Abstract: A method and an apparatus for spectrum synthesis for use in a flash unit, wherein the spectrum synthesis includes combining a plurality of emissive light sources in order to provide a combine output beam and producing the output spectrum for the combined output beam at least based on a reference spectrum. The reference spectrum can be obtained by sensing the spectrum of ambient light or selected from a plurality of stored spectra. The flash unit has at least two emissive light sources and each of the light sources can be adjusted relative to each other so that the outputs from the light sources can mimic a selected illumination scenario. It is possible to use a mixture of quantum dots to tailor each light source so that the combined spectra from different light sources can reasonably mimic a number of frequently used illumination scenario.

Abstract: A diffuser for a flash of a hand-held camera, the diffuser including: (A) a sheet material that can be curved, angled, or folded to form a generally tubular shape that can be attached to the flash of the hand-held camera; and (B) means for selectively retaining the sheet material in the generally tubular shape. A method of diffusing a flash of a hand-held camera is also provided, the method comprising the steps of positioning a diffuser according to the invention on the flash of the hand-held camera. The method can include the step of taking flash photography with the hand-held camera with the diffuser on the flash.

Abstract: A vehicular eye-controlled device having an illumination light source essentially includes a first body and a second body which are independent and separate. The first body has an electronic component disposed therein and required for operation and a photographic unit exposed therefrom for capturing an image of a driver. The second body is disposed in the vicinity of the first body and includes an illumination unit for providing illumination required for eye-controlled operation. The illumination unit and the photographic unit are separated by a distance of at least 5 cm.

Abstract: A miniaturized optical component (36) for a camera pen has the shape of a plate and comprises at least two non-overlapping radiation-transmitting sections: an imaging section (36?) configured to transmit an image of an object plane, and an illuminating section (36?) configured to transmit illuminating radiation towards the object plane. Passive optical elements may be incorporated in the component to provide the imaging and illuminating sections, e.g. an image-generating surface structure, an illumination-controlling surface structure, a radiation filter, a stray light shield, and an aperture stop. These optical elements may be provided as well-defined surface structures and layers on a plate substrate. The optical component may be manufactured as a wafer structure comprising a plurality of these optical components.

Abstract: A camera accessory device which not only makes it possible to prevent a camera-side accessory shoe from being scratched thereby, but also encores positive electrical connection between the camera accessory device and a camera. The camera accessory device comprises a lock lever, a shoe bracket for engagement with the camera-side accessory shoe, contact pins for contact with respective electric contacts of the camera-side accessory shoe, a contact spring-holding member, and an accessory shoe-holding member which moves, in accordance with rotation of the lock lever, to a shoe member-locking position or to a shoe member-unlocking position. The contact pins are urged by the holding members such that urging forces applied to the electric contacts become larger when the accessory shoe-holding member has moved to the shoe member locking position than when the same has moved to the shoe member unlocking position.

Abstract: A 360 degree camera imaging system comprising a first horizontal boom having a first end, a second end, and a middle section; a second horizontal boom having a first end and a second end; a first vertical arm having a first end and a second end; a second vertical arm having a first end and a second end; and a mounting bracket. The first horizontal boom is connected to the first end of the second horizontal boom by a first rotatable pivot proximate the middle section of the first horizontal boom, and the second end of the second horizontal boom is connected to the mounting bracket. The first end of the first vertical arm is affixed to the first end of the first horizontal boom, and the first end of the second vertical arm is affixed to the second end of the first horizontal boom. A camera is mounted to the first vertical arm, and a backdrop is mounted to the second vertical arm.

Abstract: A detection apparatus determines whether an output of the light-receiving unit meets a predetermined reference level when the light emission amount of the light-emitting unit is changed, under a condition that the output of the light-receiving unit changes according to a change in a light emission amount of the light-emitting unit. The detection apparatus detects, based on the output from the light-receiving unit, that the light emitted from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit is blocked, under a condition that the light-emitting unit is emitting light based on a light emission amount emitted from the light-emitting unit when it has been determined that the output of the light-receiving unit meets the predetermined reference level.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for camera integration with cover glass and for processing cover glass to provide a camera window for an electronic device are disclosed. A camera window can be integrated into the cover glass. The apparatus, systems and methods are especially suitable for cover glasses, or displays (e.g., LCD displays), assembled in small form factor electronic devices such as handheld electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, media players, personal digital assistants, remote controls, etc.). The apparatus, systems and methods can also be used for cover glasses or displays for other relatively larger form factor electronic devices (e.g., portable computers, tablet computers, displays, monitors, televisions, etc.).

