Abstract: A holographic interferometer, comprising: at least one imaging device capturing an interference pattern created by at least two light beams; and at least one aperture located in an optical path of at least one light beam of the at least two light beams; wherein the at least one aperture is located away from an axis of the at least one light beam, thus transmitting a subset of the at least one light beam collected at an angle range.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to calibration systems usable for distortion characterization in cameras. An example embodiment includes a calibration system. The calibration system includes a first calibration target that includes a first mirror, a plurality of fiducials positioned on or adjacent to the first mirror, and an indexing fiducial positioned on or adjacent to the first mirror. The calibration system also includes a second calibration target that includes one or more second mirrors and has an aperture defined therein. The first mirror and the one or more second mirrors are separated by a distance. The first mirror faces the one or more second mirrors. The indexing fiducial is visible through the aperture in the second calibration target. Reflections of the plurality of fiducials are visible through the aperture defined in the second calibration target. The reflections of the plurality of fiducials are iterated reflections.

Abstract: A modular decorator ink temperature control system for use with a blanket wheel, the blanket wheel having inker station configured with an inker station panel and at least one roller operatively mounted thereto. The modular decorator ink temperature control system includes a thermal transfer fluid conduit having an entry end distal to the blanket wheel and an exit end proximate to the blanket wheel with the thermal transfer fluid conduit in contact with the at least one roller and configured to convey at least one thermal transfer fluid therethrough. The modular decorator ink temperature control system also includes at least one control manifold device mounted on the inker station panel in operative communication with the thermal transfer fluid conduit.

Abstract: An image capture system including an image capture apparatus and an imaging lens detachable from the image capture apparatus comprises an image capture unit which captures an image of an object, an aperture which adjusts an amount of light that enters the image capture unit; a stepping motor of a 1-2 phase driving type, which is configured to drive the aperture, and a control unit which controls to set the stepping motor in a current applied state when the aperture is stopped down, and to drive the aperture by a difference between an aperture value while the aperture is stopped down and an aperture value for still image capture, when a still image capture instruction is issued while the aperture is stopped down.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes: a first focus detection unit that detects a focusing condition of an image forming optical system through a first focus detection method and outputs a first focus detection signal; a second focus detection unit that detects the focusing condition of the image forming optical system through a second focus detection method different from the first focus detection method and outputs a second focus detection signal; a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment for the image forming optical system based upon either the first focus detection signal or the second focus detection signal; and a notification unit that alters a focus detection method notification in correspondence to the focus adjustment that the focus adjustment unit executes.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an imaging terminal having an image sensor array and a variable lens assembly for focusing an image onto the image sensor array. In one embodiment, an imaging terminal can include one or more focusing configuration selected from the group comprising a full set focusing configuration, a truncated set focusing configuration and a fixed focusing configuration. When a full set focusing configuration is active, a full set of candidate focus settings can be active when the imaging terminal determines a focus setting of the terminal responsively to a trigger signal activation. When a truncated set focusing configuration is active, a truncated range of candidate focus settings can be active when the imaging terminal determines a focus setting of the terminal responsively to a trigger signal activation.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging sensor, a reticle, a focus detection unit, a spectroscopic member, and a diffusion coefficient controller. The imaging sensor is configured to receive light from a lens unit. The reticle is capable of changing a diffusion coefficient. The focus detection unit is configured to detect a focus state of an imaging surface based on a signal from the imaging sensor. The spectroscopic member is configured to split the light from the lens unit to the reticle and the focus detection unit. The diffusion coefficient controller is configured to change the diffusion coefficient of the reticle. The diffusion coefficient controller controls a diffusion coefficient of a portion of the reticle corresponding to a defocus range to be higher than a diffusion coefficient of a portion of the reticle corresponding to a focusing range according to the focus state detected by the focus detection unit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when a lens is moved in an operation of an operation device, the focal information calculated for each travel position of the lens can be graphed corresponding to the lens position, and the focal information about the current lens position can be identified from the focal information about another position. Thus, a manual focus adjustment can be made while checking the graph. Especially, since the history of the focal information calculated for each lens travel position can be graphed, the lens can travel to the lens position in which a desired peak can be obtained when there are a plurality of peaks of focal information on the graph.

