Abstract: Methods, systems, and products sense contactless gestures. A capacitive sensor measures capacitance during performance of a gesture. The capacitive sensor generates an output signal that is compared to a database. The database stores different output signals that are associated to different commands. The corresponding command is executed in response to the performance of the gesture.

Abstract: When a reading target object that includes a light emitting region is set as a reading target, the light emitting region is detected by a reading mechanism of a reading unit. The reading unit is caused to read the detected light emitting region, and in the reading, a read operation by the reading unit is controlled based on change of an amount of light received from the light emitting region.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes: a photographic optical system; a photoelectric conversion element array made up with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arrayed therein; a micro-lens array made up with a plurality of micro-lenses arrayed therein; a data creation unit that creates pixel data at a plurality of pixels on a specific image forming plane by applying filter matrix data to output signals provided from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; and an image synthesis unit that synthetically generates an image on the specific image forming plane at a given position assumed along an optical axis of the photographic optical system, based upon the pixel data. The filter matrix data assume a two-dimensional data array pattern conforming to a specific intensity distribution with a distribution center thereof set at an element corresponding to a central position of a projection image of each of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: Method and devices are disclosed for focusing on tilted image planes. For example, one imaging device includes an objective lens configured to focus a scene at an image plane, the scene having an object plane tilted relative to the objective lens plane and a sensor receive light from the objective lens, the sensor having a plurality of light sensing elements configured to generate image data based on the light received at the sensor. The imaging device also includes a processor and memory component configured to receive the image data, the image data indicative of a first image; receive a tilt parameter indicative of an orientation of a selected non-parallel image plane, and convert the image data to relative image data based on the tilt parameter, the relative image data indicative of a second image focused along the non-parallel image plane.

Abstract: A diaphragm device of the present invention includes: a base plate having an aperture portion; a blade being supported by the base plate to be able to open and close the aperture portion; a drive ring being formed so as to surround the perimeter of the aperture portion, the drive ring being configured to drive the blade to open and close; a supporting pin pivotably supporting the blade being provided on the drive ring; and an engaging pin engaging with the blade and causing the blade to open or close in conjunction with the drive ring and the supporting pin, the engaging pin being provided on the base plate on an inner side of the supporting pin in the radial direction of the drive ring.

Abstract: Metrics for characterizing the focusing of a plenoptic imaging system. In one aspect, the metric is based on the high frequency content and/or the blurring of the plenoptic image.

Abstract: When a mirror charge lever is driven to a mirror-up position, the mirror charge lever is engaged with a first cam portion and driven to the mirror-up position in a region in which a force of a mirror-up spring for urging the mirror charge lever to the mirror-up position is larger than a force of a mirror-down spring for urging the mirror charge lever to the mirror-down position. In a region in which the force of the mirror-down spring for urging the mirror charge lever to the mirror-down position is equal to or larger than the force of the mirror-up spring for urging the mirror charge lever to the mirror-up position, the mirror charge lever is engaged with the second cam portion and driven to the mirror-up position.

Abstract: A display apparatus and method may be used to estimate a depth distance from an external object to a display panel of the display apparatus. The display apparatus may acquire a plurality of images by detecting lights that are input from an external object and passed through apertures formed in a display panel, may generate one or more refocused images, and may calculate a depth from the external object to the display panel using the plurality of images acquired and one or more refocused images.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus processes an image signal obtained from an image pickup element using an image pickup optical system arranged to obtain directional traveling information of object image light corresponding to a pupil division area of a photographing lens. The apparatus includes: a unit of setting a focal position at which the refocused image is generated; and a unit of correcting an image signal of a defect pixel of the image pickup element using an image signal of other pixel. The apparatus determines the other pixel to be used for correcting the image signal of the defect pixel on the basis of the set focal position and the directional traveling information of the object image light.