Abstract: A device that enlarges text and images to enable a low vision person to see the text and images includes a hollow structure including a top housing and a bottom housing that are connected to one another. A camera aperture is formed in the bottom housing and a transparent light guide lens is disposed in closing relation to the camera aperture so that all light entering the camera aperture must first pass through the light guide lens. A cavity formed in the light guide lens is bounded by walls that are positioned at a critical angle. Light-emitting diodes are positioned at critical locations about the periphery of the light guide lens to illuminate the object being viewed.

Abstract: There is provided an image signal processing apparatus, comprising a demosaic processing unit receiving input of mosaic image data of each of signals obtained by a single plate imaging device having an element array composed of visible light obtaining elements obtaining visible light signals, and invisible light obtaining elements obtaining signals including invisible light components, and generating a demosaic image of each of the obtained signals; and a noise reduction processing unit receiving input of the demosaic image to execute correction of pixel values of the demosaic image obtained by the visible light obtaining elements on the basis of edge information extracted from the demosaic image of the signals obtained by the invisible light obtaining elements.

Abstract: A photographic system includes a first light grid including cells, and a first alignment feature. A bezel including a retainer for retaining at least the first light grid, and an alignment feature for aligning at least the first light grid within said light grid retainer. A formable portion including a reflective surface, wherein the formable portion is for retainably formed into a snoot, wherein said bezel is disposed at a distal end of the formable portion, and wherein the reflective surface is for reflecting light from a photographic light source within the formable portion. A base portion coupled to the formable portion, wherein the base portion is for coupling to the photographic light source.

Abstract: R, G and B LEDs are used as a light source of an electronic flash. Electric energy is supplied to a capacitor to the LEDs. A system controller controls light emitting amounts of the LEDs so that a color temperature of the electronic flash light becomes a color temperature that has been manually set with a color temperature setting switch or a color temperature of a light source determined by color temperature sensors.

Abstract: An accessory controlled by a camera, includes: a storage section that stores information regarding an accessory function of the accessory; and an accessory control section that transmits the information stored in the storage section to the camera, wherein the storage section stores first information by which the camera determines whether the accessory has an extended function and second information indicating characteristics of the accessory function, and the accessory control section transmits the first information, and then transmits the second information.

Abstract: A condenser lens, lamp and camera applicable to an optical area are provided. The condenser lens is a physical glass lens and has an incident surface, an exit surface and a side surface arranged around a central axis of the condenser lens. The side surface is lattice-shaped. The condenser lens of the present invention adopts a glass material, which improves a light extraction efficiency of the lens and reduces a light energy loss. The lattice-shaped side surface of the lens reflects lights in different directions by multiple small-area lattice units instead of reflecting lights by a single curved surface. The reasonably-designed lattice structure enables each lattice unit reflecting lights in a predetermined direction, which may realize a uniform illumination at a small angle and is beneficial to spot-lighting. This condenser lens may be widely applied in all sorts of illuminating lamps or an illumination system of a camera.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for setting a depth camera light source operating temperature in a thermal tuning mode executed during a depth camera manufacturing process. One embodiment of a method includes illuminating a target with light from a light source at a plurality of light source temperatures; for each light source temperature, sensing an intensity of reflected light received at a light sensor through a light filter positioned intermediate the target and the light sensor; approximating a frequency response relationship between a light filter cutoff frequency and a light source emission wavelength based on a comparison of the sensed intensities and stored reference data; generating a temperature set point so that the light source emission wavelength does not overlap the light filter cutoff frequency by more than a predetermined overlap threshold; and programming a temperature controller to control the light source to the temperature set point during depth camera operation.

Abstract: A luminaire (100) comprising: a, a radiation source (16), a first optical element (10a) and a second optical element (10b) each with a non-planar surface (14a, 14b), wherein, in a base state, the second optical element (10b) engages in the first optical element (10a) with its non-planar surface (14a) in an exact fit, wherein the first and the second optical element (10a, 10b) are movable relative to each other, and wherein the first and the second optical element (10a, 10b) are identical in construction.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing an image of one or both irises. To image an iris, a person stands or moves in a target zone. A flash element provides an incoherent flash of light through an aperture. The flash is filtered to produce filtered light. The filtered light has primary wavelengths in the far red and near infrared portions of the spectrum. The filtered light is not perceived well by the human eye due to short duration, NIR color and small size. The intensity of the filtered light at the target area surpasses the intensity of all ambient light. In this manner, a person's face in the target area will always be properly illuminated, even if that person were backlit by full sunlight. An image of the person's face is taken with a camera. The image of the face is analyzed to obtain any iris pattern information.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a photoluminescent light source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a light source that emanates light of a particular spectrum, a camera, and a selective mirror placed between the light source and camera. The selective mirror transmits light of a spectrum detected by the camera and reflects light of a spectrum generated by the light source. The light source is transparent to light incident on its face.

