Abstract: A device may determine whether a user input for capturing a view is triggered and automatically frame a plurality of images of the view when the user input is determined to be triggered by repeatedly determining a zoom value for an image, optically zooming the view based on the zoom value, and capturing the zoomed view as the image.

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

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a camera function including a zoom function by which an image of a subject is photographed in zoom steps so that the image is magnified or reduced. The method comprises the steps of detecting a distance between the subject and a camera, if a shutter key for photographing an image of the subject in a mode for photographing the subject in full size of a screen of a display section is input, regulating the magnification of the zoom in a zoom step stored in advance, corresponding to the detected distance, and photographing the image of the subject in a regulated magnification of the zoom. The optimum zoom step is automatically regulated according to the distance between the subject and the camera, and the image of the subject can be photographed in the full size of the screen of the display section without regulating the zoom directly.

Abstract: AF lens position determination systems and methods. The system comprises an anti-dazzling screen, a sensor and a processing module. The anti-dazzling screen comprises first and second areas. The length of a respective covered sub-area in the first area is a first distance, and the length of a respective uncovered sub-area in the first area increases progressively from the center to a first border of the anti-dazzling screen. The length of a respective uncovered sub-area in the second area is a second distance, and the length of a respective covered sub-area in the second area increases progressively from the center to a second border of the anti-dazzling screen. The sensor moves within a range, and generates high and low signals based on the anti-dazzling screen. The processing module determines the position of an AF lens according to the signals generated by the sensor.

Abstract: An image taking device has a multifocal lens which changes its focal length to change the image taking area on a subject from which an image is to be taken by an image pickup sensor, a distance sensor for measuring the distance to the subject, an image taking distance buffer unit for temporarily storing the image taking distance measured at a past time, a focal length computation unit which computes the focal length of the multifocal lens on the basis of the image taking distance at the present time measured by the distance sensor and the image taking distance supplied from the mage taking distance buffer unit, and a focus control unit which controls the focal length of the multifocal lens so that the focal length of the multifocal lens equals the focal length computed by the focal length computation unit.

Abstract: A digital camera is provided with a photographing lens, an image capturing element, which is configured to capture an optical image of an object formed by the photographing lens, a coarse movement control system configured to control a position of the photographing lens in a direction of an optical axis by a motor, and a fine movement control system configured to control a position of an image receiving area of the image capturing element in the direction of the optical axis is provided.

Abstract: In an automatic focusing device generating a luminance signal by scanning a picked-up digital image signal, evaluating the contrast of the luminance signal, and driving its focusing based on the evaluation; the scanning includes at least a part where scan is performed in a zigzag-like manner. With this configuration, focusing is facilitated for an object having no high frequency components in the horizontal direction. This invention can be understood as an invention of a method.

Abstract: This invention provides a technique of stably focusing on a major object without any sense of discomfort regardless of differences in lens unit type in a camera body on which a lens unit can be detachably mounted. For this purpose, the type of lens unit connected to the camera is determined. Cutoff frequencies are then set for a low-pass filter and high-pass filter on the basis of the determination result. With regard to frequency component data in predetermined area of an image sensor, a peak hold circuit, integrator, and difference peak hold circuit each generate evaluate value information. A camera microcomputer transmits the obtained evaluate value information to a lens microcomputer in the lens unit.

Abstract: A device may receive a background image, capture the background image, receive a subject image, modify the background image, superimpose the modified background image on the subject image to obtain a composite image, display the composite image, and capture the subject image.