Abstract: Systems and methods of manufacturing compact camera modules for use in electronic device are provided. The camera module includes a lens housing and a flexible substrate. An image sensor die is coupled to a first portion of the flexible substrate, and a second portion of the substrate is folded so as to position optical image stabilization components adjacent to a lateral side of the lens housing. The optical image stabilization components may be enclosed within a molded enclosure.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for processing a light field image that is acquired and processed using a mask to spatially modulate a light field. The apparatus includes a lens, a mask to spatially modulate 4D light field data of a scene passing through the lens to include wideband information on the scene, a sensor to detect a 2D image corresponding to the spatially modulated 4D light field data, and a data processing unit to recover the 4D light field data from the 2D image to generate an all-in-focus image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing array cameras configured to perform super-resolution processing to generate higher resolution super-resolved images using a plurality of captured images and lens stack arrays that can be utilized in array cameras are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes at least one imager array, and each imager in the array comprises a plurality of light sensing elements and a lens stack including at least one lens surface, where the lens stack is configured to form an image on the light sensing elements, control circuitry configured to capture images formed on the light sensing elements of each of the imagers, and a super-resolution processing module configured to generate at least one higher resolution super-resolved image using a plurality of the captured images.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for radiance processing by demultiplexing in the frequency domain. A frequency domain demultiplexing module obtains a radiance image captured with a lens-based radiance camera. The image includes optically mixed spatial and angular frequency components of light from a scene. The module performs frequency domain demultiplexing on the radiance image to generate multiple parallax views of the scene. The method may extract multiple slices at different angular frequencies from a Fourier transform of the radiance image, apply a Fourier transform to each of the multiple slices to generate intermediate images, stack the intermediate images to form a 3- or 4-dimensional image, apply an inverse Fourier transform along angular dimension(s) of the 3- or 4-dimensional image, and unstack the transformed 3- or 4-dimensional image to obtain the multiple parallax views. During the method, phase correction may be performed to determine the centers of the intermediate images.

Abstract: A technology of acquiring and processing light field data for images is provided. A light field data acquisition apparatus includes a modulator with an attenuation pattern to spatially modulate a 4D light field for an image, and a sensor to acquire 2D signals of the spatially modulated 4D light field. By utilizing the attenuation pattern of the modulator, more spatial data may be acquired in a low angular frequency region than that acquired in a high angular frequency region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rich image capture using focused plenoptic camera technology. A radiance camera employs focused plenoptic camera technology and includes sets of modulating elements that may be used to modulate the sampling of different aspects of the range of plenoptic data. The radiance camera, via the modulating elements, may capture a particular property of light, such as luminance, color, polarization, etc., differently in different microimages or in different portions of microimages. With the focused plenoptic camera technology, the microimages are captured at the same time in a single image. Thus, multiple microimages of the same image of a scene may be captured at different exposures, different colors, different polarities, and so on, in a single image at the same time. Captured images may be used, for example, in High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging, spectral imaging, polarization imaging, 3D imaging, and other imaging applications.

Abstract: A battery cover assembly is using for accommodating a battery therein. The battery cover assembly comprises a housing, a battery cover, and a elastic member. The housing has a depressed portion, a space and a latching trough defined therein. The depressed portion is configured for accommodating the battery therein. The battery cover is configured for covering the depressed portion of the housing. The battery cover has a shaft and a latching portion protruding therefrom. The shaft is corresponding to the space of the housing. The shaft is rotatably held in the space to rotatably latching the battery cover with the housing. The latching portion is corresponding to the latching trough of the housing. The latching portion is latched within the latching trough. The elastic member is fixed between the housing and the battery cover. The elastic member provides an elastic force for rotating the battery cover relative to the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capturing and rendering images with focused plenoptic cameras employing different filtering at different microlenses. In a focused plenoptic camera, the main lens creates an image at the focal plane. That image is re-imaged on the sensor multiple times by an array of microlenses. Different filters that provide different levels and/or types of filtering may be combined with different ones of the microlenses. A flat captured with the camera includes multiple microimages captured according to the different filters. Multiple images may be assembled from the microimages, with each image assembled from microimages captured using a different filter. A final image may be generated by appropriately combining the images assembled from the microimages. Alternatively, a final image, or multiple images, may be assembled from the microimages by first combining the microimages and then assembling the combined microimages to produce one or more output images.

