Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: a window member containing a material that attenuates visible light but transmits specific light that does not lie in the wavelength band of visible light, the window member having a front wall portion having a thickness extending along the direction from the front side to the rear side; a light emitter provided behind the front wall portion, the light emitter emitting the visible light through a first area of the front wall portion; and a light receiver provided behind the front wall portion, the light receiver receiving the specific light passing through a second area of the front wall portion that differs from the first area, wherein the front wall portion in the first area is thinner than the front wall portion in the second area.

Abstract: In an optical device including an optical system to form an optical image of an object to be photographed, an image capture unit to convert the optical image of the object to be photographed into an electrical signal, and an optical device arranged on the front surface of the image capture unit, a water repellent layer or a structure with a three-dimensional pattern to reduce the adhesive force of an alien substance is provided on a surface of the optical element on the opposite side of the optical system.

Abstract: An imaging lens (LN) includes at least one lens block (BK), and an aperture stop (ape). The lens block (BK) includes parallel flat lens substrates (LS) formed of different materials, and a lens (L). In the imaging lens (LN), a first lens block (BK1) positioned closest to an object includes a first lens substrate (LS1) and a lens (L[LS1o], and a prescribed conditional expression is satisfied.

Abstract: A camera module and a portable electronic device using same are provided. The camera module can be rotated to align with an aperture in the front of the device or an aperture in the rear of the device.

Abstract: A camera with a first assembly and a second assembly. The second assembly is moveably provided on the first assembly and is movable between a first position at which operation members are covered and a second position at which the operation members are exposed.

Abstract: A camera includes a dust-proofing member which has a transparent portion through which a visible light component is transmitted. The transparent portion is opposed to the front of an image pick-up device at a predetermined interval. A vibration member is arranged at a peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member and vibrates the dust-proofing member. A sealing part seals a space between the image pick-up device and the dust-proofing member. And a spring pressing member presses the dust-proofing member at a periphery thereof toward the sealing part.

Abstract: A camera comprises an imaging system having a first depth of field for one or more first colours and a second depth of field, smaller than the first depth of field, for one or more second colours. The imaging system may comprise an iris with a first aperture for the first colour or colours and a second aperture, which is larger than the first, for the second colour or colours. The first aperture may be defined by an outer opaque ring (1) and the second by an inner chromatic ring (2). The inner ring (2) blocks the first colour(s) and passes the second colour(s). The image formed of the first colour(s) is sharper and its sharpness may be transposed by image processing to the other images.

Abstract: A device comprising a housing; a first camera element located on a first side of the housing for forming image information on a view seen by the first camera element; a second camera element located on a second side of the housing for forming image information on a view seen by the second camera element; an activator for providing a signal from either the first camera element or the second camera element according to a selection, the activator comprising a detector for detecting the selection; and a processor for processing the obtained image information.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens, a lens barrel, a lens holder, a circuit board, an image sensor, and an elastic member. The lens barrel receives the lens therein and includes a flange protruding over the lens barrel. The lens holder is affixed to the circuit board to receive the image sensor therein. The elastic member is disposed between the lens barrel and the lens holder. A rim is formed on the lens holder. The elastic member has one end contacting the rim of the lens holder and the opposite end contacting the flange. The elastic member biases the lens barrel against the image sensor.

Abstract: A lens barrel is configured so as to rotatably support lens barriers by a barrier drive member that rotates around an optical axis and the lens barriers rotate and revolve on an axis when the lens barriers are opened and closed. The lens barrel includes wall units provided on an inner circumference portion facing to a space where the lens barriers of the lens barrel member operates, and convexes provided on surfaces of the lens barriers adjacent to the inner circumference portion of the lens barrel member. When the lens barriers are held at a barrier opening position and the barrier drive member is moved to a driving member closing position, the wall units are brought into contact with the convexes and the lens barriers are forcibly closed.

Abstract: A lens drive device may include a thrust direction stopper mechanism which includes a thrust movement preventing abutting part of the movable body and a thrust movement preventing abutted part of the fixed body for restricting a moving range toward an object side of the movable body, and a radial direction stopper mechanism which includes a radial movement preventing abutting part of the movable body and a radial movement preventing abutted part of the fixed body for restricting a moving range in a radial direction of the movable body. The moving range in the radial direction under an inclined posture of the movable body with respect to an optic axis is restricted over all directions by the radial direction stopper mechanism and the thrust direction stopper mechanism.

