Abstract: A camera which continuously performs shooting at predetermined time intervals in conjunction with one shutter release operation, comprises: a strobe light source which emits strobe light whose color temperature is adjustable; a light emission control device which controls the strobe light source to emit the strobe light in synchronization with each shooting in the continuous shooting; and a color temperature adjustment device which adjusts the color temperature of the strobe light emitted from the strobe light source for each shooting in the continuous shooting to vary color temperature with each shooting within a predetermined color temperature variable range which has been previously set. Thereby, even in a situation where the strobe light emission at a right color temperature is difficult, it is possible to perform the shooting with the strobe light emission at the color temperature intended by the shooter.

Abstract: A relatively small current is supplied to an LED arranged on a center portion, of two or more LED's, and a relatively large current is supplied to an LED arranged on a peripheral portion, of the two or more LED's. This feature makes it possible to substantially equalize rise of temperature.

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: 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: A side face of an external flash device is provided with an illumination operation button, and side and lower faces thereof are provided with illumination light emitters. Each of the illumination light emitters has a built-in LED and turns on by pressing the illumination operation button. When an image is captured under a dark environment, a user can operate the operation ring, and operating dials and under the illumination.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and method that can combine a plurality of images photographed by time division exposure. The photographing apparatus and method employ a photographing device having an entire reset mode in which entire pixels are exposed simultaneously right after a flash is shot, and a sequential exposure mode in which exposure time is different according to a state where a flash is not shot, and an image combining unit that combines images photographed by the photographing device, such that the photographing device performs photographing in combination of the entire reset mode and the sequential exposure mode in sequential photographing operations.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising an illumination device adapted for illuminating a movable object during at least two timely spaced time intervals, an image sensor device adapted to capture an image of the movable object, and a control unit adapted for coordinating the illumination device and the image sensor device in a manner that the image sensor device captures the image of the illuminated movable object during the at least two timely spaced time intervals and that the image sensor device is deactivated during at least a portion of the time distance between the at least two timely spaced time intervals.

Abstract: A small illumination apparatus including an optical member less affected by heat from a light source is disclosed. The illumination apparatus has a light source and an optical member closer to a light irradiation side than the light source and having an entrance surface formed as a refractive surface. The entrance surface has a first area receiving a first light component emitting from the light source at an angle smaller than a first angle with respect to an irradiation optical axis and a second area receiving a second light component emitting at an angle larger than the first angle with respect to the irradiation optical axis. The second area is positioned closer to the light source than the first area in the irradiation optical axis direction. Each of the first and second areas is formed a flat surface or a curved surface having a concave shape facing the light source.

Abstract: A system and method for using an optical sensor with the display of a mobile electronic device for providing and synchronizing a high power flash device with the mobile electronic device's integrated camera. The system and method features a flash unit subsystem that comprises an optical sensor, a controller, and a flash device that works in conjunction with a management system installed onto the mobile electronic device. The management system controls whether the flash device turns off or on by causing a select portion of the display of the mobile electronic device to brighten or dim, the change in intensity of which is sensed by the optical sensor. The system is substantially synchronized in that the flash device turns on slightly before the image capture process begins and turns off slightly after the image capture process ends.

Abstract: Various image-capturing systems are disclosed that use polarized filters to reduce or control glare effects on captured images. In one embodiment, the system includes a light source, a first polarized filter adapted to polarize light emanating from the light source; a second polarized filter adapted to perform polarized filtering on received light; and an image-capturing device adapted to receive the filtered light. In another embodiment, the system further includes an actuator to selectively move any of the polarized filter into and out of the light path. In yet another embodiment, a method of forming a resultant image comprises recording a first image with a filter set to a first polarization angle, recording a second image with the filter set to a second polarization angle, and blending the first and second images. The recording of the first and second images may be performed simultaneously or at different times.

Abstract: A device for controlling projected light beam from an electronic flash, this invention consists of a tube of elastic material such as neoprene or polyurethane (4), with a light side (6) and a dark side (5). The shape and elasticity of this device allow its configuration to change by rolling the snoot over on itself. Rolling the snoot partially upon itself, changing its length, will thereby change the size of the projected light beam. Rolling the snoot inside out will select a different interior reflectivity, thus a different quality of projected light.