Abstract: An image taking device (100) capable of taking an image by directly reflecting an image-taking idea while avoiding alienation of zooming from other kinds of camera work has a multifocal lens (101) which changes its focal length to change the image taking area on a subject (300) from which an image is to be taken by an image pickup sensor (102), a distance sensor (104) for measuring the distance (image taking distance D) to the subject (300), an image taking distance buffer unit (105) for temporarily storing the image taking distance Di?1 measured at a past time Ti?1, a focal length computation unit (106) which computes the focal length F of the multifocal lens (101) on the basis of the image taking distance Di at the present time Ti measured by the distance sensor (104) and the image taking distance Di?1 supplied from the mage taking distance buffer unit (105), and a focus control unit (107) which controls the focal length of the multifocal lens (101) so that the focal length of the multifocal lens (101) equa

Abstract: A zoom tracking method for digital camera is disclosed. The method comprises storing a position table comprising data of several zoom position curves respect to positions of a focus lens and move the focus lens position by looking up said position table while moving a zoom lens position. The curves are divided into a first linear region, a second linear region and a nonlinear region to reduce the table size while still achieving good image quality.

Abstract: A projection system may include a lamp irradiating a light, an illumination unit providing a plurality of lenses on light paths, a composition unit providing an image by separating/composing the light, a projecting lens projecting the light composed in the composition unit to a screen, a cool air injection guide provided to one side of the composition unit for guiding an air injection port to be injected into the composition unit, and an injection port guide interposed on a contact portion of the cool air injection guide and the composition unit. The injection port guide may be formed in plate-shape. An injection port may be formed on the injection port guide to eject the air to the composition unit. A fan may be formed on other side of the composition unit for transmitting a negative pressure to the side of the composition unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an auto focusing apparatus and method for a camera. The auto focusing apparatus includes an image sensor unit, an Image Signal Processor (ISP) unit, a compression module, a focus value calculating unit, and an auto focus Digital Signal Processor (DSP).

Abstract: An automatic focusing module (100) includes a lens barrel (10), a first lens (11), a piezoelectric element (14), and a deformably adjustable lens (13). The first lens is disposed in the lens barrel. The piezoelectric element is installed in the lens barrel. The piezoelectric element is connected to a piezoelectric circuit. The deformably adjustable lens is disposed in the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens barrel, an imaging system arranged therein; a movable part having a movable lens, moved in an optical axis with respect to the lens barrel; a linear actuator for moving the movable part in the optical axis direction; and a biasing plate spring having a holding section that holds the movable part, spring sections that can be resiliently deformed and bias the movable part in the optical axis direction, and attached sections that are attached to the lens barrel, the thickness direction of the plate spring coinciding with the optical axis, wherein the holding section of the biasing plate spring is formed into a circular arc; and at least a portion of the spring sections of the plate spring are formed into a shape extending in a direction substantially along the holding section on the outer peripheral side of the holding section.

Abstract: A digital imaging device automatically detects that a subject is too close to the device for acceptable focus to be achieved and informs the user, takes automatic corrective action, or both.

Abstract: A digital camera module (100) with an auto-focusing function is adapted for use in a foldable electronic device. The digital camera module includes a lens mount (10), a lens barrel (20), a voice coil actuator (40), and an image pick-up module (50). The lens barrel receives at least one lens (24) therein and is mounted on/in the lens mount. The lens barrel is made of a composite material including a magnetic metallic nano-powder. The voice coil actuator is adapted for cooperating with the lens barrel to form a magnetic loop. The image pick-up module is disposed under the lens mount and is configured for receiving an image from the at least one lens and converting that image to an electrical signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for dynamically determining a zoom-level to display to a user of a mapping application executing on a mobile device. The method comprises the following steps. The zoom-level is determined in accordance with at least one predefined parameter. The at least one predefined parameter is monitored for detecting a change. A new zoom-level corresponding with the detected change is determined. Lastly, the zoom-level of the mapping application is changed to the new zoom-level. A mobile device and computer-readable medium configured to implement the method are also provided.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly includes an optical system forming an optical axis and having at least one lens group, a base member (1), a macro ring member (2) rotatably engaged with the base member for accomplishing both zooming and focusing operations, a lens holder (3) received in the macro ring member and having the at least one lens group received therein, a resilient member (4) compressively engaged with the lens holder, and an interengaging means (13, 21; 16, 25) provided between the macro ring member and the base member. The macro ring member has a driving member (22, 27) disposed thereon for manual manipulating. When the driving member is manipulated, the macro ring member is rotated and moved along the optical axis relative to the base member by the action of the interengaging means, and thus the focal length of the optical system is varied for effecting both normal photography and macro photography.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, once the mode setting device sets the person photographing mode, and the face zooming instruction device instructs zooming to the face of the person, the detection device detects the size of the face of the person captured by the image pickup device. The zooming device is then controlled so as to capture the face of the person in a certain size based on the detection result. Subsequently, the photographer instructs zooming in the telephoto direction or the wide direction using the zooming instruction device as necessary to thereby allow fine adjustment of the composition. This enables to easily and quickly photograph an image in a user's desired composition.