Abstract: An improved object detection apparatus using an interface with which user can set an object detection area intuitively with simple operation. Apparatus includes imaging module imaging and outputting an imaged picture, three-dimensional position detection module detecting a three-dimensional position and outputting detected position information, input module allowing user to input data for setting a detection area and processing module conversion-processing and outputting the picture. Using detection area setting data inputted by user, detection area in the three-dimensional space is decided and whether the three-dimensional position detected by the position detection module exists inside or outside the detection area is judged. Picture outputted by the imaging module is subjected to conversion processing based on judgment result and detection area is clearly indicated in the picture.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus with a rotatable lens barrel includes the following elements. An optical block includes a lens. An imaging block includes an imaging device. The lens barrel receives the respective blocks and includes a rotating truncated ball larger than a hemisphere of a virtual sphere formed by extending the curved surface of the truncated ball. A mount rotatably holds the lens barrel. The mount includes a support and a retainer. The support has a circular hole with a diameter smaller than that of the truncated ball and holds the ball such that the ball is fitted in the hole. The retainer has a circular opening with a diameter smaller than that of the truncated ball and holds the ball in the opening so as to prevent the lens barrel from coming out. At least part of the optical block is located within the virtual sphere.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device with a lens-rotation mechanism, which comprises: a casing having a driving device, such as the casing of a camera, a mobile phone or a video camera; and a lens-rotation system installed to the casing and having at least two transmission elements. Those two transmission elements are respectively coupled to the driving device and driven by the driving device to move horizontally and vertically, and those two transmission elements further drive the lens-rotation system to rotate. Thereby, the device with a lens-rotation mechanism proposed by the present invention can control the rotation of a lens.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus requiring a short initialization time, and a method thereof are provided. The photographing apparatus includes a camera part for converting an optical image converged through a lens into an electric signal, and processing the electric signal into an image signal, a first memory for temporarily storing the image signal generated at the camera part, a second memory for storing the image signal stored in the first memory, and a signal processing part for temporarily storing the image signal to the first memory during initialization of the second memory, and upon completion of the initialization of the second memory, storing the image signal stored in the first memory to the second memory. As a result, initialization time of the photographing apparatus is shortened.

Abstract: A camera module that can obtain a clear image even in the case where dust is generated inside the camera module due to a shock applied thereto is provided. The camera module includes a base and a cover attached to the base so as to define a space therebetween in which the holder can be displaced.

Abstract: An optical device includes a transparent substrate, and a multi-layer film including a dielectric film having a multi-layer structure formed on the transparent substrate, and a transparent conductive thin film having a predetermined thickness formed at a part of the dielectric film. The transparent conductive thin film may be formed at the outermost layer of the dielectric film and may have a thickness of 5 to 20 nm.

Abstract: A roll correction section (21) performs correction to an image captured by a camera (11). A region limiting section (15) limits image data of an image in an upper region of the image and outputs the image data and a roll amount detection section (13) detects, from the limited and output image data, a roll amount of the image. A roll correction section (21) performs correction based on the detected roll amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a panning/tilting motor of a monitoring camera is disclosed. The position or speed of the motor is controlled based on the output of a hall sensor built in the motor without any position detection device such as encoder, so that the closed loop control of the panning/tilting motor is accurately performed, and the position coordinate of the panning/tilting motor is not distorted when the motor is out of step.

Abstract: A small-sized camera module in which an adhesive does not flow in side electrodes is provided. In the camera module according to the embodiment of the invention, the adhesive does not flow in concave portions thanks to a protection wall for covering top portions of the concave portions formed on a substrate. Accordingly, the side electrodes formed in the concave portions can be securely electrically connected to a contact or a drawing substrate. A lower portion of a holder can be disposed adjacent to the concave portions. Thus, the size of the substrate can be formed as small as possible, so it is possible to obtain the small-sized camera module.

Abstract: A camera includes a dust-proofing member which has a transparent portion through which a visible light component is transmitted. The transparent portion is opposed to the front of an image pick-up device at a predetermined interval. A vibration member is arranged at a peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member and vibrates the dust-proofing member. A sealing part seals a space between the image pick-up device and the dust-proofing member. And a spring pressing member presses the dust-proofing member at a periphery thereof toward the sealing part.

Abstract: A drive device is provided having a movable part, a first drive part, and a second drive part. The movable part is swingable relative to a fixed part. The first drive part drives the movable part in a first direction. The second drive part drives the movable part in a direction opposite to the first direction. The fixed part has bumpers which are struck by the movable part. The first and second drive parts simultaneously drive said movable part so as to strike the bumpers.