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: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for using a flash light with, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light sources of a camera of an electronic device for improving quality of images provided by the camera. The flash related parameters comprising a white balance setting and/or exposure settings can be determined using, e.g., an ambient light level and an estimate of the flash light reflected from said object.

Abstract: A light source, suitable for use in a high-speed, continuous transport microfilm imaging system, includes an LED emitter element thermally coupled to a heat sink and is mounted within a light source housing. A light output opening in the light source housing, further defined by a narrow width light transfer channel, defines a narrow width active illumination area on the microfilm media. An optical diffusion plate, providing for a randomized directional distribution of light emitted by the LED emitter element, is mounted within the light source housing in an optical path extending between the light output opening and the LED emitter element. A switched current source is coupled to the LED emitter element to enable strobed operation synchronous with the periodic operation of a line imaging camera. The LED emitter element can be construed as a linear micro-strip array of LED elements.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus includes: an A/D conversion circuit having an amplifier that is capable of amplifying image signals per shooting frame; and a gain changer that changes the gain of the amplifier. The apparatus causes the gain changer to increase the gain of the amplifier up to a level that compensates for a gradual decrease in the amount of light emitted from LEDs that occurs during continuous shooting. As a result, the amplitude level of every image signal is made constant and thus, replayed images of the same brightness shot during the continuous shooting are obtained.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device; an imaging device control portion supplying the imaging device with a read command signal; an operation input portion accepting an input of a flash light emission command; a control portion setting a predetermined interval as an output interval of the read command signal and setting output timing of a flash control signal to make the flash to emit light so that a period since a start till an end of light emission is included within a period since completion of reading of the signal charges till an input of a following second read command signal; and a timing control portion supplying the flash control signal to the flash and supplies a read control signal to make the read command signal be outputted at the predetermined interval according to an input of the flash light emission command and the output timing.

Abstract: A covert camera for surveillance in an aircraft comprises a front panel that can have an appearance other than a conventional camera. The front panel can include at least one aperture therethrough. A lens can be in or near the aperture, the lens having a field of view. A camera mount can be positioned on the front panel. The camera mount can include a sensor capable of receiving an image of at least a portion of the field of view. The camera mount can be capable of adjustment without movement of the lens.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and method employ an imaging device arranged including a matrix of pixels each which accumulates accumulation charges according to an amount of light incident thereon, an accumulation charge read device for reading the accumulation charges at a time difference based on the position of each row or column of the pixels, and a reset device resetting an entirety of the accumulation charges of the imaging device before a main exposure. The photographing apparatus and method each further employ a reset timing change device capable of changing a reset timing for resetting the accumulation charges with respect to a synchronization pulse corresponding to a time for reading the accumulation charges.

Abstract: An LED based light source unit for an endoscopic imaging system produces illumination for a camera through an endoscope. The light source unit includes an array of LEDs mounted to a thermally conductive substrate. The light source unit is integrated into the proximal end of an endoscope and coupled directly to the optical fibers running to the tip of the endoscope. A plurality of such light source units may be integrated into the housing of an endoscope. Light emitted from each light source unit is directed to a distinctive section of the endoscope's tip and a doctor may control light output of each individual light source unit during a surgery.

Abstract: A flash apparatus is provided. The flash apparatus includes: an attachment portion capable of being attached in a freely detachable manner to an attachment target portion provided on an imaging apparatus; a main body supported in a turnable manner in an anteroposterior direction with respect to the attachment portion by means of a first turning portion; and a light-emitting portion supported in a turnable manner in an anteroposterior or vertical direction with respect to the main body by means of a second turning portion, including a light emitter directly or indirectly emitting light to a subject.

Abstract: A light module associated with the camera provides flash light having a spectral content that is adjustable according to one or more drive signals. The light module includes one or more emitters of light of at least two different colors that are individually accessible to the one or more drive signals. The flash light is a mixture of the light from the one or more emitters.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus comprises a flash that flashes and a controller. The controller obtains information regarding state of charge of the flash when an operation for preparing a photographic operation is conducted before the photographic operation corresponding to fully depressing a release button, calculates a first time until the flash reaches a charged state where the flash can flash on the basis of the information, calculates a second time after fully depressing said release button, and determines whether the photographic apparatus performs the photographic operation using the flash after the second time has elapsed or the photographic apparatus aborts the photographic operation on the basis of a comparison between the second time and a threshold. The second time is a difference between the first time and an elapsed time from a time point when the first time is calculated.

