the predetermined requirement, a focusing state only near an in-focus position in previous photographing is detected. When the previous and current photographing conditions are determined not to satisfy the predetermined requirement, a focusing state in the object region is detected. An in-focus position is determined by detecting the focusing state, and the in-focus position and photographing conditions are stored for the next photographing. A focus lens is moved to the in-focus position to photograph.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera where a focusing position of a taking lens is adjusted as a first focus adjustment by a CPU, and as a second focus adjustment lower in accuracy but higher at a speed than the first focus adjustment. An object image is picked up through the taking lens by an imager, and an output signal of the imager is converted into image data. A compressibility of the image data obtained at the imager is set by an image processing section, and the image data is compressed in accordance with the set compressibility. Then, in accordance with the compressibility set by the image processing section, the CPU decides which of the first focus adjustment and the second focus adjustment is used to execute a final focus adjustment operation of the taking lens.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for camera is provided which makes it possible to sequentially photograph a large number of frames while ensuring a high focusing accuracy. A first focusing unit carries out a first focusing operation. After the first focusing unit carries out the first focusing operation, a second focusing unit carries out a second focusing operation. A storage device stores a difference in results obtained by the first and second focusing operations. In sequential shooting, a controller causes the first focusing unit to correct the result of the first focusing operation according to the stored difference, and inhibits the second focusing unit from carrying out the second focusing operation.

Abstract: An autofocus system for a camera includes a contrast focus detector which detects a position of a focusing lens group, at which the contrast of an object image reaches a maximum as a contrast in-focus position; a phase-difference focus detector which separates the object image light bundle into two light bundles which form two object images on a light-receiving element to detect a phase difference between the two object images formed thereon, the phase-difference focus detector defining a position of the focusing lens group at which an in-focus state is obtained for the object as a phase-difference in-focus position; and a controller for moving the focusing lens group via the lens driver to the phase-difference in-focus position or the contrast in-focus position. The controller adjusts a moving range of the focusing lens group in accordance with a degree of reliability of the phase-difference in-focus position.

Abstract: An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output. The image processing method has a determining process to determine a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for camera is provided which makes it possible to sequentially photograph a large number of frames while ensuring a high focusing accuracy. A first focusing unit carries out a first focusing operation. After the first focusing unit carries out the first focusing operation, a second focusing unit carries out a second focusing operation. A storage device stores a difference in results obtained by the first and second focusing operations. In sequential shooting, a controller causes the first focusing unit to correct the result of the first focusing operation according to the stored difference, and inhibits the second focusing unit from carrying out the second focusing operation.

Abstract: A digital camera (1) has an outside light AF and a contrast type AF which is capable of selecting either outside light AF or contrast type AF based on a command for an operation by a photographer, and has a photographing mode which carries out a focusing by the contrast type AF even when the outside light AF is selected by the command for the operation by the photographer.

Abstract: An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, having the steps of: detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on respective information including information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; and determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image.

Abstract: An autofocusing apparatus and method which prevents erroneously detecting a focus position due to a contrast pseudo peak. The system extracts an image component from an image signal and computes a contrast value. On the basis of the number of edges and the edge width center of gravity value the system determines whether the focusing lens is positioned close to the focus position or not. Even if the contrast value peaks, if the focusing lens is not close to the focus position, the lens position is not employed as a focus position.

Abstract: A digital camera (1) has an outside light AF and a contrast type AF which is capable of selecting either outside light AF or contrast type AF based on a command for an operation by a photographer, and has a photographing mode which carries out a focusing by the contrast type AF even when the outside light AF is selected by the command for the operation by the photographer.

Abstract: An optical apparatus capable of reducing processing burden on the controller and achieving high-speed driving and improvement of the resolution of stop positions of an optical element. The optical apparatus includes a drive unit that drives the optical element, an operation member manually operated to instruct driving of the optical element and a signal output unit that outputs a signal that varies periodically according to the operation of the operation member. Furthermore, the controller determines the operation speed of the operation member based on the signal from the signal output unit and chooses whether to control the drive unit according to the operation speed based on a count of periodic variations of the signal from the signal output unit or control the drive unit based on the value of the signal from the signal output unit.

Abstract: An observation optical device with a photographing function comprises a photographing optical system, a telescopic optical system, and a solid-state imaging device disposed on the optical axis of the photographing optical system. The photographing optical system forms an image. The telescopic optical system can function as a viewfinder optical system for the photographing optical system. The solid-state imaging device photoelectrically converts the image into an image signal, and outputs the image signal in the progressive-scan method.