Abstract: A device may determine whether a user input for capturing a view is triggered and automatically frame a plurality of images of the view when the user input is determined to be triggered by repeatedly determining a zoom value for an image, optically zooming the view based on the zoom value, and capturing the zoomed view as the image.

Abstract: Provided is a camera self-calibration method that calculates a focal length of a fixed zoom lens camera from a correspondence point position between images. In the method, a cost function, which is a function of a focal length, is defined, and a focal length that minimizes the defined cost function is obtained to obtain a focal length that allows 3D recovery results of correspondence points calculated from all image pairs coincide with one another. Therefore, reliability of the calculated focal length can be easily verified, and the focal length of the camera can be stably calculated even when the position of input correspondence point is inaccurately given.

Abstract: A method is provided for computing a composite image representing a focused image of an object in an application of machine vision in an optical inspection system. An image tessellated into focus regions is evaluated by region for fine feature sharpness. A sharpness image is computed for each focused region using a fine feature sharpness measurement. A focused composite image is computed by combining as a weighted average, the images at several focus settings, using the sharpness image at each focus setting as the weight. The focused composite image can be further analyzed, inspected, or otherwise processed.

Abstract: A CPU of a lens system obtains contents of a speed control and a position control as a controller signal from a zoom controller. The speed control is based on an operation of a thumb ring which is instructed in a zoom controller, and the position control is based on a shot function or a limit function. These controls and a control based on a view angle correction function are executed by a process of the CPU, which follows a pre-set determination process; whereby, for example, an angle correction that was impossible to perform in a conventional art can be done after moving a zoom lens to a shot position based on the shot function. In a case that a rate control signal of the zoom lens that is provided from the zoom controller indicates stopping, the CPU fixes a position signal of the zoom lens that is outputted to the zoom controller to a position signal indicating a stopping position.

Abstract: A method of setting a web camera mode for a portable composite device is disclosed. In the portable composite device having an interface connectable with a personal computer and a zoom lens, the web camera mode setting method includes determining whether the present mode is a web camera mode in which the personal computer is connected to the interface and the device is used as a web camera, setting the zoom lens to a wide-angle mode on the basis of a preset value if the present mode is in the web camera mode, and providing an image signal corresponding to an image picked up by the zoom lens set to the wide-angle mode to the personal computer through the interface. According to the method, a user can directly use the portable composite device such as a camcorder as a web camera without any separate manipulation.

Abstract: A camera, at power-on, determines elapsed time since power-off. The camera restores at least one control setting to a persistent value when the elapsed time is less than a predetermined threshold. The camera restores the at least one control setting to a default value when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera is provided with a determining device that determines a plurality of positions of a lens group or an imaging surface of a CCD for focusing on a plurality of subjects in a subject image, an AF motor that sequentially moves the lens group or the imaging surface of the CCD to the determined positions, and a shooting device that performs shootings when the lens group or the imaging surface of the CCD is at the positions.

