Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080198257 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - An image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup element photoelectrically converting an object image, a light-receiving sensor outputting a signal in accordance with a phase difference between a pair of object images, and a controller performing first focus control of controlling drive of a focus adjusting member based on a focus evaluation signal representing a contrast state of a video signal produced with the image-pickup element and second focus control of controlling drive of the focus adjusting member based on the signal in accordance with the phase difference. The controller stops the second focus control or switches focus control from the second focus control to the first focus control in response to a predetermined change found in the focus evaluation signal during the second focus control. The apparatus is capable of achieving an in-focus state smoothly and accurately with a hybrid AF. | 08-21-2008 |
20080211957 | FOCUSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FOCUSING APPARATUS - When the present position of a focus lens is on the closest distance side with respect to a predetermined position, the focus lens is driven and controlled using a TV-AF method without using the output result of an external ranging unit, and thereby a malfunction of an AF control due to parallax between an image pickup optical system and an external sensor is prevented. | 09-04-2008 |
20080218623 | ACCURATELY-ALIGNED CAMERA MODULE AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME - A camera module includes an image sensor, a lens module and a holder. The holder defines a cavity, the cavity including a first receiving portion, with the lens module received therein, and a second receiving portion. The side surface of the image sensor tightly contacts the inner surface of the holder surrounding the second receiving portion. In the camera module, an optical center of the image sensor can keep accurately aligning with an optical center of the lens module. Accordingly, the camera module can keep good quality for imaging. A method for making the camera module is also provided. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218624 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes an optical system which forms an image based on light from object, an image pickup device which acquires the image of the object, a display section which displays the object, and a focusing detection inoperative condition and a focusing detection operative condition. The image pickup apparatus further includes an image pickup instructing section (release button) which instructs an image of the object to be picked up, and a control section which performs control such that when the image pickup instructing section (release button) is in the focusing detection operative condition, an image in the focusing detection inoperative condition is displayed on the display section. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218625 | CAMERA HAVING AN OPTICAL FINDER - A camera according to the present invention includes a picture-taking lens unit including a picture-taking optical system having a bending optical system which optically bends incident light and an optical finder unit including a finder optical system having a bending optical system which optically bends incident light. A pre-bending optical system and a post-bending optical system in the bending optical system of the optical finder unit are arranged adjacent to a pre-bending optical system and a post-bending optical system in the bending optical system of the picture-taking lens unit, respectively. The body of the camera is therefore decreased in size. | 09-11-2008 |
20080239139 | Mobile communication terminal and method for displaying image using focus information thereof - A portable terminal and a method for displaying an image using focus information are disclosed. An interested area of the captured subject image can be rapidly displayed on the display. The captured subject image can be displayed on the display, according to the features of an interested area image. At least one interested area is extracted from the captured subject image. When one of the extracted interested areas is selected, image information of the captured subject, which includes focus information of the selected interested area, is generated. When requesting that the captured subject image is displayed, an interested area image of the captured subject image is displayed according to focus information of the generated image information. | 10-02-2008 |
20080259201 | Camera Module and Electronic Apparatus Provided with it - A camera module that can be made thinner and achieves a beautiful image over an entire image region regardless of a subject distance is provided. The camera module includes a plurality of lens portions, each including at least one lens, a plurality of imaging regions, provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of lens portions, each including a light-receiving surface that is substantially orthogonal to an optical axis direction of its corresponding lens portion, an imaging signal input portion to which a plurality of imaging signals outputted respectively from the plurality of imaging regions are inputted, a block division portion for dividing at least one imaging signal of the plurality of imaging signals into a plurality of blocks, a parallax computing portion for computing for each of the blocks a parallax between images formed respectively by the plurality of lens portions using the imaging signal, and a parallax correcting portion for correcting the plurality of imaging signals based on the parallax and performing an image synthesis. | 10-23-2008 |
20080259202 | Imaging device - Herein disclosed is an imaging device having an imaging optical system, the device including: an imaging element configured to include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels arranged along a predetermined direction; a first processor configured to execute focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of second pixels; and a second processor configured to execute specific processing based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of first pixels, the specific processing being different from the focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system and being necessary for a function of the imaging device. | 10-23-2008 |
20080266444 | Method, apparatus, and system for continuous autofocusing - A method, apparatus, and system for continuously focusing an imaging device in a video mode is disclosed. An autofocus process is used to adjust the distance between an image sensor and a lens in the imaging device based on one or more hidden frames that are not output as part of the video frame output. The hidden frames can have a smaller resolution than the output frames and can be captured under different conditions than the video output frames. | 10-30-2008 |
20080278618 | DIGITAL CAMERA AND FOCUS CONTROL METHOD - A focus evaluation value representing a focusing state of a taking lens is repeatedly calculated on the basis of an image signal output from an imaging section of a digital camera, a change in the focus evaluation value generated by the movement of the taking lens is detected, when a predetermined change in the focus evaluation value is detected in manual focusing, at least one of a first mode for continuing manual focusing and a second mode for making the transition to auto-focusing, in which the taking lens is automatically moved, is selected, when the predetermined change in the focus evaluation value is detected in the case in which the second mode is selected, the focusing operation is automatically switched to auto-focusing, whereby the taking lens is automatically moved such that the focus evaluation value is the peak value. | 11-13-2008 |
20080284899 | Method for Focusing the Shooting Lens of a Motion Picture or Video Camera - A method for focusing the shooting lens of a motion picture or video camera onto a moving or stationary object, which is imaged on a monitor of a display instrument is provided. The solution according to the invention uses a distance measurement instrument which is aligned or tracked in relation to a predetermined alignment of the distance measurement instrument at the object as a function of the image angle of an imaging lens of the display instrument and the coordinates of the image of the object on the monitor of the display instrument. The horizontal and vertical angle deviations of the object from the camera are calculated from the coordinates of the image of the object on the monitor and delivered as setpoint values to the control instrument of an adjustment instrument holding the distance measurement instrument for aligning or tracking a measurement head of the distance measurement instrument. | 11-20-2008 |
20080291319 | VIDEO CAMERA - A video camera can be configured to highly compress video data in a visually lossless manner. The camera can be configured to transform blue and red image data in a manner that enhances the compressibility of the data. The data can then be compressed and stored in this form. This allows a user to reconstruct the red and blue data to obtain the original raw data for a modified version of the original raw data that is visually lossless when demosaiced. Additionally, the data can be processed in a manner in which the green image elements are demosaiced first and then the red and blue elements are reconstructed based on values of the demosaiced green image elements. | 11-27-2008 |
20080291320 | DIGITAL CAMERA - In a digital camera, a solid state imaging device is used to catch subject light so that an image signal is created. The digital camera contributes to effectively implementing further thinness in such a manner that a part of image taking lenses is saved to a suitable position at the time of the collapse. Both the rear elements lens and the focus lens are revolved between a position on the optical axis and a saving position coming into a hollow portion beside the CCD solid state imaging device, or between the position on the optical axis and a saving position in which the front elements lens, the rear elements lens and focus lens form a line substantially on a plane. | 11-27-2008 |
20080297648 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS - A blurring parameter operating section calculates a blurring parameter corresponding to a distance from an optical system to a subject, based on two luminance information items which have different blurring degrees and are acquired by changing an arrangement setting of the optical system. A distance estimating section estimates distance information corresponding to the distance from the optical system to the subject, based on the blurring parameter. A focus detection section acquires luminance information after changing arrangement setting of the optical system based on the distance information, acquires luminance information items having different blurring degrees by further changing arrangement setting of the optical system, calculates an evaluation value indicating a degree of focus from each of the luminance information items having the different blurring degrees, and determines the focal position based on the evaluation value. | 12-04-2008 |
20080303937 | Portable Telephone and Autofocusing Method - A portable telephone whose focusing operation is facilitated, with which missing of an opportunity of snapping can be prevented, and whose usability is improved. In the portable telephone, a camera section ( | 12-11-2008 |
20080309815 | Tilt lens system and image pickup apparatus - A tilt lens system includes a focus lens unit movable during focusing; a diaphragm sharing a primary optical axis with the focus lens unit; and a tilt lens unit, arranged on an image side of the focus lens unit and the diaphragm, having a negative refractive power and an optical axis tiltable with respect to the primary optical axis. Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied as follows, | 12-18-2008 |
20080316351 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD - A photographing apparatus including an in-focus position detector for detecting an in-focus position of a focusing lens to focus an image of a subject on an image pickup surface, a driving controller for controlling the driving of the focusing lens, a reflective member that opens and closes on a path of a light that is irradiated onto the image pickup surface, and an optical measuring unit measuring a brightness of the subject image that is reflected by the reflective member in a closed state when a preliminary light emission operation is performed with respect to the subject before performing a main exposure operation. In the preliminary light emission, the driving controller drives the focusing lens to a position nearer the subject or a position nearer the image pickup surface, rather than to the in-focus position of the focusing lens detected by the in-focus position detector. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316352 | Focusing apparatus and method - The invention discloses a focusing apparatus applied in an image recording system. The focusing apparatus of the invention includes an evaluating unit and a control module. The evaluating unit can generate a plurality of focus values in accordance with an image sensed by a sensor. Furthermore, the control module can calculate a weight focus value in accordance with the focus values, and selectively generates a control signal based on the weight focus value and a depth of focus table, so as to control the movement of a lens. | 12-25-2008 |
20090002543 | Camera system, lens barrel, camera body, and camera system control method - A camera system includes: a focus detection controller that is capable of performing control for an imaging optics according to a plurality of focus detection systems; and a focusing controller that controls focusing of the imaging optics. And the focus detection controller transmits, to the focusing controller, identification information that specifies which of the plurality of focus detection systems is performed. | 01-01-2009 |
20090009651 | Imaging Apparatus And Automatic Focus Control Method - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging sensor for performing photoelectric conversion of incident light and a focus control portion for adjusting a focal point based on an image signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion performed by the imaging sensor. The focus control portion includes a change detecting portion for detecting a change in size of a specific subject in a moving image based on the image signal, and adjusts the focal point so that the specific subject becomes in focus with the change taken into account. | 01-08-2009 |
20090021631 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND AUTO-FOCUS METHOD FOR SAME - An image capturing device includes a taking lens, an image sensor for capturing images of an object, an auto-focus unit for focusing the image capturing device, and an input device configured for inputting a command to capture an image by users. The auto-focus unit includes an image processing unit, a comparing unit, and a taking lens driving unit. The image processing unit is configured for comparing definition of the images to judge a clearest image therefrom, and gaining the in-focus position of the taking lens. The comparing unit is configured for judging whether the object is moved after the image processing unit gaining an in-focus position and gaining a new in-focus position if the object have been moved. The taking lens driving unit is configured for moving the taking lens to the in-focus position. | 01-22-2009 |
20090033786 | TECHNIQUES TO AUTOMATICALLY FOCUS A DIGITAL CAMERA - Various embodiments are directed to techniques to automatically focus a digital camera. In one or more embodiments, a mobile electronics device may comprise a digital camera having a lens component and lens position component. A display may be coupled to the digital camera to reproduce an image with a first focal point. The digital camera may also include a focal point selection module coupled to the display to select a second focal point for the image and a focus control module coupled to the focal point selection module and the lens position component to provide focus control signals to the lens position component to focus the lens component on the second focal point. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033787 | IMAGE INPUT MODULE ADJUSTING DEVICE AND IMAGE INPUT MODULE ADJUSTING METHOD - An image input module adjusting device includes a board moving mechanism configured to movably hold a board in directions crossing each other; a board moving restriction mechanism configured to restrict movement of the board; an engaging member moving mechanism configured to move an engaging member engaged with a position adjusting component provided on the board; a control part configured to drive the engaging member moving mechanism while allowing the board moving restriction mechanism to move the board, to move and thereby the engaging member is engaged with the position adjusting component and the board is moved to an adjusting original position; a lens position adjusting mechanism configured to perform the position adjusting of the lens; and a focus adjusting mechanism configured to perform the focus adjusting of the lens relative to the image input sensor while the movement of the board is restricted. | 02-05-2009 |
20090046195 | VARIBLE FOCUS LENS - A variable focus ( | 02-19-2009 |
20090046196 | USER-AIDED AUTO-FOCUS - Methods and systems for adjusting a video imaging system that includes an auto-focus mechanism wherein an input from a user of the video imaging system invokes an auto-focus procedure. Responsive to the input, the auto-focus mechanism is scanned over a range of focal distance from a first setting to a second setting indicated by the input. A sequence of images using the video imaging system is captured while scanning the auto-focus mechanism over the range. The images in the sequence are processed so as to compute a measure of focal quality with respect to each of the images. The measure of the focal quality is analyzed so as to select an optimal focal distance, and the auto-focus mechanism is set to the selected focal distance. | 02-19-2009 |
20090051805 | FOCUSING APPARATUS AND FOCUSING METHOD - A focusing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: an image pickup device which obtains an image signal of a subject that is captured by an image capturing device, wherein the image capturing device incorporates a focus optical system therein; a search interval calculating device which acquires contrast characteristics that are obtained for a subject of a predetermined spatial frequency at a predetermined focal length and calculates a search interval in capturing of an image based on the contrast characteristics; a focus evaluation value acquiring device which moves a focus lens to a detecting point for each search interval in a predetermined searching range and acquires a focus evaluation value at each detecting point from the image signal; and a focus detecting device which detects a focus position by using the focus evaluation value at each detecting point that is acquired by the focus evaluation value acquiring device. | 02-26-2009 |
20090059058 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND FOCUSING CONDITION DISPLAYING METHOD - In an image pickup apparatus of the present invention, an image of an object is picked up and an image signal representing the object is continuously captured so that a through-the-lens image is displayed based on the captured image signal, and then a display area for displaying focusing information is composited into the through-the-lens image of a displaying device. In addition, based on the captured image signal, an automatic focus adjustment is performed to maximize the contrast of the object, and the result of the focus adjustment is detected. Based on the detected focusing condition, focusing information which is composited into the display area is changed. The focusing information includes at least focusing information of an unfocused condition and focusing information of a focused condition. This enables information that a desired area of an object became focused to be displayed to a user in a manner easy to understand. | 03-05-2009 |
20090066830 | FOCUS CONTROL DEVICE AND IMAGING DEVICE - An auto focus (AF) circuit includes a high-pass filter and band-pass filter having mutually different frequency characteristics. During contrast AF control prior to an actual shooting, AF evaluation values acquired by using the high-pass filter are used most preferentially in detecting the lens focusing position of a focus lens. In this way, the high-pass filter that emphasizes and extracts high frequency band components, which increase in image data when shooting a typical subject, is set to be used preferentially, thereby making it possible to perform high-precision focusing control with respect to various kinds of subjects. | 03-12-2009 |
20090066831 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND PROGRAM - An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit which causes an image sensor to photoelectrically convert an object image to generate an image signal, a display unit which displays the image signal generated by the image capturing unit, a storage unit which stores foreign substance information that is information about at least the position and size of a foreign substance sticking to the surface of an optical element arranged in front of the image sensor, and a control unit which controls the display unit to display the image signal while superimposing, on it, an image which represents presence of the foreign substance and is generated based on the foreign substance information stored in the storage unit during a live view operation of sequentially displaying, on the display unit, image signals sequentially generated by the image capturing unit. | 03-12-2009 |
20090066832 | VIDEO CAMERA APPARATUS INCLUDING AUTOMATIC FOCUSING - A video camera includes a gate circuit for extracting a sharpness signal relative to an area which is set in a portion of a picture, a focus adjusting device for performing focus adjustment on the basis of the sharpness signal relative to the area, and an area selecting circuit for controlling the gate circuit to vary the area in size and determining a size of the area during a driving of a variator lens in accordance with a size of the area and a focal length used before the driving of the variator lens. | 03-12-2009 |
20090073304 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A data processing device includes: a face-detecting unit to detect a face region from an input image input from an imaging unit which images a subject including a face; a setting unit to calculate subject distance based on the face size of the face detected by the face-detecting unit, and set limits as a focus lens operation range before and after a focus lens position with the calculated subject distance as focal distance; a detecting unit to move a focus lens within the limits set by the setting unit, and detect a focal point where a detection value corresponding to the contrast intensity obtained from a face frame including the face detected by the face-detecting unit is not smaller than a threshold; and a control unit to determine, in a case wherein a focal point has been detected within predetermined set time, the focal point thereof as a focus position. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073305 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING DEVICE - An automatic focusing device in accordance with the present invention comprises an image sensor being subjected to exposure performed in a rolling shutter system, a focusing system including a focus lens for focusing on the image sensor, an AF evaluation value calculating unit calculating an AF evaluation value based on an imaging signal obtained from the image sensor, and an AF control unit controlling an operation of the focusing system based on an AF evaluation value of a focusing area set in a part of the imaging picture by the image sensor, and the AF control unit makes the AF evaluation value of a focusing area of each imaging picture and a focus lens position at the time of exposure for the focusing area correspond to each other, and drives the focusing system during the period which overlaps with an exposure period while searching the focus lens position where the AF evaluation value becomes maximum. | 03-19-2009 |
20090079862 | Method and apparatus providing imaging auto-focus utilizing absolute blur value - A method and apparatus for determining the need for and performing a refocusing of an imaging device using a blur value, which determines absolute sharpness. The blur detection is itself based on reading one or more edges. New lens positioning is controlled based on the blur value. | 03-26-2009 |
20090086083 | IMAGING DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR IMAGING DEVICE - According to the present invention, there is provided an imaging device, comprising: an imaging unit for receiving subject light flux, that has been made incident by the photographing lens, on an imaging surface, and photoelectrically converting a formed subject image to output image data; a display unit for carrying out a live view display operation using image data acquired by the imaging unit; a first contrast AF unit for obtaining contrast information of the subject information from image data acquired by the imaging unit and guiding the photographing lens into a first in-focus permissible range based on the contrast information, and a control unit for, when the live view display operation has started, executing a focus adjustment operation using the first contrast AF unit at a first time interval. | 04-02-2009 |
20090096913 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND AUTO-FOCUS METHOD FOR SAME - An image capturing device includes a taking lens, an image sensor, an image processing unit, an input device, a processor, and a driving unit for moving the taking lens. The image processing unit is configured for receiving the electrical signals from the image sensor and obtaining image information of each image. The input device is configured for selecting focus areas in a photographing area and setting a focus power of each of the focus areas. The processor is configured for performing an auto-focus process using a base evaluation value of an image of the photographing area, wherein the base evaluation value is calculated by taking the total of multiplying an evaluation value of each of the focus areas and non-focus areas of the photographing area by the focus power corresponding to said each of the focus areas and a focus power corresponding to each of the non-focus areas. | 04-16-2009 |
20090096914 | SPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEM WITH DYNAMIC OPTICAL CORRECTION - Disclosed herein are multispectral detection methods and systems that can be used with image-forming optics configured to form an image of a sample. The systems include: (a) an imaging detector; (b) relay optics that include multiple optical elements, the relay optics positioned to relay the image formed by the image-forming optics to the imaging detector; (c) an actuator coupled to one of the optical elements in the relay optics and configured to adjust a position of the coupled optical element; and (d) control electronics configured to cause the actuator to adjust the position of the coupled optical element in the relay optics in response to a wavelength band selection by a wavelength selection element positioned to select one wavelength band for the image from among two or more wavelength bands within an overall wavelength range. | 04-16-2009 |