Abstract: A method for automatically correcting frame faults in video assist frames of a video assist system in a video beam path branched off from a capture beam path of a motion-picture camera, a ground glass screen being arranged in said video beam path, is provided. The video assist system is calibrated by capturing at least one video assist frame of a single-colored, unstructured and uniformly illuminated, flat capture object for a predefined diaphragm aperture of the camera lens and storing it as a video assist calibration frame in a frame store, wherein the stored and inverted video assist calibration frame is superimposed on the video assist frames captured after the calibration.

Abstract: The optical observation apparatus includes an optical element which reflects a first wavelength region light from an object to introduce the light to an eyepiece part, and a light source which emits a second wavelength region light. A wavelength-selective optical film which transmits the first wavelength region light and reflects the second wavelength region light is disposed inside the optical element. The optical observation apparatus superimposes an image formed by the second wavelength region light reflected by the wavelength-selective optical film on an object image formed by the first wavelength region light transmitted through the wavelength-selective optical film to cause an observer to observe the object image with the superimposed image through the eyepiece part. The optical observation apparatus can superimpose an optional image on the object image to enable the observer to observe these images without a deterioration of viewfinder performance.

Abstract: A focus information display system is provided in which focus state detection that is performed during automatic focusing (AF) and the like is also performed during manual focusing (MF) and the like to display focus information indicating a focus state. By arranging a focus position range at which a correct focus state is determined when a correct focus display is being performed to be wider than a focus position range at which a correct focus state is determined when an out-of-focus display is being performed, stabilization of a state of correct focus display is achieved without jeopardizing correct focusing accuracy when performing focusing according to a focus information display.

Abstract: The present invention provides an autofocus system comprising: a lens device interchangeably attached to a camera and provided with an autofocus device which controls focus so that a subject within a predetermined AF area range within the image-taking range of the camera is focused; a controller which is connected to the lens device as an accessory device and which gives AF area information specifying the AF area range to the autofocus device, the autofocus system; an AF area information acquisition device which acquires the AF area information given to the autofocus device from the controller; and an AF area display device which visibly displays the AF area range in a picture taken by the camera based on the AF area information acquired by the AF area information acquisition device.

Abstract: A camera has a contrast detector that successively detects contrast data of an object image that is formed on a light-receiving surface of an image sensor, and a focus detector that successively calculates a difference value between currently detected contrast data and previously detected contrast data, and that detects a focused situation on the basis of the difference value and the detected contrast data. The camera further has a focus adjuster that drives a photographing optical system so as continuously to shift an image-formed surface from a given position along an optical axis. While the photographing optical system is driven, the focus detector determines whether the image-formed surface surpasses a focused-position corresponding to a position of the light-receiving surface, on the basis of a decreasing-amount of the difference value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for enhancing a projected image to reduce the optical depth of field, and create a more desirable film-like image. The present invention provides a multi-function imaging element for enhancing a projected image that includes a focusing screen that minimizes light hot spots in an image projected on the focusing screen and filters ultraviolet rays. The focusing screen can be static, moving, oscillating or rotating. The ultraviolet rays are filtered using a coating on the focusing screen, or by a separate filter made of glass, plastic or film. Note that the multi-function imaging element can be integrated into an adapter, a camera, a video camera, a projector, a television, a monitor, or other image capture or display device.