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: An improved method and apparatus for hand-held portable illumination, sensing and evidence collection is described. A uniquely configured multi-functional device selectively provides multi-purpose lighting and sensing in a hand-held portable device which is usable as a flashlight, camera and as an integrated device for evidence collection.

Abstract: An auxiliary light source such as a flash is controlled for highly accurately reflecting a lighting condition with less effect of a factor other than the lighting condition such as contrasting density caused by shadow or black compression or white compression. For this purpose, a parameter acquisition unit obtains weighting parameters for principal components representing lighting conditions in a face region in an image detected by a face detection unit, by fitting to the detected face region a mathematical model generated according to a method of AAM using a plurality of sample images representing human faces in different lighting conditions. A flash control unit obtains a flash control condition by referring to a reference table according to the parameters, and controls flash light emission according to the control condition.

Abstract: A digital image copier for photos, films and slides is provided. The digital image copier includes: a housing being a hollow body; a feeding slot disposed in the housing and bridged between a front side and a rear side of the housing, for feeding the photos, films and slides therein; a digital camera disposed inside the housing and facing to the feeding slot for shooting a picture of the photos, films and slides; and at least one light source disposed inside the housing for irradiating the photos, films and slides to provide the digital camera with a better shooting. The picture captured by the digital camera is converted into a digital image file that can be stored on an external storage device.

Abstract: Red-eye area detection accuracy is improved according to a pattern of appearance of red-eye areas generated frequently in an actual photography environment. A red-eye candidate area finding unit finds red-eye candidate areas in a digital photograph image, by using reference data. A display unit displays the image with the red-eye candidate areas having been marked and preliminary corrected. A user can specify an unfound red-eye area and an erroneously specified area by using a specification unit 22. An update unit 24 updates the reference data by learning a characteristic of the unfound red-eye area and the erroneously specified area so that a probability becomes higher regarding detection of an area having a characteristic similar to the unfound red-eye area as a red-eye candidate area while becomes lower regarding detection of an area having a characteristic similar to the erroneously specified area as a red-eye area.

Abstract: A portable communication device includes an image capture device, a light source unit operable to provide a flash of light and a flash ignition device. The flash ignition device includes a light emitting diode (LED) that provides optical output of an appropriate wavelength that is operable to trigger a flash of light from a gas discharge tube within the light source unit. The provision of a LED in the flash ignition device provides ionization of gas within the gas discharge tube via photoionization and/or the photoelectric effect.

Abstract: A power connection device for connecting a flash tube and a camera module includes a wire, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector. One end of the wire is connected with the flash tube, and the first electrical connector is electrically connected with the other end of the wire. The second electrical connector is located at a power supply terminal of the camera module and the second electrical connector is electrically plugged with the first electrical connector. Thereby, the flash tube is connected with the camera module via the power connection device.

Abstract: An objective lens system opposing an imaged surface of semiconductor device, and imaging lens system arranged between this objective lens system and image sensor is used to inspect a lower component of the semiconductor device without being influence by an upper component. The F value of objective lens system is made into 1.5 or less, and an imaged surface is photographed and inspected. The imaging lens system also has several lenses with different focal distances. According to the desired magnification, a predetermined lens among the plurality of lenses is arranged in the predetermined location of an optical axis, and the other lenses are evacuated from an optical axis.

Abstract: A flash device includes a flash module and a color wheel. The flash module includes a flash lamp and a trigger circuit for triggering the flash lamp. The color wheel includes a color filter disk. The color filter disk includes a number of filter segments, wherein each of the filter segments is capable of being inserted into the light-emitting path of the flash lamp by rotation the color filter disk.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus (10) for providing an adjusted image (214) of a scene (12) includes an apparatus frame (222), a flash system (230), a capturing system (226), and a control system (232). The flash system (230) generates a flash of light (248) to illuminate the scene (12). The capturing system (226) captures an original image (368) when the scene (12) is illuminated and a non-flash image (366) when the scene (12) is not illuminated. The original image (368) has an original color composition (368A) and the non-flash image (366) has a non-flash color composition (366A) that is different than the original color composition (368A). The control system (232) evaluates the non-flash image (366) and the original image (368). In one embodiment, the control system (232) provides the adjusted image (214) that is based on the non-flash image (366) and the original image (368).

