Color Temperature Compensation Or Detection Patents (Class 396/225)
  • Patent number: 11320535
    Abstract: In an optical detection system, received light can be concentrated and presented to a single-pixel photodetector (or an array of relatively few photodetectors). Concentration of received light can be performed by curved concentrator such as a continuously-curved or faceted reflector. A portion or an entirety of the detector might be blinded (e.g., desensitized) by bright interferers such as the sun. An electro-optic shutter such as a liquid crystal (LC) structure can be used to selectively transmit or mask-off portions of the received light. For example, an LC structure can have regions of selectable opacity for a specified polarization of incident light. The LC structure can be controlled to render certain region opaque, such as to suppress interference from unwanted interferers such as the sun, bright lights, or unwanted reflections. An LC structure can also be used to implement a scanned transmit/receive technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey Weinberg, Boris Lerner
  • Patent number: 10444071
    Abstract: A calibration target for an image sensor can include a panel with a predetermined length and width. The calibration target can also include an optical fabric overlaying a surface of the panel that generates light on a predetermined spectral band corresponding to a spectral band detectable by the image sensor spaced apart from the calibration target by a predetermined distance. The generated light can have sufficient luminance to penetrate a predetermined depth of water and to saturate at least one pixel of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Patricia D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9007512
    Abstract: A focusing method includes operations (a) through (d). In (a), a maximum focus value generated during a searching is set as a first maximum focus value. In (b), the focus lens moves to a first position that is the position of the first maximum focus value. In (c), a focus value generated when the focus lens moves to the first position is set as a second maximum focus value. In (d), if it is determined that a difference value between the first maximum focus value and the second maximum focus value is greater than a first set allowance value, a position of a focus value, whose difference value from the first maximum focus value is less than a second set allowance value, is searched for within a second range that has the first position as its center and is narrower than the first range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Taek Hong
  • Patent number: 8929727
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of reducing variation in the color temperature of a subject in a taken image and capable of shooting a more suitable image. The image pickup apparatus can shoot with emitting a light emitting unit. A color temperature acquisition unit acquires information about a color temperature of a light illuminating a subject. An emission control unit controls emission of the light emitting unit. The emission control unit determines emission light amount of the light emitting unit based on a color temperature difference between a color temperature of an illumination light of the light emitting unit and a color temperature based on the information acquired by the color temperature information acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Kubota
  • Patent number: 8559809
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Takeshita
  • Patent number: 8515275
    Abstract: It is possible to provide a user-friendly camera. Provided is an illumination device for emitting illumination light for photographing by a camera including: a light emission unit which can emit lights of a plurality of different colors and/or a plurality of different light emission amounts as the illumination light; and a light emission control unit which controls the light emission unit so as to continuously emit the illumination light while changing the color and/or the light emission amount as the time elapses, independently of photographing by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyosada Machida, Hatsuko Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8463119
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of reducing variation in the color temperature of a subject in a taken image and capable of shooting a more suitable image. The image pickup apparatus can shoot with emitting a light emitting unit. A color temperature acquisition unit acquires information about a color temperature of a light illuminating a subject. An emission control unit controls emission of the light emitting unit. The emission control unit determines emission light amount of the light emitting unit based on a color temperature difference between a color temperature of an illumination light of the light emitting unit and a color temperature based on the information acquired by the color temperature information acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Kubota
  • Patent number: 8385735
    Abstract: An illumination device for a camera includes a light source, in which LED chips are supplied with a drive current, for emitting light of a first color at intensity according to the drive current. An encapsulant is disposed in front of each LED chip, for changing an illuminating color of the light. An EEPROM stores a data table for representing a correlation between the illuminating color and the drive current. An illumination control unit obtains first drive current associated with a target color of light for use by referring to the data table, to drive the LED chips with the first drive current. Phosphor in the encapsulant sets color temperature of the light lower upon passage through the encapsulant than upon emission from the LED chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kouhei Awazu
  • Patent number: 8322860
    Abstract: According to one of embodiment, an apparatus for image projecting and a method for controlling color fluctuation of light are acquired the temperatures of a plurality of light sources configured to emit light beams of different colors or the temperature at a position near the light-emitting elements, set an amount of light each of the light sources emits, in accordance with the temperature acquired of the light source, and set at least one of the color and brightness of the image to be projected. The fluctuation of the color or brightness of the image to be projected can therefore be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Osamu Sato, Shuji Otake
  • Patent number: 8121472
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Brian Momeyer, David L. Bednar
  • Patent number: 7907841