Abstract: A camera includes an image transducer mounted within a housing and configured to convert an image focused on the image transducer into a digital image signal, and a control unit coupled to the image transducer and configured to receive the digital image signal and to store the digital image signal in a storage device coupled to the control unit. An RF transceiver is coupled to the control unit and is configured to broadcast an RFID query signal in response to a command from the control unit, and an RFID tag is mounted on the camera and is configured to respond to the query signal with a response signal. Methods, systems and computer program products for automatic identification of device accessories are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aperture stop, a first lens having a positive power, a second lens having a negative power, a third lens having a positive power, and a fourth lens whose concave face is directed toward the image surface side and having a meniscus shape are disposed in order from the object side. The second and third lenses are cemented to each other. Further, focal length “f” of the entire system and total focal length “f23” of the second and third lenses satisfy the following conditional expression. |f/f23|<0.

Abstract: A driving assembly of camera shutter and diaphragm comprises a first stator, a second stator, a coil set and a rotor. The coil set is installed between the first stator and second stator. A first wing is axially extended from a round periphery of the first stator and a second wing is axially extended from a round periphery of the second stator. Each of the first stator and second wing is a round cambered sheet. In assembly the first stator and second wing are formed as a space for receiving the rotor; thus the rotor is driven to rotate by the magnetic force of the first wing and second wing so as to drive the diaphragm and shutter. Each of the first wing and second wing has a plurality of parts which are formed around the respective stator and are spaced with an equal spaced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a zoom optical system that makes it possible to offer a sensible tradeoff between cost savings and size reductions and an electronic system that incorporates it. The zoom optical system comprises a lens group having negative refracting power and a lens group having positive refracting power. At least one lens is formed by molding of a first lens blank (11) that provides a surface including at least an optical function surface after molding, and a second lens blank (12) that provides a surface other than said surface including at least an optical function surface after molding, wherein the first lens blank (11) and the second lens blank (12) are integrated into a one-piece lens (10).

Abstract: An electronic camera includes: an image sensor that captures an image of a subject and outputs image data; a projection device that projects an image based upon image data; a single mode switching operation member operated to select a mode; and a control device that selects a photographing operation mode in which image data output by the image sensor are saved into a recording medium or a projection operation mode in which an image is projected by the projection device based upon image data read out from the recording medium in correspondence to a position to which the single mode switching operation member is operated.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an imaging optical system, an image sensor, an image signal processing section and a light-amount characteristic giving section. The imaging optical system has a distortion in such a way as to form an image whose center part is stretched, and whose peripheral part is squeezed. The image sensor has a light reception surface at which a subject image is formed through the imaging optical system, and converts the formed subject image into image signals. The image signal processing section performs an image processing for correcting the image signals with respect to the distortion. The light-amount characteristic giving section gives the subject image a characteristic in which the amount of light at a center part of the subject image formed at the light-reception surface of the image sensor is larger than that at a peripheral part of the subject image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a camera body (CB) for still photography that comprises attachment facilities for a number of different accessories (ACC), which camera body further comprises a control unit for controlling functions in the camera body and in accessories attached to the camera body. The control unit communicates with the various accessories via a data bus, and, for at least one of the attachment facilities for accessories, in addition to the data bus, the camera body comprises separate means for communication (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for detecting accessories that are attached or removed, which means for communication can also be used by the control unit in the camera body to initiate a change in the system status of an attached accessory. The invention also relates to an accessory for such a camera body.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic imaging device having an imaging element, a mechanism which removes dust attached to the imaging element or an optical element disposed in front of the imaging element, and a display section which displays that at least the mechanism is operating. Consequently, an operator of the electronic imaging device can exactly recognize whether or not the mechanism to remove the dust is operating. Examples of the mechanism which removes the dust include an excitation mechanism which vibrates a dustproof filter disposed in front of the imaging element, a mechanism which removes the dust by a gas flow and the like.

Abstract: A camera module structure (100) of the present invention is arranged such that a heat-sensitive camera module (2) is joined to a printed wiring board (1) through solder joint sections (3). The printed wiring board (1) has through holes (11) formed therein and terminals (12) formed thereon so as to close front surface apertures which are formed by the through holes (11) in the mounting surface of the printed wiring board (1). The solder joint sections (3) are provided on the terminals (12), respectively. The solder joint sections (3) are formed by heating by light (heat rays) applied to the rear side of the printed wiring board (1) by way of the terminals (12) on the printed wiring board (1), so that heat is not transmitted to the camera module (2). Accordingly, the camera module structure (100) mounted on the printed wiring board (1) is realized without heat damage to the heat-sensitive camera module (2).