20090102960 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes an optical system which forms an image of a shooting subject. A driving section drives the optical system. A focus operation section transmits a driving direction and a driving amount of the optical system on the basis of a manual operation. An image pickup element converts the image of the shooting subject formed by the optical system into a video signal. An evaluation section evaluates a focus condition of at least one area within a photographing field on the basis of the video signal from the image pickup element. An autofocus adjustment section selects an area which is determined to be focused as a result of the evaluation of the focus condition and drives the optical system to a position corresponding to the area determined to be focused. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102961 | Taking optical system - The invention relates to an eyepiece-connected taking optical system well fit for TV camera heads using a small-format imaging device. The taking optical system comprises a field direction turning member 1P, 2P, a positive first group and a negative second group. The first group comprises a positive cemented lens convex on its object side, a positive single lens convex on its object side and a positive cemented lens convex on its object side, and the second group comprises a negative single lens. Focus adjustment is implemented by changing a spacing t2 between the first group and the second group. The taking optical system satisfies condition (1) for defining the position of the front focus with respect to the taking lens, condition (2) for defining the refracting power of each lens group, condition (3) for defining the imaging magnification of the second group, and condition (4) for defining the profile of refracting power in the first group. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102962 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS, IMAGE SENSING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM WHICH RECORDS PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD - Photographing at a fixed focus is executed by quickly canceling the autofocus without any labor for mode switching or the like. An image sensing apparatus includes a photographing unit which has an autofocus function and photographs an object image, a key input unit including a shutter key which has two operation strokes and designates autofocus and autoexposure by operation of the first stroke and photographing by operation of the second stroke, and a focus control unit which automatically sets a correct exposure value in the photographing unit, detects predetermined operation states of the first and second strokes designated by the shutter key, and switches and selects, on the basis of the detection result, whether to operate the autofocus function or set a fixed-focus position at which a predetermined depth of field is obtained. | 04-23-2009 |
20090109320 | Autofocus control circuit, autofocus control method and image pickup apparatus - An image compression circuit provided in an image pickup apparatus for generation of compressed image data for record can also serve as an evaluation value calculation circuit that generates a contrast evaluation value to be used as an index for finding an in-focus location for an autofocus process. The image pickup apparatus includes a shooting optical system, an image pickup unit, an image compression unit, and a focusing unit. The image pickup unit has an image pickup device that performs photoelectric conversion of a subject image formed by the shooting optical system, and performs A/D conversion of a captured image obtained by the image pickup device to generate digital captured image data. The image compression unit performs an image compression process on the digital captured image data to generate compressed image data for focusing. The focusing unit adjusts the imaging location of the subject image formed by the shooting optical system on the basis of the data size of the compressed image data for focusing generated by the image compression unit. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109321 | Image tracking device, imaging device, image tracking method, and imaging method - 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. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109322 | Image recognition device, focus adjustment device and imaging device - 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. | 04-30-2009 |
20090115883 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image capturing apparatus includes an optical system which forms an image of a subject. An image sensor converts the image formed by the optical system into a video signal. A focus operating unit changes the focusing status produced by the optical system according to a manual operation. An autofocus unit adjusts the focus of the optical system so as to be able to obtain the best in-focus condition according to the video signal from the image sensor. The autofocus unit is adapted to adjust the focus of the optical system within the focusing range determined according to a characteristic of the optical system after a change of the focusing status by the focus operating unit. | 05-07-2009 |
20090122180 | Imaging system with relaxed assembly tolerances and associated methods - An imaging system includes an extended depth of field (EDOF) optical system, a sensor on a sensor substrate, and a securing mechanism adapted to secure the EDOF optical system directly to the sensor substrate. | 05-14-2009 |
20090128682 | Image Capture Device with Electronic Focus - An image capture system is configured to automatically focus upon an object ( | 05-21-2009 |
20090128683 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - In a case in which flickers are detected from a live-view image, at least one of a start timing and an end timing of charge accumulation at an image sensor is fixed by setting the image-sensing frame rate during execution of image-sensing plane AF to a value synchronized with the flicker cycle. In an image sensing apparatus for carrying out image-sensing plane AF with the use of live-view images, aperture control and accumulation time control with a high degree of freedom can be achieved even under a flicking light source. | 05-21-2009 |
20090135289 | Image sensor and imaging apparatus - An image sensor includes: a plurality of imaging pixels disposed two-dimensionally in rows and columns to capture an image; a plurality of first focus detection pixels for focus detection and a plurality of second focus detection pixels for focus detection being disposed in a row in place of the imaging pixels; a row selection circuit that selects in turn a row; a column selection circuit that selects in turn a column; and an output circuit that outputs pixel signals from the pixels selected by the column selection circuit, out of the pixels in the rows selected by the row selection circuit, wherein the column selection circuit selects a column according to whether or not the row selected by the row selection circuit includes the first and the second focus detection pixels. | 05-28-2009 |
20090135290 | IMAGING APPARATUS - The invention relates to an imaging apparatus wherein, even when there is a periodic streak produced on a molded optical element, images of good enough image quality can be obtained without being affected by the diffraction phenomenon yet without recourse to any polishing. The imaging apparatus is adapted to form a subject image on an imaging plane ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090141163 | COMPACT CAMERA OPTICS - Imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, which is adapted to generate an input image in response to optical radiation that is incident thereon. A processing engine is configured to apply a digital filter to the input image so as to generate a filtered image, the digital filter having a kernel, which has a kernel width that is greater than five pixels. An optical assembly is arranged to focus the optical radiation onto the image sensor with a point spread function (PSF) such that no more than a first threshold percentage of energy emitted from a point object and focused by the optical assembly falls within a first region of the image sensor having a first width that is five times the pitch of the image sensor, while at least a second threshold percentage of the energy emitted from the point object and focused by the optical assembly falls within a second region, which contains the first region and has a second width corresponding to the kernel width. | 06-04-2009 |
20090147125 | IMAGE PICK-UP APPARATUS AND COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - A shooting operation using a short exposure time and a shooting operation using a long exposure time are performed in turn repeatedly. | 06-11-2009 |
20090153724 | FOCUSING DEVICE WITH UNINTERRUPTED EXCITATION - A focusing device includes a vertical-synchronization-signal generator generating a vertical-synchronization-signal sequence including vertical synchronization signals, an excitation-sequence generator generating an excitation sequence according to the vertical-synchronization-signal sequence and applying excitation according to the excitation sequence, and a driving module driving a lens of an imaging system according to the excitation sequence. Vertical-synchronization-signal times are formed between two adjacent vertical synchronization signals. A first vertical-synchronization-signal time and a last vertical-synchronization-signal time are formed at a beginning and an end of the vertical-synchronization-signal sequence respectively. Each vertical-synchronization-signal time includes a sub time and an exposure time arranged sequentially. A preceding excitation is only applied in the sub time of the first vertical-synchronization-signal time, a succeeding excitation is only applied in sub time of the last vertical-synchronization-signal time and a phase-fixed excitation is applied in each exposure time of each vertical-synchronization-signal time except the exposure time of the last vertical-synchronization-signal time. | 06-18-2009 |
20090160999 | Sensor module, electronic information device, autofocus controlling method, control program and readable recording medium - A sensor module according to the present invention includes an autofocus control section for moving the lens section in a predetermined direction from a reference point to a plurality of predetermined moving points consecutively by the driving section, calculating a focal point evaluation value, which increases as a lens is focused, for every moving point from image information based on an image signal from the image capturing element, obtaining a peak point that corresponds to a peak value of each calculated focal point evaluation value, and subsequently, returning the lens section once to the reference point, and move the lens section in the predetermined direction from the returned reference point to the peak point. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161000 | Auto-Focusing Module - An auto-focusing module comprises a lens, an actuator and an external focusing assembly. The lens is a single-focus optical system and assembled in the actuator. The actuator includes an electric focusing element and conductive pins and is hollow in the direction along the optical axis to accommodate the lens therein. The actuator is exteriorly provided with protruding blocks. The external focusing assembly includes a focusing base and a conductive element. The focusing base is provided with inclined surfaces to engage the external protruding blocks of the actuator. The conductive element is electrically connected with the conductive pins of the actuator. By such arrangements, the actuator can drive the lens to move in the direction of the optical axis to realize automatic focusing. | 06-25-2009 |
20090167923 | METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH DEPTH MAP GENERATION - An apparatus and method are disclosed wherein a depth map is generated using a single camera (e.g., single lens of a camera) and multiple images are captured by the camera. In one example, a single digital camera is used to capture a set of images corresponding to a set of lens positions based on lens position data. In this example, the lens position data may be either uniform or nonuniform lens position data. The method and apparatus determines focus metric information for each of a plurality of regions of interest in each image of a set. A determination is made of a best lens position for each of the regions of interest based on the focus metric information from the images in the set and are stored as data in a depth map. Image generation operations are then performed based on the generated depth map, such as determining whether or not to use a flash to capture a final image, to determine a type of color operation to be performed on the final image, or any other suitable image generation operation. In one example, the depth map is generated by selecting a best focus metric among the various images that were captured for a particular region of interest. Once the depth map is generated using data from the multiple images, depth map based control logic then determines how to use the depth map to effect an image processing operation. Among other advantages, multiple cameras need not be employed nor do external light sensors need be employed to generate a depth map for use in image processing operations. Other advantages will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167924 | Tele wide module - A tele wide module includes a first optics group, a fixed position for the first optics group, a second optics group, a set of predetermined positions for the second optics group, a selector for selecting a first position from the set of predetermined positions, and an image sensor. The first optics group is configured to provide a focus to the image sensor. The focus is based on the selected first position. A method of adjusting a lens configuration selects a first position from a set of positions. Based on the selected position, the method deposes a second lens group in relation to a first lens group. Typically, the position of the first lens group is fixed. Through the first and second lens groups, the method provides an image to an image sensor. The method of some embodiments provides a focused image to the image sensor by using a hyper focal setting. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167925 | Distortion Correction Method, Distortion Correction Program, Image Processing Apparatus, Interchangeable Lens, Camera, and Camera System - In a distortion correcting method for an image taken by an optical system, the invention makes it possible to increase the calculation accuracy of distortion of an image while reducing the amount of information to be prepared in advance. To this end, approximation information that is obtained when distortion aberration (A) of the optical system is approximated by a function (S | 07-02-2009 |
20090167926 | Auto-focus and zoom module - An optical module includes a first optics group, a second optics group, and an image sensor, wherein the first optics group and second optics group are configured to provide an image having a focus and a magnification to the image sensor. In some embodiments of the present invention, a first optics assembly includes a first optics group coupled to a threaded portion of a first lead screw so that rotation of the first lead screw results in translation of the first optics group along an axis of the first lead screw, a first actuator for rotating the first lead screw; and a first sensing target configured to permit detection of rotation of the first lead screw. In some embodiments of the present invention a second optics assembly includes a second optics group coupled to a threaded portion of a second lead screw so that rotation of the second lead screw results in translation of the second optics group along an axis of the second lead screw, a second actuator for rotating the second lead screw, and second means for sensing configured to detect rotation of the second lead screw. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167927 | Image sensor, focus detection device, focus adjustment device and image-capturing apparatus - An image sensor includes: a plurality of imaging pixel rows, which include a plurality of types of imaging pixels with varying spectral sensitivity characteristic that are arrayed two-dimensionally based upon a first spectral sensitivity characteristics array pattern; and at least one non-imaging pixel row, which includes a plurality of non-imaging pixels that are disposed in place of some of the plurality of types of imaging pixels in the plurality of imaging pixel rows. The plurality of imaging pixel rows include adjacent imaging pixel rows made up with the plurality of types of imaging pixels and set adjacent to the non-imaging pixel row; and the adjacent imaging pixel rows assume a second spectral sensitivity characteristics array pattern different from the first spectral sensitivity characteristics array pattern, so that spectral sensitivity characteristics different from spectral sensitivity characteristics achieved in conformance to the first spectral sensitivity characteristics array pattern are achieved via specific imaging pixels making up part of the adjacent imaging pixel rows. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167928 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes an image processing circuit. The image processing circuit is configured by an image processing portion for performing an image process on a first image so as to generate a third image, an image composing portion for composing the first image and the third image, and an addition-ratio calculating portion for calculating a degree of composition of a composing process between the first image and the third image by the image composing portion based on a difference signal from a difference calculating portion. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167929 | Imaging apparatus - The imaging apparatus comprises plural optical systems having different focal length from that of an imaging element, a transmittance variable element and a reflective optical element, It is constituted so that the focal length is changed by controlling transmittance of the transmittance variable element. Thus, a compact structured and small sized multi-focus imaging apparatus can be provided. | 07-02-2009 |
20090174805 | DIGITAL CAMERA FOCUSING USING STORED OBJECT RECOGNITION - A technique for focusing a digital camera is described that includes pre-storing | 07-09-2009 |
20090174806 | FOCUS DETECTION DEVICE, FOCUS DETECTION METHOD AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A focus detection device includes an imaging element, a storage controller, and a focus detector. The imaging element is provided on a light path of a light flux incident via an optical system and has a plurality of pixels of charge storage type two-dimensionally arranged. The storage controller controls to sequentially store charges in pixels arranged in a first direction among the plurality of pixels and controls to sequentially store charges in pixels arranged in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The focus detector detects a focus adjustment state of the optical system based on a first output obtained when the storage controller sequentially performs storage control in the first direction and a second output obtained when the storage controller sequentially performs storage control in the second direction. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174807 | FOCUS DETECTION DEVICE, FOCUS DETECTION METHOD, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A focus detection device includes a light receiving element, an image shift detection unit, a movement detection unit, and a focus detection unit. The light receiving element receives a pair of light fluxes passing through different regions of a pupil of an optical system. The image shift detection unit detects an image shift amount caused by the pair of light fluxes, based on outputs of the pair of light fluxes received by the light receiving element. The movement detection unit detects an image movement amount caused by the optical system. The focus detection unit detects the focus adjustment state of the optical system by correcting the shift amount detected by the image shift detection unit, with the image movement amount detected by the movement detection unit. | 07-09-2009 |
20090185067 | COMPACT AUTOMATIC FOCUSING CAMERA - The present invention provides a compact automatic focusing system using a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) unit. The automatic focusing system using the MEMS unit has a small volume and low power consumption, and its operation is very reliable, precise, and fast. The MEMS unit for automatic focusing comprises at least one micromirror, at least one micro-actuator, and at least one micro-converter fabricated on the same substrate by microfabrication technology. By fabricating the micromirror, the micro-actuator, the micro-converter on the same substrate, the volume of the automatic focusing system of the present invention can be greatly reduced. The micro-converter converts the in-plane translation of the micro-actuator to out-of-plane translation of the micromirror to provide a large out-of-plane translation range. | 07-23-2009 |
20090185068 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS AND FOCUS CONTROLLING METHOD - The image-pickup apparatus performs a scan operation for sequentially obtaining focus evaluation values with movement of a focus lens and calculates an in-focus position on the focus evaluation values. The apparatus includes a controller configured to divide a movable range of the focus lens for the scan operation into plural zones, and to change a scan operation zone where the scan operation is performed from a current zone to a next zone among the plural zones when the focus evaluation value satisfies a predetermined condition. The controller sets, as the predetermined condition, a first condition for changing the scan operation zone from a specific zone to the next zone, and a second condition for changing the scan operation zone from a zone other than the specific zone to the next zone. The first condition is harder to be satisfied than the second condition. | 07-23-2009 |
20090190023 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes: a control unit configured to move a focusing lens, and detect a focus position; wherein the control unit executes auto-focus (AF) scan processing in which only a part of a range of movement of the focusing lens is set as a scan range, as first scan processing, and executes auto-focus (AF) scan processing in which a region including a region differing from the scan region of the first scan processing is set as a scan range, as second scan processing, in the event that a focus point is not detected in the first scan processing. | 07-30-2009 |
20090195688 | System and Method for Enhanced Predictive Autofocusing - In an imaging device having an objective and a stage for holding a sample to be imaged, a method for autofocusing is presented. The method includes determining a measured focus value corresponding to at least a first of a plurality of logical image segments. Further, the method includes imaging the first logical image segment using the measured focus value. The method also includes determining a predicted focus value for a second of the plurality of logical image segments using the measured focus value and a stored focus variation parameter. In addition, the method includes imaging the second logical image segment using the predicted focus value. | 08-06-2009 |
20090201409 | TELEVISION CAMERA SYSTEM - A television camera system is provided and includes: a television camera main body; a lens device; and a monitor. Focus information obtained by an auto-focusing function of the lens device can be displayed on the monitor via the television camera main body. In a case where a controller including a display instruction unit that instructs whether the focus information is to be displayed on the monitor is coupled to the lens device, the lens device determines whether the focus information is to be displayed on the monitor in accordance with an instruction from the display instruction unit, and in a case where the controller is not coupled to the lens device, the lens device determines that the focus information is to be displayed on the monitor. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201410 | FOCUS CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD - A focus control apparatus and method capable of shortening a focus adjustment time in focus control. The method includes extracting a first high frequency component depending upon a first cutoff frequency and a second high frequency component depending upon a second cutoff frequency higher than the first cutoff frequency from a video signal, generating first and second contrast signals of the video signal respectively based on the first and second high frequency components, using a quotient obtained by dividing a value of the first contrast signal by that of the second contrast signal as a parameter, exercising focus control based on the parameter, and setting the first and second cutoff frequencies so as to cause a value of the parameter to assume a peak when a focus lens in an image pickup apparatus is located in a position at a predetermined distance from an in-focus position. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201411 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image capturing apparatus includes an optical system that focuses light from a subject, a light receiving section that includes a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving the light from the subject that is focused by the optical system, a correcting section that corrects, in accordance with an optical transfer function of the optical system, a plurality of pixel values that are linearly related to amounts of the light received by the plurality of light receiving elements, and a non-linear processing section that converts the plurality of pixel values that have been corrected by the correcting section into a plurality of pixel values that are non-linearly related to the amounts of the light received by the plurality of light receiving elements. | 08-13-2009 |
20090207298 | FOCUSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A focusing apparatus is configured to execute a focusing operation without using any auto-focus evaluation value obtained from an auto-focus evaluation value detection area set for an object other than that of an intended object when a plurality of objects is detected. | 08-20-2009 |
20090219434 | Method and Device for Position Sensing of an Optical Component in an Imaging System - In a camera where the lens is movable along the optical axis relative to the image sensor for auto-focus or zooming purposes, the lens is moved by a carrier having a carrier portion adjacent to a fixed body portion of the camera. A reflection surface is provided on either the carrier portion or the body portion. A photo-emitter and sensor pair is disposed on the other portion to illuminate the reflection surface and to detect the reflected light therefrom. The reflection surface is provided near the edge of a surface such that the light cone emitted by the photo-emitter partly hits the reflection surface and partly falls beyond the edge. As the lens is moved relative to the body portion, the area on the reflection surface illuminated by the photo-emitter changes causing a change in the amount of detected light. | 09-03-2009 |
20090231482 | PHOTOGRAPHY DEVICE AND PHOTOGRAPHY METHOD - A photography device that includes an imaging component, a focusing component, a magnification alteration component, a display component, an acquisition component and a control component is provided. The focusing component focuses a subject image on an imaging surface of the imaging component. The magnification alteration component alters a magnification of the subject image focused by the focusing component. The acquisition component acquires a focusing evaluation value representing a degree of focusing of the subject image by the focusing component. The control component performs focusing control by controlling the focusing component such that the focusing evaluation value acquired by the acquisition component is at a maximum, and controls the magnification alteration component so as to lower a display magnification of the subject image by the display component if the focusing evaluation value is at or below a pre-specified threshold value. | 09-17-2009 |
20090237550 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - A focus adjustment apparatus or an image capturing apparatus is provided with a system controller. The system controller calculates a correlation value between an image in a focus detection area when a focusing lens is located at a lens position apart by a predetermined distance from a lens position where a focus evaluation value reaches a peak value, to a close end side, and an image in a focus detection area when a focusing lens is located at a lens position apart by a predetermined distance from a lens position where a focus evaluation value reaches a peak value, to an infinity side, and determines a lens position corresponding to a peak value to be a focused lens position, when a correlation value calculated by the correlation value calculation unit is over a predetermined value. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237551 | FOCUS POSITION DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A focus position detection apparatus calculates a focus position of a focus lens using an image signal obtained from an image sensing element. The apparatus comprises an acquisition unit that acquires focus states for a predetermined distance range, a control unit that controls the acquisition unit to acquire focus states at first intervals and second intervals which is shorter than the first intervals, and a focus position detection unit that determines a focus position on the basis of the focus states obtained at the first or second intervals. The control unit changes whether to acquire focus states at the second intervals based on the focus states obtained at the first intervals. | 09-24-2009 |
