Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for time-lapse astrophotography. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method for capturing a time-lapse image sequence. The method comprises capturing a first plurality of photographs, wherein capturing each photograph of the first plurality of photographs comprises opening a shutter of an image-capture device; while the shutter of the image-capture device is open, moving the image-capture device to reduce the movement of a celestial object or coordinate within the field of view of the image-capture device; closing the shutter of the image-capture device; and moving the image-capture device to a subsequent orientation.

Abstract: A camera body includes a body mount to which an interchangeable lens is attachable; a CMOS image sensor; a main circuit board; and a mechanical shutter provided with an aperture. The main circuit board is disposed between the body mount and the CMOS image sensor, and an opening through which light from the interchangeable lens toward the CMOS image sensor passes is formed in the main circuit board. The mechanical shutter is disposed between the body mount and the CMOS image sensor, and is attached to the main circuit board.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes a detection unit for detecting light exposure error resulting from a difference in a moving characteristic between a mechanical rear curtain and an electronic front curtain using data of some area constituting an image sensor, a signal generating unit for generating a reset signal of the image sensor, and a control unit for controlling to correct a moving characteristic of the electronic front curtain using the detected light exposure error and generate a reset signal of the image sensor according to the corrected moving characteristic. Accordingly, a moving characteristic of an electronic front curtain may be conveniently corrected by a user.

Abstract: Provided are a movement guide providing method of a video recording device. The method includes: measuring a movement speed according to a movement of the video recording device; comparing the measured movement speed value of the video recording device with a reference value; generating a guide sub screen that represents a result value of the comparing; and displaying the generated sub screen on a display main screen of the video recording device.

Abstract: A flicker band automated detection system and method are presented. In one embodiment an incidental motion mitigation exposure setting method includes receiving image input information; performing a motion mitigating flicker band automatic detection process; and implementing exposure settings based upon results of the motion mitigating flicker band automatic detection process. The auto flicker band detection process includes performing a motion mitigating process on an illumination intensity indication. Content impacts on an the motion mitigated illumination intensity indication are minimized. The motion mitigated illumination intensity indication is binarized. A correlation of the motion mitigated illumination intensity and a reference illumination intensity frequency is established.

Abstract: A flicker band automated detection system and method are presented. In one embodiment an incidental motion mitigation exposure setting method includes receiving image input information; performing a motion mitigating flicker band automatic detection process; and implementing exposure settings based upon results of the motion mitigating flicker band automatic detection process. The auto flicker band detection process includes performing a motion mitigating process on an illumination intensity indication. Content impacts on an the motion mitigated illumination intensity indication are minimized. The motion mitigated illumination intensity indication is binarized. A correlation of the motion mitigated illumination intensity and a reference illumination intensity frequency is established.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging element, a shutter mechanism, an actuator, a position detector, and a drive controller. The shutter mechanism is switchable between an open and a closed state to control the light incident on the imaging element. The actuator is configured to drive the shutter mechanism. The position detector is configured to detect the time between when the actuator begins storing the driving force and when the shutter mechanism switches from the closed state. The drive controller is configured to direct the actuator to begin storing the driving force while image data is being read from the imaging element, and to control the actuator so as to delay the time when the shutter mechanism is switched from the closed state if the position detector detects that the shutter mechanism is in the first state prior to completion of the image data being read from the imaging element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging device including an imaging element, an imaging controller, first and second shutter members, and a shutter controller. The imaging element carries out photoelectric conversion of subject image light incident through a lens and produces an imaging signal. The imaging controller controls readout of the imaging signal and carries out control of change setting of a frame cycle of imaging. The shutter members are disposed on an optical path of image light incident and can set a state in which incident light on the imaging element is blocked and a state in which incident light on the imaging element is not blocked. The shutter controller sets a timing at which the optical path is blocked by the first shutter member and a timing at which the optical path is blocked by the second shutter member.

Abstract: A shutter control device that uses an imaging device provided in a camera body to operate a shutter housed in a lens barrel to perform photography. The shutter control device comprises a communication port and a shutter control unit. The communication port is provided for transmitting and receiving signals between the camera body and the lens barrel. The shutter control unit is provided in the camera body, and outputs a shutter control signal to operate the shutter. The shutter control signal is transmitted to the lens barrel through the communication port.