    Abstract: A camera includes: a light emission unit that emits illumination light; an amount of emitted light control unit that, during photography using the illumination light, controls the amount of illumination light to be emitted during photography based upon the amount of light reflected back from the photographic subject during a preliminary emission of light; and a color temperature control unit that controls the color temperature of the illumination light during the preliminary light emission, based upon color information for ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Hidehiko Aoyagi
  • Publication number: 20110058802
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Brian Momeyer, David L. Bednar
  • Patent number: 7864221
    Abstract: In some embodiments, images for the video conference may be white balanced. White balancing may include dividing at least a subset of an image's pixels into multiple ranges according to their luminance and chrominance values. For example, at least a portion of the pixels in an image may be sorted into different groups (i.e., by incrementing counters respective to each group) according to the luminance and chrominance values of the pixels. If enough pixels are found to be in a particular group, a portion or all of the image may be adjusted by a ratio corresponding to that particular group. For example, blue and red analog gains (corresponding to the selected pixels) may be modified by a corresponding ratio to bring red and blue accumulations closer to green accumulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: LifeSize Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael V. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7831137
    Abstract: An image apparatus (10) for providing an adjusted image (474) of a scene (12) that includes an photo-emissive object (18) includes an apparatus frame (228), a capturing system (232), and a control system (236). The capturing system (232) captures a raw captured image (466) of the scene (12). The control system (236) identifies a captured photo-emissive object (418) in the raw captured image (466). Further, the control system (236) can perform a different level of image compensation on the captured photo-emissive object (418) than on other portions of the captured image (466). Stated in another fashion, the control system (236) can perform a first level of white balance correction on at a first region (482A) of the captured image (466) and can perform a second level of white balance correction on a second region (482B) of the captured image (466). With this design, the control system (236) can provide the adjusted image (474) having a more uniform and acceptable white balance correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Takita
  • Patent number: 7769289
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Chikuni Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7711257
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Janne Tamminen, Mikko Perälä
  • Patent number: 7646974
    Abstract: A device may include a camera to capture an image, a sensor to measure information indicative of a color characteristic of light in an environment, and a processor to adjust a color characteristic of a flash based on the color characteristic of the light in the environment and activate the flash for capturing the image according to the adjusted color characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Mats Wernersson
  • Patent number: 7502559
    Abstract: Provided is a camera lens assembly including an optical filter employing a plurality of color light emitting diodes. The camera lens assembly includes a lens module having a printed circuit board, an image sensor positioned on the printed circuit board, an IR filter, and a camera lens, the camera lens assembly. The camera lens assembly further includes a base, a lens housing positioned on an upper surface of the base for accommodating the lens module, and formed with a lens aperture at a position corresponding to the camera lens, and an optical filter positioned adjacent to the lens module for selectively transmitting or blocking a color light radiated from a plurality of color light emitting diodes through the lens aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Dae-Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20090033762
    Abstract: A proposition is to provide a color photographing apparatus capable of reducing the failure probability of white balance adjusting. For this purpose, the color photographing apparatus includes a discriminating unit calculating an accuracy of a shooting scene belonging to a specific group having a similar illumination color based on a feature vector of the shooting scene and a discriminant criterion preliminarily calculated by supervised learning, and a calculating unit calculating an adjusting value of the white balance adjusting to be performed on an image shot in the shooting scene based on the calculated accuracy and the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Abe
  • Patent number: 7460780
    Abstract: An exposure parameter is determined based on an illumination condition by calculating a red divided by green (R/G) value, calculating a blue divided by green (B/G) value, and comparing the R/G and B/G values to a predetermined auto-white balancing map to determine the exposure parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuya Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20080260374
    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
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20080212956
    Abstract: An exposure parameter is determined based on an illumination condition by calculating a red divided by green (R/G) value, calculating a blue divided by green (B/G) value, and comparing the R/G and B/G values to a predetermined auto-white balancing map to determine the exposure parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Kazuya Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7346275
    Abstract: A camera is provided with media for creating a light signal with at least one of known spectral intensity distribution, chromaticity coordinates and brightness detectable by recording medium positionable within the camera. Processes for reconstructing and calibrating image information on a recording medium are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Franz Josef Gassmann
  • Patent number: 6992709
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a type of an illuminant including a spectrum diffraction unit and a sensor coupled to the spectrum diffraction unit. An illuminant discrimination unit is coupled to the sensor and configured to receive a set of signals representative of a set of spectral components in the illuminant and to determine the type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kannan Raj, Tonia Morris
  • Patent number: 6734895
