Abstract: An image stabilization control apparatus includes a signal processing unit, a control unit, and an overflow preventing unit. The signal processing unit controls image stabilization based on a second image stabilization target value in aiming at an object in preparation for still image exposure, and controls the image stabilization based on a first image stabilization target value during still image exposure. The overflow preventing unit prevents a calculation overflow of the first image stabilization target value while the control unit controls the image stabilization based on the second image stabilization target value.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising, a capturing unit, a rotation unit for adjusting an image capturing direction by rotating the capturing unit, a control unit for controlling a rotational position of the rotation unit, a first detection unit for detecting a first shake of the apparatus, and a storage unit for storing a rotational position of the rotation unit in association with an anti-vibration setting, wherein the control unit determines the rotational position, based on a designated image capturing direction, and controls an operation of the rotation unit to cancel the detected first shake, during image capture at the determined rotational position, based on the stored anti-vibration setting.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus transmits, where a shake sensor has detected a shake of a predetermined magnitude or more, response request information to a destination indicated by destination information stored in a storage device. The image forming apparatus stores, where a response has been received from the destination, information regarding the received response in the storage device.

Abstract: A stabilization degree adjustment method includes obtaining a stabilization degree adjustment instruction and adjusting a stabilization degree of a stabilization mechanism according to the stabilization degree adjustment instruction. The stabilization mechanism is configured to support a load.

Abstract: An earthquake sensing module includes an acceleration sensor configured to detect accelerations on a plurality of detection axes, a module control unit configured to control the acceleration sensor, and a module storage unit configured to store state information of the acceleration sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods of optically stabilizing an image. A lens obtains optical image information corresponding to an image. An image sensor converts the optical image information into electrical image information. A rotation signal related to rotational movement of a camera unit is generated using a first motion sensor that provides a signal related to rotation when the camera unit is rotated. A translation signal related to translational movement of the camera unit is generated using a second motion sensor that provides a signal related to translation when the camera unit undergoes translational movement. The translation signal is modified using the rotation signal to generate a corrected translation signal that compensates for lens movement which is different from second motion sensor movement. The corrected translation signal controls an actuator that adjusts a lens position with respect to the image sensor, based on rotation and translation experienced by the camera unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods of correcting for signal drift in optical image stabilization of a portable device. An accelerometer is used to obtain an acceleration signal corresponding to acceleration of the portable device. A gravity component is removed from the accelerometer signal to obtain a proper acceleration signal. A double integration is performed on the proper acceleration signal to obtain a translation signal. A drift component of the translation signal is estimated. The estimated drift component is used to generate a drift correction signal. A phase compensation signal is determined based on a plurality of phase responses of a plurality of components of the optical image stabilization system. The drift correction signal and the phase compensation signal are applied to an actuator controller which controls movement of a lens within the portable device as part of the process for optical image stabilization.

Abstract: A digital camera (100) includes a plurality of drive units that moves a movable member (2) including an imaging element (20) in directions X, Y, and ? along a light receiving surface (20a) of the imaging element (20), and a system controller (108) that controls the plurality of drive units. The system controller (108) includes a power amount decision unit (108A) that decides power amounts to be supplied to the plurality of drive units for moving the movable member (2) to a target position, and a drive controller (108B) that performs a first control for reducing a total value of the power amounts decided by the power amount decision unit (108A) while maintaining a ratio between the power amounts decided by the power amount decision unit (108A) and supplying the power amounts after the reduction to the drive units.

Abstract: A suitable drive control of a lens unit for correcting image shake of a captured image is realized. An imaging device includes a lens unit supported rotatably in at least one of a yawing direction or a pitching direction within a casing, and this lens unit is driven by a driving section in at least one of the yawing direction or the pitching direction on a basis of a shake correction driving signal. In this case, the shake correction driving signal is generated by using detection information regarding rotation applied to the casing and detection information regarding rotation occurring on the lens unit in the casing.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a panning driver and a tilting driver for changing an imaging direction. A PT (pan-tilt) controller performs image blur correction by using at least one of a panning driver and a tilting driver, based on a shake detection signal of the imaging apparatus. The PT controller stores the position information of the current driver in a memory before each driver is driven in an image blur correcting start process. With the stored position as a reference position, image blur correction is performed by using the shake detection signal. After the end of the image blur correction control, the PT controller sets the position stored in the memory to the drive target value and controls the operation of each driver.