Abstract: In an imaging device including a mechanical image blurring correction and a sensitivity image blurring reduction, a subject-shake amount is calculated based on a motion vector size acquired during a through image process display. Usage percentages of the mechanical image blurring correction and a sensitivity image blurring reduction are sequentially set based on the calculated subject-shake amount. When shooting a still-image, still-image data is recorded after blurring reduction is performed on the still-image data by the mechanical image blurring correction and a sensitivity image blurring reduction, based on the most recently set usage percentages.

Abstract: A motion compensation apparatus for a camera module with a half-shutter function is provided. The apparatus includes an initialization unit for selecting a subject, a motion of which is to be detected, from images secured in a half-shutter state, and calculates motion information of the subject; a tracking unit for tracking the selected subject and the motion information provided from the initialization unit, and calculates prediction information of the subject; and a controller for generating a control signal for controlling a speed of a shutter and a sensibility of an image sensor based on the prediction information provided from the tracking unit.

Abstract: An automatic adjustment method of camera safe shutter includes: count the number of taking pictures with the same exposure time and record their blur degree; determine whether the minimum among the taking pictures counts is arrived at a predetermined threshold, if yes, average all blur degree records which are related with the same exposure time to get an average blur index for each of the exposure times, if no, continue to count the number of taking pictures; determine the average blur indexes whether are all larger than a threshold value, if no, average several slowest exposure times whose average blur indexes are larger than the threshold value as a new safe shutter speed, if yes, select the fastest exposure time level among the levels which are slower than current safe shutter as a new safe shutter speed. Thereby, users can take clear pictures easily.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensing unit which receives an object image via a lens and accumulate the received image as an electric charge, a mechanical shutter unit which travels so as to shield an image sensing region of the image sensing unit against light, a scanning unit which performs scanning for sequentially starting the accumulation of the electric charge for each image sensing region of the image sensing unit, a control unit which controls the accumulation start scanning of the scanning unit and the travel of a shutter of the mechanical shutter unit, so as to implement a first curtain and second curtain of a shutter and a changing unit which changes a maximum shutter speed on the basis of one of a type of the lens and information on the lens.

Abstract: Digital camera is provided with face detection section that detects faces of a plurality of photographing objects, microcomputer performs continuous shooting in optimum photographing conditions in accordance with the number of faces of the photographing objects for each face of the plurality of photographing objects by a single shutter operation and performs control by assigning serial photographing object numbers to the images of the plurality of photographing objects taken by continuous shooting and recording the images in a single continuous-shooting image folder. Furthermore, microcomputer performs continuous shooting in predetermined order in accordance with the number of faces of the photographing objects and detects, when the photographing object speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the photographing object speed again after photographing other photographing objects.

Abstract: In an imaging device including a mechanical image blurring correction and a sensitivity image blurring reduction, a subject-shake amount is calculated based on a motion vector size acquired during a through image process display. Usage percentages of the mechanical image blurring correction and a sensitivity image blurring reduction are sequentially set based on the calculated subject-shake amount. When shooting a still-image, still-image data is recorded after blurring reduction is performed on the still-image data by the mechanical image blurring correction and a sensitivity image blurring reduction, based on the most recently set usage percentages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the visibility of rain in acquired images are provided. One or more inputs relating the scene desired to be acquired by the user are used to retrieve camera settings that will reduce the visibility of rain in acquired images. Additionally, features relating to the scene may be automatically determined and used alone, or in combination with user inputs, to retrieve camera settings. The acquired images may be part of a video. Another feature of the invention is its use as a rain gauge. The camera settings are adjusted to enhance the visibility of rain, then one or more images are acquired and analyzed for the amount and size of raindrops. From this analysis the rain rate can be determined.

Abstract: A blur correction device is disclosed, which acquires a plurality of time-division images, each captured for a time-division exposure time having a period that is an integral multiple of an image reading cycle of an image pickup device, to generate a blur-corrected image from the plurality of time-division images. According to this blur correction device, since the exposure times for the plurality of time-division images are substantially continuous, an image in which the trajectory of a moving body is continuous can be obtained.

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: Systems and methods for reducing the visibility of rain in acquired images are provided. One or more inputs relating the scene desired to be acquired by the user are used to retrieve camera settings that will reduce the visibility of rain in acquired images. Additionally, features relating to the scene may be automatically determined and used alone, or in combination with user inputs, to retrieve camera settings. The acquired images may be part of a video. Another feature of the invention is its use as a rain gauge. The camera settings are adjusted to enhance the visibility of rain, then one ore more images are acquired and analyzed for the amount and size of raindrops. From this analysis the rain rate can be determined.