    Abstract: A digital camera has a mounting part to mount a shooting lens or other optical equipment, and includes a mode switch that changes between a mode that shoots using the shooting lens and a mode that shoots using the other equipment. The camera includes an information interface that communicates with the shooting lens or with the other equipment, and receives information from the shooting lens or from the other equipment corresponding to the set mode. A camera controller controls the camera to change a type of information received through the interface from the shooting lens or from the other equipment based upon the set mode. When changed to the mode that shoots using the other equipment, the interface receives information corresponding to a color temperature or a brightness of a light source of the other equipment, and the controller controls the camera shooting state based upon that received information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Uehara, Akira Ohmura
  • Patent number: 6597869
    Abstract: When a stop aperture formed by a shutter blade has reached a diameter corresponding to a predetermined f-number, a flash light is emitted and an exposure is performed with the flash light. Successively, the diameter of the stop aperture is gradually increased. When the stop aperture has reached a diameter corresponding to a set f-number, a color-temperature conversion filter is placed at a photographic optical path. Another exposure is performed with an illumination light which has passed through the color-temperature conversion filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Uchida, Yuji Kume
  • Patent number: 6567617
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera is provided with a normal light sensor, an exposure amount determining system, a plurality of colorimetric sensors that detect a color of the object using light passed through a photographing lens of the camera. The calorimetric sensors have spectral sensitivity characteristics that are different from each other. The photometry device further includes an external light sensor, a light source color compensation amount determining system, a light source effect compensation system, a colorimetry compensation amount determining system, and an exposure amount compensation system. In such a device, the light source color compensation amount determining system changes the light source color compensation amount in accordance with an object distance, or the magnification of the photographing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6556788
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera has a normal light metering system and a plurality of light metering systems having different spectral sensitivity characteristics. An exposure amount of an object is determined in accordance with an output of the normal light metering system. A colormetry system divides a photometry area into a plurality of areas and judges a color of the object at each of the plurality of areas. The compensation amount determining system determines the exposure compensation amounts respectively corresponding to the plurality of areas based on the color thereat. A compensation amount related to an area corresponding to a focused portion of the object. The exposure amount is compensated in accordance with the determined exposure compensation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6535693
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera, includes a normal light sensor having spectral sensitivity characteristics close to visual sensitivity characteristics, a plurality of colorimetric sensors having spectral sensitivity characteristics that are different from each other, an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light sensor, a colorimetry system that judges a color of the object in accordance with the outputs of the plurality of colorimetric sensors, and a compensation amount determining system that determines an exposure compensation amount in accordance with the color judged by the colorimetry system. The compensation amount determining system compensates for the exposure compensation amount determined by the compensation amount determining system in accordance with differences among the outputs of the plurality of colorimetric sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6510284
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera is provided with a normal light sensor having spectral sensitivity characteristics close to visual sensitivity characteristics, a plurality of colorimetric sensors having spectral sensitivity characteristics that are different from those of the normal light sensor, an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light sensor. A color of the object is determined in accordance with the outputs of the plurality of colorimetric sensors and an external light sensor that measures an external light illuminating the object at spectral sensitivity characteristics corresponding to each of the plurality of colorimetric sensors. Then, based on the determined color, an exposure compensation amount is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6507709
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera includes a normal light metering system having spectral sensitivity characteristics close to visual sensitivity characteristics, and a plurality of light metering systems having spectral sensitivity characteristics that are different from those of the normal light metering system. Further provided is an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light metering system, a colorimetry system that judges a color of the object in accordance with the outputs of said plurality of light metering systems. An exposure compensation amount is determined in accordance with the color judged by the colorimetry system, and then, the exposure amount is compensated in accordance with the exposure compensation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6505002
    Abstract: A camera and method are usable for capturing multicolor images of multicolor scenes. The camera has a color detector determining from the multicolor scene and/or a captured multicolor image of the scene, a predominant color in the captured image and/or multicolor scene. The camera also has a display showing a predominant color determined by the color detector, whereby one is alerted to color predominance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roger A. Fields
  • Patent number: 6487372
    Abstract: A photometry device has a normal light photometry sensor and a external light sensor. The normal light photometry sensor performs photometry with respect to an object. The external light sensor performs photometry with respect color components of the external light. An exposure amount of an object is determined based on an output of a normal light sensor. If a difference between the exposure values is greater than the predetermined value, a color judged in the colorimetry procedure is forcibly set to “colorless” and no substantial colorimetric compensation is performed. If the Bv difference is not greater than the predetermined value, the light source compensation data preliminary stored is used for the colorimetric compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6445886