Abstract: An illumination device contains a light-emitting semiconductor chip containing a plurality of individually drivable emission regions. The illumination device furthermore contains an optical element designed to shape light emitted by the emission regions to form a beam of rays. The illumination device is designed such that different beam profiles of the beam of rays can be set by the individually drivable emission regions.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.

Abstract: A submerged organism detection system. Particularly, a system and method for detection of organisms and includes a rotational mirror and laser light. The system has a camera with a visible field and detects a flash; a laser device produces a laser beam; a mirror rotates about an axis and reflects the laser beam throughout a plane, the plane being substantially horizontal, the visible field being a portion of the plane, wherein, when an object obstructs the laser beam, the flash is produced; and a counter that has a count, wherein, when the flash is produced, the counter increases the count. Further, the system may be submerged underwater.

Abstract: An optical lighting device includes a radiation detector, a first light source and a second light source. The radiation detector includes a semiconductor chip and an optical filter, and has a spectral sensitivity distribution. The first light source generates white radiation. The second light source generates monochrome radiation in the visible spectral range, wherein radiation emitted by the first light source and radiation emitted by the second light source are superimposed to yield mixed radiation which includes a wavelength spectrum. The wavelength spectrum of the mixed radiation is adapted to the spectral sensitivity distribution of the radiation detector.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus having ring light module includes a camera, a support base and a plurality of light units. The camera has a lens having an optical axis. The support base is connected to the camera and surrounds the lens. The support base includes an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall, and a bottom wall connected the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall. The bottom wall and the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall cooperatively define an accommodating groove. The angle between the bottom wall and the inner peripheral wall is an acute angle. The light units are arranged in the accommodating groove and fixed on the bottom wall and emit light beams in an oblique direction with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems to prepare and activate a wireless flash device may comprise a remote camera flash device comprising: a first radio communication device coupled to a camera, and at least a second radio communication device coupled to the remote camera flash device. The first radio communication device may transmit at least one radio signal to the second radio communication device in response to receiving camera communications sent from the camera, the second radio communication device sends pseudo camera communications to the remote camera flash device in response to receiving the at least one radio signal, and the second radio communication device does not transmit a radio signal.

Abstract: The action camera has a housing, a lens, and an image sensor located in a light path from the lens. A filter is operable to move between first and second positions, with the first position located in the light path and the second position located out of the light path. An actuator moves the filter between the first and second positions. The actuator includes an electromagnet and a magnet. One of the electromagnet and the magnet is fixed relative to the light path, while the other of the electromagnet and the magnet is movable relative to the light path and is coupled to the filter. The magnet has poles that interact with the poles of the electromagnet. As the electromagnet is energized, the magnet rotates. The polarity of the electromagnet is reversed in order to reverse the rotation of the magnet. The camera is also provided with a light source. When the light source is activated, then the filter is moved accordingly. The actuator is small and consumes little electrical power.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.

Abstract: An image display system generates an image including an intended lighting area surrounding a vehicle to input it on a display. An auxiliary lighting unit can selectively light multiple divided areas into which the intended lighting area is divided. One or more divided areas to be lit out of the multiple divided areas are selected according to a lighting status of a driving lighting system and the selected one or more divided areas are lit by the auxiliary lighting unit.