20090244356 | CAMERA MODULE - A camera module includes a circuit board of a grounding pad, a lens module, and a voice-coil motor. The voice-coil motor for receiving and driving the lens module automatically focus comprises a main body, a metallic casing and a grounding structure. The metallic casing covers the main body. After electrically grounding by connecting with the grounding pad of the circuit board, the grounding structure connects with the metallic casing and the circuit board. With the grounding structure, the metallic casing can be grounded. Thereby, prevent external electromagnetic waves from affecting electrical signals communicated between the camera module and the circuit board. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244357 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit to pick up an image of a subject, a focusing unit to perform focusing on the subject included in an autofocus area in an imaging range of the imaging unit, a display unit to display an image obtained by picking up an image of the subject by the imaging unit, a display control unit to control the display unit to display an autofocus frame representing the autofocus area on the image, a position specification reception unit that is disposed to be superimposed on the display unit and receives user's position specification to the image displayed on the display unit, and a record control unit to record the image on a recording medium in a state where focusing is achieved on the subject when the position specification reception unit receives the position specification in the autofocus frame. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244358 | Electronic Apparatus Having Autofocus Camera Function - An electronic apparatus including a drive mechanism, a signal processing section, an image pickup lens, an image pickup device and a focus control section is described. The drive mechanism changes a position of the image pickup lens relative to the image pickup device. The image pickup device outputs an electric signal of an image at each of a plurality of relative positions. The signal processing section processes the electric signal and generates a digital image signal corresponding to the plurality of relative positions. The focus control section extracts, from the digital image signal, high-frequency components for pixels selected from a focus area set in the image of the digital image signal, calculates a focus evaluation value corresponding to each relative position, identifies a maximum focus evaluation value among the calculated focus evaluation values, and moves the image pickup lens to the relative position that provides the maximum focus evaluation value. | 10-01-2009 |
20090256950 | Imaging System and Camera Body - An imaging system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes a second communication unit capable of communicating with a first communication unit, an imaging element operable to generate an image signal from the optical image, and a main body controller operable to transmit a reference signal for providing a reference of a driving start timing of the focus lens to the lens controller through the second and first communication units. The main body controller transmits the reference signal to the lens controller during a period for which neither communication of predetermined signals other than the reference signal nor process related to the communication is performed between the first communication unit and the second communication unit. | 10-15-2009 |
20090256951 | Imaging Device - A digital camera has an optical system, an image capturing unit, an aperture adjuster, a focal point adjuster, and a body microcomputer. The aperture adjuster has an aperture included in the optical system and is capable of adjusting the state of the aperture. The focal point adjuster has a focus lens included in the optical system and is capable adjusting the focal state of the optical system by using the focus lens by contrast detection method. The body microcomputer controls the operation of the aperture adjuster so that the aperture value of the optical system will be at or below a set aperture value before the focal state is adjusted by the focal point adjuster. | 10-15-2009 |
20090262235 | Imaging system, camera body and interchangeable lens - An imaging system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes a main body controller operable to transmit a reference signal for providing a reference of a driving start timing of the focus lens and delay time information indicating delay time with respect to the reference signal, to the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens includes a lens controller operable to control the focus lens to be driven at a timing obtained by delaying the timing provided by the reference signal by the delay time based on the reference signal and the delay time information received from the main body controller. The delay time is set so that, for example, an exposure timing of a predetermined area in the imaging element is substantially coincident with a stop period of the wobbling operation of the focus lens. | 10-22-2009 |
20090268078 | Imaging Device and Camera Body - A digital camera comprises an interchangeable lens unit and a camera body. The interchangeable lens unit is provided to form an optical image of a subject. A flash memory is configured to hold a correction coefficient table used to electrically correct distortion produced by the optical system. The camera body has a CCD image sensor, a correction coefficient acquisition part, an operation part, and a correction processor. The correction coefficient acquisition part is configured to acquire the correction coefficient table held in the flash memory. The operation part is configured to produce correction data by performing an interpolation operation or an extrapolation operation on the information obtained from the correction coefficient table. The correction processor is configured to correct distortion in the image data on the basis of information produced by the operation part. | 10-29-2009 |
20090273702 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CONTROL METHOD - An image pickup apparatus which is capable of optimizing the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to operations of a ring member without sacrificing the operability of the ring member, while using a small-sized, low-cost ring member for manual operations. The rotating operation state of a focus ring 600 is detected by ring rotation sensors 603, 604. A camera microcomputer 116 causes a focus lens 105 to be moved and stopped in an optical axis direction thereof based on results of the detection by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604. The camera microcomputer 116 controls the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to the rotating operation state of the ring member detected by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604 in accordance with at least the depth of focus. | 11-05-2009 |
20090278977 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING PRE-DISTORTED SOLID STATE IMAGE SENSORS FOR LENS DISTORTION COMPENSATION - Pixels in an imaging array are configured and arranged to compensate for various geometric distortions caused by a lens with which the array is used. | 11-12-2009 |
20090278978 | CAMERA MODULE COMPRISING THREE MEMBERS - A camera module includes an actuator body movably supporting a lens assembly along the direction of an optical axis of a lens, a sensor board on which an image pickup device is mounted, a base member disposed between the actuator body and the sensor board. The base member consists of one member which acts as an actuator base and a sensor base. | 11-12-2009 |
20090284640 | SHOOTING OPTICAL SYSTEM - A shooting optical system for performing flange back adjustment by moving a lens unit included in the shooting optical system in an optical axis direction includes: a drive gear engaging a lens holding frame for holding the lens unit; a drive unit for rotating the drive gear; a first gear rotating relatively to the drive gear; an operation unit for the flange back adjustment, for rotating the first gear; a detection unit for detecting a relative positional relationship between the first gear and the drive gear; and a control unit for driving the drive unit so as to rotate the drive gear based on a detection signal detected by the detection unit, thereby moving the lens holding frame in the optical axis direction so that the flange back adjustment is performed. | 11-19-2009 |
20090284641 | FOCUS CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGE SENSOR, PROGRAM AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A digital camera has distance measurement zone setting means ( | 11-19-2009 |
20090295980 | FOCUS ERROR ADJUSTING APPARATUS AND METHOD IN DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - Provided are a digital image processing device and an operation method therefor, and more particularly, a focus error adjusting apparatus and a method therefor whereby a focus error can be adjusted when a digital image processing device is manufactured or used. The focus error adjusting apparatus includes a photographing unit photographing a first image whose focus is adjusted, and photographing a plurality of images by changing movement values of a focus motor by referring to the first image; and a digital signal processing unit outputting a focus motor control signal to the photographing unit for the photographing, detecting an image having the greatest evaluation value of a high frequency component from among the first image and the plurality of images, and adjusting movement of the focus motor by as little as a variation value of the focus motor with respect to the image having the greatest evaluation value of the high frequency component. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295981 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND CORRECTION METHOD - An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensor, a driving unit that drives the image sensor so as to output electrical signals through multiple readout modes including at least a full pixel readout mode and a thinning readout mode, an acquisition unit that acquires lens magnification chromatic aberration correction information, a correction coefficient calculation unit that obtains a coefficient for a first magnification chromatic aberration correction method during full pixel readout and a coefficient for a second magnification chromatic aberration correction method during thinning readout, and a digital signal processor that corrects the electrical signals using the obtained coefficients. In the second magnification chromatic aberration correction method, the thinned and read-out electrical signals are corrected based on positions in the image sensor of pixels corresponding to the electrical signals. | 12-03-2009 |
20090310011 | Method for Focus Control - A camera or other optical system is focused by generating a plurality of digital images each obtained with a different focus setting of the optical system. These images are analysed to generate for each image a score (S) by comparing first groups of pixels chosen from the image with second groups chosen from the image such that the pixels of each second group have same respective positional relationships with respect to one another as the pixels of the first group with which it is compared have to one another, the score (S) being a function of the number of matches obtained with said comparisons. The focus setting that gives the score corresponding to the largest number of matches is chosen. | 12-17-2009 |
20090316037 | IMAGING DEVICE - Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: a body portion; a lens mount portion provided on the body portion for mounting a detachable taking lens; a body-side coupler provided in the body portion and adapted to be connected to a lens-side coupler of the taking lens in mounting the taking lens to the lens mount portion, the body-side coupler being rotated in concert with a moving operation of a focus lens provided in the taking lens; and load applying section configured to apply a braking load to the body-side coupler. | 12-24-2009 |
20090322931 | DIGITAL CAMERA MODULE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A digital camera module ( | 12-31-2009 |
20090322932 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, FOCUS CONTROL METHOD AND FOCUS CONTROL PROGRAM - An image pickup apparatus includes: an in-focus operation section configured to drive a focus lens to move over a predetermined driving range in order to detect evaluation values each representing the strength of the contrast of an image signal generated based on a subject of an image pickup operation from a plurality of predetermined positions and find an in-focus position of the focus lens based on the evaluation values; a detector configured to acquire first evaluation values obtained for the predetermined positions during a first period of driving the focus lens to move over the predetermined driving range, and second evaluation values obtained for at least one of the predetermined positions during a second period between the end of the first period and a process to find the in-focus position based on the first evaluation values; and a change measurement section configured to measure a change of the evaluation value. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322933 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - An image capturing apparatus performs autofocus control that uses a face detection function. The image capturing apparatus sets a face region as an AF frame if face detection is successful. However, if a state in which face detection is successful transitions to a state in which face detection has failed, and furthermore a variation between subject distances is less than or equal to a threshold value, the image capturing apparatus maintains the previous AF frame setting instead of changing the AF frame setting. If the variation in subject distances is greater than the threshold value, the image capturing apparatus sets the AF frame to a predetermined region that does not follow a face region. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322934 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A focus adjustment apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect an object image to be focused from a captured image, a setting unit configured to set a focus detection region in the captured image, and a focus adjustment unit configured to adjust an in-focus state of an imaging optical system depending on AF evaluation values based on output signals from the focus detection region. First and second focus detection regions are set for a region which has followed the object image detected and a region which does not follow the object image detected. The focus adjustment unit performs a weighted addition of the AF evaluation values based on the output signals in the first and second focus detection regions at ratios depending on at least either a size of an object image within a screen, a position of the object image within the screen and a shooting mode. | 12-31-2009 |
20100002125 | DETECTION SYSTEM FOR AUTOFOCUS FUNCTION OF IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A detection system for an image capture device includes an image detecting unit, a calculation unit, a selection unit and a switching unit. The image detecting unit provides a plurality of focus modes suitable for different ambient light conditions, and acquires image parameters. The calculation unit determines exposure time suitable for the current ambient light conditions based on the acquired parameters. The selection unit selects a suitable detection mode based on the determined exposure time. The switching unit switches the image capture device to the selected suitable detection mode. | 01-07-2010 |
20100002126 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FOCUSING A DIGITAL CAMERA - A method of focusing a digital camera module with an image sensor including capturing an image of a test target with the digital camera module, determining a focus quality of the image with the image sensor, outputting a signal related to the focus quality of the image from the digital camera module to a focusing station external to the digital camera module, and determining whether a position of a lens from the image sensor within the digital camera module should be altered to improve a focus quality of subsequently captured images. | 01-07-2010 |
20100013981 | FOCUS CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A control method of detecting an object image to be focused from a sensed image, setting a focus detection area in detecting an in-focus state of a photographing optical system, and exercising control such that the photographing optical system is moved based on a signal output in the focus detection area to carry out focus control, wherein, in the setting of the focus detection area, a first focus detection area corresponding to an object to be focused detected from the sensed image and a second focus detection area which is larger than the first focus detection area are set, and in the focus control, control is exercised such that the photographing optical system is moved based on output signals in the set first and second focus detection areas. | 01-21-2010 |
20100020226 | Web camera - The web camera of the present invention is used to capture the external images. The web camera of the present invention comprises a circuit control unit, a focal adjustment module, a focus adjustment button, an image capturing module, and a shutter button, wherein the focus adjustment module has an auto-focus mode and a fixed focus mode; the focus adjustment button is electrically connected to the focus adjustment module and the circuit control unit. The focus adjustment button is used to change the mode of the focus module to the auto-focus mode or to the fixed focus mode; the image capturing module is electrically connected to the circuit control unit, which is used to transform the external images into image signals; and the shutter button is electrically connected to the circuit control unit, which is used to send outward the image capturing signals. | 01-28-2010 |
20100026877 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING FOCUS USING MODULATION TRANSFER FUNCTIONS - Provided are an apparatus and method for adjusting focus using the MTF characteristics of a lens in a digital image processing apparatus that adjusts focus using optical characteristics of a lens. The apparatus for adjusting focus includes: an image pickup unit in which modulation transfer function (MTF) data, which can be used to represent the performance of a lens, is stored; and a digital signal processing unit that calculates a focus peak value of an image and a defocus correction value based on the MTF data, and corrects the focus position using the focus peak value and the defocus correction value. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026878 | DUAL LENS OPTICAL SYSTEM AND DUAL LENS CAMERA HAVING THE SAME - A dual lens optical system includes a first optical system and a second optical system selectively redirecting at least one of two lights of representing images of object from two incident lenses into a first optical axis of light toward an image sensor by at least one reflection member, wherein, at least one optical element is disposed between an image sensor and the reflection member. | 02-04-2010 |
20100033617 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO GENERATE DEPTH DATA USING EDGE DETECTION - Systems and methods of generating depth data using edge detection are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, first image data is received corresponding to a scene recorded by an image capture device at a first focus position at a first distance. Second image data is received corresponding to a second focus position at a second distance that is greater than the first distance. Edge detection generates first edge data corresponding to at least a first portion of the first image data and to generate second edge data corresponding to at least a second portion of the second image data. The edge detection detects presence or absence of an edge at each location of the first portion and the second portion to identify each detected edge as a hard or soft edge. Depth data is generated based on the edge data generated for the first and second focus positions. | 02-11-2010 |
20100053415 | DIGITAL PRESENTER - Techniques for displaying an image are provided. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053416 | Auto depth field capturing system and method thereof - The invention presents a system and method for obtaining object depth through digital signal processing. The auto depth-field capturing method for a camera includes the steps of a) taking plural images; b) estimating plural epipolar data of the plural images for obtaining a matrix describing motion and directional vectors; c) estimating a location data in response to the plural epipolar data and the matrix; d) rectifying the plural images corresponding to the plural epipolar data for obtaining plural rectified images; e) calculating the location data for obtaining disparity vectors of the rectified images; f) obtaining a depth map in response to the disparity vectors and the location data; and g) painting a 3D image in correspondence with the depth map. The depth estimation method of the present invention is fully automatic without change of the camera itself. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053417 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND MANUFACTURE FOR ITERATIVE AUTO-FOCUS USING DEPTH-FROM-DEFOCUS - A camera with auto-focusing performs multiple iterations in which the distance from the camera to an object is estimated for the purpose of auto-focusing the camera. Each estimate is made using depth-from-defocus with at least two images used to make the estimate. When the two images are taken, the camera parameters are different. For example, the focus position, aperture, or zoom may be different between the two images. In each subsequent iteration, the previous estimate of distance from the camera to the object is used so that the parameter varied (focus position or zoom) is closer to that corresponding to the estimated distance from the camera to the object, so that the estimated distance is closer to the actual distance in each iteration. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053418 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes a movable focus lens, and the apparatus includes an imaging unit which, when a first instruction for starting setting of an in-focus state for still-picture imaging is given during motion-picture imaging for displaying a through image, performs first still-picture imaging while maintaining an in-focus state in the motion-picture imaging for displaying a through image. | 03-04-2010 |
20100060779 | LIGHT QUANTITY DETECTING APPARATUS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A light quantity detecting apparatus is disclosed which includes: an integration detection section configured to output a signal that varies with integrated quantities of light received by a light-receiving device; a comparison section configured to compare the signal output by the integration detection section with a reference value in order to output a signal representing a result of the comparison; a dummy signal generation section configured to generate a signal equivalent to the comparison result signal output by the comparison section; a changeover section configured to change the output of the comparison section with the output of the dummy signal generation section in response to a control signal; and an integration signal generation section configured to generate a signal indicating an end of the integration of the quantities of received light in accordance with the signal forwarded via the changeover section. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060780 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image pickup apparatus capable of achieving in-focus photographing with a reduced time lag. A system controller of the image pickup apparatus detects an in-focus state of image while moving a focus lens in an optical axis direction, and detects a state of a photographing scene at image acquisition. When detecting a change in photographing scene, the system controller moves the focus lens to a movement start position. When detecting that a photographing scene has been decided by a photographer, the controller detects an in-focus state while moving the focus lens. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060781 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - The lens barrel is a lens barrel for forming an optical image of a subject on an imaging element, comprising a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a focus lens unit, a zoom mechanism, and a focus actuator. The focus lens unit is movably supported by the second lens unit in the optical axis direction. The operating force inputted to the zoom control is mechanically transmitted to at least one of the first lens unit and the second lens unit. The focus actuator is fixed to the second lens unit and electrically drives the focus lens unit relative to the second lens unit in the optical axis direction. The second lens unit or the focus lens unit is disposed nearest to the image plane in the optical system including the first lens element, the second lens element, and the focus lens. | 03-11-2010 |
20100066895 | DIGITAL CAMERA - A digital camera of the present invention enables a lens unit to be attachable/detachable with respect thereto. The digital camera of the present invention includes a plurality of display portions, a release portion that receives an instruction of a user regarding a start of capturing of an image for recording by the image pickup element, an AF start instruction receiving portion that receives an instruction of the user regarding activation of an autofocus portion in the lens unit, and a control portion. After the control portion causes the lens unit to start an autofocus operation in accordance with an operation of the AF start instruction receiving portion, the control portion determines whether to cause the digital camera to be shifted directly to an image pickup operation of an image for recording in accordance with a timing at which the release portion receives the instruction for starting image pickup or to cause the digital camera to display an image on the display portions and thereafter to be shifted to an image pickup operation of an image for recording when the release portion receives an instruction for starting image pickup. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066896 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS AND FOCUS ADJUSTING METHOD - An apparatus, such as a focus adjusting apparatus, includes a focus adjusting system, a driving device which drives the focus adjusting system from one of a state in which a near-distance object is in focus and a state in which a far-distance object is in focus to the other, and a control device which repeatedly performs determination of a focusing state of the focus adjusting system while causing the driving device to drive the focus adjusting system, and, if the focus adjusting system has been driven in one direction until the number of times of the determination repeatedly performed reaches a predetermined number of times, restrains the focus adjusting system from being driven in the one direction, so that a focus adjusting operation can be appropriately performed. | 03-18-2010 |
20100073548 | IMAGE SENSOR INSPECTION AND CLEANING DEVICE - A loupe for use in conjunction with a digital SLR camera. The loupe is designed to couple to the lens mount of a camera to enable detection of any dust particles or other debris present on camera's image sensor. The loupe has a tubular housing having an access window slot formed therein to permit insertion of a cleaning tool into the interior of the housing to clean the image sensor while the loupe remains coupled to the camera. The invention thereby permits a user to more easily see dust particles or other debris on the image sensor during the cleaning operation. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073549 | DIGITAL CAMERA HAVING AUTOFOCUS CAPABILITY AND CONTINUOUS SHOOTING CAPABILITY - A digital camera includes an imaging system which performs a photographing operation and records captured image files in a buffer memory; an AF system which performs a focus-state detection process, in which the AF system detects a focus state, and a focusing lens group driving process, in which the AF system moves a focusing lens group to an in-focus position; and first and second switches which actuate the AF system and the imaging system, respectively. While the first and second switches are held ON, the digital camera performs a continuous shooting process in which the imaging system repeatedly performs the photographing operation and the AF system repeatedly performs the focus-state detection process. Upon the buffer memory becoming full during the continuous shooting process, the imaging system suspends the photographing operation and the AF system performs the focus-state detection process and the focusing lens group driving process. | 03-25-2010 |