Abstract: An image taking lens forming an optical image on an solid-state image pickup element according to the present invention, is provided with, in order from an object side thereof: a first lens with a positive power; a second lens with a negative power; and a third lens with a negative power. Third lens includes an image side surface in an aspheric shape such that a region around an optical axis in the aspheric shape is formed in a concave shape facing an image side of the image taking lens and a peripheral region in the aspheric shape surrounding the region around the optical axis is formed in a convex shape facing the image side of the image taking lens. The image taking lens fulfills a predefined conditional formula.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus which realizes a taking lens barrel whose shape is not largely changed during panning or tilting shot, thereby being compact in size and easy to handle. In the photographing apparatus, an image pickup device (14i) outputs an electric signal from object light. A bending optical system (14) has a front lens (14f) and lens groups (14j, 14k, 14l, and 14m) and a mirror (14c) disposed between the front lens and the laminated lens 14j, to guide the object light to the image pickup device. A panning actuator (19) and a tilt actuator (15f) cause the mirror and the front lens or the lens groups to be pivotally moved in unison about respective different axes to thereby change a shooting direction.

Abstract: A taking lens system for forming an image on a solid-state image sensor has, from the object side thereof: an aperture stop, a first lens element having a positive optical power and convex to the object side, a second lens element having a positive optical power and convex to the image-surface side, and a third lens element having a negative optical power and concave to the image-surface side. Alternatively, a taking lens system for forming an image on a solid-state image sensor has an aperture stop, a first lens element having a positive optical power, having a meniscus shape, and convex to the object side, a second lens element having a positive optical power, and a third lens element having a negative optical power. In addition, in either case, the taking lens system fulfills prescribed conditional formulae.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an imaging unit provided in a camera body to take an image electrically, an optical finder provided at an edge portion of the body, and a display apparatus provided in the body to display the taken image. The display apparatus includes a panel including a display area arranged nearer to a rear surface of the body than the imaging unit in the body, a projection projecting outwardly from a part of a periphery of the display area, a looking-out portion at a predetermined part of the projection, and a pixel drive unit for driving matrix pixels of the display area at the remaining part of the projection. In the body, the area of the panel corresponds to a window formed in the rear surface, the looking-out portion of the projection overlaps with the finder, and the drive unit is arranged in a side of the finder.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising a light transmissive member 18 having light transmissive character, a vibration member 20 causing bending vibration for the light transmissive member, a driving portion 56 for driving the vibration member 20, wherein the driving portion 56 causes bending vibration of the light transmissive member 18 at a first frequency along with a first direction and causes bending vibration of the light transmissive member 18 at a second frequency along with a second direction which is different from said first frequency.

Abstract: In a lens group which is disposed forward of a photographing device and which includes at least a ceramic lens that is combined with a glass lens, wherein a conjugate surface of the photographing device by a combined surface between the ceramic lens and the glass lens is formed forward of the combined surface in an optical system that follows an optical system residing between the combined surface and the photographing device.

Abstract: A lens apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of keeping the engagement of a protruding portion of a first member and a cam groove portion of a second member even if an external force acts on the apparatus. The lens apparatus comprises: a first member including first and second protruding portions; and a second member including a first groove portion with which the first protruding portion engages, and a second groove portion into which the second protruding portion is inserted. The second protruding portion and the second groove portion are away from each other in a case where the first and second members are located in a specified positional relationship, and come into contact with each other in a case where the first and second members are located in another positional relationship.

Abstract: In the camera 10 having an ultraviolet light generating portion 16, the influence of the ultraviolet light upon an image to be taken is suppressed. A camera 10 for taking an image possesses an image-pickup portion 24 which takes an image of a subject; a hydrophilic filter 14 formed so that a hydrophilic surface is exposed on an outer surface of the camera, and transmitting a light entering from the subject to said image-pickup portion; and an ultraviolet light generating portion 16, which irradiates an ultraviolet light with the surface of the external surface of said camera on said hydrophilic filter from the edge portion of said hydrophilic filter. The hydrophilic filter 14 comprises a photocatalytic substance which decomposes organic substances adhered thereon depending on the ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a CPU (34). The CPU (34) is a multitasking CPU for executing in parallel an imaging task, a file recording task, and a file transmitting task. When a shutter button (32) is operated, JPEG data corresponding to an object scene is written to an SDRAM (22) by the imaging task. An image file including the JPEG data stored in the SDRAM (22) is recorded in a CF memory of a memory/LAN cartridge (30) by the file recording task. The image file recorded in the CF memory is applied to a wireless LAN card of the memory/LAN cartridge (30) by the file transmitting task.

Abstract: A camera system may include an optics stack including two substrates secured together in a vertical direction and an optical system on the two substrates, the two substrates having exposed sides, a detector on a detector substrate, and a stray light blocker directly on at least some sides of the optics stack.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus requiring a short initialization time, and a method thereof are provided. The photographing apparatus includes a camera part for converting an optical image converged through a lens into an electric signal, and processing the electric signal into an image signal, a first memory for temporarily storing the image signal generated at the camera part, a second memory for storing the image signal stored in the first memory, and a signal processing part for temporarily storing the image signal to the first memory during initialization of the second memory, and upon completion of the initialization of the second memory, storing the image signal stored in the first memory to the second memory. As a result, initialization time of the photographing apparatus is shortened.

Abstract: An image-capture apparatus includes: an outer casing inside of which predetermined sections are arranged; an imaging device arranged inside of the outer casing; and a circuit board arranged inside of the outer casing, on which electronic components are mounted, the electronic components being heat generating elements. A heat-releasing air duct is formed on an outer surface side of the outer casing, at least an opening of the duct being formed at one surface of the outer casing and not communicating with an inside of the outer casing. Part of the outer casing is provided as a duct forming part that forms the heat-releasing air duct. Heat generated by the electronic components mounted on the circuit board is conducted to the duct forming part to be released outside of the outer casing from the heat-releasing air duct.

Abstract: A roll correction section (21) performs correction to an image captured by a camera (11). A region limiting section (15) limits image data of an image in an upper region of the image and outputs the image data and a roll amount detection section (13) detects, from the limited and output image data, a roll amount of the image. A roll correction section (21) performs correction based on the detected roll amount.

Abstract: A buffer structure for reducing external forces to be transmitted from a PCB to a lens module via a support element is disclosed. The buffer structure comprises a plurality of first and second buffer units. In addition, the lens module is fixed on a first one side of the support element via the first buffer units, and a second one side of the support element is fixed on the PCB via the second buffer units. Thereby, each first buffer unit generate a first buffer effect between the lens module and the support element, and each second buffer unit generate a second buffer effect between the PCB and a combination of the lens module and the support element.

Abstract: Frequency of unnecessary face detection operations performed in a photographing apparatus is reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption by the face detection operations. A determining unit determines whether or not a photographing condition of the photographing apparatus satisfis a precondition for efficiently using a result of detection by a detecting unit, which detects an image representing a face from images taken through the imaging lens of the photographing apparatus. A controlling unit exerts control such that, if it is determined that the photographing condition of the photographing apparatus satisfies the precondition, the detecting unit carries out the detection, and if it is determined that the photographing condition of the photographing apparatus does not satisfy the precondition, the detecting unit does not carry out the detection.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus control unit, comprising a calculation block, a first control block, an output block, and a second control block, is provided. The calculation block calculates the number of possible photographs. The number of possible photographs is set as the sequential-photographing number. The first control block carries out imaging control for either sequential-photographing or single-photographing. The output block outputs the compressed image signal to the memory. The second control block either repeatedly carries out the sequential control for sequential-photographing, or stops carrying out the sequential control for sequential-photographing and begins carrying out the sequential control for single-photographing when the sequential-photographing number is below a first predetermined number.

Abstract: In a camera which obtains a still image and/or a moving image, at least a part of functions of the camera are previously restricted. To lift the restrictions, an operation restriction code (key data) is used. An externally inputted code and the operation restriction code are compared with each other, and if the input data and the operation restriction code correspond with each other, the restrictions of the functions are lifted.

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

Abstract: A lens assembly in a camera includes a first meniscus lens (10) and a second meniscus lens (11) respectively having a first radius of curvature (A,A?) and a second radius of curvature (B,B?) larger than that of the first radius of curvature A,A?), a concave lens (12) having a first radius of curvature (C) and a second radius of curvature (C?) smaller than the first radius of curvature (C), and a convex lens (13) having two opposite sides with a radius of curvature so that after a distance between the lens to the object is determined, a clear image is presented.