    Abstract: A device includes a photometry element for photometrically measuring object light while dividing the object light into a plurality of color components, and an exposure controller for calculating an exposure control value on the basis of a plurality of photometry outputs corresponding to the color components from the photometry element. In the device, the photometry element divides object light into a plurality of color components, e.g., R, G, and B three primary colors, and performs level detection in units of color components. The exposure controller preferably determines, as an exposure control value, a color component of a maximum level of the photometry outputs corresponding to the color components which are measured by the photometry element. Exposure control is executed by calculating an aperture value, a shutter speed, and the like on the basis of the determined exposure control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Muramatsu, Tsuyako Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20020110372
    Abstract: A camera and method are usable for capturing multicolor images of multicolor scenes. The camera has a color detector determining from the multicolor scene and/or a captured multicolor image of the scene, a predominant color in the captured image and/or multicolor scene. The camera also has a display showing a predominant color determined by the color detector, whereby one is alerted to color predominance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roger A. Fields
  • Publication number: 20020102105
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera is provided with a normal light sensor having a plurality of photometry areas, and a plurality of photometric sensors for colorimetry. A photometry value determining system determines a photometry value at each photometry area in accordance with outputs of the normal light sensor. A colorimetric compensation value determining system determines a color of an object at each photometry area in accordance with the outputs of the photometric sensors for colorimetry, and determines a colorimetric compensation value based on the determined color. An exposure value determining system compensates for the photometry value determined by the photometry value determining system for each o photometry area, and determines an exposure value based on the compensated photometry values. The colorimetric compensation value determining system determines different threshold values, which are used for determining colors at the plurality of photometry areas, for different photometry areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHUKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Publication number: 20020102104
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera is provided with a normal light sensor having a spectral sensitive characteristics close to those of a human eye, and a plurality of colorimetric sensors. The device further includes a photometry value determining system, a calorimetric compensation value determining system that determines a color of an object at each of the plurality of photometry areas and a calorimetric compensation value based on the determined color, and an exposure value determining system that compensates for the photometry value determined by the photometry value determining system for each of the plurality of photometry areas, and determines an exposure value based on the compensated photometry values. In the photometry device configured as above, the calorimetric compensation value determining system determines different colorimetric compensation values for different one of the plurality of photometry areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KASBUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6424809
    Abstract: An image signal reading operation control device has an electro-developing recording medium to electronically develop an image formed by a photographing optical system. The image is read out by a line sensor with the electro-developing recording medium being illuminated by a light source. Namely, pixel signals arranged along a horizontal scanning line are read by the line sensor while the line sensor is set at a predetermined position, and then the line sensor is moved in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal scanning line by a predetermined amount. When the image is read out by the line sensor, the light source is displaced along the longitudinal direction of the line sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamamoto, Tahei Morisawa
  • Patent number: 6343190
    Abstract: A white balance adjusting device mounted in an electro-developing type camera in which an electro-developing recording medium, which electronically develops an image formed thereon, is used. A mask member, in which first and second color filters are provided, is disposed in front of an electro-developing recording medium. The electro-developing recording medium has a recording area, in which a color image is recorded, and a data area, in which optical information used for a white balance adjustment is recorded. The first color filter faces the recording area, and the second color filter faces the data area. In the camera body, a diffuser and a light leading member are provided at a position corresponding to the second color filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Abe
  • Publication number: 20020003959
    Abstract: A photometry device has a normal light photometry sensor and a external light sensor. The normal light photometry sensor performs photometry with respect to an object. The external light sensor performs photometry with respect color components of the external light. An exposure amount of an object is determined based on an output of a normal light sensor. If a difference between the exposure values is greater than the predetermined value, a color judged in the colorimetry procedure is forcibly set to “colorless” and no substantial colorimetric compensation is performed. If the Bv difference is not greater than the predetermined value, the light source compensation data preliminary stored is used for the colorimetric compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu Hirat, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Publication number: 20010038753
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera is provided with a normal light sensor, an exposure amount determining system, a plurality of colorimetric sensors that detect a color of the object using light passed through a photographing lens of the camera. The calorimetric sensors have spectral sensitivity characteristics that are different from each other. The photometry device further includes an external light sensor, a light source color compensation amount determining system, a light source effect compensation system, a colorimetry compensation amount determining system, and an exposure amount compensation system. In such a device, the light source color compensation amount determining system changes the light source color compensation amount in accordance with an object distance, or the magnification of the photographing lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6301442