Abstract: A distance measuring device is provided with regulating circuit for removing offset voltages. Before conducting distance measurement, the regulating circuit outputs a reference voltage on the basis of offset voltages of an amplifier and an integrating circuit used to amplify and integrated reflected light from an object. The regulating circuit comprises a D/A converter for outputting an analog voltage. A value representing the offset voltages is stored and, at the time of distance measurement, the reference voltage is set based on the stored value. The integrating circuit integrates two outputs of the amplifier based on near-side and far-side light receiving means, and uses a calculating device to find a distance to the object based on the integrated output voltages of the integrating circuit.

Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus is arranged to project light toward an object at a distance to be measured, receive reflected light from the object, and detect the distance to the measured object through arithmetic operation and integration. In the distance-measuring apparatus, an integrating capacitor discharge/charge to a maximum when a time necessary for a first integration is longer a minimum. In the detection of the distance to the object, when the time necessary for the first integration is longer than the minimum time, a first integration and a second integration by the integrating capacitor are carried out repeatedly.

Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus is arranged to project light toward an object at a distance to be measured, receive reflected light from the object, and detect the distance to the measured object through arithmetic operation and integration. In the distance-measuring apparatus, an integrating capacitor discharge/charge to a maximum when a time necessary for a first integration is longer a minimum. In the detection of the distance to the object, when the time necessary for the first integration is longer than the minimum time, a first integration and a second integration by the integrating capacitor are carried out repeatedly.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device includes an extracting circuit which extracts a focus signal corresponding to a degree of focus from a picked-up image signal, a focusing lens and a direction deciding circuit which decides the direction of driving the focusing lens on the basis of the output of the extraction circuit when the state of focus deviates from an in-focus state. The extracting circuit is arranged to simultaneously extract a plurality of focus signals having different frequency components from each other. The direction deciding circuit is arranged to perform computing operations on the focus signals separately from each other with respect to the focusing lens driving direction and to decide the focusing lens driving direction when the results of the computing operations come to coincide with each other.

Abstract: At power-on, a digital camera starts to operate with a display unit off (state S1). At a subsequent half shutter press of a shutter button, a quick return mirror is flipped down and phase difference AF is performed with live view display off (state S3). At a subsequent full press of the shutter button, the digital camera enters an image capture operation. With a quick return mirror in the up position, a focusing lens is moved to its in-focus, front focus and rear focus positions, at each of which contrast in an AF area of predetermined partial portion of an image is obtained for comparison to select a position of the focusing lens with maximum contrast (state S4). Then, image data is obtained and recorded on a memory card (state S5). With the above processing, the digital camera can perform autofocusing, as circumstances demand, by a contrast AF method.

Abstract: When the reflectance of an object at a distance to be measured is low and when the distance to the object is far, these conditions are discriminated and the distance is measured with a clamp signal set at a low level, thereby enhancing distance measurement accuracy. First a distance measurement is carried out with the clamp signal set at a high level. When the first distance value is larger than a predetermined distance, a second distance measurement is carried out with the clamp signal set at the low level. Then it is determined whether the second distance value is larger than a set value. When the second distance value is larger than the set value, the clamp signal is set to the high level and third a distance measurement is carried out. When the second distance value is not larger than the set value, on the other hand, the clamp signal is set to the low level under certain conditions and the third distance measurement is carried out.

Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus is arranged to project light toward an object at a distance to be measured, receive reflected light from the object, and detect the distance to the measured object through arithmetic operation and integration. In the distance-measuring apparatus, an integrating capacitor discharges/charges to a maximum voltage when a time necessary for a first integral is a minimum. In the detection of the distance to the object, when the time necessary for the first integration is longer than the minimum time, a first integration and a second integration by the integrating capacitor are carried out repeatedly.

Abstract: A still camera utilizes a focus evaluation value based on an imaging video signal to execute an autofocus operation by a hill-climbing control method. A CPU divides a focus area into a plurality of regions to obtain a focus evaluation value from a digital integrator for each of the regions. When the autofocus operation is restarted from the state of a monitoring mode in accordance with a variation of the focus evaluation value, the CPU detects a further hill of the focus evaluation value while forcibly moving a focus lens position always toward a near side, and when a maximal value of the once detected focus evaluation value is less than a certain standard value, additionally executes the autofocus operation.

Abstract: A far-side signal (I.sub.2) output from a PSD which has received reflected light from an object to be subjected to distance measurement is input to a clamp circuit through a second signal processing circuit, and the far-side signal (I.sub.2) or a clamp signal (Ic) at a predetermined level, i.e., a signal (I.sub.2 c) at a higher level is output from the clamp circuit. An arithmetic circuit and an integration circuit receive a near-side signal (I.sub.1) output from the PSD and the signal (I.sub.2 c) output from the clamp circuit and calculate an output ratio signal (I.sub.1 /(I.sub.1 +I.sub.2 c)). A CPU obtains a distance signal from the output ratio signal in accordance with a transformation formula which changes depending on the threshold value for determining whether to clamp the signal.