Abstract: An aureolegraph includes a reflective screen with an aperture therein, a lens for focusing an image onto the screen, an imager for imaging the image on the screen, and a light trap for preventing light passing through the aperture in the screen from passing back out through the aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging device including a device main body, a focusing screen holding member configured to detachably hold a focusing screen, and a locking member configured to be provided between the focusing screen holding member and a lens attachment part of the device main body.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of reducing the influence of the one-side blur by the automatic focusing function. The image-taking apparatus comprises a focus detector, which detects the focus state of the plurality of focus detection areas, and a selector, which selects a focus target area from a plurality of focus detection area based on the detection result of the focus detector. In a case where a first object distance to a first object is longer than a first predetermined distance, and a second object distance to a second object, which exists on an outer side of the first object in the image-taking screen, is shorter than the first object distance by a second predetermined distance or more, the selector selects the focus detection area corresponding to the second object as the focus target area.

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: 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 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: In a finder optical system, a primary image is formed by an objective lens on a primary image formation face and is passed via a relay optical system to form a secondary image on a secondary image formation face. This secondary image is observed via an ocular lens system. A diffuser is arranged at the position of the secondary image formation face.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of reducing the influence of the one-side blur by the automatic focusing function. The image-taking apparatus comprises a focus detector, which detects the focus state of the plurality of focus detection areas, and a selector, which selects a focus target area from a plurality of focus detection area based on the detection result of the focus detector. In a case where a first object distance to a first object is longer than a first predetermined distances and a second object distance to a second object, which exists on an outer side of the first object in the image-taking screen, is shorter than the first object distance by a second predetermined distance or more, the selector selects the focus detection area corresponding to the second object as the focus target area.

Abstract: A diffuser panel having a plurality of micro lenses arranged on a surface of a substrate, a half or more of these micro lenses are in a shape which has (2n+1) angles. This diffuser panel provides rays which are uniformly diffused within a diffusion area and a light amount distribution which changes smoothly. This diffuser panel provides a bright image having a naturally blurred impression when the diffuser panel is used as a focusing panel of an optical apparatus.

Abstract: An auxiliary light projection apparatus used for focus detection has a laser beam generating device and a diffraction plate for diffracting a laser light from said laser beam generating device. The diffraction plate has micro lenses regularly arranged in vertical and horizontal directions. The curvature of each micro lens in the vertical direction is different from that in the horizontal direction. The pitch of arrangement of the micro lenses in the vertical direction is different from that in the horizontal direction. In addition, the height of the micro lenses is varied cyclically. The auxiliary light projection apparatus projects a diffraction light pattern of the laser light emergent from the diffraction plate to an object to be photographed, as a pattern used for focus detection.

Abstract: In the microlens array, a plurality of microlenses are formed with an irregularity or probability-distributed regularity so as to differ from a hypothetical base pattern, the hypothetical base pattern having apexes of hypothetical microlenses each spaced apart from every adjacent microlens thereof by an equal distance L. All the apex positions of the microlenses lie within circles each centered on an apex position in said hypothetical base pattern and having a radius equal to or smaller than 0.3L, or meet a condition: 0.4L ≦P ≦1.6L. In this way, a microlens array with bright and clean viewing characteristics and a high reproducibility of a shape of each microlens is provided.

Abstract: A high resolution photographic system has a lens, a camera body, a bellows connecting the lens to the camera body, a ground glass designed for use with a microscope for focusing on the aerial image, a magazine configured to store a roll of film, wherein the magazine provides a pneumatic suction of a 9″×18″ frame of the film to a back of the magazine, two supports configured to connect to the camera body at a point coincident with the central horizontal axis of the negative allowing the camera body to tilt a user defined amount, a connection plate configured to connect each of the two supports, wherein the connection plate provides a swivel attachment for horizontal rotation of the camera body relative to the lens, a support rod attached to the connection plate, wherein the support has a bellows support and a front standard, a mirror alignment device, and a tripod which supports the rest of the photographic system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving image quality in focusing screens of an optical representation system of a movie camera, having a movably mounted translucent disk in a sandwich structure, a drive device moving the movable disk in the plane of the disk and a stationary disk mounted parallel to the plane of the movable disk with an image field marking. The drive device is connected to the movable disk and moves the movable disk at least temporarily, for instance during the “standby mode” of the movie camera, at a frequency depending on the image frequency of the movie camera, the video frequency of a video reflecting device of the movie camera or motion picture camera or the brightness of the image or subject to be recorded or with a high motion frequency independent of the operating state of the movie camera.