Abstract: A control device includes: a correction control unit configured to acquire a blur detection signal detected by a blur detection unit to calculate a correction amount of an image blur and control an image blur correction unit configured to correct the image blur; a subject detection unit configured to detect a position of a subject in a photographed image and acquire position information of the subject in the photographed image; a tracking control unit configured to perform tracking control of the subject based on the position information of the subject acquired by the subject detection unit to; and a setting unit configured to set a control state of the tracking control unit. The setting unit sets the control state of the tracking control unit by selecting the set control state from a plurality of control states including a first state in which a tracking subject selectable mode is not set and a second state in which the mode is set and a tracking subject is not selected.

Abstract: A control device includes: a correction control unit configured to acquire a blur detection signal detected by a blur detection unit to calculate a correction amount of an image blur and control an image blur correction unit configured to correct the image blur; a subject detection unit configured to detect a position of a subject in a photographed image and acquire position information of the subject in the photographed image; a tracking control unit configured to perform tracking control of the subject based on the position information of the subject acquired by the subject detection unit to; and a setting unit configured to set a control state of the tracking control unit. The setting unit sets the control state of the tracking control unit by selecting the set control state from a plurality of control states including a first state in which a tracking subject selectable mode is not set and a second state in which the mode is set and a tracking subject is not selected.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided with a shake correction unit that corrects image shake of an image that can arise from shake such as camera shake and a driver thereof. An angular velocimeter detects an angular velocity of shake, and an accelerometer detects acceleration of the shake. A CPU acquires an angular velocity detection signal and an acceleration detection signal, and then computes a first parallel shake amount that is shake in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of an imaging optical system. A velocity computation unit computes a second parallel shake amount by combining the acceleration detection signal and the first parallel shake amount. The driver drives the shake correction unit based on the second parallel shake amount to correct shake.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a physical quantity sensor element and an IC connected to the physical quantity sensor element. The IC includes an analog power supply circuit that is switched to enable or disable, a signal processing unit to which a voltage is supplied from the analog power supply circuit and which processes a signal from the physical quantity sensor element, and a control circuit that sets the analog power supply circuit to enable within a processing period based on an external trigger and makes the signal processing unit process a physical quantity signal from the physical quantity sensor element intermittently for every processing period.

Abstract: This actuator carries out shake correction by inclining a driven unit using the driving force of a voice coil motor having a coil portion and a magnet portion. The actuator is provided with: a movable portion that has a flat frame-like holding member to which the driven unit is adhered, wherein one of either the coil portion or the magnet portion is disposed in the holding member; a fixed portion that has a base member and a frame-like cover member that is fixed to the peripheral edge of the base member, wherein the other of either the coil portion or the magnet portion is disposed in the base member; and a support portion that is disposed in the base member and supports the movable portion so as to be inclinable relative to the fixed portion. The movable portion is sandwiched between the base member and the cover member.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods, apparatus, and electronic devices for image capturing. An exemplary image capturing method can include first acquiring image information via a camera contained in an electronic device and then detecting whether a shake amplitude of the electronic device is within a pre-set range. When the shake amplitude of the electronic device is detected within the pre-set range, the image information acquired by the camera can be captured. An exemplary image capturing apparatus can include an acquisition module for acquiring image information; a first detection module for detecting whether a shake amplitude of an electronic device is within a pre-set range; and a capturing module for capturing the image information, when the first detection module detects that the shake amplitude of the electronic device is within the pre-set range.