Abstract: An external mask-based radiance camera may be based on an external, non-refractive mask located in front of the main camera lens. The mask modulates, but does not refract, light. The camera multiplexes radiance in the frequency domain by optically mixing different spatial and angular frequency components of light. The mask may, for example, be a mesh of opaque linear elements, which collectively form a grid, an opaque medium with transparent openings, such as circles, or a pinhole mask. Other types of masks may be used. Light may be modulated by the mask and received at the main lens of a camera. The main lens may be focused on a plane between the mask and the main lens. The received light is refracted by the main lens onto a photosensor of the camera. The photosensor may capture the received light to generate a radiance image of the scene.

Abstract: A camera acquires a 4D light field of a scene. The camera includes a lens and sensor. A mask is arranged in a straight optical path between the lens and the sensor. The mask including an attenuation pattern to spatially modulate the 4D light field acquired of the scene by the sensor. The pattern has a low spatial frequency when the mask is arranged near the lens, and a high spatial frequency when the mask is arranged near the sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a camera module including an image sensor module including a substrate; an image sensor that is mounted on a top surface of the substrate; a ground pad that is disposed on a bottom surface of the substrate; and a sealing member that seals the image sensor mounted on the substrate; a lens member that is stacked on the image sensor module; and a conductive member that is formed on side surfaces of the image sensor module and the lens member so as to be electrically connected to the ground pad.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a camera module and a main body. The camera module includes a housing, a lens received in the housing, an image sensor received in the housing for capturing an image of an object, a first ferromagnetic or magnetic element fixed to the housing, a plurality of metallic connecting pins electrically connected to the image sensor and exposed at an opposite side of the image sensor to the lens. The main body includes a printed circuit board, and a second ferromagnetic or magnetic element. The camera module is detachably coupled to the main body in a manner that the first ferromagnetic or magnetic element is magnetically attached to the second ferromagnetic or magnetic element, and the metallic connecting pins are electrically coupled to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a Curvilinear Sensor System are disclosed. The present invention includes a wide variety of generally curved, aspheric or non-planar arrangement of sensors and their equivalents. The curvilinear surfaces, edges or boundaries that define the geometry of the present invention may be continuous, or may be collections or aggregations of many small linear, planar or other segments which are able to approximate a curved line or surface.

Abstract: A camera acquires a 4D light field of a scene. The camera includes a lens and sensor. A mask is arranged in a straight optical path between the lens and the sensor. The mask including an attenuation pattern to spatially modulate the 4D light field acquired of the scene by the sensor. The pattern has a low spatial frequency when the mask is arranged near the lens, and a high spatial frequency when the mask is arranged near the sensor.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image pickup apparatus which includes an image pickup unit, a first optical member, a film, a second optical member, and a luminosity correcting filter. The image pickup unit includes an image sensor. The first optical member is operatively attached to the image pickup unit and formed of a birefringent crystal material. The film is disposed between the first optical member and an image pickup optical system and formed of an organic material. The second optical member is operatively attached to a first side of the film. The luminosity correcting filter is operatively attached to a second side of the film.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a camera module and a main body. The camera module includes a housing, a lens received in the housing, an image sensor received in the housing for capturing an image of an object, a first ferromagnetic or magnetic element fixed to the housing, a plurality of metallic connecting pins electrically connected to the image sensor and exposed at an opposite side of the image sensor to the lens. The main body includes a printed circuit board, and a second ferromagnetic or magnetic element. The camera module is detachably coupled to the main body in a manner that the first ferromagnetic or magnetic element is magnetically attached to the second ferromagnetic or magnetic element, and the metallic connecting pins are electrically coupled to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image taking main unit that prevents entry of foreign matter and has excellent usability even when an image taking lens unit is not attached thereto. The image taking main unit has a concave mount to which the image taking lens unit with an image taking optical system and an imaging device is removably attached and receives image signals from the image taking lens unit attached thereto to record the image signals therein. The image taking main unit also has a barrier and an electronic device disposed on the barrier. The barrier covers an opening of the mount and retracts into the concave portion of the mount by being pressed by the image taking lens unit when the image taking lens unit is attached to the image taking main unit.