20100079659 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - Provided is an image capturing apparatus comprising an image capturing section; an optical system that has an optical transfer characteristic that remains substantially constant with regard to distance to an object point due to modulation of a wavefront of light from the object point, and that modulates the wavefront of the light from the object point to have a different slope according to the distance to the object point; a control section that controls an imaging characteristic of the optical system by controlling an optical characteristic of the optical system; and a position identifying section that identifies a subject distance, which is distance to a subject, based on a position of an object representing the same subject in a first image and a second image, which are respectively captured when the control section controls optical system to have different imaging characteristics. | 04-01-2010 |
20100085467 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING GPS COORDINATES OF SUBJECT TO BE SHOT AND METHOD FOR DETECTING GPS COORDINATES THEREOF - A image pickup device capable of providing GPS coordinates of a subject to be shot and a method for detecting GPS coordinates thereof are described. The method includes the following steps. A first longitude, a first latitude, and a first altitude of a location of a image pickup device are obtained. When the image pickup module is focused on the subject to be shot, a focusing distance from the image pickup module to the subject and an elevation angle formed between the image pickup device and a horizontal direction and a horizontal angle formed between the image pickup device and a true north direction are measured. A second longitude, a second latitude, and a second altitude of a location of the subject to be shot are calculated according to the first longitude, the first latitude, the first altitude, the focusing distance, the elevation angle, and the horizontal angle. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085468 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CAPTURING IMAGE - An apparatus for capturing an image of a scene including an image capturing unit and a data processing unit. The image capturing unit may generate light field data and may include a first optical having at least two portions with at least two different fields of view, a sensing unit having a plurality of photosensors, and a second optical unit interposed between the first optical unit and the sensing unit. The data processing unit may perform at least one of change of view of the image and refocusing the generated light field data. The sensing unit may be configured to obtain an image with at least two magnifications corresponding to regions of the scene. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085469 | USER INPUT APPARATUS, DIGITAL CAMERA, INPUT CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER PRODUCT - A user input apparatus includes a display screen that displays selectable items; a receiving unit that receives operational input from a user; a display control unit that causes to be displayed on the display screen as objects, the selectable items and a 3-dimensional virtual space centered about a vantage point of the user viewing the display screen; a detecting unit that detects an angular state of the user input apparatus; a focusing unit that focuses a selectable item according to the detected angular state; and a control unit that performs control causing reception of selection that is made via the operational input from the receiving unit and with respect to the selectable item focused by the focusing unit. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085470 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING APPARATUS - An automatic focusing apparatus for performing focus adjustment of an object image includes an image pickup portion, an evaluating portion, a focus motor for driving a focus lens, and drive controlling portion. The image pickup portion converts an optical signal of an object image into an electric video signal. The evaluating portion calculates an evaluation value from the video signal obtained by the image pickup portion. The drive controlling portion controls an acceleration/deceleration drive of the focus motor according to a acceleration/deceleration function. The drive controlling portion accelerates the drive of the focus motor up to a target velocity, and decelerates the drive of the focus motor from the target velocity after the target velocity is reached, in synchronization with a synchronization signal for generating a timing of starting exposure for the optical signal of the image pickup portion. | 04-08-2010 |
20100091169 | DITHERED FOCUS EVALUATION - The invention utilizes an autofocus system ( | 04-15-2010 |
20100091170 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system is provided that includes a compactly constructed focusing lens unit and that has a suppressed change in the image magnification at the time of movement of a focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of lens units and an aperture diaphragm arranged in the lens unit. The plurality of lens units include a focusing lens unit that is arranged on an object side relative to the aperture diaphragm and that moves in a direction along the optical axis at the time of focusing. Further, the zoom lens system satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) 1.2<|f | 04-15-2010 |
20100091171 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system is provided that includes a compactly constructed focusing lens unit and that has a suppressed change in the image magnification at the time of movement of a focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system according to the present invention, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; a third lens unit having positive optical power; and an aperture diaphragm. At the time of zooming, the zoom lens system moves the first to third lens units so that intervals between these lens units vary. At the time of focusing from an infinity in-focus condition to a close-point object in-focus condition, the zoom lens system moves the third lens unit to the object side. | 04-15-2010 |
20100091172 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system is provided that includes a compactly constructed focusing lens unit and that has a suppressed change in the image magnification at the time of movement of a focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of lens units and an aperture diaphragm arranged in the lens unit. The plurality of lens units include: a negative lens unit that is arranged on an object side relative to the aperture diaphragm and provided with negative optical power having an absolute value greatest in the entire system and that moves in a direction along an optical axis at the time of zooming; and a focusing lens unit that is arranged in an optical path between the negative lens unit and the aperture diaphragm and that moves in a direction along the optical axis at the time of focusing such that an interval relative to the negative lens unit should vary. | 04-15-2010 |
20100091173 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system is provided that includes a compactly constructed focusing lens unit and that has a suppressed change in the image magnification at the time of movement of a focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises at least: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; a third lens unit having negative optical power; and an aperture diaphragm. At the time of zooming, the zoom lens system moves the first to third lens units so that intervals between these lens units vary. At the time of focusing from an infinity in-focus condition to a close-point object in-focus condition, the zoom lens system moves the third lens unit to the object side. | 04-15-2010 |
20100091174 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system is provided that includes a compactly constructed focusing lens unit and that has a suppressed change in the image magnification at the time of movement of a focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system according to the present invention comprises: a positive lens unit that is arranged on an object side relative to the aperture diaphragm; a negative lens unit that is arranged on an image side relative to the positive lens unit and on an object side relative to the aperture diaphragm; and a focusing lens unit that is arranged in an optical path between the negative lens unit and the aperture diaphragm. The zoom lens system satisfies the condition (4): 1.20<β | 04-15-2010 |
20100091175 | IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA BODY - A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body to which the interchangeable lens can be mounted, either directly or via an adapter. A lens microcomputer of the interchangeable lens is configured to hold lens information including information related to a focal point detection method. A body microcomputer of the camera body is configured to select a focal point detection method on the basis of lens information. The body microcomputer is configured to select a contrast detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is compatible with a contrast detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select a phase difference detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is not compatible with a contrast detection method, and the adapter is compatible with a phase difference detection method. | 04-15-2010 |
20100123818 | Focus Control Device and Focus Control Method - Even when a point light source is present in a subject or a normal subject is erroneously determined as a point light source in determination of the presence or absence of a point light source, the following is implemented: the driving time of a focus lens is shortened and quick focusing operation is provided. The optimum focus lens stroke is computed based on information on a high-brightness region and a low-brightness region in an image. Then the focus lens is driven while the focus lens stroke is continuously varied based on the amount of change in high-brightness region and low-brightness region. | 05-20-2010 |
20100128162 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A photographing apparatus and method are provided that can reduce power consumption by detecting a high precision focusing position for a predetermined range and controlling light emission according to a driving mode when performing focus control. The photographing apparatus includes: a lens movable in an optical axis direction and that focuses a subject image on an imaging surface; a photoelectric converter that converting the subject image into an electric signal; a focusing position detector for detecting a focusing position of the focus lens when at least one main subject image of the subject images is focused on the imaging surface; a focus control unit for controlling a first drive of the focus lens and a second drive of the focus lens that is different from the first drive; a light emitting unit; and a light emitting control unit for controlling for different light emissions during the first and second drive. | 05-27-2010 |
20100141826 | Camera System with Touch Focus and Method - Techniques for focusing a camera assembly on a moving object may include generating a preview video signal of a scene containing the object and analyzing the video signal to track movement of the moving object. As part of the analysis, a touch area for a touch sensitive electronic viewfinder of the camera assembly may be established. The touch area corresponds to the moving object and remains active in a former position of the object. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141827 | OPTICAL ELEMENT DRIVE MECHANISM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - An image pickup apparatus including a lens barrel with a bending optical system, in which a reflection optical element is movable between a storage state and a photographing state. When a rotary cylinder that retains a lens group to which light beams from an object are incident is being driven by a drive source to advance and retreat between a storage state and a photographing state, the coupling between a cam mechanism for rotary cylinder operation and a driving force transmission gear train for optical element operation is automatically established and released, whereby the operation for moving the reflection optical element between the storage state and the photographing state can be achieved by a single drive source. | 06-10-2010 |
20100149406 | Zoom lens and imaging apparatus using the same - A zoom lens comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group with a negative refracting power; a second lens group with a positive refracting power; a third lens group with a positive refracting power; and a fourth lens group with a refracting curved surface. Upon zooming from a wide-angle end to telephoto end, at least the first lens group, second lens group, and third lens group move, and a spacing between the respective lens groups are changed. The first lens group comprises; in order from the object side to an image side, a negative lens component with a negative refracting power and a positive lens component with a positive refracting power which are arranged on an optical axis with a predetermined spacing therebetween. The total number of the lens components in the first lens group is two. The second lens group comprises at least three lenses including at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens and comprises a plurality of cemented surfaces, at least two of which are obtained by cementing two face-to-face refracting surfaces of two lenses each having different curvature on the object side surface and image side surface. | 06-17-2010 |
20100165174 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING METHOD AND DEVICE IN HIGH-NOISE ENVIRONMENT - An automatic focusing method and device in a high-noise environment are used for determining a focusing distance between a digital imaging device and an object to be photographed. The automatic focusing method includes the steps of capturing M pre-photographed images at different object distances respectively; loading the pre-photographed images; superposing every N (N07-01-2010 | |
20100165175 | FOCUS DETECTING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICK-UP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - Disclosed are a focus detecting apparatus capable detection in various light illumination conditions and an image acquiring apparatus having the same. The focus detecting apparatus may include a mark disposed on a primary image plane. A pair of images of the mark is detected by a sensor, the distance between which images is used to determine the main wavelength of the light received from a subject. The main wavelength is used in determining the chromatic aberration correction by which the defocus amount may be adjusted. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165176 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensor having a pair of focus detection pixel groups and a plurality of image sensing pixels, and a control unit that, in a thinning readout mode that reads out signal charges from a portion of pixels disposed within a part of pixels of the image sensor, controls so that at least the pair of focus detection pixel groups are included in the part of the pixels from which signal charges are read out. | 07-01-2010 |
20100171867 | Live-View Optical System and Image Capture Apparatus - A live-view optical system A is, in an image capture apparatus capable of obtaining an image of an object in a moving picture mode by reflecting an optical image formed on a focusing plate D from a part of a reflective surface F of a penta-dach mirror B and by re-forming the optical image on a live-view imaging device H, positioned between an opening G of the penta-dach mirror and the live-view imaging device, and re-forms light reflected from the part of the reflective surface on the live-view imaging device, wherein
| 07-08-2010 |
20100171868 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND CAMERA BODY - A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes an imaging unit, a contrast detection unit, a defocusing amount detection unit, and a body microcomputer. The contrast detection unit is configured to detect a contrast value from an image signal of a subject acquired by the imaging unit, and is configured to detect the focal state of an optical image on the basis of the contrast value. The defocusing amount detection unit is configured to detect the focal state of the optical image by phase difference detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select either the contrast detection unit or the defocusing amount detection unit on the basis of lens information on the interchangeable lens side. | 07-08-2010 |
20100171869 | LIGHT AMOUNT ADJUSTING DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS - A light amount adjusting device includes: a cover plate having a light-passing hole; a first separator being sheet-shaped and having a hole; a second separator being elastically deformable and sheet-shaped, positioned on a side opposite to the cover plate with the first separator therebetween, and having a hole; a first light amount adjusting blade movable between the cover plate and the first separator; a second light amount adjusting blade being movable between the first separator and the second separator; a base body to which the cover plate, the first separator, and the second separator are mounted, having a throughhole and mounting grooves, the throughhole being formed to have a diameter larger than a diameter of the hole of the second separator, the mounting grooves allowing the second separator to be mounted therein and being opened toward the throughhole. | 07-08-2010 |
20100177235 | IMAGING DEVICE HAVING MICROLENS ARRAY ADHERED TO WAFER-LEVEL LENS - Methods and apparatuses having imaging structures that include a focusing lens structure, a pixel array, and a transparent material arranged between the focusing lens and the pixel array. A color filter array may be located between the transparent material and the pixels of the pixel array. | 07-15-2010 |
20100182485 | Imaging Apparatus, Imaging System, and Imaging Method - An imaging apparatus, imaging system, and imaging method enabling restoration of image according to a plurality of optical systems by one apparatus, having a plurality of imaging apparatuses | 07-22-2010 |
20100182486 | Portable Image Acquisitioner with Micro Objective Lens - A portable image acquisitioner with micro objective lens for photographing or observing with hand-holding is disclosed. The image acquisitioner includes a V-shaped foldable body and a rotatable lens. The body is composed of a first casing and a second casing pivotedly connected thereto. There is a display on the first casing for instantly showing a shot image. An outer end of the first casing is provided with a longitudinally rotatable rotor. The lens is pivotedly fixed at an outer end of the rotor for transversely rotating. The lens can be adjusted to a required angle by longitudinal and transverse rotation. When the body is opened in V-shape, the second casing can be as a seat for placing on a table. An object can be put on the second casing for being shot by the lens. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182487 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY FOCUSING AN OPTICAL LENS OF AN IMAGE MEASURING MACHINE - A system and method for automatically focusing an optical lens controls the light generated by a light-emitting device of an image measuring machine to penetrate a glass sheet, so as to project a picture of the glass sheet onto an object. The system and method further moves an optical lens along a Z-axis of the image measuring machine to capture one or more digital images of the object, and computes a definition value of each captured digital image. Furthermore, the system and method obtains a focus position corresponding to the highest definition value of the captured digital image. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182488 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND FOCUS DETECTING METHOD USING THE SAME - A photographing apparatus capable of automatic detection of a focus of a subject and a method thereof are disclosed. The photographing apparatus includes a control unit for detecting the focus of the subject using images of the subject acquired with a moveable lens being in different positions so as to allow the detection of the focus of the subject automatically and nearly simultaneously with the photographing the subject without using a separate AF module that requires light separation and/or separate dedicated focus image sensor. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182489 | AUTO FOCUS MODULE CAPABLE OF IN-PIXEL MONITORING OF AMOUNT OF RECEIVED LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Disclosed are an auto focus (AF) module and a photographing apparatus employing the same. The AF module may include an AF sensor having a plurality of AF pixels and a controller. The controller receives an information regarding the amount of light respectively received by the light receiving elements of one or more of the plurality of AF pixels from the one or more of the plurality of AF pixels. The controller of the AF sensor may be configured to control the operations, e.g., the light exposure timing, of the plurality of AF pixels based on the information received from the AF pixels. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182490 | CAMERA SYSTEM WITH AUTO-FOCUS FUNCTION AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - In accordance with an aspect of the present invention a camera system comprising a lens module capable of linear movement in a direction of an optical axis; a drive portion generating for driving force to move said the lens module; a position sensor portion outputting a electrical signal to detect a position of the lens module; a image sensor portion outputting a electrical signal to capture image of a subject through the lens module; a control portion controlling the magnitude of driving force as the result that is judged by discriminating correct position to focus position of the lens module compared to real output and standard output of the position sensor corresponding to focus position of the subject to be detected as to output of the image sensor portion, wherein the control portion is composed of one chip. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182491 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system according to the present invention, from an object side, comprises a first lens unit having positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit having positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power. In zooming, the first to the fourth units all move along the optical axis. The third lens unit is composed of three or more lens elements. The condition (6): nd | 07-22-2010 |
20100182492 | DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - Provided is a digital image processing apparatus that realizes an out-focusing effect by tilting a photographing device about a plane that is perpendicular to an optical axis of a lens. The digital image processing apparatus includes a lens and a photographing device configured to generate data about an image from light which has passed through the lens. The photographing device is configured to be tilted about a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens. The photographing device is tilted about the plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens so as to control a range of a focus area formed on the photographing device. | 07-22-2010 |
20100188558 | Automatic Focusing Apparatus and Method for Digital Images Using Automatic Filter Switching - An apparatus and method for automatically focusing a lens of a digital imaging device, such as a digital still or video camera or camera phone, that reduces the auto focus time while not compromising image sharpness quality and simultaneously reducing device power consumption due to focus actuator movement, all without tuning or adjustment of thresholds or parameters is disclosed. The present invention automatically computes a set of digital band-pass filters matched to the imaging device specifications along with corresponding step-size magnitudes. A filter-switching search for the in-focus focus actuator position is formulated such that filters are switched and step-sizes are reduced as the search gets closer to the in-focus position by utilizing local estimates of the first and second-order differential information of the focus value surface. | 07-29-2010 |
20100194966 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA SYSTEM HAVING AUTOFOCUSING FUNCTION - To provide an interchangeable lens camera system for shooting with the best in-focus position, no matter how a group of two or more interchangeable lenses to produce different degrees of spherical aberrations and a group of cameras of different types with different evaluated autofocus frequencies are combined. The camera system of this invention includes a lens unit and a camera body to be removable and attachable from/to each other. The lens unit includes a first computing section for acquiring shooting parameters during a focusing operation and a storage section that stores reference data for changing focus positions according to the contrast of image. The camera body includes an imaging device to output a video signal representing subject's image and a second computing section for measuring the contrast of the image based on its own predetermined evaluated AF frequency during the focusing operation and calculating a correction value based on the shooting parameter and the reference data associated with the highest contrast, thereby changing the focus positions according to the correction value calculated. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194967 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup device that includes a first pixel group configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed by a luminous flux from an imaging optical system, and a second pixel group which includes a plurality of pixels configured to photoelectrically convert a split pair of the luminous flux from the imaging optical system and a detecting unit configured to implement a first detection control that changes an imaging state of the image pickup device while detecting a contrast of the object image based on an output of the second pixel group, and then a second detection control that changes the imaging state of the image pickup device while detecting the contrast of the object image based on an output of the first pixel group. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194968 | IMAGE PICKUP OPTICAL SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup optical system including: a first prism including: a first incident surface where subject beam enters; a division surface for dividing the beam from the first incident surface into image-pickup beam and focus-detection beam; and a first exit surface from which reflection beam reflected on the division surface, the image-pickup beam or the focus-detection beam, exits; and a second prism including: a second incident surface on which transmission beam passing through the division surface, the image-pickup beam or focus-detection beam, enters; and a second exit surface from which the transmission beam exits, wherein the reflection beam is reflected on the division surface, reflected on the first incident surface, and reflected on the division surface to reach the first exit surface, and satisfying 0.108-05-2010 | |