Abstract: A method for measuring vibration characteristic of a cantilever is proposed in this disclosure. The method includes: measuring vibration amplitude V of a cantilever installed in a scanning probe microscope when vibration with a resonant frequency f1 (Hz) is applied to the cantilever; obtaining a time Th (second) when the vibration amplitude V is equal to or more than 0.90 of a stationary amplitude V0; and calculating a Q value by using the following Expression: Q value=f1×Th.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a shake detection unit configured to detect a shake, an image stabilization unit configured to correct the shake of an image, panning detection unit configured to detect based on a detection result of the shake detection unit whether a panning operation is being executed, a speed setting unit configured to set a target speed of the panning operation, a calculation unit configured to calculate a correction amount of the image stabilization unit based on the target speed set by the speed setting unit and a speed of the shake detected by the shake detection unit, and control unit configured to control a movement of the image stabilization unit based on the correction amount calculated by the calculation unit when the panning detection unit detects that the panning operation is being executed.

Abstract: Provided is a driving circuit, system, and driving method for a gyro sensor. The gyro sensor driving circuit includes a charge/voltage conversion unit receiving a charge output from a vibration-type gyro sensor and converting the charge output into a voltage signal; a phase converting unit receiving a signal from the charge/voltage converting unit and converting a phase of the received signal; a pulse generating unit receiving an output signal of the phase converting unit and outputting the output signal as a pulse wave; a pulse converting unit converting the pulse wave output from the pulse generating unit into a pulse signal using a certain voltage level as reference so as to apply the pulse wave as a driving signal; and a control unit controlling the pulse converting unit to generate the pulse signal using the certain voltage level as reference.

Abstract: An image-blur correction device includes a drive-current output unit that outputs a first drive current for driving a first correction mechanism for correcting image blur in a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis and a second drive current for driving a second correction mechanism for correcting image blur in a second direction orthogonal to the optical axis and the first direction; and a drive-current limiting unit that limits the first drive current to a first limit value, limits the second drive current to a second limit value, limits a total value of the first and second drive currents to a third limit value smaller than a total value of the first and second limit values, varies the first limit value by changing a power-supply time of the first drive current, and varies the second limit value by changing a power-supply time of the second drive current.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit, a focal length detection unit, a shake detection unit, a translation correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate a correction amount of image blurring in a translation direction, a rotation correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate a correction amount of image blurring of the captured image in a rotation direction, a perspective correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate a correction amount for correcting a perspective component out of image deformations, an image stabilization unit configured to correct image blurring of the captured image, and a control unit configured to control to restrict correction of the image blurring in the rotational and perspective directions based on focal length information, and correct much more the image blurring in the translation direction.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention is characterized by executing radius-of-rotation calculation operation for calculating a radius of rotation from a velocity change found by time integration of acceleration, and an angular velocity; velocity calculation operation in which during a given time from a start of exposure, velocity is calculated based on the angular velocity and the radius of rotation calculated before the start of exposure, and after a lapse of the given time, the acceleration is cumulatively added to the velocity detected during the given time to calculate the velocity, and amount-of-movement calculation operation for time-integrating the velocity calculated in the velocity calculation operation to calculate the amount of movement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for correcting hand-shake, including a position sensor detecting positional information of a lens, a digital signal processor generating a digital control signal for controlling a driving range of the lens based on the detected positional information, and a motor driver generating a driving voltage and a control signal of an actuator for driving the lens based on the digital control signal and controlling the driving of the actuator.

Abstract: A rifle scope includes an image sensor configured to capture visual data corresponding to a view area, a display, and a controller coupled to the display and the image sensor. The controller is configured to apply a first stabilization parameter to at least a portion of the visual data to produce a stabilized view, to provide the stabilized view and a reticle to the display, and to apply a second stabilization parameter to stabilize the reticle relative to the stabilized view in response to motion.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for image stabilization, more particularly, a track and bogie based optically centered gimbal stabilizing assembly comprising: a ring having an inwardly disposed track (110); a first bogie (130) having an arcuate first chassis member, a first wheel assembly, and a second wheel assembly; a second bogie (120) having an arcuate second chassis member, a third wheel assembly, and a fourth wheel assembly; where the first wheel assembly, the second wheel assembly, the third wheel assembly, and the fourth wheel assembly may each ride in the track (110); and a tilt plate (170) operatively connected to the first bogie (130) and the second bogie (120) and movable therewith.