Abstract: A nonadjustable focusing type camera module includes a lens assembly having at least one lens, a lens accommodating part mounted on an upper surface of a substrate, and a barrel having an inner space in which the lens assembly is arranged along an optical axis. An upper cap having an incident hole formed in a front center thereof is fixed to the upper side of the barrel to apply pressure to the lens assembly along the optical axis. The camera module further includes an image sensor having an image forming plane on which a light passed through the lens is focused. The sensor is electrically connected to the substrate to transmit the focused image, and a filter is disposed between the lens assembly and the image sensor.

Abstract: An external mask-based radiance camera may be based on an external, non-refractive mask located in front of the main camera lens. The mask modulates, but does not refract, light. The camera multiplexes radiance in the frequency domain by optically mixing different spatial and angular frequency components of light. The mask may, for example, be a mesh of opaque linear elements, which collectively form a grid, an opaque medium with transparent openings, such as circles, or a pinhole mask. Other types of masks may be used. Light may be modulated by the mask and received at the main lens of a camera. The main lens may be focused on a plane between the mask and the main lens. The received light is refracted by the main lens onto a photosensor of the camera. The photosensor may capture the received light to generate a radiance image of the scene.

Abstract: A lens module includes a barrel (40), a plurality of lenses (42), and a light guide plate (60). The barrel is covered at one end thereof with a transparent board (50). The lenses are received in the barrel. The light guide plate, which is received in the barrel and is located in the light path of the lenses, includes a transparent sheet plate (61) and a plurality of high-transmittance areas (62) defined therein. The high-transmittance areas have a higher transmittance than that of the sheet plate, and the profile and the density of the high-transmittance areas increase with the increase of a distance between a center of the light guide plate and a center of a respective high-transmittance area.

Abstract: An optical low pass filter or blur filter, and method of making the filters, using an article having a birefringent surface for refracting incoming light when used with an image sensor. The birefringent surface of the article, such as a film, is structured or tilted such that, when the blur filter is placed within an optical path between a lens and the image sensor, the birefringent surface causes refraction of a light signal in the optical path into multiple light signals each being incident upon different sub-pixels within the pixels in the image sensor to prevent or reduce artifacts, such as undesirable color moiré effects, in the resulting digital image. The structures on the surface have a variable pitch or angles. The variable pitch can include a periodic, aperiodic, or quasi-aperiodic pitch, to reduce diffractive artifacts in the resulting image.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an image sensor provided at an imaging position of a photographing optical system, at least one optical element provided in front of the image sensor, a hermetically-sealing holding member which hermetically seals and integrally holds the image sensor and the optical element, a support member which supports the hermetically-sealing holding member and is prevented from tilting relative to an optical axis of the photographing optical system, and an angle-adjusting device which allows the hermetically-sealing holding member to tilt relative to the support member so as to change the tilt angle of the image sensor and the optical element with respect to the optical axis of the photographing optical system upon assembly.

Abstract: A camera acquires a 4D light field of a scene. The camera includes a lens and sensor. A mask is arranged in a straight optical path between the lens and the sensor. The mask including an attenuation pattern to spatially modulate the 4D light field acquired of the scene by the sensor. The pattern has a low spatial frequency when the mask is arranged near the lens, and a high spatial frequency when the mask is arranged near the sensor.