20100194969 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens system having a high zoom ratio and excellently correcting various aberrations over an entire zoom range between a wide angle end and a telephoto end to obtain high optical performance in the entire zoom range, includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit, and a fourth lens unit. The fourth lens unit includes a front subunit and a rear subunit, the rear subunit being constituted by two negative lenses and at least three positive lenses. The rear subunit includes a first rear-subunit and a second rear-subunit. Each of the first rear-subunit and the second rear-subunit includes a negative lens and at least one positive lens. Lens materials are suitably set for the first rear-subunit and the rear second-subunit. | 08-05-2010 |
20100208126 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND FOCUS ADJUSTMENT METHOD - Before receiving an instruction, an apparatus identifies an object region to be focused by detecting a focus signal while moving a focusing lens. When the instruction is received, the apparatus moves the focusing lens based on the focus signal of the identified object region to be focused to detect a focus signal and perform a focus adjustment for the focusing lens. | 08-19-2010 |
20100214467 | Image pickup optical system and image pickup apparatus using the same - An image pickup optical system made of five lenses, includes in order from an object side, an aperture stop, a first lens L | 08-26-2010 |
20100214468 | DUAL FIELD-OF-VIEW OPTICAL IMAGING SYSTEM WITH DUAL FOCUS LENS - A dual field-of-view optical imaging system is provided for obtaining two images of a scene, each image having a different field of view. The dual field-of-view optical imaging system includes a frontal dual focus lens, the dual focus lens having a central zone of focal length f | 08-26-2010 |
20100231781 | TELEPHOTO LENS SYSTEM AND PHOTOGRAPHING DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - A telephoto lens system and a photographing device including the telephoto lens system. The telephoto lens system includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, which are sequentially disposed from an object side, wherein the second lens group performs focusing, and the third lens group includes a front lens group having a negative refractive power and a back lens group having a positive refractive power, and vibration correction is performed by moving the front lens group of the third lens group in a perpendicular direction to the optical axis. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231782 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, CAMERA BODY, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An interchangeable lens mountable to a camera body, includes a focus lens operable to adjust a focus state of a subject, a driver operable to drive the focus lens by repeatedly performing slight advancing and retreating of the focus lens along an optical axis, a lens-side obtaining unit operable to obtain a control signal for driving the driver from the camera body, and a lens-side transmission unit operable to transmit, to the camera body, information about a direction of slight advancing and retreating operations of the focus lens. | 09-16-2010 |
20100238342 | Method, an apparatus and a computer readable storage medium for controlling an assist light during image capturing process - Digital photographing devices traditionally comprise an assist light that illuminates the object being photographed in low light conditions The solution concerns a method comprising exposing an image frame comprising a window of interest; performing an autofocus for the window of interest; and controlling an assist light for the autofocus according to an exposure of the window of interest. The solutions is also targeted to an apparatus and a computer-readable storage means. | 09-23-2010 |
20100238343 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND SIGNAL PROCESSOR - An image pickup apparatus a camera | 09-23-2010 |
20100245655 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND AUTO-FOCUS METHOD FOR THE SAME - An image capturing device includes a taking lens, an image sensor, a driving device, an input device, and an auto-focus system. The input device is used for selecting a number of focus areas in a photographing area. The auto-focus system includes an auto-focus module, a calculating module, and a driving module. The auto-focus module controls the image capturing device to focus on each focus area alone to obtain a number of in-focus positions of the taking lens corresponding to the number of focus areas. The calculating module calculates distances between a predetermined starting position of the taking lens and the in-focus positions of the taking lens, and averaging the distances to obtain an average distance. The driving module controls the driving device to move the taking lens the average distance to arrive at an in-focus position of the taking lens corresponding to the plurality of focus areas. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245656 | Imaging device and focus detecting method - An imaging device includes an image pickup device having an arrangement of photoelectric converting units, the arrangement in which a plurality of pairs of photoelectric converting units are arranged along a predetermined direction, each pair of photoelectric converting units receiving light beams of a subject passing through partial areas in a pair that are lopsided in reverse to each other along the predetermined direction in an exit pupil of a shooting optical system, and a focus detector for performing focus detection of a phase-difference detecting technique according to data obtained from the pair of photoelectric converting units in the arrangement of the photoelectric converting units. The focus detector corrects the data according to a correction amount corresponding to a positional shift amount from the normalized position, and performs focus detection of the phase-difference detecting technique according to the corrected data. | 09-30-2010 |
20100253830 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING OPTICAL DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens and an imaging optical device having the same. The zoom lens includes: in order from an object side, a first lens group having negative refractive power; a second lens group having positive refractive power; and a third lens group having positive refractive power. A light adjusting unit is disposed between the second and third lens groups. The first lens group includes a negative lens having an aspherical surface at least on an image side, and a positive lens having large curvature on the object side. The second lens group includes a front group on the object side, and a rear group. The front group includes a positive lens having an aspherical surface at the object side, the front group having positive refractive power as a whole. The rear group includes a doublet lens including positive and negative lenses. The rear group has negative refractive power as a whole. The front and rear groups are spaced apart from each other by an air gap. | 10-07-2010 |
20100253831 | Electronic camera and focus control method - An electronic camera includes a shutter button. When the shutter button is half-depressed, a focal level of an object is determined on the basis of an image signal outputted from an imaging device, and a moving start position of a focus lens is settled on the basis of the determination result. More specifically, a correction amount of the moving start position is settled in accordance with the determination result of the focal level, and a position that subtracts the correction amount from a lens position at a time the shutter button being half-depressed is settled as the moving start position. The higher the focal level, the more reduced the correction amount. The focus lens gradually moves toward the imaging device from the settled moving start position, and a focal position is specified on the basis of the image signal outputted from the imaging device at each step. | 10-07-2010 |
20100259669 | Follow Focus Camera Accessory Device - A focussing accessory device comprises a focussing ring rotatable with a focussing control of a video camera rotatable responsive to rotation of a control knob. A main body of the device is supported on a single mounting rail of a camera assembly for relative pivotal movement to adjust an orientation of the device relative to the camera. The control knob is coupled to an input of a transmission on the main body. An output of the transmission meshes in engagement with the focussing ring. The transmission is reversibly supported on the main body to reverse the location and orientation of the output. An index marker is provided for rotation about an axis of the control knob independently therefrom. An annular indexing member is selectively coupled for rotation with the control knob relative to the index marker by magnetic elements which permit mounting in only one relative orientation. | 10-14-2010 |
20100265387 | CAMERA MODULE - A camera module includes an optical assembly, an image sensor, a barrel holder, an angle measurement assembly, a perpendicularity adjustment assembly and a controller. The optical assembly has an optical axis. The image sensor has a light surface. The optical assembly and the image sensor are housed in the barrel holder. The angle measurement assembly is configured for measuring perpendicularity of the optical axis to the light sensing surface of the image sensor. The perpendicularity adjustment assembly is arranged between the optical assembly and the barrel holder, and includes an electrostrictive member deformable in response to a voltage, thereby adjusting the perpendicularity of the optical axis to the light sensing surface. The controller is configured for providing the voltage to the perpendicularity adjustment assembly to deform the electrostrictive member. | 10-21-2010 |
20100271536 | Blended autofocus using mechanical and softlens technologies - A blended approach to achieving best system-level autofocus in a camera module where conventional mechanical autofocus techniques (and their associated filter algorithms) are used in conjunction with softlens autofocus techniques. In this manner, the mechanical autofocus approach needs only get close to the best focus position (thereby relaxing its tolerances) and then the softlens autofocus approach takes over and completes the fine tuning of the best focus (thereby relaxing its capabilities requirements). | 10-28-2010 |
20100277639 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING APPARATUS - An automatic focusing apparatus includes: plural focus detection units detecting focus states in plural areas independently; a unit measuring detection time of the focus detection units; a unit calculating a maximum focus detection time; a unit calculating defocus amounts based on outputs from the focus detection units; a unit driving a focus lens based on the defocus amounts; and a unit calculating an object predicted position. When the focus detection time exceeds the maximum focus detection time, all detections by the focus detection units are completed, defocus amounts corresponding to the respective plural areas are calculated based on the focus states in the areas detected by the focus detection units, and the focus lens is driven according to an output of the focus detection unit corresponding to a focus target position where a difference between the focus target position and the object predicted position is within an allowable range. | 11-04-2010 |
20100283887 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATION APPARATUS - A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a movable element supported on a support structure by a suspension system comprising a plurality of resilient flexures. A shape memory alloy actuator drives movement of the movable element on contraction. An end-stop limits the movement of the movable element in the opposite direction. Rather than using the resilient flexures of the suspension system as the sole biassing means, an additional Massing element biasses the movable element against the SMA actuator. When the moveable element is held against the end-stop, the force applied by the biassing element is greater than the force applied by the flexures of the suspension system. This reduces the design constraints, for example allowing a greater range of movement. | 11-11-2010 |
20100289940 | IMAGING DEVICE AND FOCUSING METHOD - A hill-climbing scheme of an automatic focusing process performed in a digital video camera obtains a moving speed Vj and an AGC gain Gj of a compensator lens every time an AF evaluation value AFj is detected corresponding to the position of the compensator lens. Adjustment factors α and β are computed with the moving speed Vj and the AGC gain Gj as parameters, where 0<α<1 and 0<β<1. The adjustment factor α is set to increase with an increase of the moving speed Vj, while the adjustment factor β is set to increase with a decrease of the AGC gain Gj. The automatic focusing process determines an in-focus position, based on the result of comparison between each detected AF evaluation value AFj and a threshold value TH. The threshold value TH is computed by multiplying a maximum value AFmax of the AF evaluation value AFj detected in the course of the hill-climbing scheme by the computed adjustment factors α and β. This arrangement attains the effective focusing technique of adequately determining the in-focus position according to various imaging conditions. | 11-18-2010 |
20100289941 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND OPTICAL-AXIS CONTROL METHOD - In order to perform adjustment of relative positions between an optical system and imaging devices, a plurality of the imaging devices, a plurality of solid lenses that form images of the imaging devices, and a plurality of optical-axis control units that control the direction of optical axes of light incident to the imaging devices are included. | 11-18-2010 |
20100295985 | VARIABLE MAGNIFICATION OPTICAL SYSTEM, IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND DIGITAL APPARATUS - A variable magnification optical system of the present invention and an image pickup device and a digital apparatus including this are provided with a four-component optical system of negative-negative-positive-negative arrangement, wherein a first lens group thereof includes only one negative lens as a lens having an optical power, and a third lens group thereof satisfies a conditional expression of 1.4<β3t/β3w<4 when β3t and β3w respectively denote image magnifications of the third lens group at a telephoto end and at a wide-angle end. The variable magnification optical system, the image pickup device and the digital apparatus having such a construction can be further downsized. | 11-25-2010 |
20100302433 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels at least part of which form a plurality of focus detection pixel pairs, each receiving light rays passing through different pupil areas of an image forming optical system; a detection unit configured to detect a defocus amount, based on a phase difference between signals output from the focus detection pixel pairs in a focusing area; a judging unit configured to determine if a subject corresponds to a predetermined pattern, based on the signals output from the pixels other than the focus detection pixel pairs around the focus detection pixel pairs in the focusing area; and a focus control unit configured to drive the image forming optical system to be in an in-focus state based on the detected defocus amount. The judging unit changes the defocus control based on the determination result. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302434 | OPTICAL APPARATUS - An optical apparatus is disclosed which achieves high focusing accuracy and favorable responsiveness in AF control. The apparatus includes a signal generator which extracts signals in a plurality of frequency bands from an output from an image-pickup part and generates focus signals from the extracted signals, and a controller which performs focus control such that the focus signal approaches the highest value. The controller uses a first focus signal and a second focus signal in the focus control. The second focus signal is a synthesis signal formed by synthesizing a focus signal in a relatively high or the highest frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands and a focus signal in another frequency band and contains a component of the focus signal in the relatively high or highest frequency band at a higher ratio as compared with the first focus signal. | 12-02-2010 |
20100309364 | CONTINUOUS AUTOFOCUS MECHANISMS FOR IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICES - At least certain embodiments described herein provide a continuous autofocus mechanism for an image capturing device. The continuous autofocus mechanism can perform an autofocus scan for a lens of the image capturing device and obtain focus scores associated with the autofocus scan. The continuous autofocus mechanism can determine an acceptable band of focus scores based on the obtained focus scores. Next, the continuous autofocus mechanism can determine whether a current focus score is within the acceptable band of focus scores. A refocus scan may be performed if the current focus score is outside of the acceptable band of focus scores. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309365 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING IMPROVED CONTRAST AUTOFOCUS ACCURACY - An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device that includes a plurality of focus detection pixels, a phase difference detection type of a first focus detector, a contrast detection type of a second focus detector, and a controller. The controller is configured to allow the second focus detector to continue the focus detection when the shift amount detected by the first focus detector is larger than a threshold even when the second focus detector detects the lens position corresponding to the peak of the contrast value, and to move the image pickup lens to a lens position that provides a peak of a contrast value detected by the second focus detector when the shift amount is the threshold or smaller. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309366 | INTEGRATED PWM SLOPE CONTROL DRIVING MECHANISM FOR GRADUALLY DELIVERING ENERGY TO A CAPACITIVE LOAD - An apparatus, system and method for controlling drive patterns is disclosed. A digital engine for controlling drive patterns may include a profile controller to program characteristics of one or more drive patterns for one or more piezoelectric actuators. The digital engine may further include a register array to store profile information for the one or more drive patterns. Each drive pattern may comprise a plurality of pulses with each pulse having a slope. The digital engine may also include a digital pattern generator to generate the one or more drive patterns based upon the profile information stored in the register array. The digital engine may further include a slope shaping circuit to modify one or more signals based upon an input from the digital pattern generator. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309367 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGING DEVICE USING THE SAME - The present invention provides an imaging lens composed of four lenses that can be made compact (downsized, thinned), allows a reduction in cost and is compatible with a high pixel imaging element having a megapixel or more incorporated in a small mobile product such as a mobile phone. The imaging lens | 12-09-2010 |
20100328520 | CAMERA DEVICE, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR SUPPORTING FOCUS ADJUSTMENT - A camera device ( | 12-30-2010 |
20110001867 | MANUAL FOCUSING MECHANISM OF IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A manual focusing mechanism, of an imaging apparatus provided with a lens system that includes a focusing lens group, which changes an image plane position by linearly moving the focusing lens group in an optical axis direction thereof via a manual operation of a focusing operational member includes a click-stop mechanism which holds the focusing operational member at one of a plurality of click-stop positions with respect to a support member. An amount of movement of the image plane position in the optical axis direction per one click-stop position of the focusing operational member via the click-stop mechanism is determined to be within a range of the depth of focus of the lens system of the imaging apparatus. An imaging apparatus having such a manual focusing mechanism is also disclosed. | 01-06-2011 |
20110001868 | FLEXIBLE LENS MOUNT SYSTEM FOR RAPID TILT PHOTOGRAPHY - The present invention generally relates to photography, including both still photography and video photography. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a lens system that includes a lens, a fitting mountable to a camera, and a flexible body extending between the lens and the fitting. The fitting can be the sole support for the body relative to the camera. The body can be configured to position the lens among at least two operative positions relative to the camera when the fitting is mounted to the camera. Another aspect of the invention is directed toward a method for adjusting focus of a camera using a lens assembly including manually moving a portion of a flexible body of the lens assembly to place a lens in one of at least two operative positions relative to the camera. | 01-06-2011 |
20110007202 | OPTICAL ZOOM CAMERA MODULE - A camera module, includes a circuit board, an image sensor mounted on the circuit board, a first lens module and a second lens module aligned with the image sensor. The first lens module includes a fixing member, a first barrel rotatably supported by the fixing member, a second barrel movably received in the first barrel and receiving a first lens therein, a driving apparatus configured for driving the first barrel to rotate, and a fixed leaning member arranged outside of the first barrel. The first barrel has a cam groove formed along a circumference thereof, the second barrel has a guiding bar extending through the cam groove and leaned against the leaning member, such that when the driving apparatus drives the first barrel to rotate, the second barrel is driven to move along an optical axis of the first lens relative to the second lens module and the image sensor. | 01-13-2011 |
20110013071 | Imaging lens system - This invention provides an imaging lens system including, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens group with negative refractive power comprising a single first lens element with negative refractive power; a second lens group with positive refractive power comprising, in order from the object side to the image side: a second lens element with positive refractive power; a third lens element with negative refractive power; an aperture stop; and a fourth lens element with negative refractive power; and a third lens group with positive refractive power comprising a single fifth lens element with positive refractive power; wherein by moving the first lens group and the second lens group along the optical axis while keeping the third lens group stationary, the zooming operation is performed such that the system switches between a wide-angle mode and a telephoto mode. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013072 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUAL FOCUSING IN PORTABLE TERMINAL - A method and apparatus for manual focusing in a portable terminal are provided. The method includes providing a user interface for determining a focusing area and a focusing level to a screen, determining the focusing area according to a motion of touching the screen, determining the focusing level according to the motion of touching the screen, and performing focusing on the determined focusing area according to the determined focusing level. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013073 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert light of an object image formed by an imaging optical system to generate a signal, a first detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the imaging unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal different from the signal generated by the imaging unit without using the imaging optical system, and a second detection unit configured to detect an in-focus position of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the sensor. The sensor is located such that an amount of overlap between a detection range of the first detection unit and a detection range of the second detection unit at a first object distance is equal to an amount of overlap between those at a second object distance that is close to an infinite distance side compared to the first object distance. | 01-20-2011 |
20110019065 | Method for activating a function, namely an alteration of sharpness, using a colour digital image - The invention concerns a method for activating a function by using a measurement taken from at least one digital image ( | 01-27-2011 |
20110019066 | AF FRAME AUTO-TRACKING SYSTEM - Disclosed is an AF frame auto-tracking system that does not require a complicated operation when starting AF frame auto-tracking, is capable of setting the face of a person as a tracking target with a simple operation, and reduces the load of an operator. | 01-27-2011 |
20110032411 | IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM AND LENS APPARATUS - The image pickup system is constituted by a lens apparatus including a focus lens and an image pickup apparatus performing image pickup through the lens apparatus. The system includes an operating part being operated to instruct a movement of the focus lens, a controller performing focus position control to move the focus lens to a position corresponding to an operation amount of the operating part, a ranging part detecting an object distance in each of plural ranging areas included in an image pickup region, and a determining part determining a distance range where the object distances detected in the plural ranging areas are distributed. The system further includes a changing part changing a relationship between the operation amount of the operating part and the position of the focus lens in the focus position control according to a determination result by the determining part. | 02-10-2011 |
20110032412 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus and image processing method generate a motion picture with smooth zooming changes when a user manually operates a zoom lens while the motion picture is being captured. The image capturing apparatus includes a recording unit in which a plurality of images that are captured while a zoom lens, which enlarges or reduces images of an object, is manually operated by a user, and in which focal lengths corresponding to the plurality of images are recorded; a focal length calculating unit that calculates smoothing focal lengths based on the recorded focal lengths for smooth chronological variations of focal lengths; and an image generating unit that generates smoothing images having a viewing angle corresponding to the smoothing focal length based on the smoothing focal length, the recorded focal lengths, and the recorded image data. | 02-10-2011 |
20110043678 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, CAMERA BODY, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An interchangeable lens includes a drive unit that drives a focus lens back and forth along an optical axis, a storage unit that stores driving method information indicating a driving method for autofocus control which is supported by the interchangeable lens, a sending unit that sends the driving method information to the camera body, and a lens controller that controls an operation of the interchangeable lens. A camera body determines control on the interchangeable lens by referring to the driving method information obtained from the interchangeable lens to generate a control signal. The lens controller of the interchangeable lens controls the drive unit according to the driving method instructed by the control signal received from the camera body, when autofocus control is performed. | 02-24-2011 |
20110050980 | IMAGING SYSTEMS AND OPTICAL SYSTEMS WITH EXTENDED DEPTH OF FOCUS - An optical imaging system with extended depth of focus is provided. The optical imaging system includes an optical imaging module, an array type detector and an image restoration module. The optical imaging module has a specific longitudinal spherical aberration corresponding to the depth of focus. The array type detector is coupled to the optical imaging module to obtain a image via the specific longitudinal spherical aberration provided by the optical imaging module. The image restoration module is coupled to the array type detector, wherein the array type detector converts the obtained image to a digitalized image and the image restoration module receives the digitalized image and performs an image restoration operation to the digitalized image to form an image with extended depth of focus. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050981 | FOCUSING APPARATUS - A focusing apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set a focus detection area to be focused among a plurality of focus detection areas, a memory configured to store focus correction information based on a focusing status of a focus lens in each of the focus detection area to be focused and another focus detection area, a focus detection unit configured to detect the focusing status of the focus lens in the other focus detection areas, and a focusing unit configured to move the focus lens for focusing based on the focusing status of the focus lens detected in the other focus detection area. The focusing unit corrects the focusing status of the focus lens detected in the other focus detection area based on the focus correction information stored in the memory and achieves focusing. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050982 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - A lens barrel includes a focusing lens, a driver, and a controller. The focusing lens changes a state of focus by moving in the direction of an optical axis. The focusing lens is subject to a load which is dependent upon the position of the focusing lens along the optical axis. The driver is coupled to the focusing lens and produces a driving force to move the focusing lens along the optical axis at a predetermined speed. The controller is coupled to the driver to adjust the driving speed of the driver relative to the position of the focusing lens. | 03-03-2011 |
20110058093 | AUTO FOCUSING METHOD USING VCM ACTUATOR - The present disclosure relates to an auto focusing method using a VCM (voice coil motor) actuator, the method of using the VCM actuator to upwardly move a lens position, to obtain a most-focused upward position value, and downwardly move the lens position to automatically adjust the lens focus, the method comprising: obtaining an auto focus (AF) upward position value, which is an upward position value of a lens when the lens is most focused by upwardly moving the lens to capture an image; determining whether a difference between the AF upward position value and an AF downward position value of a code value which is a bit value corresponding to the AF upward position value is smaller than a pre-set level; and implementing the auto focusing the code value if the difference is smaller than the pre-set level, and using a hysteresis table of the VCM actuator to select a code value corresponding to a downward position value most approximate to the AF upward position value in a downward position value column and to implement the auto focusing adjustment using the corrected code value, if the difference is not smaller than the pre-set level. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058094 | MANUAL FOCUS ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND FOCUS ASSISTING PROGRAM - According to the present invention, when a lens is moved in an operation of an operation device, the focal information calculated for each travel position of the lens can be graphed corresponding to the lens position, and the focal information about the current lens position can be identified from the focal information about another position. Thus, a manual focus adjustment can be made while checking the graph. Especially, since the history of the focal information calculated for each lens travel position can be graphed, the lens can travel to the lens position in which a desired peak can be obtained when there are a plurality of peaks of focal information on the graph. | 03-10-2011 |
20110063493 | Camera module, method of focusing the same, and device for focusing the same - An a camera module includes: a lens barrel housing lenses; a housing formed integrally with the lens barrel; and a substrate unit having a top surface bonded to the housing with an adhesive and including pass portions through which an ascending and descending unit passes, the ascending and descending unit vertically moving the housing to perform focusing when the housing is bonded to the substrate unit. | 03-17-2011 |
20110069217 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING AUTOFOCUS FUNCTION, AND LENS UNIT - An image pickup apparatus includes a magnification information acquisition unit configured to acquire information on an image pickup magnification of an image pickup optical system, and a controller configured to select a first focus control that stops a focus control after an on-focus state of the image pickup optical system is obtained by the focus control, and a second focus control that continues the focus control even after the on-focus state of the image pickup optical system is obtained by the focus control. The controller sets the first focus control mode when the information on the image pickup magnification is information corresponding to image pickup magnification smaller than a predetermined value, and the controller sets the second focus control mode when the information on the image pickup magnification is information corresponding to image pickup magnification equal to or larger than the predetermined value. | 03-24-2011 |
20110075015 | AUTOMATIC FOCUS IMAGING SYSTEM USING OUT-OF-PLANE TRANSLATION OF AN MEMS REFLECTIVE SURFACE - The present invention provides an automatic focus imaging system comprising a lens unit, an image sensor, and a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) unit fabricated by microfabrication technology to improve the portability and focusing speed of the automatic focus imaging system. The MEMS unit for automatic focusing comprises a substrate having a control circuitry, at least one reflective surface movably connected to the substrate, and at least one actuation unit comprising a micro-actuator having a large in-plane translation and at least one micro-converter configured to convert the large in-plane translation of the micro-actuator to the large out-of-plane translation of the reflective surface. The MEMS unit changes a distance between lens unit and the image sensor by controlling the out-plane translation of the reflective surface in order to form in-focus mage on the image sensor. | 03-31-2011 |
20110075016 | IMAGER PROCESSING A CAPTURED IMAGE - An endoscope is provided having an imaging sensor, a focusing lens, and an image processor. The imaging sensor converts an optical image to an output image signal. The focusing lens focuses on an object. The image processor calculates a contrast value based on the image signal while the focusing lens moves to focus on an object, and in the case where the image processor detects a region in which the amount of variation in the contrast value is within a predetermined range, while the focusing lens moves in a close range around a focusing point the image processor processes at least one output image in which either the image has been cropped to exclude the region, an ornament has been added to the region, or the region has been softened. | 03-31-2011 |
20110090392 | Photographing lens system - This invention provides a photographing lens system comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens with negative refractive power, both its two surfaces being aspheric; a third lens having a concave image-side surface, both its two surfaces being aspheric and at least one of them having at least one inflection point; and an aperture stop disposed between an imaged object and the first lens; wherein there are only three lenses with refractive power; the focal length of the photographing lens system is f, the focal length of the first lens and the second lens is f | 04-21-2011 |
20110090393 | IMAGING APPARATUS - When automatic exposure (AE) for AF is performed, an imaging apparatus sets a fastest speed or a predetermined fixed speed as a diaphragm driving speed to reduce the time to be spent for the AF. On the other hand, when an interchangeable lens in which the diaphragm driving speed can be changed is attached to the imaging apparatus, and AE is performed for moving image recording, the imaging apparatus slows down the diaphragm blade driving speed compared to the speed at the time of AE for AF in consideration of the quality of moving image recording and display. | 04-21-2011 |
20110102663 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS - The invention provides a focus detection apparatus comprising: an image sensor configured to convert an object image, the image sensor having a focus detection pixel for receiving a light beam that has passed through a partial area, which is a division of an exit pupil of an optical system for forming an object image; addition unit configured to multiply outputs of a plurality of the focus detection pixels included in a predetermined area of the image sensor by a weighting coefficient corresponding to a position of the focus detection pixel, and perform addition; and defocus amount calculation unit configured to calculate a defocus amount based on a pair of phase-difference detection signals generated based on an output of the addition unit. | 05-05-2011 |
20110109788 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND INTERCHANGEABLE LENS - There are provided a camera system and an interchangeable lens that are compatible with a contrast detection method. A camera system ( | 05-12-2011 |
20110115965 | FIXED FOCAL LENGTH OPTICAL LENS ARCHITECTURE PROVIDING A CUSTOMIZED DEPTH OF FOCUS OPTICAL SYSTEM - Providing for a fixed focus optical system exhibiting extended depth of field is provided herein. By way of example, a compact and fast optical system that yields an asymmetric modulation transfer function (MTF) is disclosed. In some aspects, the asymmetric MTF results in extended depth of field for near field objects. Such a response can be particularly beneficial for small handheld cameras or camera modules having high resolution. According to some disclosed aspects, the resolution can be about 8 mega pixels. Additionally, the optical system can comprise four lenses in one aspect and five lenses in another, while remaining below about 5.3 mm total track length (TTL) for the respective systems. In at least one application, the disclosed optical systems can be employed for a high resolution compact camera, for instance in conjunction with an electronic computing device, communication device, display device, surveillance equipment, or the like. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115966 | IMAGE PICKING-UP DEVICE - In an image pickup device of the present invention, in the case where a mode switch | 05-19-2011 |
20110122309 | APPARATUS FOR DETECTING IN-FOCUS STATE - An apparatus that detects an in-focus state has a plurality of line sensors arranged on a projection area of an optical image-forming system, each line sensor comprising photoelectric converters an storages; a plurality of monitor sensors arranged on the projection area, each monitor sensor being adjacent to a corresponding line sensor and monitoring a quantity of light incident on a corresponding line sensor; an accumulation termination detector that detects a termination timing of an accumulation of electric charge in the plurality of line sensors on the basis of monitor signals output from the plurality of monitor sensors; an electric charge transfer processor that transfers electric charges accumulated in the photoelectric converters to the storages; a signal output processor that reads electric charges temporarily stored in the storages to output image signals corresponding to an object image; and an electric charge transfer controller that adjusts an electric charge transfer time of a target line sensor in response to intensity of light incident on a corresponding monitor sensor. | 05-26-2011 |
20110134308 | AUTOFOCUS DEVICE AND AUTOFOCUSING METHOD FOR AN IMAGING DEVICE - An autofocus device for an imaging device is provided, which has an imaging optic having a first focal plane and an object table for moving an object to be imaged relative to the first focal plane, wherein said autofocus device comprises a) an image recording module having a second focal plane, the location thereof relative to the first focal plane being known, b) a lighting module (BM) for imaging a focusing image along a lighting beam path in a focusing image plane such that, if the object is positioned in a target position at a predetermined distance to the second focal plane, the lighting beam path is folded because of reflection on the object and the focusing image, which lies in the focusing image plane, intersects the second focal plane or lies therein, and c) a control module, which activates the object table to focus the imaging device so that the object is positioned in the target position, from a signal of the image recording module, which the image recording module generates on the basis of the recording thereof of the focusing image when the object is positioned in the target position, derives the deviation of the object position from the target position, and, based on the derived deviation, the predetermined distance, and the relative location of the first and second focal planes, activates the object table so that the object is positioned in the first focal plane. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134309 | Method to Evaluate Contrast Value for an Image and Applications Thereof - An image contrast evaluation method is disclosed. First, focusing is performed based on the contrast value of an image rendered by a lens on optical sensors, wherein the calculation of the contrast value comprises: selecting an area of the image, calculating the absolute value of brightness difference between each neighboring pixel, and selecting a specific value there from as the contrast value of the image based on a distribution of the calculated absolute values of the brightness differences. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134310 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING SAME - An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor provided in the neighborhood of an image plane of a photographing optical system for forming the image of a subject; pupil dividing member for forming images of a pair of light beams that have passed through different pupil regions of the photographing optical system; focus detection sensors arranged two-dimensionally for photoelectrically converting images of the pupil dividing member; and a correlation calculation unit which, in order to obtain one focus measurement value from one pair of two-dimensional images generated by the focus detection sensors and extending in the pupil dividing direction of the pupil dividing member and in a direction perpendicular to the pupil dividing direction, calculates the correlation between the pair of two-dimensional images while shifting the pair of two-dimensional images in the pupil dividing direction. | 06-09-2011 |
20110141340 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS AND CAMERA SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A camera system for linearly driving a focus lens group by an ultrasonic actuator in a single-lens reflex digital camera to perform focusing operation by a contrast detection method is provided. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141341 | AUTOFOCUSING OPTICAL SYSTEM USING TUNABLE LENS SYSTEM - A method for providing auto focus for camera module that is electrically tunable using liquid crystal optical element is provided. The liquid crystal optical element includes substrate layers, insulating layer, three electrodes, liquid crystal layer between the substrate layers, and voltages applied between electrodes to control the optical power of the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is coupled onto a camera module for provide auto focus on object located between 10 cm to infinity, achieving a response time at most of about 600 milliseconds. Tuning for the predetermined focal length is provided for liquid crystal optical element when object is located between 10 cm to infinity. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141342 | LENS CONTROL APPARATUS - An autofocus and motion control apparatus is provided. According to one embodiment, the autofocus and motion control apparatus comprises a lens control apparatus having an imaging lens unit and a lens holder and a plurality of actuators configured to move the lens holder in predetermined directions within the lens control apparatus. Embodiments of the lens control apparatus include a casing; an imaging lens unit and lens holder movable within the casing along an optical axis, the imaging lens unit and lens holder further pivotable within the casing, an autofocus actuator is configured to move the imaging lens unit and lens holder within the casing along the optical axis; a first lateral actuator is configured to provide a force to pivot the lens holder in a first direction; and a second lateral actuator is configured to provide a force to pivot the lens holder in a second direction. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141343 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus including a driving portion configured to move an optical system for acquiring an image of an object collects ambient sound to acquire an audio signal, and detects a level of the audio signal. Based on a detection result, the imaging apparatus adjusts the level of the audio signal and outputs the adjusted audio signal. When the driving portion is not driven, the imaging apparatus adjusts the level of the audio signal after adjustment to be lower as the level of the detection result is lower. When the driving portion is driven, the imaging apparatus sets the level of the audio signal after adjustment to be lower than that when the driving portion is not driven. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141344 | DIGITAL CAMERA - A digital camera includes: an imaging unit that receives and images a light from a subject transmitted a photographing optical system; a recognition unit that recognizes a feature region of the subject using an image obtained by imaging with the imaging unit; a detection unit that detects a size of the feature region that is recognized with the recognition unit; and a control unit that predicts a distance to the subject after a predetermined period of time according to the size of the feature region, and controls the photographing optical system so as to focus on the subject. | 06-16-2011 |
20110149141 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS THAT MAKES MOVEMENT OF FOCUS LENS INCONSPICUOUS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes a detector configured to detect an in-focus direction based on a focus signal that results from an output signal of an image pickup device by reciprocating a focus lens in an optical axis direction, and a focus controller configured to provide focusing by moving the focus lens in the in-focus direction. The focus controller is configured to set an amplitude of the focus lens when moving a center of a reciprocation of the focus lens, to be less than that of the focus lens when the center of the reciprocation of the focus lens is not moved. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149142 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - The interchangeable lens unit ( | 06-23-2011 |
20110157456 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - The present invention provides an image capturing apparatus including an image capturing unit configured to photoelectrically convert an image of an object formed by an image capturing optical system to generate an image signal, a generation unit configured to generate, from the image signal generated by the image capturing unit, an evaluation value representing an in-focus state of the image capturing optical system, an adjusting unit configured to perform focus detection by adjusting relative positions of the image capturing unit and a focusing lens included in the image capturing optical system so as to maximize the evaluation value generated by the generation unit, and a determination unit configured to determine, during the focus detection by the adjusting unit, whether the object exists in a specific region defined in advance in the image capturing optical system in a range shorter than a predetermined distance. | 06-30-2011 |
20110164167 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A high-performance zoom lens system which is compact and has a wide view angle at a wide-angle limit and a high zooming ratio in a balanced manner, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a first lens unit having positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit having positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power, wherein the first lens unit is composed of at most two lens elements, the second lens unit is composed of two lens elements, the third lens unit is composed of three lens elements, in order from the object side to the image side, including an object side lens element having positive optical power, a lens element having negative optical power, and an image side lens element having positive optical power, and the conditions: ω | 07-07-2011 |
20110164168 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A high-performance zoom lens system which is compact and has a wide view angle at a wide-angle limit and a high zooming ratio in a balanced manner, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a first lens unit having positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit having positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power, wherein the first lens unit is composed of at most two lens elements, the second lens unit is composed of two lens elements, the third lens unit is composed of three lens elements, in order from the object side to the image side, including an object side lens element having positive optical power, a lens element having negative optical power, and an image side lens element having positive optical power, and the conditions: f | 07-07-2011 |
20110164169 | CAMERA AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A camera comprising at least a second focus detection unit out of a first focus detection unit which includes a first pupil-dividing unit for guiding light beams having passed through different pupil regions of a photographing lens and detects a focus of the photographing lens by using light beams guided by the first pupil-dividing unit, and the second focus detection unit which includes a second pupil-dividing unit different from the first pupil-dividing unit and detects the focus of the photographing lens on an image plane different from an image plane by the first focus detection unit by using light beams guided by the second pupil-dividing unit, wherein focus detection of the photographing lens by the second focus detection unit is performed using a correction value for focus detection that is stored in advance in the photographing lens in correspondence with the first focus detection unit. | 07-07-2011 |
20110176050 | LENS ACTUATOR - A flexible lens may be actuated to change its focal length by a deployable lens actuator. The lens actuator translates a rotational motion of an outer frame into a linear radial motion of a plurality of linear elements. The linear elements have fixed pins, which may be slidably coupled to cam pockets in the outer frame. The cam pockets have a gradually varying distance from the center of the outer frame. The rotation of the outer frame thus drives the cam pockets to slide about the pins, thereby causing radial motions of the linear elements. The linear elements stretch a flexible lens, thereby changing a curvature of the flexible lens. | 07-21-2011 |
20110181769 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS AND FOCUS CONTROL METHOD - An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of restricting unnecessary focus control by an AF method other than the TV-AF method in the hybrid AF. The image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector which generates first information corresponding to a contrast state of a picked-up image, a second detector which detects second information differing from the first information and used for focus control, and a controller which performs focus processing that cyclically repeats first focus control using the first information and performs second focus control using the second information. In the focus processing, the controller is changed over between a state of restricting the second focus control and a state of allowing the second focus control, depending on a change amount of the contrast state. | 07-28-2011 |
20110194015 | Zoom lens and imaging apparatus - A zoom lens includes: a first lens group including a reflection member that deflects an optical path by 90 degrees and having positive refracting power; a second lens group having negative refracting power; a third lens group having positive refracting power; at least one lens group having negative refracting power and at least one lens group having positive refracting power disposed as a fourth lens group and the following lens groups, the first to third lens groups and the fourth and following lens groups arranged in this order from an object side toward an image side; and an aperture diaphragm disposed in the vicinity of the third lens group, wherein in zooming from a wide angle end state to a telescopic end state, the first lens group is fixed, the second lens group is moved toward the image side, and the fourth lens group is moved toward the object side, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional equation | 08-11-2011 |
20110194016 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - First lens-group is composed of a negative lens and a positive lens. When magnification is changed from wide end to tele end, a distance between first lens-group and second lens-group increases, and a distance between second lens-group and third lens-group decreases. Specifically, first lens-group moves toward the object side, second lens-group moves along a path convex toward the image side, third lens-group monotonously moves only toward the object side, and fourth lens-group moves along a path convex toward the object side. Further, the following formulas are satisfied: | 08-11-2011 |
20110194017 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A high-performance zoom lens system which is compact and has a wide view angle at a wide-angle limit and a high zooming ratio in a balanced manner, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a first lens unit having positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit having positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power, wherein the first lens unit is composed of at most two lens elements, the second lens unit is composed of two lens elements, the third lens unit is composed of three lens elements, and the condition: nd>1.75 (nd: a refractive index to the d-line of each lens element constituting the zoom lens system) is satisfied; an imaging device; and a camera are provided. | 08-11-2011 |
20110199532 | Auto focus system and auto focus method - An auto focus system comprises an image capturing optical unit, an image capturing camera, an image acquisition and processing engine, an acutance index calculation engine, a motion control engine, a motion controller and a lens driving unit. An auto focus method measures image's acutance index rather than image's contrast value. An auto focus system employing the auto focus method of the present invention can accurately and reliably detect the best focus point and thus preventing auto focus malfunction even under the condition that illumination uniformity changes dramatically. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199533 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING CONTINUOUS AUTOFOCUS POWER CONSUMPTION - A method and apparatus providing an autofocus routine in a camera apparatus having a processor is disclosed. The camera apparatus is adapted to detect a number of images and communicate image signals representative thereof to the processor. The method includes determining that a degree of change between a first image signal and a second image signal is below a predetermined threshold and responsive thereto, performing the autofocus routine. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199534 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE - An image-capturing device includes: an input unit that inputs a subject image formed by an optical system manifesting axial chromatic aberration as an input image; an edge detection unit that detects edges in the input image, each in correspondence to one of color components; a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment for the optical system by detecting contrast differences of the edges corresponding to individual color components having been detected and then moving a focus adjustment lens included in the optical system; and a lens moving direction determining unit that determines a moving direction along which the focus adjustment lens is to move for purposes of focus adjustment based upon the edges corresponding to the individual color components having been detected and the axial chromatic aberration. The focus adjustment unit causes the focus adjustment lens to move along the moving direction determined by the lens moving direction determining unit. | 08-18-2011 |
20110205423 | FOCUS DETECTION DEVICE, PHOTOGRAPHIC LENS UNIT, IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A focus detection device includes: a focus detection unit that includes a pair of light-receiving element arrays and lens systems via which a pair of focus detection light fluxes are each guided to one of the pair of light-receiving element arrays, and detects an image shift amount based upon output signals output from the pair of light-receiving element arrays; an acquisition unit that obtains a plurality of sets of opening data pertaining to sizes and positions of a plurality of openings; a function value calculation unit that calculates, based upon the plurality of sets of opening data, a function value pertaining to a gravitational center distance between gravitational centers of a pair of overlapping areas where a pair of specific focus detection pupils overlap an exit pupil; and a conversion unit that converts the image shift amount to a defocus amount based upon the function value. | 08-25-2011 |
20110221951 | IMAGING DEVICE FOR MEASUREMENT PROCESSING - An aspect of the invention provides an imaging device for measurement processing, which comprises: an imaging unit that forms an image; a lens positioned to guide incident light to the imaging unit; and an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance between the lens and the imaging unit by moving the lens along the optical axis of the lens, the optical axis extending in a first direction, the adjustment mechanism comprising: a first threaded member having a longitudinal axis extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction, wherein the first threaded member is rotatable around longitudinal axis thereof without moving in the second direction; and a conversion mechanism that converts a rotation of the first threaded member around longitudinal axis thereof into a movement of the lens along the optical axis of the lens. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221952 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND FOCUS ADJUSTMENT METHOD - Focus adjustment apparatus and methods for effectively auto-focusing on a subject by adaptively changing a shape of a focus area according to a determined image condition, and in particular, setting the focus area in a shape of which a width of an upper part is narrow according to the condition. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221953 | METHOD AND DIGITAL IMAGING APPLIANCE FOR SELECTING A FOCUS SETTING WITH A NORMALIZED FIGURE-OF-MERIT - A method for selecting a focus setting for a digital image acquisition appliance, the method comprising: acquiring at least two images, the images being acquired with different focus settings; calculating a figure-of-merit for each of the images; calculate a normalization constant using the figure-of-merit calculated for each of the images; calculating a normalized figure-of-merit for each of the images by dividing the figure-of-merit of each image by the normalization constant; selecting the focus setting using the normalized figure-of-merit for each of the images and a predetermined selection criteria. | 09-15-2011 |
20110228158 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprising a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a third lens unit and subsequent lens units including at least a fourth lens unit, wherein an aperture diaphragm is either included in the third lens unit or located on the image side relative to the third lens unit, at least two among the first to third lens units and the subsequent lens units are movable lens units which individually move along an optical axis at the time of zooming, at least two of the movable lens units are focusing lens units which move along the optical axis at the time of focusing from an infinity in-focus condition to a close-object in-focus condition in at least one zooming position, and at least the second lens unit and one of the subsequent lens units are the focusing lens units; an interchangeable lens apparatus; and a camera system are provided. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228159 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of movable lens units which individually move along an optical axis at the time of zooming, wherein a lens unit located closest to an object side is fixed relative to an image surface at the time of zooming, at least two of the movable lens units are focusing lens units which move along the optical axis at the time of focusing in at least one zooming position, and the condition: 0.109-22-2011 | |
20110228160 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of movable lens units which individually move along an optical axis at the time of zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit during image taking, wherein at least two of the movable lens units are focusing lens units which move along the optical axis at the time of focusing from an infinity in-focus condition to a close-object in-focus condition in at least one zooming position, and among the focusing lens units, a lens unit having the absolute value, which is not the greatest absolute value, of a wobbling value at a wide-angle limit is a wobbling lens unit which senses a moving direction of the focusing lens units at the time of focusing by wobbling itself in a direction along the optical axis; an interchangeable lens apparatus; and a camera system are provided. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228161 | FOCUS-ADJUSTMENT SIGNAL GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD, WITH MANUAL FOCUS ADJUSTMENTS - A focus-adjustment signal generating apparatus includes a filter to extract a high-frequency component at a specific frequency or higher from a luminance signal of an input video signal, a comparator to compare an absolute value of the high-frequency component with a specific reference value, to output a first detection signal when the absolute value is equal to or larger than the reference value whereas a second detection signal when the absolute value is smaller than the reference value, an extender to extend an output period of the first detection signal according to a period indicated by a period-length setting signal, to output an extended first detection signal, and a selector to select a first chrominance difference signal indicating a specific color in response to the extended first detection signal whereas a second chrominance difference signal indicating an achromatic color in response to the second detection signal, the first or the second chrominance difference signal being output as a focus-adjustment signal. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228162 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS AND FOCUS ADJUSTING METHOD - There is provided an apparatus that includes a receiving unit configured to receive instructions for focus adjustment; an image-pickup unit configured to perform image-pickup of an object image input through a focus lens; a setting unit configured to set a focus detecting area to be used at a time of detection of a focus state of the focus lens; a light control unit configured to control an amount of light incident on the image-pickup unit; and a focus adjusting unit configured to detect a focus signal representing the focus state in the focus detecting area to move the focus lens based on the focus signal and a position of the focus lens corresponding to the focus signal. | 09-22-2011 |
20110234884 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device is provided that includes a first imaging element, a second imaging element, and a focal point detector. The first imaging element includes a first opto-electrical converter configured to convert light into an electrical signal. The second imaging element is configured and arranged to receive light incident on and passing through the first opto-electrical converter. The second imaging element includes a second opto-electrical converter configured to convert the light coming from the first opto-electrical converter into an electrical signal. The focal point detector is configured to perform focal point detection based on first image data obtained by the first imaging element and second image data obtained by the second imaging element. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234885 | TRACKING DEVICE AND IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS - A tracking device includes: an image sensor that obtains image information of an image present within an image plane formed via an optical system; a tracking unit that tracks a target within the image plane based upon the image information; a focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state of the optical system over at least one focus detection area set in the image plane; a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment for the optical system based upon the focus adjustment state detected in the focus detection area corresponding to a position of the target; a decision-making unit that makes a decision as to whether or not the target is being tracked based upon results of tracking operation executed by the tracking unit; and a control unit that bans the focus adjustment based upon results of the decision made by the decision-making unit. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234886 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system of the present invention has a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element and, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a first lens unit having negative optical power and composed of two lens elements; a second lens unit having positive optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein in zooming, the lens units are moved such that an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit should decrease and that an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit should increase, so that magnification change is achieved, and wherein the condition is satisfied: 1.509-29-2011 | |
20110242398 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATOR DRIVE DEVICE AND METHOD, AND IMAGING DEVICE USING THE SAME - A driving circuit ( | 10-06-2011 |
20110242399 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system of the present invention has a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element and, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a first lens unit having negative optical power and composed of two lens elements; a second lens unit having positive optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein in zooming, the lens units are moved such that an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit should decrease and that an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit should increase, so that magnification change is achieved, and wherein the condition is satisfied: 1.510-06-2011 | |
20110242400 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system of the present invention has a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element and, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a first lens unit having negative optical power and composed of two lens elements; a second lens unit having positive optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein in zooming, the lens units are moved such that an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit should decrease and that an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit should increase, so that magnification change is achieved, and wherein the condition is satisfied: 1.510-06-2011 | |
20110242401 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system of the present invention has a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element and, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a first lens unit having negative optical power and composed of two lens elements; a second lens unit having positive optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein in zooming, the lens units are moved such that an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit should decrease and that an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit should increase, so that magnification change is achieved, and wherein the condition is satisfied: 1.510-06-2011 | |
20110249172 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING ZOOM LENS - In an image pickup apparatus including an image sensor and a zoom lens configured to form an image on the image sensor, the zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a subsequent lens group including one or more lens units. In the zoom lens, during zooming, the first lens unit is stationary, the third lens unit moves along a locus convex towards the object side, and three or more lens units including the third lens unit and the image sensor move. An optical total length of the zoom lens is longer at a telephoto end than at a wide-angle end. | 10-13-2011 |
20110254995 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MITIGATING SEESAWING EFFECT DURING AUTOFOCUS - A mobile multimedia device may be operable to crop a series of image samples received during an autofocus operation. Each of the cropped image samples may be scaled by the mobile multimedia device to fit a display unit in the mobile multimedia device. Each of the scaled image samples may then be displayed on the display unit for viewing during the autofocus operation. The received image samples may be cropped based on an operating mode in which the mobile multimedia device is currently operating. The autofocus operation may be initiated utilizing a shutter button in the mobile multimedia device. The autofocus operation may be terminated when a desired focus is achieved. After the autofocus operation is terminated, the mobile multimedia device may be operable to display one or more image samples received after the termination of the autofocus operation for continuous viewing, with or without further cropping and scaling. | 10-20-2011 |
20110261249 | Variable sharpness optical system for sub-sampled image - Methods and systems for capturing an image are disclosed herein. | 10-27-2011 |
20110261250 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system comprising a first lens unit having positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit having positive optical power, a fourth lens unit having negative optical power, and a fifth lens unit having positive optical power, wherein the third lens unit includes at least one lens element having positive optical power and at least one lens element having negative optical power, at least the first to third lens units are moved along an optical axis in zooming so that air spaces between the respective lens units vary, thereby performing magnification change, a lens unit positioned on the image side relative to an aperture diaphragm is moved along the optical axis in focusing, and the conditions: 4.010-27-2011 | |
20110261251 | CAMERA SYSTEM - A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes an image data generating unit for capturing a subject image to generate image data, a detecting unit for detecting a contrast value of an image represented by the image data generated by the image data generating unit, and a signal generating unit for generating a control signal controlling the driving unit. In an autofocus control, the signal generating unit generates the control signal controlling the driving unit to drive the focus lens at a first speed until a predetermined time elapses after the first detecting unit starts to detect the contrast value of the image and to drive the focus lens at a second speed higher than the first speed after the predetermined time elapses. | 10-27-2011 |
20110267532 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND FOCUSING METHOD - An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element that includes a plurality of image pickup pixels and a plurality of focus detecting pixels, a detector configured to detect a phase difference between two images of the object on a secondary imaging plane, and a controller configured to provide focusing based on a defocus amount obtained from a detection result of the detector for a first focus detecting point, and set a correcting value used to correct a defocus amount obtained from a next detection result of the detector so that a difference can reduce between the defocus amount obtained from the detection result of the detector for the first focus detecting point and a defocus amount obtained from the focus detecting pixels for the first focus detecting point of a captured image of the object that has been captured. | 11-03-2011 |
20110267533 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image capturing apparatus is provided with an image sensor that has a first pixel group and a second pixel group, a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment of an imaging lens based on the signal from the second pixel group, a readout unit that has a first thinning and readout mode that thins and reads out signals from the plurality of pixels at a predetermined thinning ratio and thinning phase, and a second thinning and readout mode that thins and reads out signals from the plurality of pixels with a difference in at least one of the thinning ratio and the thinning phase from the first thinning and readout mode, and a selecting unit that selects in which mode to operate the readout means from among the first and second thinning and readout modes in accordance with the state of the image capturing apparatus. | 11-03-2011 |
20110273608 | FOCUS DETECTION DEVICE - A focus detection device includes: a defocus information detection unit that detects phase difference information indicating a phase difference manifested by a pair of images formed with a pair of light fluxes having passed through different areas of a photographic optical system and detects defocus information based upon the phase difference information; and a correction unit that executes correction for correcting the defocus information, detected by the defocus information detection unit, in correspondence to a predetermined direction extending between a first direction that orthogonally intersects an optical axis of the photographic optical system and radially extends from the optical axis and a second direction that orthogonally intersects the first direction. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273609 | SUPER LIGHT-FIELD LENS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS - Light field imaging systems, and in particular light field lenses that can be mated with a variety of conventional cameras (e.g., digital or photographic/film, image and video/movie cameras) to create light field imaging systems. Light field data collected by these light field imaging systems can then be used to produce 2D images, right eye/left eye 3D images, to refocus foreground images and/or background images together or separately (depth of field adjustments), and to move the camera angle, as well as to render and manipulate images using a computer graphics rendering engine and compositing tools. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273610 | AUTO-FOCUS IMAGE SYSTEM - An auto focus image system that includes a pixel array coupled to a focus signal generator. The pixel array captures an image that has at least one edge with a width. The focus signal generator may generate a focus signal that is a function of the edge width and/or statistics of edge widths. A processor receives the focus signal and/or the statistics of edge widths and adjust a focus position of a focus lens. The edge width can be determined by various techniques including the use of gradients. A histogram of edge widths may be used to determine whether a particular image is focused or unfocused. A histogram with a large population of thin edge widths is indicative of a focused image. Edge corruption/partial corruption may be detected. Partially corrupted edge may have edge width calculated by relying more on the side that is not corrupted and less on the side that is corrupted. Edge or edge side corruption may be detected by detecting a presence of an adjacent edge of the opposite sign. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273611 | Single-Focus Optical System, Image Pickup Device, and Digital Apparatus - Provided is a single-focus optical system which is configured, in order from the object side to the image side, of a first to third lens groups and in which the first lens group and the third lens group are fixed with respect to a predetermined imaging surface, and the second lens group is moved in the optical axis direction to focus, wherein the first lens group comprises at least one positive lens and at least one negative lens, the second lens group comprises at least one positive lens, the third lens group comprises at least one lens having at least one aspheric surface and having a positive optical power at a peripheral portion thereof, and 5<|Δv | 11-10-2011 |
20110285896 | Image forming optical system and electronic image pickup apparatus using the same - In an image forming optical system which includes in order from an object side, a first lens group G | 11-24-2011 |
20110285897 | IMAGING DEVICE FOR RECOGNITION AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An imaging device for recognition ( | 11-24-2011 |
20110292272 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND IMAGING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM - In an imaging apparatus, an imager generates an imaged picture by converting incident light from a subject that is incident via a focus lens. A setting unit sets, as a movement range for the focus lens, a range of focus lens positions corresponding to imaging magnifications where the rate of change in the imaging magnification lies within a fixed range from a basis, the basis being an imaging magnification corresponding to the position of the focus lens. A focus controller configured to conduct focus control with respect to the subject by moving the focus lens in the set movement range. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292273 | CAMERA MODULE - A camera module is disclosed. The camera module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a lens, an actuator that moves the lens in a direction of optical axis, and an image sensor that converts an image incident through the lens to an electrical signal and has extended depth of field. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292274 | Image detection device, focusing device, image-capturing device, image detection method, and focusing method - An image detection device includes: a subject detector that acquires image information in an image field of an imaging optics with an image sensor, and detects a position of a subject in the image field based upon reference information related to an image of the subject and the image information; and a magnification detector that detects a magnification of the imaging optics. And the subject detector starts operation to detect the position of the subject, when the magnification has become greater than or equal to a predetermined value. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292275 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An imaging apparatus ( | 12-01-2011 |
20110298963 | Image pickup apparatus - An image pickup apparatus includes: an optical imaging system; an image pickup device; a defocus quantity calculation circuit for calculating a defocus quantity based on a phase difference between a plurality of signals for focus detection obtained from a plurality of pixels for focus detection that respectively receive a light flux that has passed through a different pupil region of the optical imaging system; a focusing section for driving the optical imaging system so as to achieve an in-focus state in accordance with the calculated defocus quantity; and a thinning-out circuit for thinning out a plurality of signals for focus detection that are not used for calculating the defocus quantity, based on an analysis result of a signal component of an object image. | 12-08-2011 |
20110298964 | IMAGING APPARATUS, REPRODUCTION DISPLAY APPARATUS, IMAGE RECORDING METHOD, AND REPRODUCTION DISPLAYING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging optical system, an image pickup device, a photographing position determining device configured to determine a plurality of photographing positions to continuously photograph a subject, and an image data dividing device configured to divide image data obtained by the image pickup device into a plurality of large sections and to divide the image data into a plurality of small sections each being smaller than the large section. The photographing position determining device configured to determine one or more reference positions as the photographing positions based on focused information of the large sections, and when a number of the photographing positions determined based on the large sections is less than a predetermined number, to additionally determine the photographing position based on focused state information of the small sections such that the predetermined number of the determined photographing positions is obtained. | 12-08-2011 |
20110304764 | LENS ELEMENT, IMAGING LENS, AND IMAGING MODULE - In order to provide (i) a simple-structured imaging module that is arranged to have resolution good enough to satisfy required specifications both in photographing a near-by object and in photographing a distant object, (ii) a lens element constituting the imaging module, and (iii) an imaging lens constituting the imaging module, at least one lens surface of a first lens is constituted by a plurality of regions having different refractive power so that a range of an allowable object distance is increased. | 12-15-2011 |
20110304765 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus which allows selection of a preferable measurement point. An imaging apparatus ( | 12-15-2011 |
20110310288 | METHOD OF DETERMINING AUTO-FOCUSING FAILURE - There is provided a method of determining an auto-focusing failure in which the auto-focusing failure may be rapidly determined even in the case that a lens moving for auto-focusing does not detect auto-focusing evaluation values while moving along the entire moving distance. The method includes: sequentially moving a position of a lens for auto-focusing in a plurality of continuous steps; calculating and storing an auto-focusing evaluation value for each of positions to which the lens moves; comparing an auto-focusing evaluation value calculated at a position to which the lens moves with an auto-focusing evaluation value calculated at a previous step to thereby determine whether the auto-focusing evaluation value has increased or decreased; and determining that auto-focusing has failed when the auto-focusing evaluation value changes from an increased state to a decreased state or from a decreased state to an increased state. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310289 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING CAMERA WITH MOVING MIRROR BETWEEN FIXED LENS AND FIXED IMAGE SENSOR - An automatic focusing camera which includes an image sensor is provided having a fixed lens system with a lens having an object side and an image side. The fixed lens system is located in a fixed position relative to the image sensor. A mirror is moveably positioned between the image side of at least one lens and the image sensor. The mirror is located at an angle such that an image observed through the fixed lens system is reflected toward the image sensor. An actuator is connected to the mirror and moves the mirror relative to the lens system to change a distance between the lens system and the image sensor to adjust an object focal length between an object and the object side of the lens. | 12-22-2011 |
20110317059 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an optical system; an imaging unit; an extractor that extracts a part of a first image as a reference image, the first image being received via the imaging unit; a first detector that obtains a first similar image from within the first image, the first similar image having a characteristic similar to a characteristic of the reference image; a calculator that obtains a positional relationship between the first similar image and the reference image; a second detector that obtains a second similar image from within a second image, the second image being received via the imaging unit later than the first image, the second similar image having a characteristic similar to the characteristic of the reference image; and a position detector that detects a position of a corresponding part of the second similar image in accordance with the positional relationship. | 12-29-2011 |