Abstract: An image stabilization control apparatus including a mechanism which causes a vibration when the mechanism moves is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a vibration correction unit configured to correct image shake occurring due to vibration applied to the image stabilization control apparatus. A correction value of an angular velocity of the vibration is calculated based on signals based on the angular velocity and an acceleration of the vibration, frequency bands of the signals are narrowed. During the mechanism is moving, the image shake is corrected by driving the vibration correction unit based on the angular velocity of the vibration which is corrected by the corrected value calculated before the mechanism moves.

Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus that allows input of instructions to the image capturing apparatus by shaking the apparatus, without using an operation unit, it is determined whether or not the image capturing apparatus is shaking. Then, in a case in which it is determined that the image capturing apparatus is shaking, at least some of the operations of the operation unit are invalidated.

Abstract: A small wearable recall device is provided to capture images triggered by a combination of a detection of a capture condition (e.g., changes in motion, temperature or light level) followed by a relatively stable period, as detected by an accelerometer. By triggering on the combination of a detected capture condition followed by a detected stability condition, a clearer image of the environment of an interesting event is expected to be captured. The small size of the recall device makes it possible to integrate it into common portable consumer products, such as MP3 players, purses, clothing, hats, backpacks, necklaces, collars, and other human-wearable products.

Abstract: An image blurring avoiding method for a camera includes obtaining a motion data of the camera; and capturing a picture only when the camera is substantially motionless according to the motion data.

Abstract: Segments of interest within video footage are identified automatically. Such segments of interest include portions of the footage which were taken using a hand held camera and which show a static subject, portions which track the motion of a moving subject, and portions which show an abrupt event. Methods are presented for identifying such segments, based on motion and/or colour analysis of the video footage or based on observations of discontinuities in the video footage following a period of stability.

Abstract: Provided is an optical apparatus including: an image shake correcting unit for canceling an image shake generated due to a vibration; at least two angular velocity sensors having axes for detecting an angular velocity, the axes being parallel to each other; a vibration angle computing unit for calculating a vibration angle output based on output of the at least two angular velocity sensors; and a driving unit for driving the image shake correcting unit according to the vibration angle calculated by the angle computing unit.

Abstract: An image stabilization control apparatus including a mechanism which causes a vibration when the mechanism moves is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a vibration correction unit configured to correct image shake occurring due to vibration applied to the image stabilization control apparatus. A correction value of an angular velocity of the vibration is calculated based on signals based on the angular velocity and an acceleration of the vibration, frequency bands of the signals are narrowed. During the mechanism is moving, the image shake is corrected by driving the vibration correction unit based on the angular velocity of the vibration which is corrected by the corrected value calculated before the mechanism moves.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus having a plurality of executable image blurring correction modes selects an image blurring correction mode to be executed from among the executable image blurring correction modes in accordance with an image capturing situation, and executes the selected image blurring correction mode. The image capturing apparatus has a plurality of display items respectively associated with the image blurring correction modes, and displays the display item corresponding to the image blurring correction mode under execution on a display screen.

Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus that allows input of instructions to the image capturing apparatus by shaking the apparatus, without using an operation unit, it is determined whether or not the image capturing apparatus is shaking. Then, in a case in which it is determined that the image capturing apparatus is shaking, at least some of the operations of the operation unit are invalidated.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit, a motion vector detection unit which detects a motion vector quantity representing a shift amount between images from image signals successively obtained by the image capturing unit, an angle conversion unit which converts the motion vector quantity into an angular displacement amount between the images on the basis of a zoom position of the zoom lens, a shift angle calculation unit which calculates a shift angle from an optical axis of the imaging optical system by calculating the angular displacement amount, a shift amount conversion unit which converts the shift angle into a shift amount on an image plane of the image capturing unit on the basis of the zoom position of the zoom lens, and a correction unit which corrects a shift on the basis of the shift amount on the image plane.

