Abstract: An image sensing apparatus including an image sensor having a first area and a second area and a gradation converter for applying a gradation conversion to an image signal is provided with a gradation conversion LUT storage storing at least two kinds of gradation conversion information. The image sensing apparatus is also provided with a gradation conversion information rewriting section for rewriting the gradation conversion information into new gradation conversion information. There can be provided an image sensing apparatus capable of carrying out a precise gradation conversion even in the case that the inflection point between the first area and the second area of the image sensor constantly changes.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus has focus state detection areas, photometry areas, a defocus amount obtaining unit that obtains a defocus amount of each focus state detection area, a photometry unit that obtains a photometric value of each photometry area, and a determination unit that determines a weighting coefficient for each photometry area. The photometry areas includes a first photometry area, corresponding to any of the focus state detection areas, for which the weighting coefficient is determined using a defocus amount of the corresponding focus state detection area, and a second photometry area for which the weighting coefficient is determined using the weighting coefficient for the first photometry area or the defocus amount of the focus state detection area corresponding to the first photometry area.

Abstract: A method in a camera device having an image sensor and an electro-mechanical shutter mechanism is as follows. A constant drive current is applied to the shutter mechanism to close shutter at the end of a first exposure. Then, a decaying drive current is applied to the shutter mechanism during a readout interval for the first exposure. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A light path adjustment apparatus includes a support plate that has a first through hole through which light passes and optical units that move between an open location where the first through hole is opened by the optical units moving toward an outside of the first through hole and a closing location where the first through hole is divided into a plurality of regions by the plurality of optical units moving toward the first through hole. The optical units block at least a part of the light in the closing location.

Abstract: In continuous shooting processing, the defocus amounts of respective focus detection areas and the reliabilities of the defocus amounts are detected from information of the focus detection areas. Weightings are determined based on the reliabilities and defocus amounts. If the detection of defocus amounts is not completed in one shooting operation during continuous shooting, weightings are determined using defocus amounts detected in a shooting operation preceding the current one during continuous shooting. If there is no defocus amount that has been detected in a shooting operation preceding the current one, weightings are determined to weight a photometry area at a predetermined position of the field. A correct exposure for shooting is determined by calculating the weighted average of photometric values obtained in a plurality of photometry areas using the determined weightings. Continuous shooting can be performed with a correct exposure without decreasing the continuous shooting speed.

Abstract: An image shooting device includes an image shooting part, an operation part, a display part that displays a first image which is being shot by the image shooting part under a first light source on a display medium, a recording part that records a second image shot under a second light source by the image shooting part which receives the image shooting instruction from the operation part in a storage medium, a shooting condition setting part that sets a first shooting condition for the first image and a second shooting condition for the second image when the first light source is different from the second light source, and a shooting condition control part that performs control on shooting conditions of the image shooting part such that the first image is shot under the first shooting condition and the second image is shot under the second shooting condition.

Abstract: A camera body is provided, to which an interchangeable lens is mountable, the interchangeable lens including a diaphragm and capable of sending driving speed information of the diaphragm. The camera body has a receiving unit operable to receive the driving speed information of the diaphragm from the interchangeable lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the interchangeable lens to generate image data, a controller operable to set an imaging condition for the imaging unit, and a sending unit operable to send a control signal for changing brightness information of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens. The controller sets the imaging condition for a period from a start to an end of a driving of the diaphragm according to the received driving speed information of the diaphragm when the sending unit sends the control signal to the interchangeable lens.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes one or a plurality of optical filters, an image sensor, an imaging signal processing part, a detecting part, and a control part. The one or the plurality of optical filters are selectively arranged in a path of an optical system for obtaining imaging light. The image sensor is provided for converting the imaging light obtained through the optical system into an imaging signal. The imaging signal processing part is provided for subjecting the imaging signal from the image sensor to a color-temperature correction processing. The detecting part is provided for detecting a type of the one or the plurality of optical filters arranged in the optical system. The control part is provided for adjusting a color temperature that is set at the imaging signal processing part to a color temperature defined for each filer detected by the detecting part.