Abstract: A camera includes: a distance measuring device for measuring an object distance; a photometry device for measuring an object brightness; a mode setting device for setting a self portrait photographic mode to set a photographic condition appropriate for photographing a photographer oneself holding the camera; and a controller for controlling to perform photographing without conducting at least one of the measurement by the distance measuring device and the measurement by the photometry device when the self portrait photographic mode is set by the mode setting device.

Abstract: The autofocus apparatus has a first mode of shifting a focus lens at a fine step interval so as to sample an AF evaluation value, and for detecting an in-focus position on the basis of a sampling AF evaluation value; and a second mode of shifting the focus lens at a coarse step interval so as to sample an AF evaluation value, and detecting a rough in-focus position on the basis of the sampling AF evaluation value, and subsequently, shifting the focus lens at a fine step interval so as to sample an AF evaluation value in the vicinity of the rough in-focus position, and detecting an in-focus position on the basis of the sampling AF evaluation value, and further, can select the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: Four lenses having a common optical axis are provided in a lens barrel 17 composing an image-forming optical system. The four lenses are termed G1, G2, G3, and G4 from the light source side first and have positive, negative, positive, and positive components, respectively. The lenses G1 and G2 have high error sensitivities, while the lenses G3 and G4 have relatively low error sensitivities. The lenses G1, G2, and G3 are held by a first lens barrel made of metal having a low thermal expansion coefficient, while the lens G4 is held by a second lens barrel made of resin having a high thermal expansion coefficient. On the other hand, an image pickup element is held by a third lens barrel made of metal having a low thermal expansion coefficient. The first lens barrel is adhered to and held by the second lens barrel, while the third lens barrel is joined to and held by the second lens barrel. Each of the first and third lens barrels is attached to the second lens barrel.

Abstract: In this camera, a non-operation continuation time of a camera operation switch in a lens barrel extended state is clocked, the extended state of the lens barrel is checked when the continuation time exceeds a predetermined first reference time shorter than the continuation time. The lens barrel is immediately extended when the lens barrel is extended to a tele-end position. When the lens barrel is not located at the tele-end position, the camera waits until the continuation time exceeds a predetermined second reference time longer than the continuation time, and the lens barrel is withdrawn to a collapse position. According to the camera, a photographic lens whose focal length can be changed or varied is automatically withdrawn at an appropriate time, lens frames are sufficiently protected, and the lens barrel can be prevented from being unnecessarily collapsed without missing the moment for a good picture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a zoom lens having a controller which controls driving of a zoom portion, based on input of zoom control information, and which controls driving of the zoom portion while calculating a target drive state (zoom position) of the zoom portion in order to effect correction for variation in an angle of view with driving of a focus portion. In the present invention the lens of this type is constructed to determine whether the input of the zoom control information is information about the target drive state of the zoom portion (for example, whether the zoom control information is information about the zoom drive state of the zoom portion or information about driving speed of the zoom portion).

Abstract: A lens driving control apparatus for a zoom lens includes a zooming operation member for operating a zoom part of the zoom lens, a focusing operation member for operating a focusing lens part of the zoom lens, and a control circuit for driving and controlling the zoom part. The control circuit computes information about driving of the zoom part for substantially preventing a change of angle of view resulting from movement of the focusing lens part, on the basis of an operation signal of the zooming operation member and an operation signal of the focusing operation member or a position signal of the focusing lens part and a position signal of the zoom part, and drives and controls the zoom part in accordance with the computed information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a zoom lens apparatus used with a television camera and provides an apparatus constructed in such structure that, on the occasion of limiting an angle of view, a zoom state set and manipulated by a photographer is converted to information about an angle of view, the angle of view is compared with a limit angle of view, and the angle of view is prevented from exceeding the limit angle of view.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a varifocal lens including a zoom lens system driven by a motor and by a zoom lens drive control section and a focusing lens system driven by a motor and by a focusing lens drive control section for performing focusing before the zoom lens system is driven or while the zoom lens system is being driven. The camera is also provided with a lens switch sensor for determining whether an operation member for starting an exposure operation has been operated and a body control section and a lens control section for halting the driving of the zoom lens system when it is determined that the operation member has been operated by the sensor to re-start the driving of the focusing lens system.