Abstract: A white light LED flash for a digital camera is described that uses a blue light LED die in conjunction with red and green phosphor or quantum dot material over the LED die. The phosphor or quantum dot characteristics are selected so that the white light substantially matches an ambient light setting in the camera, such as the incandescent ambient light setting. Therefore, when a flash picture is taken under incandescent ambient light, and the flash emits the same type of light as the incandescent light, the flash will effectively brighten the incandescent light. The camera's color compensation algorithm associated with incandescent light illumination is then applied to the photograph and works optimally since the image is only illuminated by incandescent light. This concept is expanded to LED flashes that emulate other types of ambient light having associated color compensation algorithms programmed into the camera.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus configured to execute wireless communication with a flash apparatus by radio waves via a communication unit includes a signal output unit configured to output a flash start signal to the flash apparatus, a flash detection unit configured to detect a flash emitted by the flash apparatus according to the flash start signal, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a time difference between a predetermined reference timing and a timing at which the flash is regarded to have been emitted by the flash apparatus according to a result of detection by the flash detection unit, and a control unit configured to control at least one of a timing of output of the flash start signal to the flash apparatus by the signal output unit and a timing of start of an operation executed corresponding to the flash by the flash apparatus according to the time difference acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: A camera flash lens for a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a board and serving as a light source of a camera flash, includes a plurality of annular lenses corresponding to the plurality of LEDs, respectively. The plurality of annular lenses each include an edge portion extending toward the board to reflect and collect light emitted from the edge of a corresponding LED of the plurality of LEDs, and a central portion having an inner surface with a Fresnel shape or a curved shape to collect light emitted from the top of the corresponding LED.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for estimating reflectance and diffuse elements as optical properties of skin to perform exact rendering on human skin. The apparatus includes a light source device equipping a plurality of light sources that control directions toward an object, a control unit controlling sequential switching of the light sources, and a photographing unit photographing images of the object. The photographing unit is a DSLR camera providing a video photographing function. The entire light sources are controlled to be sequentially switched for a second correspondingly to the number of frames of the photographing unit per second. The control unit and the photographing unit are controlled by a computer. The computer repeats operations of requesting to the control unit to perform a lighting operation, transmitting an image acquisition command to the photographing unit, and requesting the control unit to perform a lighting operation again.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus which illuminates a surface of an object having a three-dimensional shape includes a light source, a guide configured to guide light from the light source to a surface of the object, and a diffuser which has a diffusion-reflection surface that faces a light exit surface of the guide via the object, wherein the diffuser is arranged at such a position that the light which is emitted from the guide and is not directly incident on the object is incident on the diffusion-reflection surface while a part of the light reflected and diffused by the diffusion-reflection surface is incident on a surface of the object.

Abstract: A reading machine includes an image input device including a lens and a polarizer disposed over the lens, a flash and a second polarizer disposed over the flash. The image input device also includes a computing device coupled to the image input device for capturing images, the computing device, including a processor to execute instructions and a computer program product residing on a computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising instructions for causing the processor to process the captured images to recognize features in the captured images.

Abstract: A control circuit responsive to a flash activating signal of a camera for the synchronous or alternate activation of at least two flash devices is disclosed. Each flash device includes a flash generator including a voltage source and at least one flash unit. An input of the control circuit is adapted to couple with the camera and receive the flash activating signal. Outputs of the control circuit are adapted to electrically couple to control inputs of the flash generators. The control circuit includes a switching device adapted to drawn a supply voltage for the control circuit from the respective voltage sources in the flash generators.

Abstract: A protective cover assembly (40) for digital camera is used for an electronic device (100). The electronic device includes a main body (20) which has a recess portion (210) defined therein. A flash (70) is located in the recess portion. The protective cover assembly includes a cover (49) received in the recess portion. The cover includes a base (46) and a lighttight layer (48) formed on the base. A through hole (462) is defined in the cover, configured for allowing light emitted from the flash to pass the cover.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a heat generating member arranged in a body, and a heat transmission member of a shape of a three-dimensional body having at least a first surface that is joined to the heat generating member and a second surface that is joined to an inner surface of the body. The first surface of the heat transmission member has an area greater than or equal to an area of the heat transmission member joined to the heat generating member, and an entire area of the second surface is joined to the inner surface of the body.

Abstract: A device that enlarges text and images to enable a low vision person to see the text and images includes a hollow structure including a top housing and a bottom housing that are connected to one another. A camera aperture is formed in the bottom housing and a transparent light guide lens is disposed in closing relation to the camera aperture so that all light entering the camera aperture must first pass through the light guide lens. A cavity formed in the light guide lens is bounded by walls that are positioned at a critical angle. Light-emitting diodes are positioned at critical locations about the periphery of the light guide lens to illuminate the object being viewed.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus (10) for capturing an image (214) of a scene (12) includes an apparatus frame (222), a capturing system (226), and an illumination system (230). The capturing system (226) captures the image (214). The illumination system (230) can alternatively generate a first generated light beam (348A) having a first color composition (368A) and a second generated light beam (348B) having a second color composition (368B) that is different than the first color composition (368A). The scene (12) can have a first lighting condition (366A) or a second lighting condition (366B) that is different than the first lighting condition (366A). Further, the illumination system (230) generates the first generated light beam (348A) when the scene (12) has the first lighting condition (366A) and the illumination system (230) generates the second generated light beam (348B) when the scene (12) has the second lighting condition (366B).