Abstract: A camera capable of compensating for facial field of a person to a proper brightness, and maintaining the luminance scale of the background, comprising an imaging portion for generating the picture data of the person; a gamma compensator for performing gamma compensation for the picture data; a facial field detecting portion for detecting a facial field from the picture data; a photometric portion for exposure metering value of the facial field detected by the facial field detecting portion; an exposure controlling portion for calculating a target exposure amount in response to the output of the photometric portion and controlling exposure depending on the target exposure amount; and a gamma compensation controlling portion for determining a luminance scale characteristic in accordance with the target exposure amount, wherein the gamma compensating portion is controlled on the basis of the luminance scale characteristic determined by the gamma compensation controlling portion.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an imaging device. The imaging device includes an imaging surface capturing an object scene through a focus lens, and produces an object scene image in a designated cycle. When a shutter button is half-depressed, an adjuster adjusts a position of the focus lens based on the object scene image produced by the imaging device. Also, a determiner determines whether or not both an illuminance and a contrast of the object scene captured by the imaging surface fall below a reference in association with a position adjusting process of the focus lens, and a controller sets a length of the designated cycle when a determination result is affirmative to be longer than that of the designated cycle when the determination result is negative.

Abstract: A system, computer readable medium, and method for dynamically setting a camera's exposure parameters based on face detection are disclosed. When taking a picture or video of a person in front of a bright background, standard exposure algorithms tend to overexpose the background. In one embodiment disclosed herein, a face detection algorithm is run on the current picture or video frame, and the exposure metering region is inset over the detected face. Exposure time, gain, or other exposure parameters may be set based on the pixels within the exposure metering region. In another embodiment, the exposure metering region tracks a moving face according to lag parameters so that the exposure metering region remains substantially over the face. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of faces may be tracked, with the exposure parameters set based on a weighted average of the pixels within the plurality of face-containing exposure metering regions.

Abstract: A camera body is provided, to which an interchangeable lens is mountable, the interchangeable lens including a diaphragm and capable of sending driving speed information of the diaphragm. The camera body has a receiving unit operable to receive the driving speed information of the diaphragm from the interchangeable lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the interchangeable lens to generate image data, a controller operable to set an imaging condition for the imaging unit, and a sending unit operable to send a control signal for changing brightness information of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens. The controller sets the imaging condition for a period from a start to an end of a driving of the diaphragm according to the received driving speed information of the diaphragm when the sending unit sends the control signal to the interchangeable lens.

Abstract: A camera includes a camera control unit configured to acquire information on an accessory mounted on the camera by performing communication with an accessory control unit included in the accessory and to control a photographing operation based on the information on the accessory. When the camera control unit acquires, from the accessory control unit, first information that is required prior to start of photographing and second information that is required prior to generation of image data after the start of photographing, if the camera control unit determines that a photographer has performed an operation to start a photographing operation during a period in which the camera control unit is performing communication to acquire the second information, the camera control unit executes a photographic sequence in priority to acquiring the second information and thereafter acquires the second information.

Abstract: A method in a camera device having an image sensor and an electro-mechanical shutter mechanism is as follows. A constant drive current is applied to the shutter mechanism to close shutter at the end of a first exposure. Then, a decaying drive current is applied to the shutter mechanism during a readout interval for the first exposure. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A wide dynamic range (WDR) hardware apparatus and a photographing apparatus including the WDR hardware apparatus are provided where the WDR unit applies weight coefficients to a luminance signal of a small size image having a first exposure time and a luminance signal of a small size image having a second exposure time longer than the first exposure time. The system combines the luminance signals applied weight coefficients, applies weight coefficients to a luminance signal of an original size image having the first exposure time and a luminance signal of an original size image having the second exposure time, and combines the luminance signals applied weight coefficients.