Abstract: According to the present invention, light from a taking lens is reflected by a quick return mirror in a lateral direction of a body unit. Then, after passing through a screen, the light is reflected toward an upper side of the body unit by a second mirror except part of the light. The light reflected by the second mirror is reflected by a third mirror in a direction opposite to a direction in which the light is reflected by the quick return mirror, and is further reflected by a fourth mirror toward an eyepiece located on a back side of the body unit. Part of the light which passing though the screen is taken by an AF sensor unit provided in rear of the second mirror, and an image formation position of an optical image is detected.

Abstract: The imaging apparatus 1 comprises: a semiconductor imaging device 5 which converts incident light to an electrical signal; an optical filter 4 which is opposed to an incident surface of the semiconductor imaging device 5 and transmits light of a certain wavelength; and a three-dimensional substrate 2 fixing the optical filter 4 by means of adhesion using a filler-containing adhesive 6; wherein the diameter of the filler is smaller than or equal to the pixel size of the semiconductor imaging device 5. Degradation of image quality of the imaging apparatus 1 caused by the dropped filler can thus be reduced.

Abstract: A lens module (100) includes a barrel (10), a lens (20), an image sensor module (30) and a grating (22). The lens is received in the barrel for focusing optical signals. The image sensor module is installed on an end of the barrel for receiving and transforming the optical signals. The grating is formed on the lens for preventing unnecessary optical signals from being received by the image sensor module.

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 is disclosed which is provided with a sensor device that includes: a substrate having formed thereon which first and second line sensors that are arranged a fixed baseline length apart from each other and a third sensor for receiving light from a field which is arranged on a line in arrangement direction of the first and second line sensors, a first light receiving optical unit for condensing light from the field onto the first line sensor, a second light receiving optical unit for condensing light from the field onto the second line sensor, a third light receiving optical unit for condensing light from the field onto the third sensor, wherein, when focal lengths of the first, second, and third light receiving optical units are assumed to be f1, f2, and f3, respectively, the following condition is satisfied: f1=f2?f3.

Abstract: Light beams, reflected on an outer surface around a lens barrel which may be incident to a light receptor, are intercepted at a maximum by a camera photometer embodying a light shield mask having a wide range light shield formed to intercept light over a wider range at a part near a lens barrel when the light receptor of an AE device is arranged in the vicinity of the lens barrel. The light shield mask is an elastic thin member stuck onto the incidence surface of the condenser lens of the photometer and has an opening formed to be partly like a circular arc but along a chord of the circular arc elsewhere to form a wide range light shield outside the chord.

Abstract: Light beams, reflected on an outer surface around a lens barrel which may be incident to a light receptor, are intercepted at a maximum by a camera photometer embodying a light shield mask having a wide range light shield formed to intercept light over a wider range at a part near a lens barrel when the light receptor of an AE device is arranged in the vicinity of the lens barrel. The light shield mask is an elastic thin member stuck onto the incidence surface of the condenser lens of the photometer and has an opening formed to be partly like a circular arc but along a chord of the circular arc elsewhere to form a wide range light shield outside the chord.

Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate 1a to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10′ and L20′ emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L12, L12, L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutile, Chilean nitrate, or the like.

Abstract: A photometric apparatus which satisfies the demands for reductions in the size, thickness and cost and which is highly optioned despite a simple arrangement. A photometric optical system provided separately from a photographic optical system (1) has at least one diffractive optical element (10). The diffraction surface of the diffractive optical element (10) is provided on a convex lens surface to have a converging action. Alternatively, the diffraction surface of the diffractive optical element (10) is provided on a concave lens surface to have a diverging action.

Abstract: A brush encoder includes a coding-plate support member, to which a coding plate is fixed, and a brush support member, to which a brush is fixed, the brush having a base portion and resilient contact strips. The brush support member includes a support surface to which the base portion of the brush is mounted; at least one through slot through which the resilient contact strips of the brush extend to come in sliding contact with the coding plate; and a fulcrum portion, which contacts the base portion of the brush in the vicinity of a border between the base portion and the resilient contact strips, so as to serve as a fulcrum about which the brush is biased to rotate in a direction to make the base portion contact the support surface when the resilient contact strips are pressed against the coding plate.

Abstract: A photometric device is constituted of a photometric window, a circuit board behind the photometric window, a photo sensor mounted on the circuit board with its photoreceptive surface oriented toward the photometric window, and a mask member placed between the photometric window and the photoreceptive surface of the photo sensor. The mask member has a plurality of round holes to conduct light from the photometric window to the photoreceptive surface. The photoreceptive surface and the photometric window have the same diameter. The holes have a diameter of 1 mm and an axial length of 8 mm that is equal to the thickness of the mask member. The holes are arranged closely in a honeycomb pattern within an area equal to the photoreceptive surface, so a sufficient amount of light falls on the photoreceptive surface in total.

Abstract: A light emitting and receiving circuit 10 has a light emitting diode 14 with a p-n junction. The light emitting diode 14 is connected with a circuit using the light emitting diode as a light emitting element, and a circuit using the light emitting diode 14 as a light receiving element that measures the intensity of a light. A switching means 16 is connected to the light emitting diode 14, for switching an operating state between a light receiving state where a photoelectromotive force is generated in a direction of biasing the p-n junction when receiving a light and a light emitting state where a forward voltage is applied to the light emitting diode 14 to emit a light according to at least one control signal.

Abstract: An optical probe apparatus for determining a position of an image sensor in a digital camera relative to a reference surface on the digital camera. The optical probe assembly includes a probe mounting surface adapted to be removably mountable to the digital camera and lockable in a predetermined orientation relative to the reference surface of the digital camera; an angle cleaved optical fiber emitting a beam of light; a lens disposed in the path of the beam of light and directing the beam of light along an axis normal to a plane of the lens toward the object; and a mounting member supporting the optical fiber such that the beam of light is directed along an axis normal to the plane of the lens and directed to the center of the lens. An optically transparent material (such as a pellicle or glass plate) is disposed intermediate the probe mounting surface and image sensor.

Abstract: A compact and high-performance photometry/distance measuring unit in which a chip can be used in common optimally, and the characteristics of the devices can be optimized. The photometry/distance measuring unit comprises a distance measuring PSD, a spot sensor and an average metering sensor. The spot sensor, the average metering sensor, a photometry circuit and a distance measuring circuit are formed on an IC chip independent of the PSD.

Abstract: A camera having a function of detecting the direction and intensity of a light source such as the sun is arranged to prevent a shadow from appearing by emitting a flash light when the result of detection indicates a condition under which a shadow is expected to appear at an object of shooting.

Abstract: A camera optical system has a photographic optical system and a finder optical system. The photographic optical system has a photographic lens section that receives an optical image from a subject to be photographed and forms an image on a film. The finder optical system has a nonphotographic lens provided integrally with the photographic lens section of the photographic optical system.

Abstract: A photometric apparatus which satisfies the demands for reductions in the size, thickness and cost and which is highly optioned despite a simple arrangement. A photometric optical system provided separately from a photographic optical system (1) has at least one diffractive optical element (10). The diffraction surface of the diffractive optical element (10) is provided on a convex lens surface to have a converging action. Alternatively, the diffraction surface of the diffractive optical element (10) is provided on a concave lens surface to have a diverging action.

Abstract: In a camera wherein a lens cap is detachably attached there are provided first and second photometric sensors on a lens barrel and the camera main frame, respectively. It is detected in accordance with the photometric values by the first and second photometric sensors whether the lens cap is mounted. According to the camera, it is possible to detect with great accuracy whether the lens cap is mounted, with a standard type lens cap.