Abstract: A controller includes a photographing control unit controlling an image pickup unit taking a photograph of an object to perform a short-time photographing operation in which an exposure time is set shorter than a normal exposure time and an image correcting unit acquiring correction information for correcting image data taken in the short-time photographing operation and correcting the image data using the acquired correction information.

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: 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 anti-shake apparatus for a photographic device includes an angular velocity detector, a position signal generator, a shake corrector, and an exposure time setter. The angular velocity detector detects the angular velocity of the photographic device. The position signal generator generates position signals representing a position of the photographic device by integrating the angular velocity. The shake corrector corrects a shake of the photographic device, based on the position signals. The exposure time setter sets an exposure time of the photographic device. The shake corrector corrects the shake based on the position signals that have frequencies higher than the predetermined cut-off frequency, which is determined in accordance with the exposure time.

Abstract: An exemplary method for capturing a still image includes: measuring a theoretic exposure time that is suitable for current ambient light conditions; controlling a charge coupled device image sensor to expose itself for a real exposure time according to the determined theoretic exposure time to capture an image signal; and adjusting the captured image signal according to a ratio of the theoretic exposure time to the real exposure time.

Abstract: An image pickup device uses an image recognition system to control the actuation of an electronic shutter. The image pickup device has an optical lens that picks up an image through the electronic shutter and the image so picked up is detected by an image detection device and converted into image data that are applied to a temporary image holding memory of a micro-controller. The micro-controller carries out comparison of the image of a selected target that is picked up the optical lens with respect to a recognizable characteristic image contained in a recognizable characteristic image database. If the image of the selected target so picked up is recognized to match the recognizable characteristic image, then the micro-controller sends out a shutter control signal to control the actuation of the electronic shutter via a shutter control circuit to photograph and store the image of the target in an image storage memory.

Abstract: A camera apparatus includes a lens module, an image detecting module, a shutter and a shutter control apparatus. The shutter is disposed between the lens module and the image detecting module. The shutter control apparatus has a switch for controlling the lens module and the shutter. The switch has a first trigger status and a second trigger status. While the switch produces the first trigger status, the lens module automatically focuses. By contrast, while the switch produces the second trigger status, the shutter control apparatus turns on/off the shutter, so that the image detecting module detects an image through the lens module.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and image capture device for limiting motion blur during capture of an image predetermines a relationship between movement of the image capture device, time and blur extent. A rate of movement of the image capture device is obtained and used in conjunction with the determined relationship and a blur extent limit as a basis for obtaining a maximum exposure time for the image capture device in order to limit blur extent. On the basis of the maximum exposure time obtained and a required image brightness, the image capture device is configured, and then an image is captured by the image capture device. Once the image has been captured, due to the possibility of under-exposure from having limited the exposure time, the image is processed as required to increase its intensity.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a mechanical shutter in addition to a mechanical diaphragm. The optical apparatus obtains a shutter shifting amount based on acceleration data of the shutter, obtains a total light exposure in a period of time required for the shutter to completely close an aperture of the diaphragm having a predetermined F-number, and calculates an actual exposure time by dividing the total light exposure by a light exposure per unit time calculated from an aperture area of the diaphragm having the predetermined F-number in an opened state.

Abstract: A digital camera takes interleaved photographs of two different kinds. In one example embodiment, the first kind of photograph is taken using a first set of pixels of the camera's electronic array light sensor and has a short exposure time. The second kind of photograph is taken using a second set of pixels and has a long exposure time. More than one of the short-exposure-time photographs is taken while each long-exposure-time photograph is exposed. The two kinds of photographs are used for different purposes. For example, one kind may be used for performing automatic focusing while the other kind is used for displaying in a live view display. In this way, live view may continue while automatic focusing is performed. In another embodiment, one kind of photograph is used for providing a live view display, and the other is used in selecting exposure settings for a final photograph.

Abstract: Provided are a focal plane shutter, which can offer a live view function, and improve a control velocity of a shutter speed to reduce a time interval between shootings, a photographing apparatus including the focal plane shutter, and a photographing method for the photographing apparatus. The focal plane shutter includes: a front curtain; a rear curtain; a support part coupled to one side of the front curtain and the rear curtain; and a movable part movably contacting one side of the support part, wherein either the front curtain or the rear curtain is independently moved by the motion of the movable part.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus which has a camera shake correction function of performing a camera shake correction on a plurality of images sensed by an image sensing unit by extracting a partial image from each of the sensed images on the basis of correlation between the sensed images, a camera shake amount of said image sensing apparatus is detected, and said image sensing unit is exposed for a first exposure time period when the camera shake amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. When the camera shake amount is greater than the predetermined amount, said image sensing unit is exposed for a second exposure time period which is shorter than the first exposure time period, image signals of a plurality of images which undergo the camera shake correction are added, and the added image signals is output as one image.