Abstract: At the time of occurrence of camera shake, an angular velocity sensor detects an angular velocity. A rotation angle calculator integrates the angular velocity to calculate angle camera shake. A translational acceleration calculator subtracts an internal acceleration caused during operation of a lens unit from a first translational acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, so as to calculate a second translational acceleration. A translational velocity calculator integrates the second translational acceleration to calculate a translational velocity. A rotation radius calculator calculates a rotation radius based on the angular velocity and the translational velocity. A shake amount calculator calculates a camera shake amount based on the angle camera shake and the rotation radius. An actuator drives a camera shake correction lens in a direction for canceling the camera shake amount.

Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus that allows input of instructions to the image capturing apparatus by shaking the apparatus, without using an operation unit, it is determined whether or not the image capturing apparatus is shaking. Then, in a case in which it is determined that the image capturing apparatus is shaking, at least some of the operations of the operation unit are invalidated.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling the apparatus are provided that can realize high-accuracy correction of image shake due to shift shake. Rotation radiuses at a plurality of frequencies among the frequency components of the shift shake are obtained. Correction amount is determined based on a result of assigning a respective weight to the rotation radius at each of the plurality of the frequencies based on information regarding at least one of an angular velocity and acceleration.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a three-axis acceleration detector, an inclination calculator to calculate an amount of inclination of the imaging device according to an output value of the acceleration detector, a determining element to determine whether or not the imaging device is dropping or receiving an impact according to the output value of the acceleration detector, a mode switching element to set the acceleration detector to be in either an electronic level mode or an impact detection mode by changing at least one of a measuring range and a sampling rate of the acceleration detector, and a storing element to store detected acceleration data in time series. When the determining element determines that the imaging device has dropped or received an impact in the impact detection mode, the storing element stores acceleration data detected at a time when the drop or impact has occurred.

Abstract: An image stabilization control circuit controls an optical element driving element that moves an optical element provided in an imaging apparatus based on an output signal of a vibration detection element provided in the imaging apparatus. The image stabilization control circuit includes a high-pass filter that removes a low-frequency component from an output signal of the vibration detection element. A movement amount calculation circuit calculates a movement amount of the imaging apparatus based on an output signal of the high-pass filter. A servo circuit generates a correction signal for correcting the position of the optical element based on an output signal of the movement amount calculation circuit and outputs the correction signal to the optical element driving element. The movement amount calculation circuit includes a digital filter circuit and a register. The digital filter circuit performs filter processing based on a filter coefficient stored in the register.

Abstract: A multiple anti-shake system and a method thereof applied to a camera device. The system comprises a sensing module, a first anti-shake module and a second anti-shake module. The sensing module detects the vibration signal of the camera device and the first anti-shake module is actuated to perform a first vibration compensation according to the vibration signal, therefrom calculates a residual vibration amount according to said first vibration compensation. The second anti-shake module thereby further performs a second vibration compensation to determine the set parameter of multi-frame blending. Thereby, the user can obtain a clear image by immediately processing a blurred image through a compensation process.

Abstract: An imaging device capable of detecting and correcting, with high accuracy, the motion (image rotation) in the rolling direction of the image caused by the camera shake during imaging without being influenced by the individual variation, temperature characteristic, and variation with time of the sensor. To correct the motion (image rotation) in the rolling direction of the image caused by the camera shake during imaging, the result of detection of the angle of inclination of the device by an angle sensor (8a) is corrected with the result of detection of the angle of inclination of the image on the basis of the feature of the captured image by an image inclination detecting section (7), and the imaging device (3) is rotated around the optical axis or an axis parallel to the optical axis according to the corrected angle of inclination of the device.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image via an optical system and generate image data, a regulating unit operable to regulate an exposure amount for the imaging unit; a shake detector operable to detect a shake of the imaging apparatus; an operation unit capable of being in a first operating state and a second operating state; and a controller operable to control the recording unit to record the image data generated by the imaging unit in the recording medium, when the operation unit is in the first operating state. The controller determines whether or not the operation unit is in the second operating state before the first operating state, and regulates an exposure time of the regulating unit based on the determination result and the shake of the imaging apparatus detected by the shake detector.