Abstract: A device and method for producing an enhanced color image of a scene of interest captures a grayscale image of the scene of interest using a flash of infrared light and a color image of the scene of interest without using any flash of infrared light. The grayscale information from the grayscale image and the visible color information from the color image are combined to produce the enhanced color image.

Abstract: A camera module, camera-enabled device and method for capturing a frame of image data of a targeted scene uses a faux flash of light to indicate that the frame of image data has been captured.

Abstract: An optoelectronic protective device for providing switching signals when an unauthorized object is present in a passageway or an opening through a wall. A light source illuminates the opening, and a camera forms a picture of at least one of the wall surfaces defining the opening. A camera forms a picture of at least one of the wall surfaces and directs it onto a position resolving light receiver that generates picture signals for evaluation to determine if an unauthorized project is in the opening. The light source, the light receiver, the camera, as well as a control unit, are mounted in a housing that is configured to be secured to at least one of the wall surfaces of the opening so that it extends only negligibly into the opening, and the light source illuminates a spatial angle and the camera has an angular field of view that are sufficiently large so that objects having a predetermined minimum size present in the opening are reliably detected.

Abstract: A flash unit having a light emitting element, and a light condensing plate. The light condensing plate is provided with a surface on which a dimmed light-dispersing print is disposed near the light emitting element for equalizing intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting element. The other side of the light condensing plate contains a convexo-concave surface for condensing the light emitted from the light emitting element. The present invention provides a flash unit, a camera device, and a mobile terminal having a small dimension so as to provide a flash unit having an increased flash light.

Abstract: An adaptive fill-flash technique for digital photography that employs flash and no-flash image pairs. A flash image, captured using a flash of known characteristics and ambient light, and an ambient light image, which is taken with only ambient light, of the same image subject matter are acquired. A flash only image, computed by subtracting the known ambient light image from the flash and ambient light image, is computed. The flash only image and the ambient light image are then each white balanced to the flash light and the ambient light, respectively, to form two white-balanced images. These two white-balanced images are then added to form a white balanced image, I, in which the flash and ambient light color agree. It is also possible to reduce the hot spots in image I, and adjust flash strength.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a compact, inexpensive-to-manufacture, device of few components for optically inspecting a surface and a method for same employing the device. The section of the surface to be investigated is illuminated by a semitransparent mirror and a field lens, employing a telecentric beam path, and at least part of the light reflected or scattered by the surface is imaged onto the entrance pupil of the optics of an electronic camera by the field lens, via the semitransparent mirror. All optical and electronic components, along with a light- and dust-tight housing, are carried on a specially configured mounting block such that they are self-aligning. The method for inspecting a surface involves automatically recording a series of images of the surface under various types of illumination situations. Those images are assembled into an image of the entire section of the surface to be investigated and analyzed using known image-processing methods.

Abstract: An illumination controller for controlling an illumination device that irradiates an object to be photographed with illumination light. The illumination controller includes an introducing unit that introduces ambient light emitted to the object from a light source other than the illumination device; a processing unit that processes the ambient light introduced by the introducing unit to have a same characteristic as that of the illumination light; and an irradiation controlling unit that controls the ambient light processed by the processing unit so as to irradiate the object therewith as illumination, from a same path as the irradiation path of the illumination light.

Abstract: A surveillance camera comprises a base, a back plate, a holding bracket, a pivoting bracket, a lens frame, a camera lens assembly and multiple positioning devices. The back plate is attached rotatably to the base along a first rotating axis. A first positioning device is mounted between the base and the back plate and has multiple lumps and cavities engaging respectively with the lumps. The pivoting bracket is pivotally connected to the holding bracket along a pivoting axis, and a second positioning device is mounted between the pivoting bracket and the holding bracket. The lens frame is rotatably attached to the pivoting bracket along a second rotating axis, and a third positioning device is mounted between the pivoting bracket and the lens frame. The camera lens assembly is securely attached to the lens frame. Accordingly, the angle of the camera lens assembly is easily and conveniently adjusted.

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: An information communication device includes: a packet generation unit that generates a packet including timing data at an end of the packet for specifying to an external device a start timing for processing related to photography; a transmitting unit that transmits the packet to the external device by wireless communication; and a transmission control unit that changes a state of packet transmission by the transmission unit according to a start timing of the processing related to photography.