Abstract: An electronic camera and method include an imaging device, a luminance detection device, a selection device, a first control circuit, a second control circuit and a third control circuit. The first control circuit re-executes an exposure calculation by adjusting the exposure sensitivity if a first control exposure determined in the first mode does not achieve the optimal exposure. The second control circuit automatically sets the exposure sensitivity at the imaging device in correspondence to a subject luminance detected by the luminance detection device. The third control circuit disallows the second control circuit from operating and allows the first control circuit to operate when the first mode is selected, and that disallows the first control circuit from operating and allows the second control circuit to operate when the second mode is selected.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.

Abstract: In order to perform a brightness correction that is suited to a face image in a moving image, a still-image brightness correction parameter for performing a brightness correction suited to a subject image is calculated from a face image in the subject image and the overall subject image. A moving-image brightness correction parameter is calculated using the calculated still-image brightness correction parameter and a moving-image brightness correction parameter that has been calculated in a subject image of a previous frame. By using the moving-image brightness correction parameter calculated, the brightness of a subject image obtained subsequent to the first-mentioned subject image is corrected.

Abstract: A portable composite apparatus and a method of controlling photographing modes. The portable composite apparatus includes a decision unit to decide whether current time information is included in a time range corresponding to a current photographing mode by referring to a prestored time information table, and an operation control unit to change priority levels of photographing modes based on the decision result from the decision unit and the time information table. As photographing modes of the portable composite apparatus are prioritized differently based on the current time information and the time information table, user convenience and expedition of operating (or setting) a desired photographing mode can be enhanced.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for determining an optimal exposure of a structured light based 3D camera. The system includes a projecting means for illuminating a predetermined pattern on a target object, an image capturing means for capturing an image of the target object with the pattern projected, and a processing means for reconstructing 3D data for the target object by identifying the pattern of the captured images from the image capturing means. The system automatically determines an optimal exposure of the structured light based 3D camera system through analyzing the captured image of the target object.

Abstract: A method in a camera device having an image sensor and an electro-mechanical shutter mechanism is as follows. A constant drive current is applied to the shutter mechanism to close shutter at the end of a first exposure. Then, a decaying drive current is applied to the shutter mechanism during a readout interval for the first exposure. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method in a camera device having an image sensor and an electro-mechanical shutter mechanism is as follows. A constant drive current is applied to the shutter mechanism to close shutter at the end of a first exposure. Then, a decaying drive current is applied to the shutter mechanism during a readout interval for the first exposure. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of controlling exposure under low brightness conditions, comprising calculating an automatic exposure time such that an exposure time is substantially in inverse proportion to the brightness of a subject; when the automatic exposure time is smaller than a first exposure time value, setting a control exposure time as the automatic exposure time; when the automatic exposure time is greater than or equal to the first exposure time and smaller than or equal to a second exposure time, setting the control exposure time as the first exposure time; when the automatic exposure time is greater than the second exposure time, setting the control exposure time to be substantially in proportion to the automatic exposure time such that the control exposure time is smaller than the automatic exposure time by predetermined steps; and increasing sensitivity according to a difference between the automatic exposure time and the control exposure time.