Abstract: A focusing detection sensor is positioned in a viewfinder in a single-lens reflex camera but is nevertheless able to determine a focal point on an image of an object with enhanced accuracy. For that purpose, a single-lens reflex camera includes a camera body having a focusing plate with a reference mark in an optically equivalent position to film, a viewfinder replaceably attached to the camera body, a focal point detecting means for determining a focal point, deviation detection means for determining deviations for both the reference mark and the focal point, respectively, calibration means for correcting focal point data based on the output from the deviation detecting means, and a trigger means for enabling a user to activate the calibration means.

Abstract: Optical projection systems for the display of electronic images often suffer from degraded image quality due to color field registration errors caused by lateral chromatic aberration. Although most projection lenses are partially corrected for lateral chromatic aberration during the design process, the uncorrected residual aberration limits the imaging performance of many projection displays, especially when displaying text and graphics with single-pixel-wide features. Some embodiments of the invention correct color field registration errors due to lateral chromatic aberration in multiple-imager projection systems. Other embodiments of the invention correct radial distortion and keystone distortion in single-imager and multiple-imager projection displays. In some embodiments of the invention, the imager(s) pixel geometry is arranged to compensate for optical aberrations, which result from the optical system so as to achieve a corrected image.

Abstract: A focusing screen for use in a camera has a diffusive surface having a plurality of random pattern cells of one or a plurality of types arranged two-dimensionally so as to form a macroscopically flat surface. The random pattern cells are each composed of a plurality of minute rectangular elements having one of two to eight types of heights, and the individual rectangular elements are arranged irregularly so as to constitute a plurality of types of diffraction gratings having different grating pitches.

Abstract: A microlens array described below is disclosed.

Abstract: A camera has a compact-sized structure, and can perform the same photography effect as a large format view camera even if it is a small size.

Abstract: A real image type finder is provided with an imaging optical system, a focusing glass disposed at a focusing surface of the imaging optical system, an observing optical system for observing an image formed on the focusing glass, a case that accommodates the focusing glass and the observing optical system. The case is formed with an opening that allows only the focusing glass to be inserted in/withdrawn from the case therethrough. The finder is further provided with a covering means that removably covers the opening.

Abstract: An SLR camera system includes a camera body, a film back, and a digital back that are selectively attached to the camera body, the film back accommodating a light-sensitive film, the digital back having an image pick-up device, wherein the camera body includes a body mount to which an interchangeable lens is detachably attached, the body mount being guided in a direction of an optical axis of the interchangeable lens; a flange-back adjusting mechanism which moves the body mount in the optical axis direction to vary a position of a focal plane formed through the interchangeable lens so as to adjust a flange back; a focusing-screen drive mechanism which moves a focusing screen of the camera body along an optical axis of a finder optical system; and an eyepiece drive mechanism which moves an eyepiece along an optical axis.

Abstract: A portable zoom camera obscura comprising: a telescopic structure including an inner tube and an outer tube positioned concentrically and slidingly movable relative to each other; a cover with a small, centered imaging hole attached to the imaging end of the outer tube; a semitransparent screen covering the inner end of the inner tube; a cover having a viewing hole and attached to the viewing end of the inner tube; and a diaphragm disk or ruler mounted on the imaging end, and including an aperture which can be positioned in a series of continuous overlapping positions with the imaging hole. The diaphragm disk or ruler also include lenses with different focal lengths, which, when positioned in front of the imaging hole allow the camera obscura to function as a photo-camera.