Abstract: Segments of interest within video footage are identified automatically. Such segments of interest include portions of the footage which were taken using a hand held camera and which show a static subject, portions which track the motion of a moving subject, and portions which show an abrupt event. Methods are presented for identifying such segments, based on motion and/or color analysis of the video footage or based on observations of discontinuities in the video footage following a period of stability.

Abstract: The accuracy of servo control of a corrective lens in an image stabilization control circuit is prevented from decreasing due to non-linear characteristics of a position-detecting element. A signal representing a component of vibration of an image pickup apparatus is generated based on an angular velocity signal from a vibration-detecting element. A microcomputer corrects the vibration component signal according to a predetermined correction function and generates a target position signal representing a target position of the lens. A position-detection signal based on an output from the position-detecting element is compared with the target position signal, and the position of the lens is servo-controlled. The correction function is set so that the characteristics of variation of the target position signal relative to the target position will be the same as the characteristics of variation of the position-detection signal relative to the actual position of the lens.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup device, a device that obtains an image from the image pickup device, a sensor that detects a roll angle of the sensor, wherein the sensor detects a reference roll angle of the sensor when the imaging apparatus is disposed at a predetermined roll angle, a device that calculates a reference roll angle of the image pickup device by using a reference image from the image pickup device when the imaging apparatus is disposed at the predetermined roll angle and a device that corrects a roll angle of the sensor by calculating a relative roll angle from the reference roll angle of the image pickup device and the reference roll angle of the sensor.

Abstract: A method of estimating the gender or approximate age of a photographer, includes: determining a steadiness signal related to movement of a camera held by a photographer while capturing an image or video, wherein the steadiness signal identifies the motion of the camera in at least two dimensions as a function of time. Then using a processor for determining a demographic classification for the photographer based on an analysis of the steadiness signal, wherein the demographic classification includes the approximate age or the gender of the photographer.

Abstract: A method of identifying a photographer includes determining a steadiness signal related to movement of a camera held by a first photographer while capturing an image or video, wherein the steadiness signal identifies the motion of the camera in at least two dimensions as a function of time and storing a set of steadiness signals where each steadiness signal has an associated known photographer. The method further includes using a processor to compare the steadiness signal to the set of steadiness signals to produce a set of similarity scores between the first photographer and each of the known photographers; and using the set of similarity scores to identify the photographer that has captured the image or video.

Abstract: A method of identifying the activity of a camera used for capturing an image or video, such activity not being related to the activity of subjects of the scene being captured includes determining a steadiness signal related to movement of the camera while capturing an image or video, wherein the steadiness signal identifies the motion of the camera in at least two dimensions as a function of time; and using a processor for determining a camera activity classification for the camera based on an analysis of the steadiness signal, wherein the camera activity classification includes categories of the camera being stationary, the camera being located in a moving vehicle, the camera being held by hand, or the camera being held by a jogging or walking user.

Abstract: An image-shake correction apparatus includes a shake detection unit configured to detect a shake applied to the image-shake correction apparatus, a shake correction unit configured to correct the shake of an image caused by the shake, a drive unit configured to drive the shake correction unit, a filtering unit configured to remove a specific frequency component from the output of the shake detection unit, a characteristic change unit configured to change the frequency characteristic of the filtering unit, and a temperature detection unit configured to detect temperature of the shake detection unit or a vivinity thereof, wherein the characteristic change unit changes the frequency characteristic of the filtering unit according to the change rate in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit.