Abstract: A picture generation unit (PGU) used in a head-up display (HUD) includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of light sources, a display unit disposed in front of the plurality of light sources and configured to form an image to be provided to the HUD, and a housing disposed between the PCB and the display unit and including an internal reflective structure configured to guide optical beams from the plurality of light sources to the display unit and to homogenize a light intensity of the optical beams incident on the display unit, wherein the internal reflective structure includes a plurality of first funnels respectively disposed of corresponding to the plurality of light sources, and a second funnel disposed of as a singular funnel in front of the first funnels in a form encompassing the plurality of first funnels.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus, comprises an instructing unit capable of issuing an instruction for an image capture preparation operation and an instruction for an image capture operation, a metering unit configured to meter brightness of a subject, a calculating unit configured to calculate values of exposure parameters based on a metering result, an acquiring unit configured to acquire information related to an image capture lens; and a controlling unit configured to, when image capture is performed with light emitted by a light emitter, control the calculating unit so as to make different a calculation method for the values of the exposure parameters at the time of issuance of the instruction for the image capture preparation operation based on the information related to the image capture lens.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of reducing influence of abnormal reflection light at pre-emission upon determination of an emission amount for main photographing. The image pickup apparatus calculates reflection luminances of reflected light from an object at pre-emission of a lighting device, detects a face area from an image, divides the face area into blocks, calculates a face reflection luminance from a weighted average of reflection luminances of the blocks and first weights of the blocks, calculates a face ambient light luminance from a weighted average of ambient light luminances of the object of the blocks and second weights of the blocks, and determines an emission amount of the lighting device for main photographing with using the face reflection luminance and the ambient light luminance. A first weight of an abnormal luminance block is reduced than that of a block other than the abnormal luminance block.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a chassis, two or more drive wheels extending below the chassis, a drive motor housed within the chassis for driving the drive wheels, and a payload surface on top of the chassis for carrying a payload. An illumination system, for emitting light from at least one portion of the chassis, is mounted substantially around the entire perimeter of the chassis. The illumination system may be implemented using an array of light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) that are arranged as segments. For example, there may be “headlight” segments on the front left and front right corners of the chassis.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of emulating light sensitivity of a target includes, for each of at least some frames of a video recording, receiving an image. The method also includes accessing image metadata associated with the image. The method also includes discovering, from the image metadata, information related to an exposure setting and a gain value used by a camera in capture of the image. The method also includes deriving, from stored camera metadata for the camera, information related to a luminous flux associated with the exposure setting and the gain value used by the camera in the capture of the image. The method also includes determining an adjusted gain value corresponding to a target light sensitivity using the derived information related to the luminous flux. The method also includes generating an adjusted image using the adjusted gain value.

Abstract: An imaging control device includes: a brightness measurer that acquires a first captured image signal obtained from an imager imaging a subject through a focus lens, and obtains brightness of each of divided areas of a focusing target area set in the first captured image signal; an imaging condition controller that controls an imaging condition of the imager to a state where brightness of a lowest divided area which is one of the divided areas having lowest brightness is set to the set value; a transmittance controller that decreases brightness of other divided areas than the lowest divided area by controlling light transmittance of the areas corresponding to the other divided areas; and a focusing controller that performs focusing control for the focus lens based on the focusing target area of a second captured image signal in a specific state.

Abstract: A liveness detection method includes: controlling a display screen to display a color according to a predetermined color display sequence, the color display sequence including at least two different colors; capturing an image of a target object in a color display process of the display screen; acquiring a color change sequence of a face of the target object in the image over time; and determining whether the target object is live based on a matching relationship between the color display sequence and the color change sequence.

Abstract: To increase the accuracy of adjusting the main light emission. An amount of main light emission is adjusted on the basis of an estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance or information corresponding to the estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance and an estimated lens-focused subject distance. The estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance and the information corresponding to the estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance are obtained by pre-light-emission processing. The estimated lens-focused subject distance is obtained from focus information through a lens. In a case of bounce light emission, in a case where the estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance is smaller than the estimated lens-focused subject distance, a distance made closer to the estimated lens-focused subject distance from the estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance by a predetermined amount is set as an estimated subject distance for adjusting the main light emission.

Abstract: An optical system includes an objective of the zoom type and a depth-estimating optical detecting unit, the depth-estimating optical detecting unit including a matrix array of micro-lenses and a matrix-array detector, the matrix array of micro-lenses being arranged so that the image of the focal plane of the zoom is focused by the matrix array of micro-lenses on the plane of the matrix-array detector. The optical system calculates, for a first focal length of the zoom and for a given object, the estimated distance of this object and the measurement uncertainty in this estimation, depending on the first focal length and the estimated distance and, this estimated distance being known, optimizes by allowing at least one second focal length of the zoom to which a lower measurement uncertainty in this estimation corresponds to be determined.

Abstract: A depth generation system with adjustable light intensity includes at least one light source, at least one image capturer, a depth map generator, and a controller. Each light source of the at least one light source is used for generating emitted light. Each image capturer of the at least one image capturer is used for capturing an image including at least one reflected light generated by at least one object reflecting the emitted light. The depth map generator is coupled to the each image capturer for generating a corresponding depth map according to the image or the at least one reflected light. The controller is coupled to the depth map generator for determining whether to adjust intensity of the emitted light according to information of the corresponding depth map or intensity of the at least one reflected light.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imager, an operator, and a controller. The operator sets an exposure correction value and a continuous shooting mode including a first continuous shooting mode and a second continuous shooting mode in which continuous shooting is performed at a higher speed than in the first continuous shooting mode. The controller is configured to determine whether the exposure correction value is within a predetermined range when the second continuous shooting mode is set in the operator. The controller is configured to perform the auto exposure control during continuous shooting operation in the second continuous shooting mode when determined that the exposure correction value is within the predetermined range. The controller is configured not to perform the auto exposure control during the continuous shooting operation in the second continuous shooting mode when determined that the exposure correction value is not within the predetermined range.

Abstract: Device (1) for manually measuring the frequency of vibrations on a tight drive belt (6, 6?, 6?), comprising a Doppler radar module (3) which uses a transmit antenna (4) for emitting a transmit beam (8) onto a vibrating surface of the drive belt (6, 6?, 6?) as well as a receive antenna (5) for receiving the receive beam (9) reflected by the surface and evaluates the receive beam (9) according to the Doppler principle, the vibration sensor (1) also comprising an acceleration sensor (10) in addition to the Doppler radar module (3), the signals of the acceleration sensor (10) being calculated along with the signals of the Doppler radar module, thus allowing some signals to be disregarded.

Abstract: A range finder determines a distance to a target to be read by image capture over a range of working distances. Near and far imagers can capture return light from the target over relatively wider and relatively narrower imaging fields of view, respectively. An illuminating light assembly illuminates the target with illumination light of variable intensity. A controller selects at least one of the imagers and energizes the illuminating light assembly to illuminate the target with illumination light having an intensity that is a function of the distance determined by the range finder.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided which comprises: an imaging unit 22 that captures an image through an optical system and outputs an image signal corresponding to the captured image; a focus detection unit 21 that uses the image signal as the basis to detect a focal state of the optical system at a plurality of focus detection positions set in an image plane of the optical system; a calculation unit 21 that calculates a limit value at a closing side of an aperture value of the optical system as a closing side limit value, the limit value corresponding to a focus detection position when the focus detection unit 21 performs focus detection; and a control unit 21 that, when the focus detection unit 21 performs focus detection, sets the aperture value of the optical system on the basis of the closing side limit value corresponding to the focus detection position for performing focus detection.

Abstract: An electronic device including a signal unit configured to emit a first radiated signal to a subject; a signal receiving unit configured to detect a reflected signal of the first radiated signal from the subject; and a controller configured to determine whether a distance to the subject is calculated based on the reflected signal of the first radiated signal, change a waveform of the first radiated signal when the distance is not calculated, cause the signal output unit to emit a second radiated signal with the changed waveform, detect, via the signal receiving unit, a reflected signal of the second radiated signal from the subject, and calculate the distance to the subject based on the reflected signal of the second radiated signal.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises a mobile stand, an articulating arm extending outwardly from the mobile stand, an illumination unit mounted on the articulating arm, and a camera mounted on the articulating arm. The camera is mounted on the interior of the illumination unit. The illumination unit is constructed to provide a clear field of view through the illumination unit.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a processor configured to control a flash unit in an exposure time period of an image sensor array, to provide a first non-zero light intensity in a first portion of the exposure time period and to provide a second non-zero fight intensity, different to the first light intensity, in a second portion of the exposure time period.

Abstract: Techniques related to anti-glare exposures for imaging devices and, in particular, for exposures that disable a flash when a flash reflecting surface is detected between the imaging device and an object of interest of the exposure are discussed. Such techniques may include determining a flash reflecting surface is between the imaging device and the object of interest based on a comparison of an autofocus distance to the object of interest and an estimated distance to the flash reflecting surface and disabling the flash based on the determination.

Abstract: There are provided a sodium-metal chloride secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the same. A secondary battery that is operated at room temperature and has a more stable electrochemical characteristic is provided. The present invention provides a sodium-metal chloride secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the same. The battery includes an anode made of a sodium-containing inorganic material, an electrolytic solution containing an electrolyte (NaAlCl4) and a solvent (sulfur dioxide), and a cathode including a carbon-based material in which NaCl is generated and decomposed according to an oxidation-reduction reaction of NaAlCl4-xSO2 and a metal chloride (CuCl2).

Abstract: When information associated with an object distance cannot be acquired, an image capture apparatus sets a condition required to determine a reference area used to determine weighting coefficients for respective photometry areas from a plurality of photometry areas, based on photometric values of the plurality of photometry areas obtained by making preliminary light emission.

Abstract: An optoelectronic distance measuring device is disclosed. The device has a transmitting unit with a driver stage for emitting optical pulses, a receiving unit for receiving a portion of the optical pulses, said portion being reflected from a target object, and converting it into an electrical reception signal, via a photosensitive electrical component. It also has an analog-digital converter for digitizing the reception signal, and an electronic evaluation unit to ascertain a distance from the target object on the basis of a signal propagation time using the digitized reception signal. The driver stage can be designed so that at least two pulse durations of different length for the optical pulses can be set.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for capturing an image having uniform illumination over a range of distances. The system may include a light source, a light sensing array, and an electronic circuit. The method may involve selecting a range of distances from the system, causing the light source to generate a light pulse with a modulated decay, and using the light sensing array to sense an integrated intensity of a reflected light pulse during an exposure time. The reflected light pulse may be provided by the generated light pulse reflecting from an object located at an object distance within the range of distances. The exposure time may be controlled based on the range of distances and the modulated decay such that the integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse is substantially independent of the object distance.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a flash unit, an image sensor and a computing unit. The image sensor captures at least one first image and a second image, and captures a third image with the flash unit. The computing unit mixes the first images and the second image to form a mixed image. Besides, the computing unit integrates the mixed image and the third image to form an integrated image.

Abstract: The invention provides a flash light device, which includes a light source, a light diffuser and a light diffuser's driving unit. The light diffuser's driving unit provides the light diffuser with a required driving voltage according to a voltage information, in which the voltage information is determined according to an original image without light-complementing of the light source and a pre-flash image with light-complementing of the light source.

Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling a light emission device. The control device includes a light metering unit configured to acquire respective light metering values from a plurality of light metering regions. The control device further includes a correction unit configured to correct information about a light metering value of a target region based on a result of comparison between the light metering value of the target region and the light metering value of the light metering region at the periphery of the target region among the plurality of light metering regions, the result being acquired by the light metering unit allowing the light emission device to perform pre-flashing. Also, a calculation unit is provided which is configured to calculate a main light emission amount of the light emission device based on the information about the light metering value corrected by the correction unit.

Abstract: A safety control method for a fan includes: capturing an image of an object next to the fan and gathering distances between a plurality of points on the object and a depth-sensing camera, obtaining the distance between the object in the scene and the fan, comparing the distance between the object and the fan against a first preset value, and cutting off power to the fan when the distance between the object and the fan is less than the first preset value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing an image on an electronic device having a flash comprising a first light source and a second light source is presented herein. A detection of a color spectrum of ambient light is made using image data sensed by an image sensor of a camera module. Additionally, a determination of an intensity of a first light when combined with an associated intensity of a second light results in a color spectrum that substantially matches the color spectrum of the ambient light. The flash emits a first light from the first light source of the flash and second light from the second light source of the flash. An image from a camera module is recorded during the emission of the first and second light.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a light source capable of illuminating a target scene and an adjustable light filter coupled with the light source, the adjustable light filter adapted to display a filter image, the filter image created to spatially filter the illumination based at least in part on at least one parameter.

Abstract: On a drive ring, a first cam and a second cam are formed. The first cam engages with a slider when a light emitting unit is in a stored state. The second cam releases engagement between the slider and the first cam to engage with the slider when the light emitting unit in the stored state is brought into the in-use state by a manual operation. When the light emitting unit is moved from the stored state to the in-use state by the manual operation, a gap is formed between the light emitting unit that becomes the stored state and the slider so that the light emitting unit moves from the stored state to the first state with a state in which the slider is in engagement with the first cam without moving.

Abstract: On a drive ring, a first flash lamp cam and a second flash lamp cam are formed. The first flash lamp cam engages with a flash unit to bring the flash unit into an in-use state when an imaging apparatus becomes a imaging state, and to bring the flash unit into a stored state when the imaging apparatus becomes a non-imaging state. If the flash unit is moved from the in-use state to the stored state by a manual operation, when the imaging apparatus is in the imaging state, the second flash lamp cam releases engagement between the flash unit and the first flash lamp cam to engage with the flash unit, and brings the imaging apparatus into the non-imaging state from the imaging state while maintaining the flash unit in the stored state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing an image on a mobile device having a flash comprising a red light source and a white light source is presented herein. A detection of a color spectrum of ambient light is made using image data sensed by an image sensor. Additionally, a determination of an intensity of red light when combined with an associated intensity of white light results in a color spectrum that substantially matches the color spectrum of the ambient light. The flash emits white light from the white light source of the flash and red light from the red light source of the flash. An image from a camera module is recorded during the emission of the white and red light.

Abstract: An image-capturing system includes: an image-capturing device that captures an image of a subject; and an illumination device that illuminates the subject. The image-capturing device includes a control unit that calculates a light quantity needed to illuminate the subject based upon at least, either an exposure time or an aperture value and image-capturing sensitivity. The illumination device includes a current-controlled light emission unit that emits light used to illuminate the subject and a light emission control unit that controls the light emission unit so as to emit light in the light quantity calculated by the control unit.

Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling a light emission device. The control device includes a light metering unit configured to acquire respective light metering values from a plurality of light metering regions. The control device further includes a correction unit configured to correct information about a light metering value of a target region based on a result of comparison between the light metering value of the target region and the light metering value of the light metering region at the periphery of the target region among the plurality of light metering regions, the result being acquired by the light metering unit allowing the light emission device to perform pre-flashing. Also, a calculation unit is provided which is configured to calculate a main light emission amount of the light emission device based on the information about the light metering value corrected by the correction unit.

Abstract: A method for capturing an improved archival image using an electronic image capture device having a flash, comprising: capturing at least two preview images of a scene at different capture times using the image capture device; determining a scene brightness; using a processor to analyze the captured preview images to determine a motion velocity for the scene; determining a flash exposure setting and an ambient exposure setting responsive to a ratio between the determined scene brightness and the determined motion velocity; and capturing an archival image using the determined flash exposure setting and the determined ambient exposure setting.

Abstract: An image capture device according to the present invention includes: an optical system for producing a subject's image; an imager with multiple photodiodes, which reads an electrical signal representing the intensity of light that has been incident on each photodiode from the photodiode, thereby generating an image signal representing the subject's image; a controller, which acquires sensitivity information by photometry in order to adjust the sensitivity of the imager to light and which selects one of multiple methods for reading the electrical signal from each photodiode according to the sensitivity information acquired; and a driver for driving the imager by the reading method selected. The multiple reading methods include a mixing reading method, by which the electrical signals supplied from the photodiodes are added together and then output.

Abstract: When the depth information indicating a difference among a plurality of subjects in the size of subject distance is large, an imaging apparatus lowers a threshold value of the subject luminance to be referred to when determining whether to perform a shooting operation with light emission by an illumination device.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method of controlling light intensity of a camera. The method of controlling light intensity of a camera includes generating a code value for correcting a positional error of the camera to store the positional error in a memory, and then, reflecting the code value for correcting the positional error to generate a code value upon auto-focusing. Next, after measuring a distance to a subject through displacement of a camera lens according to the auto-focusing, light intensity of a flash is adjusted according to the distance to the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image acquisition apparatus, in particular a camera, for the identification of objects, comprising a focusable optical receiving system and an illumination unit including an object illumination and/or positioning illumination, wherein the object illumination and/or positioning illumination is adjustable and can hereby be matched to the focus of the optical receiving system, and wherein the object illumination and/or positioning illumination is coupled to the optical receiving system such that an adjustment of the focus of the optical receiving system automatically effects a matching of the object illumination and/or positioning illumination to the adjusted focus.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including an LED camera flash includes a lens, which is for photographing an object, an image sensing unit, which generates a sensor result value by executing automatic exposure and automatic white balance, a flash module, which includes a flash driving unit that controls the LED camera flash, an actuator, which moves the lens and records a distance traveled by the lens, and a camera control module, which sets an exposure gain value by using the sensor result value, extracts a distance current value and a distance gain value by using position information of the lens that is determined by using the distance traveled by the lens, and controls the flash driving unit so as to adjust a brightness of the LED camera flash according to a gain correction value, which is set by using the exposure gain value, the distance current value and the distance gain value.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of executing photographing using an emission unit that emits light to a subject includes an acquisition unit for obtaining distance-to-subject information based on lens driving information on a taking lens obtained upon focus adjustment, a detection unit for detecting a face of the subject based on an image signal obtained upon image pickup, a distance calculation unit for calculating a distance to subject based on a result of detection by the detection unit, and an emission amount calculation unit for calculating an amount of main emission of the emission unit based on the distance-to-subject information obtained by the acquisition unit and the distance to subject calculated by the distance calculation unit.

Abstract: In an image-taking apparatus, a main CPU reads a sensitivity level that has been set, thereby determining whether a subject distance measured in AF processing is longer as compared to a threshold. The threshold is variable such that the higher the sensitivity level is the longer the threshold is. When the main CPU determines that the subject distance is longer as compared to the threshold, a metering/distance-measuring CPU causes a first light emitter having a xenon tube to emit light in response to an instruction from the main CPU. When the main CPU determines that the subject distance is shorter as compared to the threshold, the metering/distance-measuring CPU causes a second light emitter having an LED to emit light in response to an instruction from the main CPU.

Abstract: An image processing circuit/CPU performs AF processing in response to a halfway shutter operation and upon confirmation of a shooting shutter instruction causes a light emitting unit in a flash circuit to emit light, and decides an amount of light to be emitted at a shooting time based on a brightness component of an output signal of an imaging element, whereby a subject distance is calculated from the amount of light emitted at shooting time, and wherein, when the in-focus decision in the AF processing is negative, an optical lens is moved by a lens drive circuit to a position corresponding to the subject distance which has been acquired based on the amount of light emitted at the shooting time, and a shooting operation is then performed.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an image taking apparatus comprising a flash emission device, a flash control device which adjusts a flash emission amount at the time of image taking using flash, an automatic focusing device which automatically performs focusing of an image taking lens, a determination device which determines, based on data on focusing performed by the automatic focusing device, whether or not a shooting distance is shorter than a normal shooting distance range at the time of image taking using flash, and a sensitivity setting device which sets a camera sensitivity at the time of image taking using flash, the sensitivity setting device which sets a camera sensitivity lower than a standard camera sensitivity set in advance with respect to the normal shooting distance range if the determination device determines that the shooting distance is shorter.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus, for controlling actual flash amount at the time of exposure based on an amount of reflected light from a predetermined metering region of a screen, comprises a first screen dividing section for dividing the screen into a first region, constituting a candidate for the metering region, and a second region other than that by comparing first feature data of image data that has been acquired by performing pre-flash before actual flash and second feature data of image data taken without performing pre-flash, a second screen dividing section for dividing the screen into a third region, being a region of an image having a predetermined feature, and a fourth region other than that, an image evaluation section for evaluating whether to include in the metering region or remove from the metering region based on different evaluation criteria according to whether the image of the third region or the fourth region belongs to the first region, or belongs to the second region, and a flash amount con

Abstract: A flash controlling method is disclosed. The method includes: acquiring image data by photographing a subject; detecting a predetermined target object from the image data; calculating a distance to the predetermined target object based on a size of the detected predetermined target object; controlling an amount of flash light to be emitted based on the calculated distance; setting a predetermined threshold based on a reachable distance of the flash light; and inhibiting emission of the flash light when the calculated distance is larger than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image acquisition apparatus, in particular a camera, for the identification of objects, comprising a focusable optical receiving system and an illumination unit including an object illumination and/or positioning illumination, wherein the object illumination and/or positioning illumination is adjustable and can hereby be matched to the focus of the optical receiving system, and wherein the object illumination and/or positioning illumination is coupled to the optical receiving system such that an adjustment of the focus of the optical receiving system automatically effects a matching of the object illumination and/or positioning illumination to the adjusted focus.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus includes two-dimensionally arranged LEDs for emitting fill lights to eradiation areas. The image-taking apparatus also includes light-receiving sensors for respectively receiving reflected lights from the irradiation areas. The amount of the fill lights or the emission and ceasing of the fill lights are independently controlled so that a correct exposure can be obtained.

Abstract: A photographic illuminating device comprises a discharge-controlled illumination unit that emits illuminating light in response to a light emission instruction, a current-controlled illumination unit that emits illuminating light in response to a light emission instruction, a high voltage circuit that generates a high voltage needed for discharge light emission at the discharge-controlled illumination unit and a current control circuit that supplies to the current-controlled illumination unit a current needed for light emission at the current-controlled illumination unit by using the high voltage generated at the high voltage circuit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of executing photographing using an emission unit that emits light to a subject includes an acquisition unit for obtaining distance-to-subject information based on lens driving information on a taking lens obtained upon focus adjustment, a detection unit for detecting a face of the subject based on an image signal obtained upon image pickup, a distance calculation unit for calculating a distance to subject based on a result of detection by the detection unit, and an emission amount calculation unit for calculating an amount of main emission of the emission unit based on the distance-to-subject information obtained by the acquisition unit and the distance to subject calculated by the distance calculation unit.

Abstract: A measurement device has a light source, an imaging device, and a distance measuring section The distance measuring section obtains a distance between the imaging device and a person based on a presence of occurrence of a red-eye effect at an eye of the person in an image in which the person irradiated with an illumination light emitted from the light source is imaged by the imaging device, and a distance between an optical axis of the imaging device and the light source.