Abstract: An exposure control method adjusts an exposure setting used for capturing an image including a foreground object and a background. The foreground object is extracted from the image by an object detection procedure. If the area of the foreground object is greater than a predetermined area value, the brightness of both the foreground object and the background is analyzed. On the contrary, if the area of the foreground object is not greater than the predetermined area value, only the brightness of the background is analyzed. The exposure setting is adjusted according to the analysis result. Accordingly, greater brightness stability is provided during the capture of the following images.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a diaphragm control unit configured to control an aperture value of a diaphragm, and an electronic shutter control unit configured to control an operation of an electronic shutter for adjusting a charge accumulation time of the image sensor by adjusting a driving timing of the image sensor, wherein, if driving of the diaphragm overlaps a charge accumulation time when the aperture value is changed from a first aperture value to a second aperture value, the electronic shutter control unit controls a time of charge accumulation corresponding to the second aperture value in the charge accumulation time such that a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the first aperture value is set and a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the second aperture value is set become approximately equal to each other.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a support structure, a lens carried by the support structure and having an optical axis, a detector, carried by the support structure under the lens and including a number of adjacent pixel rows. Each pixel row includes a number of pixels, and each pixel includes an image sensor. An image signal processor unit is connected to the detector, and includes an image scaler configured to scale each row of pixels by one of a plurality of respective scale factors which is different from the respective scale factor of an adjacent row of pixels.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image sensing unit, a shutter button mechanism, and a control unit. The image sensing unit includes a lens module and an image sensor. The shutter button mechanism is operable to generate a trigger signal when pressed and to generate a release signal when the shutter button mechanism is released after being pressed. The control unit is configured to perform, in response to the release signal from the shutter button mechanism, a picture taking procedure for controlling the image sensing unit to capture an image.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of shooting a still image and a moving image and displaying an exposure parameter interlocking range. A light metering unit meters an object brightness. A camera microcomputer performs exposure control such that an exposure becomes equal to a target exposure determined based on a result of metering by the light metering unit. The camera microcomputer causes the image display section to display a first image representing the object brightness metered by the light metering unit and a second image representing an object brightness that can be set as the target exposure by the exposure control.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to setting photographic parameters based, at least in part, on signal measurements, such as, for example, without limitation, position of the Sun. Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise the following: a wireless communication capable device (E.G., 400, 1100) including an integrated digital camera (E.G., 1180, 402); the device capable of estimating position of the Sun relative to the position of the device based at least in part on signal information received via wireless communication; and the device being further capable of using the estimated position of the Sun so as to affect one or more photographic parameters. Briefly, in accordance with another embodiment, a method may comprise the following: acquiring information via wireless communication (E.G.

Abstract: In continuous shooting processing, the defocus amounts of respective focus detection areas and the reliabilities of the defocus amounts are detected from information of the focus detection areas. Weightings are determined based on the reliabilities and defocus amounts. If the detection of defocus amounts is not completed in one shooting operation during continuous shooting, weightings are determined using defocus amounts detected in a shooting operation preceding the current one during continuous shooting. If there is no defocus amount that has been detected in a shooting operation preceding the current one, weightings are determined to weight a photometry area at a predetermined position of the field. A correct exposure for shooting is determined by calculating the weighted average of photometric values obtained in a plurality of photometry areas using the determined weightings. Continuous shooting can be performed with a correct exposure without decreasing the continuous shooting speed.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus has focus state detection areas, photometry areas, a defocus amount obtaining unit that obtains a defocus amount of each focus state detection area, a photometry unit that obtains a photometric value of each photometry area, and a determination unit that determines a weighting coefficient for each photometry area. The photometry areas includes a first photometry area, corresponding to any of the focus state detection areas, for which the weighting coefficient is determined using a defocus amount of the corresponding focus state detection area, and a second photometry area for which the weighting coefficient is determined using the weighting coefficient for the first photometry area or the defocus amount of the focus state detection area corresponding to the first photometry area.