Abstract: A photographed body authenticating unit includes a control unit for executing solid judgment processing for judging whether a photographed body is solid or not based on an entire brightness changing amount of an entirety of a photographed body and a partial brightness changing amount of a part of the photographed body. The entire and partial brightness changing amounts are acquired by a difference between photographed image data obtained in different illuminating states. The control unit also executes photographed body collation processing for collating whether the photographed body is already registered with respect to at least one photographing image or not and authentication processing for authenticating that the photographed body is true when the solid judgment processing determines that the photographed body is solid and the collation processing determines that the photographed body is already registered.

Abstract: A surveillance camera has a positioning base, a mounting base, a globe and a camera assembly. The positioning base is attached to a ceiling or a wall or the like. The mounting base may latch to or detach from the positioning base and has a tapered sidewall, a panel recess formed in the sidewall and an illuminator mounted in the panel recess. The illuminator illuminates an area of interest and has multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a substrate. The LEDs provide a wider field of illumination and more intense light. The camera assembly is attached pivotally to the mounting base. Therefore, the surveillance camera can get clearer and more complete images.

Abstract: A method for measuring the timing of a flash event including capturing a first image prior to the commencement of a flash event. Capturing a second image during the occurrence of the flash event, and comparing the second image to the first image to determine a time related characteristic of the flash event.

Abstract: In a REC mode of an ordinary image pickup standby state, a main capacitor is connected to a side of a step-up/charging circuit via a switch, and the main capacitor is charged with electric power of a charging battery. When the REC mode is changed to other modes, the main capacitor is connected to a side of a step-down circuit by a switching operation of the switch. The step-down circuit steps down charging voltage of the main capacitor to 4.2 V to supply it to a power supply circuit of a camera, and steps down the charging voltage to 5 V to supply it to the charging battery which is a power supply of the camera. When it is no longer necessary to emit fill light, the electric power lost from the main capacitor due to natural discharge can automatically be utilized efficiently for operations other than the emission of the fill light.

Abstract: An electronic camera comprises a light-emitting unit 38 for emitting light, color components of which can be changed; a color-component measuring unit 51 for obtaining color components involved in any one of light from a light source for illuminating an object and light reflected by the object; an input-image processing unit 52 for determining color components of light to be emitted based on the color components calculated by the color-component measuring unit; and a light-emitting member driving unit 39 for making the light-emitting unit emit light involving the color components determined by the input-image processing unit in response to an instruction of photographing given by a user.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a flash light emitting portion moving between a housed position and a light emitting position, a biasing means for biasing the flash light emitting portion toward the light emitting position, a member to be locked moving with a movement of the flash light emitting portion, a locking means for locking the member to be locked in a state in which the flash light emitting portion exists at the housed position and suppressing change of the position of the flash light emitting portion, opposing a biasing force by the biasing means and a lock releasing means having an electromagnet and a moving portion, for releasing a locked state of the member to be locked by moving the moving portion in a direction apart from the electromagnet by applying electric current to the electromagnet and by allowing the locking means to pivot about an axis.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus includes a LED emission section that irradiates a subject with light by causing a LED to emit the light and a xenon-tube emission section that irradiates a subject with light by causing a xenon tube to emit the light. The light from the xenon-tube emission section has higher intensity than the light from the LED emission section. The image-taking apparatus also includes a shake detection section that predicts a shake that will occur at shooting by detecting a shake before shooting. The image-taking apparatus also includes an emission control section that causes the xenon-tube emission section to irradiate a subject with light when the detected shake is above a predetermined level, and causes the LED emission section to irradiate a subject with light when the detected shake is equal to or below the predetermined level.

Abstract: Presented is an auxiliary lighting device that is incorporated in a camera and is disposed at a position apart from an optical axis of a photographic lens for capturing a subject. The device includes a light emitting member with a cylindrical shape to emit light for irradiating a subject, a circumferential wall reflector disposed behind the light emitting member to reflect the light emitted from the light emitting member toward the subject, a first sidewall reflector with a surface that intersects a longitudinal axis of the light emitting member, and which is disposed at a first position near to the optical axis of the photographic lens, and a second sidewall reflector with a surface that intersects the longitudinal axis of the light emitting member, and which is disposed at a second position far from the optical axis of the photographic lens.