Abstract: The Anti-Picture with a means for detecting camera's radio frequency, a way of decoding said detected radio frequency, a switch/driver to trigger device, a way of producing light with one or more lighting elements, means of allowing said lighting element to reflect off of a one or more reflective surface to allow light to be directed and a means for all of said above to be encased a body wherein the said components are able to communicate with a light element allowing the light to reflect off of the said reflective surfaces to over expose and or interrupt a photograph.

Abstract: An imaging device, such as a digital camera, has a mechanism for compensating an image blur caused by hand jiggling and is capable of consecutively shooting, through one operation of a shutter operation section (36), frames of an image in a state where the mechanism (20) is operational and in a state where the mechanism is not operational.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging apparatus comprising: an image pickup device which acquires the image of an object; an illuminating device which emits an illuminating light at a prescribed level of luminescence; an extracting device which extracts the face of a person from the image obtained from the image pickup device; a determining device which determines the facial expression and/or attributes of the person from the facial image of a person extracted from the extracting device; a corrective information storage device in which information on the quantity of correcting of the level of luminescence of the illuminating light according to the facial expression and/or attributes of the person is stored; and a correcting device which corrects the level of luminescence of the illuminating light with a quantity of correction matching the facial expression and/or attributes determined by the determining device.

Abstract: A split mechanism for a coaxial photographing device, especially a split mechanism between a photographing unit and a light projection unit of a photographing device used for a full-time surveillance to facilitate an image adjustment or maintenance, uses primarily the photographing unit as a base of support, with the removable light projection unit being assembled coaxially at an image taking end. After the light projection unit is disassembled and changes a position, it can be linked at a constant direction temporarily and can keep operating by using a linking device which is split linearly, such that a calibration light wave needed for adjusting the images can be provided, and the light projection unit can be easily aligned with an axis to be assembled at position upon assembling.

Abstract: This invention provides a surveillance camera-housing system that dissipates heat from components mounted to heatsink brackets having flanges that press against inner walls of a camera housing. This ensures high thermal conductivity from the heat generating LED and electronics circuit boards and provides an easy assembly and self-locking mechanism for multiple boards on which are mounted components such as illuminators and power supplies requiring heatsinks, allows for easy optical alignment of LED and cameras, and is suitable for use in rugged and vehicle mounted environments.

Abstract: An image display system generates an image including an intended lighting area surrounding a vehicle to input it on a display. An auxiliary lighting unit can selectively light multiple divided areas into which the intended lighting area is divided. One or more divided areas to be lit out of the multiple divided areas are selected according to a lighting status of a driving lighting system and the selected one or more divided areas are lit by the auxiliary lighting unit.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging far away fast moving objects such as satellites in low earth orbit. The object to be imaged is illuminated simultaneously with a composite beam comprised of a large number of separate laser beams from a large number of laser sources each from a separate position with each of the separate laser beams shifted in frequency with respect to each other beam so as to produce a large number of beat frequencies in the composite beam. The positions of the laser sources are changed rapidly during an illumination period of a few seconds. Light reflected from the object is collected in a large number of light buckets and information defining the intensity of the collected reflected light as a function of time is stored. The positions and frequencies of each of the laser sources are also recorded and stored as a function of time.

Abstract: A flash lamp assembly used in a portable electronic device (100) is described including a supporting member (3) and a flash lamp (4). The portable electronic device includes a printed circuit board (2). The supporting member is mounted on the printed circuit board. The flash lamp is secured on the supported member and supported by the supporting member above the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes: a photographing unit for obtaining an image representing a subject through photographing; a face detecting unit for detecting a face from the image obtained by the photographing unit; and a reflectance calculating unit for calculating a reflectance of the face. The reflectance calculating unit obtains a result of the face detection by the face detecting unit at a predetermined point of time after acquisition of the image by the photographing unit has begun, obtains images of the same subject taken with flash emission and taken without flash emission, and if the obtained detection result indicates that a face is contained, calculates the reflectance of the face based on a difference in brightness of the face between the images taken with flash emission and taken without flash emission and the size of the face.

Abstract: In an image-taking apparatus, a main CPU reads a sensitivity level that has been set, thereby determining whether a subject distance measured in AF processing is longer as compared to a threshold. The threshold is variable such that the higher the sensitivity level is the longer the threshold is. When the main CPU determines that the subject distance is longer as compared to the threshold, a metering/distance-measuring CPU causes a first light emitter having a xenon tube to emit light in response to an instruction from the main CPU. When the main CPU determines that the subject distance is shorter as compared to the threshold, the metering/distance-measuring CPU causes a second light emitter having an LED to emit light in response to an instruction from the main CPU.