Abstract: A photometric calibration method includes: obtaining a target image and a reference image by a light field camera and transforming the reference image into a revised target image corresponding to the target image; calculating a photometric calibration ratio according to a function for correlating the target image and the revised target image by using a numerical algorithm; and the intensity of the target image is divided by the photometric calibration ratio to obtain a calibrated target image. A light field of a scene is formed by all of the calibrated target image so as to improve the quality of the light field.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed which analyzes image data of a subject acquired by an image pickup device to select an appropriate combination of exposure time, aperture, and exposure sensitivity upon shooting in order to perform exposure control. As an example of image data analysis methods, there is shown a method of detecting the movement of a characteristic point in an image, or a method of detecting luminance variations in a specific block or area in the image to detect the subject movement. As another exemplary method, a face of the subject is detected. The present invention can also be combined with a shake reduction mode.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture an image of an object, a mechanical shutter including a second curtain and a second-curtain holding mechanism configured to electromagnetically hold the second curtain at an initial position prior to a travel, a first temperature sensor disposed within a predetermined range from the second-curtain holding mechanism, a second temperature sensor disposed outside the predetermined range from the second-curtain holding mechanism, a determination unit configured to determine an exposure time for the image sensor according to a brightness of the object, an adjustment unit configured to adjust the exposure time if a temperature difference between temperatures detected by the first and second temperature sensors is greater than a predetermined threshold, and an exposure control unit configured to perform exposure control for the image sensor based on the exposure time adjusted by the adjustment unit if the temperature difference is greater than the p

Abstract: In an image taking system, when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer or an automatic image taking system, exposure conditions and a focusing position are determined according to result of detection of the predetermined objective body at least once between the time when instruction to take a running image is done and the time when the running image is actually taken.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a diaphragm control unit configured to control an aperture value of a diaphragm, and an electronic shutter control unit configured to control an operation of an electronic shutter for adjusting a charge accumulation time of the image sensor by adjusting a driving timing of the image sensor, wherein, if driving of the diaphragm overlaps a charge accumulation time when the aperture value is changed from a first aperture value to a second aperture value, the electronic shutter control unit controls a time of charge accumulation corresponding to the second aperture value in the charge accumulation time such that a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the first aperture value is set and a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the second aperture value is set become approximately equal to each other.

Abstract: A method for automatically selecting a scene mode applied in a photographic device is described. The method includes detecting an image to be captured; analyzing a principal feature of the image; comparing the principal feature with a feature standard of each scene mode according to a utilization rate ranging from high to low, so as to acquire a scene mode corresponding to the feature standard conforming to the principal feature; and adjusting current photographic parameters of the photographic device into photographic parameters corresponding to the acquired scene mode. By determining a comparison sequence according to utilization rate of each scene, the time for searching and comparing is reduced. Moreover, after each shooting, the utilization rate may be re-calculated according to the used scene mode, so as to quickly provide the scene mode required by a user.

Abstract: In an image taking system, when a running image is to be taken by the use of a self-timer or an automatic image taking system, exposure conditions and a focusing position are determined according to result of detection of the predetermined objective body at least once between the time when instruction to take a running image is done and the time when the running image is actually taken.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a final exposure setting, including, (a) selecting one of a number of predetermined exposure settings as a current exposure setting for a solid state camera having a camera imager, (b) generating a captured scene by the camera imager using the current exposure setting, (c) selecting according to an automated search methodology another one of the exposure settings to be the current setting in response to the captured scene being underexposed or overexposed, and, (d) repeating (b) and (c) until the captured scene is neither underexposed or overexposed.

Abstract: A digital imaging apparatus is provided which is capable of producing a desired still image with an overly specification-bound state avoided during image shooting. In case the lightness of a subject view is within a predetermined medium range, a controller determines whether or not the camera shake compensation is to be enabled, depending on the lightness of the subject view, the subject movement detected on a through-image viewed and the continuous automatic focusing (AF) activated or not, and further determines whether the low-sensitivity shooting or high-sensitivity shooting is to be resorted to.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a diaphragm control unit configured to control an aperture value of a diaphragm, and an electronic shutter control unit configured to control an operation of an electronic shutter for adjusting a charge accumulation time of the image sensor by adjusting a driving timing of the image sensor, wherein, if driving of the diaphragm overlaps a charge accumulation time when the aperture value is changed from a first aperture value to a second aperture value, the electronic shutter control unit controls a time of charge accumulation corresponding to the second aperture value in the charge accumulation time such that a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the first aperture value is set and a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the second aperture value is set become approximately equal to each other.