Abstract: An imaging portion performs imaging of a subject. A time lapse imaging condition setting portion sets a time lapse imaging condition including at least an exposure time and an imaging interval, prior to the imaging of the subject by the imaging portion. A determining portion determines a contradiction of the time lapse imaging condition set by the time lapse imaging condition setting portion according to a predetermined criterion. A presenting portion presents at least information relating to the contradiction of the time lapse imaging condition based on a determined result by the determining portion.

Abstract: An image capturing system comprises an image sensor and a mechanical shutter, wherein a charge accumulation operation of the pixels of each row of the image sensor starts at a timing of ending a reset operation, and ends at a timing of causing the mechanical shutter to set a light-shielded state of the pixels of each row, the reset operation of the pixels of each row of the image sensor is performed to select rows sequentially in a first direction from an upper surface to a lower surface of a housing, the mechanical shutter ends exposure of the image sensor while causing a shutter curtain to run in the first direction, and a readout operation of the pixels of each row of the image sensor is done to select rows sequentially in a second direction reverse to the first direction.

Abstract: For controlling exposure in a camera, first and second brightness levels of first and second areas of a captured image are determined. First and second weight values for the first and second brightness levels are determined with an increase of the first weight value for a higher difference between the first and second brightness levels. Exposure control data is generated from the first and second weight values and the first and second brightness levels.

Abstract: In order to perform personal identification by matching a first body image that is obtained in advance by an image taking process with a second body image that is obtained when the identification is performed, an image taking device (1) for obtaining the second body image includes a shooting condition storage portion (203) for storing a shooting condition for each person in connection with an ID given to the person, the shooting condition being used when a body image of the person is taken for obtaining the first body image, an interface (24) for entering the ID of a person to be an object of the identification, and a shooting control portion (201) for controlling to take the body image under the shooting condition corresponding to the entered ID for obtaining the second body image of the person to be an object of the identification.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a mechanical shutter when an exposure time of the mechanical shutter is less than a control time of the mechanical shutter, including: (a) measuring a raw image of an initial photo to obtain a standard brightness value, after the initial photo with a predetermined correct luminance is captured in a high luminance environment; (b) fixing some parameters that are changed easily when taking a picture, after auto exposure (AE) is stable; (c) adjusting the mechanical shutter's trigger point; (d) taking a picture for obtaining another photo and measuring a raw image of the other photo for obtaining a testing brightness value; (e) comparing whether the testing brightness value and the standard brightness value are the same; and (f) if the testing brightness value and the standard brightness value are the same, determining that the trigger point is a real trigger point of the mechanical shutter.

Abstract: An image capturing system capable of providing an optimal exposure setting and method of operating the same are disclosed. The image capturing system includes a CMOS image sensor having photosensitive cells; a lens module having a mechanical shutter; a memory having a program for exposure analysis and a program for detecting motion stored therein; and a controller having a processor. The processor is configured to execute the program for exposure analysis and the program for detecting motion. The exposure analysis includes determining the exposure time for capturing an image of a scene based on the brightness of the scene and comparing the exposure time with the closing time of the mechanical shutter. The controller is operable to set the image capturing system to either a “Global-Reset mode” or an “Electronic-Rolling-Shutter” (ERS) mode based on the output of the exposure analysis and motion detection.

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: An electronic camera includes: an imaging device that captures a subject image through a photographic lens; a luminance detection device that detects subject luminance; a first arithmetic operation circuit that executes exposure calculation by using at least exposure sensitivity set at the imaging device and the subject luminance detected by the luminance detection device among the exposure sensitivity set at the imaging device, an exposure time period set at the imaging device, an aperture value set at the photographic lens and the subject luminance detected by the luminance detection device and determines through arithmetic operation a first control exposure by adjusting at least one of the exposure time period and the aperture value so as to achieve optimal exposure if the optimal exposure is not achieved through the initial exposure calculation; a second arithmetic operation circuit that determines through arithmetic operation a second control exposure with regard to the aperture value and the exposure ti