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit for photographing an object includes a flash charger button as mode selector, which designates a selected one of a flashless mode and a flashing mode. An exposure aperture forms a color image by object light from the object. The image, if the flashless mode is designated, is recorded with first color balance in the exposure aperture, and if the flashing mode is designated, is recorded with second color balance. An electronic flash unit applies flash light to the object. A light balancing filter as color balance adjustor subjects the object light to correction if the flashless mode is designated, so as to set the first and second color balance substantially equal to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Uchida, Yuji Kume, Yasushi Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20010016117
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera, includes a normal light sensor having spectral sensitivity characteristics close to visual sensitivity characteristics, a plurality of colorimetric sensors having spectral sensitivity characteristics that are different from each other, an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light sensor, a colorimetry system that judges a color of the object in accordance with the outputs of the plurality of colorimetric sensors, and a compensation amount determining system that determines an exposure compensation amount in accordance with the color judged by the colorimetry system. The compensation amount determining system compensates for the exposure compensation amount determined by the compensation amount determining system in accordance with differences among the outputs of the plurality of colorimetric sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: ASSHI KOGAKU DOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA OF Tokyo, JAPAN
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Publication number: 20010010762
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera is provided with a normal light sensor having spectral sensitivity characteristics close to visual sensitivity characteristics, a plurality of colorimetric sensors having spectral sensitivity characteristics that are different from those of the normal light sensor, an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light sensor. A color of the object is determined in accordance with the outputs of the plurality of colorimetric sensors and an external light sensor that measures an external light illuminating the object at spectral sensitivity characteristics corresponding to each of the plurality of colorimetric sensors. Then, based on the determined color, an exposure compensation amount is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Publication number: 20010003557
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera has a normal light metering system and a plurality of light metering systems having different spectral sensitivity characteristics. An exposure amount of an object is determined in accordance with an output of the normal light metering system. A colorimetry system divides a photometry area into a plurality of areas and judges a color of the object at each of the plurality of areas. The compensation amount determining system determines the exposure compensation amounts respectively corresponding to the plurality of areas based on the color thereat. A compensation amount related to an area corresponding to a focused portion of the object. The exposure amount is compensated in accordance with the determined exposure compensation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Publication number: 20010003558
    Abstract: A photometry device for a camera includes a normal light metering system having spectral sensitivity characteristics close to visual sensitivity characteristics, and a plurality of light metering systems having spectral sensitivity characteristics that are different from those of the normal light metering system. Further provided is an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light metering system, a colorimetry system that judges a color of the object in accordance with the outputs of said plurality of light metering systems. An exposure compensation amount is determined in accordance with the color judged by the colorimetry system, and then, the exposure amount is compensated in accordance with the exposure compensation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu Hirai, Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6215962
    Abstract: A camera is provided which has an optical sensor which can respond to natural, artificial light, and a combination by bandpass filtering or spectrum diffraction and electronic processing to allow compensation for color differences in an image taken by the camera caused by the illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ted J. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6201932
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera capable of making a decision as to the kind of illumination light source and recording information indicative of the result of the decision on a magnetic recording part of a film. In the camera provided according to the present invention, the kind of light source detected at an arbitrary time instant when a manual operation independent of a shutter release operation is carried out is stored, and the stored value is magnetically recorded during a photographic operation executed by a shutter release operation at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 6175693
    Abstract: A camera is provided with a photometry device that is used to detect a brightness of an object, a colorimetry device that detects a color of the object, and a controller that determines an exposure value in accordance with output of the photometry device. The controller compensates the exposure value in accordance with the color of the object detected by the colorimetry device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Iida
  • Patent number: 6167200
    Abstract: A mechanism, of a camera, to let an exposure operation be performed with a higher precision in a shorter time. The mechanism includes: a first device for taking an image of a region to be photographed and for outputting image information; a second device for detecting a subject region on the basis of the image information and for outputting subject region information; a third device for outputting a plurality of photometric values relative to a plurality of divided photometric regions; a fourth device for selecting and outtputting at least one of the photometric values which are output from the third device, on the basis of the subject region information; and a fifth device for calculating an optimal exposure value on the basis of the at least one, selected by the fourth device, of the photometric values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoshi Yamaguchi, Koutaro Kawabe, Reiji Seki, Akihiko Fujino