Abstract: In an image capture apparatus which captures an image, with respect to one or a plurality of types of parameters to be set at a photo opportunity, a desired set value of the parameter is registered beforehand, and it is possible to easily change to a setting for the photo opportunity at the photo opportunity. Therefore, a user can easily change to a desired set value at the photo opportunity.

Abstract: A portable communication device having a camera functionality including a camera lens and a UV filter element moveable into or out of a position covering the camera lens. The device includes an apparatus for detecting a light feature associated with an ambient light condition. The UV filter is automatically moved into or out of a position overlying the camera lens based upon the data determined from the light feature associated with the ambient light condition.

Abstract: An optical apparatus, such as an image pickup apparatus, includes a detector configured to detect whether a manual aperture operation unit is operated by an amount greater than or equal to a predetermined amount during automatic aperture control. When an aperture fixing switch is operated or when the detector detects that the manual aperture operation unit is operated by an amount greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, automatic aperture control is disabled and manual aperture control is enabled.

Abstract: An automatic exposure control method is used to control a shooting exposure parameter for shooting an image by a shooting end. At least one middle brightness value is acquired between a brightness value of a background region and an overall brightness value, and then a relation between working distances of a flash light and a practical distance of an object is determined sequentially from the brightness value of the background region to extend towards the overall brightness value, in which the working distances of the flash light are respectively corresponding to the brightness value of the background region, the middle brightness values, and the overall brightness value, so as to obtain a shooting exposure parameter and to selectively activate the flash light, thereby adjusting the overall brightness of the image to be shot, so as to obtain an image with a proper overall brightness.

Abstract: A digital image acquisition device has an image acquisition sensor, a shutter, an aperture and optical elements for focusing an image on the sensor. The device includes a light source located in the body of the device. The light source is periodically activated with one of the aperture or shutter closed, and the device derives a map of defects on the surface of the sensor from a calibration image acquired by the sensor when illuminated by the light source.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for acquiring automatic exposure control parameters and a method for controlling automatic exposure control parameters and an imaging device. The core idea is to take the brightness weighted average value obtained according to brightness distribution weighted statistics of the image as the exposure control parameter. Then through adjusting the weighted coefficient of pixels in different brightness regions, control the influence of the pixel concentrated brightness regions on the brightness average value. Because the brightness distribution is the basis for determining weighted statistics, the control method of the present invention is not influenced by the scene assumption. Rather it can be universally adapted to a variety of different scenes, and the exposure control effect is not influenced by the position of scenes in the actual bright region/dark region and block distribution.

Abstract: A method for automatic exposure compensation is disclosed. A shutter is activated and the environmental brightness is detected using a sensor. An exposure value is calculated according to the detection result to obtain a default exposure time. It is determined whether the exposure value is equal to a normal value. If not, a compensation value is calculated based on a shutter-closing curve and a compensation operation is thus executed. Thus, an exposure signal is generated by advancing a first predefined time or postponing a second predefined time, enabling the amount of exposure time to be equal to the addition or subtraction of the default exposure time and the first predefined time.

Abstract: An automatic exposure control apparatus employed by an image sensor module including a lens unit, an image sensing unit having a shutter, and an image signal processing unit, the apparatus including: a brightness calculator extracting average brightness of a image signal; a brightness adjustment determiner determining whether to fix or adjust a speed of the shutter based on the average brightness; an adjustment path controller controlling the speed of the shutter by using the brightness error; a digital filter filtering the brightness error; a shutter speed adjuster adjusting a present shutter speed value by using one of the brightness error and the filtered brightness; and a shutter speed controller controlling a speed of the shutter by using the adjusted shutter speed value.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus comprises an information obtaining unit and a controller. The information obtaining unit obtains information regarding a photographic subject image. The controller performs a switching control that changes a first use mode to a second use mode on a basis of the information. The first use mode is set by a user, and the second use mode is different from the first use mode.