Abstract: In an electronic blur correction device, imaging for a time-division exposure time is repeated m times (m is an integer of 2 or more), captured images are amplified by a factor of m to obtain a plurality of time-divided images, and an image for which blur is corrected is generated from the plurality of time-divided images. Here, the time-division exposure time is an exposure time that is obtained by dividing a proper exposure time by m and is shorter than a blur tolerable limit exposure time.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a method and apparatii for using a photosensitive element that is photosensitive to light within a predetermined range of exposures to capture images including exposures that are outside of the predetermined exposure range. In this method the photosensitive element is exposed to light from the scene. The light from the scene is fractured into concentrated portions and residual portions; with the concentrated portions directed at concentrated images areas of the photosensitive element to form a pattern of concentrated image elements providing a concentrated image when light from the scene is within a first exposure range. The residual portions of the light are directed at a residual image area of the photosensitive element and form an image in the residual image area when light from the scene is within a second exposure range. Wherein the combination of the first range and second range is greater than a predetermined range of exposure.

Abstract: A lens device in which a first movable lens holding frame and a second movable lens holding frame are moved along an optical axis by rotating a cam cylinder rotatably provided on a lens barrel, an escape channel for escapement of a portion of the second movable lens holding frame being formed in the first movable lens holding frame, the lens device comprising: a light shielding member moved along the optical axis by the rotation of the cam cylinder, the light shielding member being moved to a position at which the light shielding member closes the escape channel of the first movable lens holding frame.

Abstract: A camera having a blur notifying function according to one aspect of the present invention has a blur mode setting section which is used to set a blur notification mode in which a blur is detected in the camera and a blur state is notified, a blur detection section which detects a blur state of the camera, a blur calculation section which calculates a generated blur state quantity based on an output from the blur detection section, a blur judgment section which judges a blur state based on the generated blur state quantity, and a blur notification section which performs a notification operation concerning occurrence of a blur state based on a judgment result of the blur judgment section, the blur notification section starting the notification operation when the blur mode setting section sets the blur notification mode.

Abstract: A reactor pressure vessel with an upper support plate, in which an equalization opening is provided as a bypass is described. A process for temperature equalization between an upper dome chamber above a support plate and a lower chamber below it is described. It is proposed that the cross section of the equalization opening be variable as a function of the temperature, so that the flow of medium between the upper dome chamber and the lower chamber is varied as a function of the temperature.

Abstract: A camera senses the speed with which the photographer actuates the shutter release. This speed is interpreted as a measure of the urgency of the photograph. The camera modifies its operation in accordance with the urgency measure to give appropriate priority to taking the photograph quickly.

Abstract: A panning shot check unit checks whether a panning shot is succeeded or not on the basis of an output from a focal point detection unit for detecting an in-focus state of a photographing lens to output a focal point detection signal and an output from a blurring detection unit for detecting an amount of blurring acting on the camera. A shutter speed change unit changes a shutter speed to obtain the effect of a panning shot when it is determined by the panning shot check unit that the panning shot is succeeded. A control unit turns on a panning shot success display unit in a finder when it is determined by the panning shot check unit that the panning shot is succeeded so as to inform a photographer that the panning shot is succeeded.

Abstract: A setting apparatus for a camera includes a first switch having a plurality of stop positions; a second switch; and a shutter speed setting device which can select a desired shutter speed from a plurality of shutter speeds set at predetermined steps in accordance with the stop positions of the first switch. The shutter speed setting device can modify the shutter speed (which has been selected via the stop positions of the first switch) by a step smaller than the predetermined steps via the operation of the second switch.

Abstract: A camera capable of shake correction, and is provided with: a sensor for sensing a light image of an object to detect a camera shake; an exposure time setter for setting a first exposure time based on a brightness of an object and a second exposure time smaller than the first exposure time; and a controller for judging as to whether the shake correction is disable, and controlling exposure with reference to the second exposure time when the shake correction is judged to be disable.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes first and second shutter blades mounted for forming a slit that is scanned across an aperture. The shutter blades are shaped to form the slit between a trailing edge of the first blade and a leading edge of the second blade, the width of the slit being determined by the relative position of the first and second blades with respect to each other. The velocity of the slit across the aperture is determined by the velocity of the two blades. A pair of moving coil actuators are connected to the blades, for moving the blades relative to the aperture, and a pair of position sensors are connected, one to each shutter blade, for producing signals indicating the positions of the shutter blades relative to the aperture.