Abstract: A lens driving control apparatus for a zoom lens includes a zooming operation member for operating a zoom part of the zoom lens, a focusing operation member for operating a focusing lens part of the zoom lens, and a control circuit for driving and controlling the zoom part. The control circuit computes information about driving of the zoom part for substantially preventing a change of angle of view resulting from movement of the focusing lens part, on the basis of an operation signal of the zooming operation member and an operation signal of the focusing operation member or a position signal of the focusing lens part and a position signal of the zoom part, and drives and controls the zoom part in accordance with the computed information.

Abstract: A level conversion circuit as a semiconductor integrated circuit has a first load resistance (R1), a second load resistance (R2), a first NMOS transistor (MN3) and a second NMOS transistor (MN4) connected to them (R1 and R2) in parallel, respectively, that are driven directly by positive CMOS level signals, a first bipolar transistor (Q1), and a second bipolar transistor (Q2). Both emitters of the first and second bipolar transistors (Q1 and Q2) are connected commonly, and a voltage potential that is lower than a voltage potential of a collector of the first bipolar transistor (Q1) by a predetermined voltage potential is supplied into a base of the second bipolar transistor (Q2).

Abstract: An optical system controlling apparatus includes a plurality of lenses for varying an optical characteristic, a plurality of driving parts for driving the plurality of lenses, respectively, a plurality of sensors for detecting the respective states of drive of the plurality of lenses, and a controlling circuit for driving each of the driving parts on the basis of detection information provided by the sensor and controlling each of the lenses during a steady state, the controlling circuit being capable of performing initialization for the respective lenses by parallel processing during an initial state before the steady state is established.

Abstract: Photographing operation of a camera is possible in an automatic program zoom mode in which focal length of a photographing lens is automatically determined based on a prescribed program, and in a manual zoom mode in which focal length of the photographing lens is determined dependent on user's preference. When a switch for starting operation of the camera is turned ON, the automatic program zoom mode is automatically set from the two modes.

Abstract: The apparatus is designed to adjust the zoom magnification control of a camera having a variable-magnification device, and includes a camera optical system for converting a scene into an image, a view finder for displaying said image to a user, a zoom control for changing the focal length of the lens, a detector coupled to the view finder for detecting a zoom condition of the user's face, and an analysis system for analyzing the detected zoom condition and for generating an input signal to the zoom control to change the focal length of the lens as a function of the zoom condition of the user's face.The method includes the steps of converting a scene into an image using a camera optical system; displaying the image to a user; detecting a zoom condition of the user's face with a zoom-condition detector; analyzing the detected zoom condition of the user's face; and generating an input signal to a zoom control for changing the focal length of the lens as a function of the zoom condition of the user's face.

Abstract: An image magnification control device for a camera. Control focal length required to maintain an image magnification constant is computed based upon defocus information detected by analyzing a light that passes through a photographic lens. In case a focal length of the photographic lens moves out of a range wherein the set image magnification can be obtained, various options, such as a shutter-release lock operation, can be executed depending upon the chosen design of the camera.

Abstract: An improved hybrid camera is provided for capturing an image photographically on film and electronically on an electronic sensor in which the image captured by the electronic sensor may be electronically cropped to match the image captured on the film. The camera includes a first lens having multiple focal lengths and a second lens having two selectable focal lengths. The image is focused through the first lens onto the film to capture the image photographically, while the image is focused through the second lens on an electronic sensor to capture at least the image electronically. A controller in the camera selects the focal length of the second lens to maximize the resolution of the portion of the image captured on the electronic sensor which matches the image captured on the film. The image captured on the electronic sensor may be cropped by the controller to match the image captured on the film.

Abstract: An initial position of a variable focus lens is set substantially halfway between a wide and a telephotographing end. Thus, just after the initial position is set by turning on a power switch, both the wide photographing and the telephotographing can be performed quickly. The instantaneous change of a moving object can be quickly photographed in a desired visual field. In the present invention, a composition at the initial position which is set by turning on the power switch is not so different from a composition at the wide photographing side or the telephotographing side. Therefore the user is not confused by any composition during photographing.

Abstract: In a zoom lens system in which the movement locus of a focusing lens unit is defined by synthesizing a focus cam and a zoom compensation cam, when the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of the optical axis, of the focusing lens unit in a closest in-focus state is larger than that in an infinity in-focus state, the ratio of the amount of rotation for focusing upon focusing from the infinity position to the closest distance position to the amount of rotation for zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end in the focus cam is set to fall within a predetermined range, so that the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of rotation, of the focusing lens unit satisfies a specific condition.

Abstract: In a zoom lens system in which the movement locus of a focusing lens unit is defined by synthesizing a focus cam and a zoom compensation cam, and the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of the optical axis, of the focusing lens unit in infinity and closest in-focus states does not vary so much, the ratio of the amount of rotation for focusing upon focusing from the infinity position to the closest distance position to the amount of rotation for zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end in the focus cam is set to fall within a predetermined range, so that the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of rotation, of the focusing lens unit satisfies a specific condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical camera having a zoom function in which a focal length can be varied or the variation is actuated by a focal length changing member, and in particular to a camera in which a focal length is varied through a motor.The optical camera has a zoom lens operable by a rotatable zoom ring for changing the focal length thereof. An automatic focusing operation is effected by a control means when the focal length is changed so that an image of an object viewed through a viewfinder remains in focus. The zoom lens can include a motor and an in-exposure zoom control means can be provided for controlling zooming movement of the lens during an exposure operation.

Abstract: In a zoom lens system in which the movement locus of a focusing lens unit is defined by synthesizing a focus cam and a zoom compensation cam, when the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of the optical axis, of the focusing lens unit in a closest in-focus state is larger than that in an infinity in-focus state, the ratio of the amount of rotation for focusing upon focusing from the infinity position to the closest distance position to the amount of rotation for zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end in the focus cam is set to fall within a predetermined range, so that the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of rotation, of the focusing lens unit satisfies a specific condition.

Abstract: There is provided a zoom lens of an inner focusing system which is capable of an auto-focusing operation and a manual focusing operation with a high precision.A zoom lens system in which a movement locus of a focusing lens unit is defined by synthesizing a focus cam and a zoom compensation cam is arranged such that a ratio of an amount of rotation for focusing from infinity to closest to an amount of rotation for zooming from wide angle to telephoto in the focus cam is set within a predetermined range so that, when the sensitivity of a movement of an imaging point with respect to a movement of the focusing lens unit in the direction of the optical axis in the closest in-focus state is larger than that in the infinity in-focus state, the sensitivity of the movement of the imaging point with respect to the movement of the focusing lens unit in the rotational direction satisfies specific conditions.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjustment device which accurately performs end point detection of the range of movement of a photographic lens to smoothly drive the photographic lens completely to a focus position. The automatic focus adjustment device includes a defocus amount detection device to detect a position deviation of the image position of a subject formed by the photographic lens from an image forming plane. An actuation amount necessary to drive the photographic lens by the detected defocus amount is calculated. An actual actuation amount decision device decides whether the actual actuation amount output to drive the lens is within a permissible range predetermined for the drive.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a varifocal lens including a zoom lens system driven by a motor and by a zoom lens drive control section and a focusing lens system driven by a motor and by a focusing lens drive control section for performing focusing before the zoom lens system is driven or while the zoom lens system is being driven. The camera is also provided with a lens switch sensor for determining whether an operation member for starting an exposure operation has been operated or not and a body control section and a lens control section for halting the driving of the zoom lens system when it is determined that the operation member has been operated by the sensor to re-start the driving of the focusing lens system.