Abstract: A focus detection device, comprising an image sensor, and that performs focus detection by calculating evaluation values representing contrast based on an image signal, while executing a scan operation of the image sensor, comprising a positional change detection circuit for detecting positional change of the focus detection device, and a processor having a running time setting section and a control section, wherein the running time setting section sets running time to restrict focus movement range of the scan operation based on the positional change, and the control section performs focus detection by restricting focus movement rage of the scan operation based on the running time.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an obtainment unit configured to obtain defocus amounts at a plurality of positions within an image capturing range of the image capturing apparatus, and an output unit configured to obtain information instructing a rotation of the image capturing apparatus based on a difference between defocus amounts that the obtainment unit obtained, and output the obtained information.

Abstract: A focus adjustment device comprising: a first detector which detects a focused state by a contrast detection system; second detectors which detect a focused state by a phase difference detection system; and a control unit which controls the first detector and second detectors so as to detect the focused state by the second detectors when detecting the focused state by the first detector.

Abstract: Provided is a solid state imaging device including: a pixel array in which pixels are disposed on a matrix; an iris authenticator that extracts iris information to be used in an iris authentication process, from image data obtained from the pixel array through photoelectric conversion; and an imaging condition controller that performs control to set an imaging condition in obtaining the image data for the iris authentication process, by using information obtained in a process of extracting the iris information.

Abstract: There is provided a lens unit equipped with multiple focus lenses provided inside a lens barrel, multiple actuators corresponding to the respective multiple focus lenses and configured to move each of the multiple focus lenses inside the lens barrel, and a control circuit configured to control movement of the multiple focus lenses according to different rules between a case of a position of each of the multiple focus lenses being inside a designated range of satisfactory optical performance, and a case of being outside the range.

Abstract: Provided is a controller for automatically providing centered and zoomed-in focus to different features in an image based on a single user input provided on or near those features. The controller may receive an image that is centered on a first point and that is presented at a first zoom depth, and may detect a feature at a different second point in the image. The controller may define a selectable region that extends beyond a border of the feature, and may detect a single user input issued outside the border of the feature, but within the selectable region. In response to the single user input, the controller may center the image on the second point of the feature, and may increase from the first zoom depth to a second zoom depth in order to enlarge view of the feature.

Abstract: Electronic devices are often equipped with a camera for capturing video content and/or a display for displaying video content. However, amateur users often capture video content without regard to composition, framing, or camera movement, resulting in video content that can be jarring or confusing to viewers. There is a need to automate the processing and presentation of video content in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The embodiments described herein provide a method of automatically cropping video content for presentation on a display.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of further reducing the unpleasant feeling caused by the disturbance of the display of the virtual object, the information processing apparatus including: a prediction accuracy estimation unit that estimates a degree of prediction accuracy related to prediction of a position or a posture of a real object; and an output control unit that outputs information for causing a display unit to display a virtual object corresponding to the real object on a basis of an estimation result of the prediction accuracy estimation unit.

Abstract: A control apparatus (100) includes a focus detection unit (101) that detects a defocus amount, a control unit (102) that automatically changes a parameter relating to a tracking operation during the tracking operation depending on an image capturing state, and a focusing unit (103) that preforms focusing based on the defocus amount and the parameter.

Abstract: A system for measuring movement of a structural component of a structure includes a projector which directs a laser or other trackable beam from an origin having a fixed location relative to the structure to a target surface configured to be fixed to the structural component. The beam strikes the target surface to produce a trackable spot at an incidence location on the target surface. A camera coupled to the target surface tracks the position of the incidence location as it moves on the target surface over time in response to relative movement between the structural component and the origin. A computer processor receives data from the camera and calculates the magnitude of movement of the structural component relative to the origin.

Abstract: An imaging control device includes: a first location estimator that estimates a future location of a vehicle using an advancing direction, velocity vector, or route data of the vehicle; a surface estimator that estimates a rate of change in the road surface height in the advancing direction or the road surface state at the future location, using surface information for estimating the road surface shape or state at the future location, detected by a sensor, or an image of the road surface at the future location, captured by an imaging device; a modifier that modifies a parameter of the imaging device according to the rate of change in the road surface height in the advancing direction or the road surface state; and a controller that causes the imaging device of the vehicle to perform imaging using the modified parameter, at a timing at which the vehicle passes the future location.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an object has a metering image sensor that comprises a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels is matrix-arrayed along vertical and horizontal directions. The apparatus also has an image sensor driver that drives the metering image sensor, which reads image-pixel signals of neighboring pixels among the plurality of pixels while mixing the image-pixel signals. The apparatus also has a pixel addition setting processor that sets a number of pixel addition of the metering image sensor with respect to at least one of at least one row and at least one column. The pixel addition setting processor sets different numbers of pixel addition to different pixel areas. The apparatus also has an exposure controller that controls an exposure of the metering image sensor and the photography image sensor.

Abstract: A focus control device includes: a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to implement: an area setting process that sets a plurality of areas to a captured image that has been captured by an imaging section, each of the plurality of areas including a plurality of pixels; an object distance information calculation process that calculates distance information about a distance to an object that is captured within each of the plurality of areas; and a focus control process based on the distance information, wherein the processor implements the focus control process that performs a classification process that classifies the plurality of areas into a plurality of groups, and performs the focus control process based on area information about each of the plurality of groups.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus includes a first setting unit configured to set a first focus detection area and a second focus detection area, a first focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection of a phase difference detection method on each of the first and second focus detection areas by using the pair of parallax image signals, a reliability acquisition unit configured to obtain reliability of the focus detection of the first and second focus detection areas by the first focus detection unit, a second setting unit configured to determine a third focus detection area by using the reliability of the focus detection of the first and second focus detection areas, obtained by the reliability acquisition unit, and a second focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection by using the third focus detection area.

Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus includes a circuit. The circuit is configured to determine a defocus value based on an output of an image sensor to calculate a position where the focus lens attains focus as a target position; detect a focal distance of the photographing lens; store the target position, which is calculated based on an output from a detection operation by the image sensor, in association with the focal distance at the time of the detection operation; determine a reference focal distance and calculate a corrected target position by correcting the stored target position so as to correspond to the reference focal distance; calculate a predicted position by performing moving object prediction calculation based on the corrected target position; and move the focus lens based on the predicted position.

Abstract: A camera system, a camera body, and a communication method capable of satisfactorily acquiring lens information necessary for image processing or the like for a frame of a video from an interchangeable lens are provided. Three-wire serial communication is performed in which a request signal is transmitted to the interchangeable lens in synchronization with a synchronization signal (VSYNC) of an imaging element in a video recording mode, and a response signal is received from the interchangeable lens. In a communication mode in the video recording mode, the number of transmissions of a first request signal relating to acquisition of lens information such as a focus position, a diaphragm value, and a zoom position is limited. Accordingly, communication other than communication relating to acquisition of lens information can be performed in a period of one frame.

Abstract: An imaging element is configured by arranging a plurality of light receiving elements with respect to each micro lens. A second PD selecting/composing unit has a mode for generating right-eye image data and left-eye image data from the output signal of the imaging element. A phase difference detecting unit detects a phase difference from right-eye image data and left-eye image data. A movement detecting unit detects the movement of an object from right-eye image data or left-eye image data. A CPU calculates an object position based on both the result of phase difference detection and the result of movement detection and drives a focus lens via a driving unit to thereby control focus adjustment.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: a focus detection unit; a mirror movable between a first position where the mirror is inserted in an imaging light path a second position where the mirror is withdrawn from the imaging light path; and a calculation unit configured to predict a moving amount of a subject on the basis of a history of focus detection result and calculate an in-focus position using the predicted moving amount. In a case of continuously performing first and second image shootings, the calculation unit performs the prediction for the second image shooting before the mirror finishes moving from the second position in the first image shooting to the first position, and the focus detection unit continues charge accumulation until the mirror starts to move from the first position to the second position for the first image shooting.

Abstract: An imaging device which includes an imaging element having a phase difference detection pixel, and which performs autofocus using AF areas each including a plurality of sub-areas, the imaging device comprising: a calculation section configured to perform correlation calculation based on a focus detection signal corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-areas and output a degree of reliability; an AF area selection section configured to select an AF area including a large number of sub-areas in each of which the degree of reliability calculated corresponding to the plurality of sub-areas is higher; a moving body prediction calculation section configured to perform moving body prediction calculation using distance measurement data that is calculated by the correlation calculation based on a focus detection signal of the selected AF area; and a focus control section configured to perform focus adjustment based on a result of the moving body prediction calculation.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes a focus lens that focuses on an object as to form an object image from the object, an image sensor that captures the object image as to produce image data, and a controller that controls the focus lens. The controller determines a tracking range based on a position of a particular object. The controller causes the focus lens to focus on a certain object when the certain object is located in the tracking range. The controller does not cause the focus lens to focus on the certain object when the certain object is located out of the tracking range. The controller determines whether or not the position of the particular object changes. The controller updates the tracking range in response to the position of the particular object if determining that the position of the particular object changes. The controller maintains the tracking range if determining that the position of the particular object does not change.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus includes a target position calculator for calculating a focus lens target position based on a defocus amount obtained based on the signal of focus detector of a phase difference detecting type and a focus lens position, a target position memory for storing the target position, a speed calculator for calculating an object speed in an optical axis direction based on a present target position, the previous target position, and time period between calculations of present target position and prior target position, and a lens controller for setting, when the object speed changes, a focus lens drive speed based on the present target position, the focus lens position and the object speed and setting, when the object speed does not change, the focus lens drive speed based on a present drive speed, a present defocus amount, and a previous defocus amount.

Abstract: A focus detecting device that addresses unstableness in frame rate by performing optimal focus detection depending on a frame rate setting, an AF frame selection setting, and a shooting speed priority/focus priority setting is provided. A focus adjusting device includes means for storing an object signal in an AF sensor; focus detecting means for detecting a defocus amount from the object signal; and focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus of an image taking lens based on the defocus amount. The focus adjusting device also includes a readout time adjusting means for adjusting processing of waiting for a predetermined time since the AF sensor starts storing until the object signal is read out.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus for performing an Auto Focusing (AF) function and a method for controlling thereof, the method including: measuring vibration degrees of the digital photographing apparatus; determining based on the measured vibration degrees whether a time is right before an AF operation is performed; if the time is right before the AF operation is performed, performing a preceding AF operation of determining a moving direction of a focus lens by moving the focus lens; and if a first shutter release button is pressed, performing a subsequent AF operation of moving the focus lens in the determined moving direction. Accordingly, an AF operation time (from after a user pushes a shutter) may be reduced by decreasing a moving distance of a focus lens and the number of direction changes by recognizing a behavior pattern of the user through vibration transition measured by a vibration detection sensor.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which changes focal point adjustment by a focal point adjusting unit in accordance with the panning state detected by a panning detecting unit and a focal point state detected by a focal point detecting unit.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus which captures an object image formed by an imaging lens, comprises a focus detection unit which detects a focus position of the object image at a plurality of positions on an image sensing plane, a prediction unit which stores the past output from the focus detection unit, and predicts a locus of the focus position of the object image based on the stored output, thereby predicting the focus position of the object image at a predetermined time instant, a detection unit which detects a shift of the object image on the image sensing plane, and a control unit which changes the output from the prediction unit based on the output from the detection unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which changes focal point adjustment by a focal point adjusting unit in accordance with the panning state detected by a panning detecting unit and a focal point state detected by a focal point detecting unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a focus lens; an imaging device; a movement detecting unit that detects the movement of an image on the basis of a difference between a plurality of image data which is output from the imaging device in time series; an estimating unit that estimates the movement of an object or a photographer on the basis of the movement of the image detected by the movement detecting unit; a movement range setting unit that sets a movement range of the focus lens on the basis of the movement of the object or the photographer estimated by the estimating unit; and a focus position detecting unit that moves the focus lens in an optical axis direction in the movement range set by the movement range setting unit and detects a focus position where the focus lens is focused on the position of the object of the image.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which changes focal point adjustment by a focal point adjusting unit in accordance with the panning state detected by a panning detecting unit and a focal point state detected by a focal point detecting unit.

Abstract: A subject is tracked during continuous shooting, and the degree of reliability of the tracking result is determined. When it is determined that the degree of reliability of the tracking result is high, control values of exposure used to capture an image of the previous frame are configured as those used to capture an image of the next frame, thereby omitting calculation of control values of exposure. Upon this operation, in an image capture apparatus having a continuous shooting function, and a method of controlling the same, suppression of exposure variations and shortening of the exposure calculation time during continuous shooting can be effectively achieved.

Abstract: An image tracking device comprises an image pickup device that takes an image formed by an imaging optical system and outputs image information, a focus detector that detects a focusing state of the imaging optical system, a recognizer that stores reference information related to a reference image and recognizes a position of an image corresponding to the reference information, within an image corresponding to the image information, and a controller that performs first focus detection in which the focusing state is detected by the focus detector, before the position is recognized by the recognizer, and second focus detection in which the focusing state is detected for the position that has been recognized by the recognizer.

Abstract: There are provided a focus detector detecting a focusing state of an optical system with respect to a plurality of focus detection positions that are set in an imagefield of the optical system; a recognizer setting a reference image with respect to an image to be a reference, and recognizing a position corresponding to the reference image of an image in the optical system; a selector selecting the focus detection position to be a target of focus adjustment of the optical system based on one of the focusing state and a position corresponding to the reference image recognized by the recognizer; and a controller executing at least one of resetting of the reference image and a retrying recognition of the position corresponding to the reference image when the focus detection position is selected based on the focusing state.

Abstract: A subject is tracked during continuous shooting, and the degree of reliability of the tracking result is determined. When it is determined that the degree of reliability of the tracking result is high, control values of exposure used to capture an image of the previous frame are configured as those used to capture an image of the next frame, thereby omitting calculation of control values of exposure. Upon this operation, in an image capture apparatus having a continuous shooting function, and a method of controlling the same, suppression of exposure variations and shortening of the exposure calculation time during continuous shooting can be effectively achieved.

Abstract: Once an imaging mode is set, an imaging apparatus displays a through image with a tracking frame on the predetermined position. If a shutter button is pressed halfway, an object that is overlapped by the tracking frame is recognized as a main subject that a user wants to capture. Until the shutter button is fully pressed or until the halfway-press is released, it is detected where the recognized subject is in frame image data that is captured in sequence, and the tracking frame is displayed based on the detected position. If the halfway press of the shutter button is released before the shutter button is fully pressed, the tracking frame is displayed on the predetermined position. Then if the shutter button is pressed halfway once again, the process is repeated.

Abstract: Provided are a digital image photographing apparatus which easily captures an image of a composition intended by a user, a method of controlling the apparatus, and a recording medium having a program for executing the method. The apparatus includes: an image capturing device for receiving light to generate data on an image; and an auto-focusing tracking unit for allowing a lens to be auto-focused on a subject selected by a user. The image capturing device generates data on a still image when the subject on which the lens is auto-focused is located in a predetermined region of interest (ROI).

Abstract: An image capture apparatus which captures an object image formed by an imaging lens, comprises a focus detection unit which detects a focus position of the object image at a plurality of positions on an image sensing plane, a prediction unit which stores the past output from the focus detection unit, and predicts a locus of the focus position of the object image based on the stored output, thereby predicting the focus position of the object image at a predetermined time instant, a detection unit which detects a shift of the object image on the image sensing plane, and a control unit which changes the output from the prediction unit based on the output from the detection unit.

Abstract: Pattern data for specifying a face image of a person is registered in a pattern data storage unit 32 of a tracking device 16. When a face recognition auto-tracking mode is selected, a face image coinciding with the registered pattern data is detected, and an AF area is set to track the face image.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which changes focal point adjustment by a focal point adjusting unit in accordance with the panning state detected by a panning detecting unit and a focal point state detected by a focal point detecting unit.

Abstract: An image apparatus includes a screen, a detecting unit, a determining unit, an acquiring unit and a control unit. The screen is configured to display an image formed by an optical system and at least one detection position superimposed onto the image. The detecting unit is configured to detect information regarding focus of the optical system at the detection position. The determining unit is connected to the detecting unit and configured to determine whether the information regarding the focus is within a predetermined range. The acquiring unit is connected to the determining unit and configured to acquire first image information at the detection position when the determining unit determines that the information regarding the focus is within the predetermined range. The control unit is connected to the acquiring unit and configured to evaluate arbitrary second image information in the screen using the first image information.

Abstract: An autofocus system includes: a focus operating device which performs focusing in a shooting screen of a camera; a best focus range detecting device which detects a range of a best focus state from the shooting screen representing the result of the focusing performed by the focus operating device; a face detecting device which detects a range of a human face from the shooting screen; an AF frame automatic setting device by which, when a human face exists in the range being in the best focus state in the shooting screen, the position of an AF frame representing the range of an AF area that is the range to be focused by autofocus in the shooting screen, is automatically set to a face frame representing the range of the human face; and an AF frame automatic tracking device which automatically tracks a subject in the set AF frame.

Abstract: An autofocus system includes: an image pickup unit that takes a subject image formed by an optical system; a target subject detection unit that detects a target subject, which is previously registered as an autofocus target, in a photographing image taken by the image pickup unit; a lens-to-subject distance calculation unit that calculates a lens-to-subject distance to the target subject based on information on a photographing angle of view depending on a focal length of the optical system, a size of the target subject in the photographing image, and a size of the target subject in real space; and a rough AF unit that controls a focus of the optical system so as to bring into focus the subject which is located at the lens-to-subject distance calculated by the lens-to-subject distance calculation unit.

Abstract: A system for providing a predictive autofocus prior to capturing an image of an iris of a subject. A sequence of images of the subject may be taken with a visible light sensitive camera. A speed and/or location of the subject may be estimated from the images. An encounter may be when the subject is within focus of the camera or, in other words, a focus distance and subject distance coincide. The focus may be determined in accordance with an intensity variance determination of the subject in the image, and more particularly of a subject's eye within a window of an image. Upon an encounter, an image of the iris of the eye may be captured with an infrared sensitive camera.

Abstract: A focus adjusting device in which, when a detecting unit that detects an object image to be focused from a picked up image is capable of detecting the object image to be focused, a setting unit that sets a focus detection area when a focused state of an image pickup optical system is detected sets a second focus detection area after setting a first focus detection area and in accordance with the position of the first focus detection area, corresponding to the object image that is detected by the detecting unit and that is to be focused. Then, on the basis of signal outputs at the set focus detection area, the image pickup optical system is driven to perform focus adjustment.

Abstract: The image pickup system includes a ranging part measuring object distances in plural ranging areas in an image pickup region in a state where the image pickup system and a moving object are in movement with respect to a still object, a first setting part setting, among the plural ranging areas, a first ranging area including the moving object, a second setting part setting, among the plural ranging areas, a second ranging area including the still object. The system further includes a calculating part calculating a moving speed of the moving object based on the object distances measured in the first and second ranging areas by the ranging part at a first time point and the object distances measured in the first and second ranging areas by the ranging part at a second time point different from the first time point.

Abstract: An optical device includes a shooting optical system including an AF lens, an AF lens driving apparatus for driving the AF lens, a detection unit for detecting a defocus amount corresponding to a difference between an image pickup position of an object and an imaging position of the object which is formed by the shooting optical system, and a control unit for drive-controlling the AF lens driving apparatus to reduce the defocus amount. The control unit detects a shooting magnification of the shooting optical system and changes a method of controlling the AF lens driving apparatus to reduce the defocus amount based on the shooting magnification.

Abstract: An autofocus system includes an image pickup unit that takes a subject image formed by an optical system; an autofocus unit that performs focus adjustment on the optical system so as to bring into focus a subject within a predetermined AF area in a photographing image taken by the image pickup unit; a tracking unit that moves an AF frame, which indicates an outline of the AF area, in accordance with the movement of the subject within the photographing image taken by the image pickup unit; a face direction detection unit that detects a face direction of the subject from the photographing image; a face direction registration unit that registers the face direction of the subject together with coordinates which represent a position of the AF frame in the photographing image; a face direction comparing unit that compares the detected face direction of the subject with the registered face direction.

Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an object image input via a focus lens to output image data, a focus adjustment unit configured to perform focus adjustment by controlling a position of the focus lens based on the image data, a motion detection unit configured to detect a motion of the object image based on the image data, and a control unit configured to control the focus adjustment unit to perform a first focus adjustment operation if motion of the object image is not detected by the motion detection unit, and to control the focus adjustment unit to perform a second focus adjustment operation different from the first focus adjustment operation if motion of the object image is detected by the motion detection unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a focus lens; an imaging device; a movement detecting unit that detects the movement of an image on the basis of a difference between a plurality of image data which is output from the imaging device in time series; an estimating unit that estimates the movement of an object or a photographer on the basis of the movement of the image detected by the movement detecting unit; a movement range setting unit that sets a movement range of the focus lens on the basis of the movement of the object or the photographer estimated by the estimating unit; and a focus position detecting unit that moves the focus lens in an optical axis direction in the movement range set by the movement range setting unit and detects a focus position where the focus lens is focused on the position of the object of the image.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus includes: a focus detector photoelectrically converting at least a part of a photographing beam; a defocus computer calculating a defocus amount based on an output of the focus detector; a driver driving a focus lens based on the defocus amount; and a unit setting a maximum time period for charge accumulation in the focus detector. If the accumulated charge in the focus detector reaches a threshold within the period, when the accumulated charge in the focus detector reaches the threshold, the defocus computer calculates a defocus amount using an output of the focus detector and outputs the defocus amount to the driver. If the accumulated charge in the focus detector does not reach the threshold within the period, when the period lapses, the defocus computer calculates a defocus amount using an output of the focus detector and outputs the defocus amount to the driver.

Abstract: An auto-focusing method includes: setting a central point of area of interest according to a user's input to select a moving object to perform auto tracking of the moving object within an image; setting an auto focusing area encompassing the central point of area of interest, the auto focusing area in which an operation is performed for auto focusing; setting a tracking sub-window encompassing the auto focusing area, the tracking sub-window in which an operation is performed for auto tracking; and tracking, by the central point of area of interest according to the user's input, the auto focusing area and the tracking sub-window, the moving object while changing a position of the auto focusing area and updating a position of the tracking sub-window according to a movement of the moving object.

Abstract: Disclosed is an auto focus system having an auto focus (AF) frame auto-tracking function that detects the image of an object to be tracked as an AF target using a pattern matching process and moves an AF frame indicating an AF target range to the position of the object, thereby tracking the object. When a person's face (face image) is included in the AF frame, the auto focus system having an AF frame auto-tracking function automatically sets the AF frame in an appropriate range so as to correspond to the position and size of the face image. Therefore, even when the size of the face image is changed, it is possible to appropriately track the face and perform focusing on the face.