Abstract: The invention enables users to adapt 35 mm SLR still cameras to function as 35 mm motion picture viewfinders and adapt 35 mm SLR still cameras to create photographs which correspond to what they see through its viewing system. By substituting an accurately marked focusing screen for the original and placing an identically marked insert within the camera we can accomplish both of these goals. The insert interrupts the image forming light path close enough to the film plane to precisely transfer its markings to the image exposed there. As the images are all formed in the same size as in 35 mm motion picture photography the optical characteristics they present are identical to those of 35 mm motion picture photography.

Abstract: A single-lens reflex view finder wherein a partial amount of a light bundle transmitting through an imaging optical system which picks up an image of an object is split by optical path splitting means, one of split optical paths is used as a view finder optical path end focus confirming means is disposed only on a central portion of a refracting surface which is disposed at a location of an optional image formed in the view finder optical path.

Abstract: A real image type finder is provided with an imaging optical system, a focusing glass disposed at a focusing surface of the imaging optical system, an observing optical system for observing an image formed on the focusing glass, a case that accommodates the focusing glass and the observing optical system. The case is formed with an opening that allows only the focusing glass to be inserted in/withdrawn from the case therethrough. The finder is further provided with a covering means that removably covers the opening.

Abstract: At minimum, a member near an image plane that is observed through an eyepiece is made of antistatic resin obtained by giving the resin itself ion conductivity so that its antistatic effect can be of long duration.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element which can regulate diffusivity simply. The liquid crystal element includes a diffusion plate having a macromolecular dispersion type liquid crystal interposed between a first glass plate and a second glass plate. The surface of the first glass plate toward the macromolecular dispersion type liquid crystal has random roughness, and a transparent electrode layer is formed on the roughened surface of the first glass plate. Moreover, a surface of the second glass plate toward the macromolecular dispersion type liquid crystal is a flat surface, and a transparent electrode layer is formed directly on the flat surface of the second glass plate. When not being driven, light which is incident perpendicularly on the plate surface from below the diffusion plate passes through the second glass plate, is scattered, and is incident on the macromolecular dispersion type liquid crystal.

Abstract: A viewfinder device that includes a screen on which an image is projected, and an eyepiece lens through which the image is viewed. An optical member passes light beams from the screen to the eyepiece lens through an information display member, and a diffraction optical element diffracts light beams in the direction of the eyepiece lens so that diffracted light beams from the information display member are superposed over the viewed image.

Abstract: A focusing glass and photographic system employing the same are disclosed. The photographic system includes an objective lens operable to form a real image of an object. The focusing glass is adapted to be situated at the real-image position, and comprises a semitransparent region surrounding a fully transmissive photographic zone. The photographic zone defines a region of the field of view of the objective (the field of view being viewable on the focusing screen) defining the metes and bounds of a photographic image obtainable using the photographic system.

Abstract: In a case in which the photometry region selected through a photometry region selection part is in the center of the screen, body spot photometry is selected for photometry of the object field, using luminous flux not passing through the screen. In all other cases, an output is selected for photometry of the image of the object field formed on the screen.

Abstract: A focal plate for use in camera and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The focal plate comprises an optical plate, a plurality of lens-like uneven portions regularly formed on the surface of the optical material, and a plurality of fine rugged portions formed on each uneven portion, and is manufactured by forming a pyramid or prism relief on a metal plate through mechanical working, subjecting it to an electroplating to form a honeycomb pattern composed of hexagonal lens faces containing fine rugged portions therein, and then transferring the honeycomb pattern onto a surface of an optical material.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses to evaluate the best image plane position for an optical lens system, particularly a wide angle lens with a large power ratio, in e.g. an endoscope, in simple and less time consuming procedure. The present devices and methods include a screen which can form an edge image, an optical system which forms an image of the screen, a light receiver located at the focal plane, or in its neighborhood, on which the edge image of the screen is formed by the optical system to convert the edge image into an electric signal, and a sampler which samples the electric signal transmitted from the light receiver in a crossing direction perpendicular to the edge image.