20120008036 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system comprising: a first lens unit having negative optical power; a second lens unit; and at least one subsequent lens unit, wherein in zooming, the first lens unit moves along an optical axis, and at least an interval between the second lens unit and a lens unit which is one of the at least one subsequent lens unit varies, in focusing, an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit varies, at least one aspheric surface is included in the at least one subsequent lens unit, and the condition: 0.101-12-2012 | |
20120008037 | TRACKING CONTROLLABLE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - The image pickup apparatus includes a memory storing first tracking data indicating a positional relationship of a magnification-varying lens and a correction lens and second tracking data indicating a positional relationship of the magnification-varying lens and an image sensor. A controller moves the correction lens and the image sensor using the first and second tracking data. An in-focus position detector detects an in-focus position using an output from the image sensor. A tracking adjuster obtains an adjustment value for adjusting the first tracking data, by using a difference between the detected in-focus position in a state where the magnification-varying lens is located at a first zoom position and the image sensor is located at a position in the second tracking data corresponding to the first zoom position and a position of the correction lens in the first tracking data corresponding to the first zoom position. | 01-12-2012 |
20120013785 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH NUMERIC APERTURE IMAGING SYSTEMS - A system and method for high numeric aperture imaging systems includes a splitter, a defocusing system, and a combiner. The splitter reflects a portion of collected light and transmits another portion of the collected light. The defocusing system is configured to modify optical power of either the transmitted portion or reflected portion of the collected light. The combiner is oriented with respect to a mechanical angle. The combiner recombines portions of the transmitted portion and the reflected portion such that the transmitted portion and reflected portion are subsequently transmitted being separated by an optical separation angle based upon the mechanical angle of orientation of the combiner. Various other implementations are used to maintain focus with regards to the imaging systems involved. | 01-19-2012 |
20120026385 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH POWER SAVING FUNCTION AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - An electronic device with power saving function is provided. When the power saving function of the electronic device is active, the electronic device obtains the distance between any object in a proximal area of the electronic device and the electronic device and stores the obtained distance as an original distance, and then periodically obtains the distance between the object and the electronic device, and stores the obtained distance as a current distance. The electronic device is put into power saving mode if an difference between the original distance and the current distance does not fall into the predetermined range. | 02-02-2012 |
20120026386 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT DEVICE AND IMAGING DEVICE - The focus adjustment device is characterized by comprising: a driver | 02-02-2012 |
20120033127 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS - An image capture apparatus comprises an image sensor, a detection unit which detects an object area based on at least one of color information and luminance information of an image obtained from the image sensor, a setting unit which sets a plurality of focus detection areas, with reference to the object area detected by the detection unit, a selection unit which selects a focus detection area from the plurality of focus detection areas, and a focus adjusting unit which performs focus adjustment by moving the imaging optical system based on the output signal from the image sensor in the focus detection area, wherein an overall range of the plurality of focus detection areas is wider than the object area, and each of the plurality of focus detection areas is smaller than a minimum size which can be set for the object area. | 02-09-2012 |
20120038816 | Imaging unit and imaging apparatus - An imaging unit includes: a first lens group having positive refractive power; a second lens group having negative refractive power; a third lens group having positive refractive power; and a solid-state imaging device that images an optical image formed by the first lens group to the third lens group sequentially arranged from an object side toward an image side, wherein, at zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group becomes larger and a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group becomes smaller, and a distance from the second lens group to the solid-state imaging device at the wide-angle end is the longest in all zoom positions. | 02-16-2012 |
20120038817 | Focusing Mechanisms for Compressive Imaging Device - A compressive imaging (CI) device including a light modulator and a light sensor (e.g., a single-element sensor or a sensor array). The CI device may support the focusing of light on the light modulator and/or on the light sensor in a number of ways: (1) determining a focus indicator value by analyzing a 1D or 2D image in the incident light field; (2) measuring light spillover between modulator regions and light sensing elements—either at the level of voltage measurements or the level of reconstructed images; (3) measure noise in reconstructed sub-images; (4) measuring an amount high-frequency content in the incident light field; (5) incorporating a range finder to measure distance to the object being imaged; (6) incorporating an image sensor downstream from the modulator; and (7) splitting a portion of the incident light onto an image sensor, prior to the modulator. | 02-16-2012 |
20120044405 | FOCUSING IMAGE VERIFYING DEVICE - An autofocus system is provided that includes a focus-verification image-recapturing processor and a focus-verification image display processor. The focus-verification image-recapturing processor sets ISO sensitivity to a value lower than a predetermined value and increases an exposure value by adjusting at least one of an aperture value and an exposure time to carry out a focus-verification image-recapturing operation under focusing conditions applied in an antecedent autofocus operation when ISO sensitivity that is set in said auto focus operation exceeds the predetermined value. The focus-verification image display processor displays a focus-verification image obtained by the focus-verification image-recapturing operation when the ISO sensitivity that is set in the auto focus operation exceeds the predetermined value. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044406 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging device includes: a microlens that focuses subject light; a light receiving element that receives the subject light focused by the microlens to thereby generate a signal for making focus determination through phase-difference detection; and a light blocking portion that is disposed between the microlens and the light receiving element so as to block part of the subject light focused by the microlens, wherein the distance between the light blocking portion and the microlens in an optical axis direction of the microlens is set so as to decrease as an image height increases. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044407 | MOUNT ADAPTER AND IMAGING DEVICE - A mount adapter includes: a camera cone having a length of adjusting a flange focal length between an imaging device provided with an imaging element and an interchangeable lens; a focus detection unit carrying out focus detection from a phase difference; an optical device separating an incident light from the interchangeable lens into an incident light of the imaging element and an incident light of the focus detection unit; and a correction information storage unit storing correction information used for correction of an error between the flange focal length and a distance from a mounting surface of the interchangeable lens to the focus detection unit. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044408 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing apparatus senses a subject by an image sensor to acquire image data, detects a face from the image data, estimates a distance from the image sensor to the detected face in a real space, obtains first and second depths of field based on a focal length, an f-number, and the estimated distance/a distance in the real space to an in-focus point when acquiring the image data used to detect the face, calculates a first and second scan ranges based on the first/second depths of field and the estimated distance/the distance to the in-focus point, detects the in-focus point based on a contrast signal acquired while driving the focus lens in the first or second scan range selected by a selection unit, which selects the first scan range if at least part of the first and second scan ranges overlaps, otherwise does not select the first scan range. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044409 | IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, CAMERA AND INTERCHANGEABLE LENS - The image pickup system includes a camera and an interchangeable lens having an image-taking optical system. The camera includes an image sensor to photoelectrically convert an object image formed by the image-taking optical system and to be moved in an optical axis direction, and a camera controller configured to control movement of the image sensor such that focus variation caused due to variation of magnification of the interchangeable lens is reduced. The camera controller is configured to acquire image sensor moving data corresponding to the interchangeable lens attached to the camera, and controls the movement of the image sensor by using the image sensor moving data. | 02-23-2012 |
20120057067 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Embodiments include a digital photographing apparatus and a control method thereof. The digital photographing apparatus detects two or more face regions from an input image, calculates an aperture value for focusing on all face regions to notify a user of the calculated value, and photographs all focused faces by automatically changing the aperture value, when the subject to be photographed is a plurality of persons. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057068 | Image forming optical system and electronic image pickup apparatus equipped with same - An optical system includes, in order from its object side a negative first lens unit, a positive second lens unit, a negative third lens unit, and a positive fourth lens unit. The air gaps between the lens units are variable during zooming. The first lens unit includes one positive lens, the second lens unit includes one negative lens, the third lens unit consists of one or two lens components, and the fourth lens unit consists of one lens component, where the term “lens component” refers to a single lens or a cemented lens. The system satisfies the condition “003-08-2012 | |
20120057069 | AUTOFOCUS APPARATUS AND IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - An autofocus apparatus includes a first focus detector configured to provide a focus detection by detecting a phase difference between a pair of image signals of an object, a second focus detector configured to wobble one of an image-pickup lens and an image-pickup element, to observe a variation of a contrast value of an image of the object, and to maintain an in-focus position, and a controller configured to make the first focus detector provide the focus detection in the wobbling by the second focus detector, and to correct a shift amount of an amplitude of wobbling by the second focus detector in the focus detection result by the first focus detector. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057070 | DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING THE DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Provided are an image processing method, a digital image processing apparatus, and a recording medium storing the image processing method. The method includes capturing a first image, a second image, and a third image, which are captured with different focuses for the same subject and background; setting a subject portion and a background portion by using the first and second images; and combining the first image for the subject portion and the third image for the background portion with each other to obtain an out-of-focus image. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057071 | IMAGING DEVICE AND MOBILE INFORMATION TERMINAL - An imaging device with a short length and small aberration is provided. A total length D of an image-forming optical system is less than 3.6 mm. A maximum incidence angle of a principle ray on an image forming plane exceeds 33°. Conditions f/fL<−1.50 or f/fL<−0.9, and D/f<1.10 are satisfied where f denotes a focal length of the entire image-forming optical system and fL denotes a focal length of a last lens. | 03-08-2012 |
20120062785 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A digital photographing apparatus includes an AF region setting unit for setting an AF region, a luminance detection area setting unit for setting a luminance detection area, a luminance calculation unit for calculating luminance values of the AF region and the luminance detection area, and a determination unit for calculating a luminance difference value that is a difference value between the luminance value of the AF region and the luminance value of the luminance detection area, and determining validity of an AF evaluation value with respect to the AF region according to the luminance difference value. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062786 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS - A focus adjustment apparatus includes a diaphragm aperture adjustment unit configured to adjust a diaphragm aperture area of a photographic lens, a focus detection unit configured to detect a defocusing amount by using a pair of light fluxes passed through different areas of the photographic lens, a detection result correction unit configured to calculate, during focus detection after the diaphragm aperture area has changed by a value equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a reduced defocusing amount correction value with respect to the defocusing amount, and a focus adjustment unit configured to execute control to adjust a focus based on the defocusing amount correction value. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062787 | CAMERA, SYSTEM COMPRISING A CAMERA, METHOD OF OPERATING A CAMERA AND METHOD FOR DECONVOLUTING A RECORDED IMAGE - A camera and system comprising a camera in which, during exposure, the ratio of the distance between the lens and the sensor and the focal length is changed. The rate of change is set such that motion invariant imaging is achievable for practical speed ranges, i.e. speed of up to at least 5 km/hour at 2 meter distance of the lens, by deconvoluting the compound image. Preferably the achievable speed range is at least twice as high. A linear motion of the sensor is preferred. | 03-15-2012 |
20120069239 | IMAGE TAKING OPTICAL SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH SAME - An image taking optical system includes, in order from the object side, a stop, a first lens having a biconvex shape and having a positive refractive power, a second lens having a concave surface facing the image side and having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a convex surface facing the image side and having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens having a negative refractive power. The image taking optical system satisfies the conditional expression “0.603-22-2012 | |
20120075520 | Mechanical Assembly For Fine Focus of A Wafer-Level Camera Module, And Associated Methods - A mechanical assembly for fine focus of a wafer-level camera module includes a threaded lens acceptor for mounting with a wafer-level compatible image sensor and a complimentary threaded lens base for mounting with a wafer-level lens stack. In a method of forming a wafer-level camera with a mechanical fine focus assembly, the lens base and the lens acceptor rotationally couple to join the lens stack with the sensor, and to adjust z-height of the camera module to achieve optimal focus. The camera module is secured at the optimal focus position. | 03-29-2012 |
20120081597 | FOCUS CONTROL APPARATUS USEFUL FOR IMAGE PICK UP APPARATUSES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTO FOCUS FUNCTION AND METHOD THEREFOR - A focus control apparatus and method capable of shortening a focus adjustment time in focus control. The method includes extracting a first high frequency component depending upon a first cutoff frequency and a second high frequency component depending upon a second cutoff frequency higher than the first cutoff frequency from a video signal, generating first and second contrast signals of the video signal respectively based on the first and second high frequency components, using a quotient obtained by dividing a value of the first contrast signal by that of the second contrast signal as a parameter, exercising focus control based on the parameter, and setting the first and second cutoff frequencies so as to cause a value of the parameter to assume a peak when a focus lens in an image pickup apparatus is located in a position at a predetermined distance from an in-focus position. | 04-05-2012 |
20120092545 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS - An image capture apparatus includes: an image sensor including a plurality of image forming pixels that generate an image generation signal, and focus detection pixels that divide a pupil region of the imaging lens, photo-electrically convert an object image from the divided pupil region and generate a phase difference detection signal; a first focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection by using the phase difference detection signal; a second focus detection unit configured to detect an image contrast from the image generation signal from the image forming pixels and performing focus detection by a contrast detection method; and a correction value calculation unit configured to calculate a correction value for a result of focus detection by the first focus detection unit based on a difference between the result of focus detection by the first focus detection unit and a result of focus detection by the second focus detection unit. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092546 | DEGREE-OF-FOCUS DETERMINATION MODULE, POSITION-OF-BEST-FOCUS SELECTION MODULES, IMAGE PROCESSING MODULE, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND CORRESPONDING METHOD - A system for imaging a structure of an object is provided. The imaging system includes a degree-of-focus determination module that may comprise logic for taking into account at least one of a first and a second dimension of a topological element of the structure to be imaged. An image processing module of the system may comprise: a control module for controlling a motorized focus driver; a memory for storing images; and said degree-of-focus determination module. The imaging system may comprise: a stage; a motorized focus driver for driving the stage; at least one of microscope optics, a lens, an illumination system; a camera; and an image processing module. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092547 | OPTICAL SYSTEM DRIVE DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE PROVIDED WITH OPTICAL SYSTEM DRIVE DEVICE, AND MOBILE DEVICE MOUNTED WITH IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - An optical system drive device, an image capture device, and a mobile device of the invention includes: an optical system; a urging member; a shape-memory alloy actuator; a current applying section for supplying a current to the actuator; a measurement section for measuring a characteristic value of the actuator; a driving control section for controlling the supply current to the current applying section according to the characteristic value measured by the measurement section; and a signal output section for outputting prescribed signal to the driving control section when the characteristic value of the actuator measured by the measurement section reaches a value corresponding to a target position of the optical system while making the shape-memory alloy of the actuator change the length at least in an extending mode when moving the optical system to the target position. | 04-19-2012 |
20120105707 | Imaging device, imaging method, and program - An imaging device includes a detector that repeatedly carries out a series of operation of generating an evaluation value to evaluate the degree of focusing of a position after driving of a lens toward one end part in the drive range of the lens, and detects the evaluation value of a position that is closer to the end part than the position of the evaluation value of the highest degree of focusing and is immediately adjacent or adjacent across a predetermined number of positions to the position of the evaluation value of the highest degree of focusing. The imaging device further includes a drive controller that makes the series of operation be repeatedly carried out toward the other end part in the drive range of the lens, and drives the lens to a position of a degree of focusing not smaller than the detected evaluation value. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105708 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS WITH THE ZOOM LENS - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power. In the zoom lens, during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the first lens unit is configured to remain stationary, the second lens unit, the third lens unit, and the fourth lens unit are configured to move separately from one another, and the aperture stop is configured to move along a locus convex towards the object side. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105709 | CAMERA, PORTABLE TERMINAL DEVICE, AND LENS POSITION CONTROL METHOD - When a lens position is assumed on the basis of a control result by an AF control, the accuracy of the assumption of the lens position can be improved. A camera resets the position of a lens to a reference position when the number of AF operations, the number of frames for captured images, or the time exceeds a threshold value after the commencement of a continuous AF operation (step ST | 05-03-2012 |
20120105710 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging device is configured to include an imaging lens, an imaging unit which acquires image data based on an optical image of a subject received via the imaging lens, a motion detector which detects a motion of the subject based on image data sequentially obtained from the imaging unit, a focus detector which calculates focus position data based on the image data obtained from the imaging lens when the motion detector detects a motion of the subject, and an in-focus position estimating unit which estimates an in-focus position based on the calculated focus position data. | 05-03-2012 |
20120113311 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING FOCAL POINT OF LENS OF IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - A method for adjusting a focal point of a lens of an image capture device obtains a plurality of images of a monitored scene captured by a lens of the image capture device, and detects a motion area in the monitored scene from the obtained images. The method further adjusts a focal point of the lens of the image capture device to a specified position of the motion area upon the condition that the motion area has been detected. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113312 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Equipped with Same - A zoom lens comprises, in order from its object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power and a second lens unit having a positive refractive power. The first lens unit comprises a first lens having a negative refractive power and a second lens having a positive refractive power. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expressions (1), (2), and (3): | 05-10-2012 |
20120113313 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS THAT PERFORMS AUTOMATIC FOCUS CONTROL AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus that can efficiently obtain an offset between focal positions detected in phase difference-based focus detection and contrast-based focus detection by using results of phase difference-based focus detection at multiple points. Focal positions in a plurality of regions based on a pair of image signals obtained from different pupils are obtained. A focal position for a focus lens at which a contrast of image signals for image pickup is at a peak is detected. A target focal position is determined from the plurality of focal positions. When another focal position is present between a present focal position and the target focal position, an offset between a focal position of the focus lens at which the contrast detected at the other focal position while the focus lens is moving is at a peak and the other focal position is calculated. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113314 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - The image-pickup apparatus includes an image acquiring part respectively photoelectrically converting first and second object images respectively formed by first and second light fluxes into first image data and second image data, the first and second light fluxes being formed by dividing a light flux from an image-pickup optical system by a pupil divider, and photoelectrically converting a third object image formed by a third light flux of the light flux from the image-pickup optical system into third image data, the third light flux being not divided by the pupil divider, and a split image generating part which generates split image data to be displayed in the third image data. The split image generating part generates the split image data based on the first image data and the second image data, and adds color information extracted from the third image data to the split image data. | 05-10-2012 |
20120120302 | FOCUS CONTROL METHOD AND CULTURE OBSERVATION APPARATUS - The focus control culture observation apparatus enable simple and reliable detection of a focusing position of an objective lens on a subject and with certainty. When a focusing position is detected, an area, which includes an edge portion of the culture medium drop is selected as an AF area which is to be a target of detecting the focusing position of the objective lens on the culture medium drop. The apparatus detects the focusing position on the culture medium drop based on an observation image of the AF area. By detecting the focusing position as a targeting area that is different from an area which is near the edge of the culture container and where illumination unevenness is generated, the detection accuracy can be improved. | 05-17-2012 |
20120133819 | Automatic Focusing Apparatus and Method - An automatic focusing apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes a light source, an optical imaging unit, a photo-sensor and a focusing regulation unit. The optical imaging unit includes an object lens and a beam splitter. The beam splitter divides a reflecting beam into a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam. The optical imaging unit has a first imaging optical path and a second imaging optical path with different imaging precisions corresponding to the first sub-beam and the second sub-beam, respectively. The photo-sensor detects a defocus position of the object. The focusing regulation unit adjusts the distance between the object and the object lens and selects an imaging precision, so that the defocus position of the object is placed within the imaging precision of the first optical path and the imaging precision of the second optical path in sequence. | 05-31-2012 |
20120133820 | AUTOFOCUS METHOD AND AN IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM - The present invention is directed to an autofocus method and an image capturing system. A focusing lens is used to focus within a first moving interval in a zoom mode, and a plurality of first focusing positions and a plurality of corresponding first focusing data are recorded. An absolute maximum is determined among the first focusing data. A second moving interval is determined if the absolute maximum does not exist among the first focusing data, and the focusing lens is used to focus within the second moving interval to obtain a plurality of second focusing data. The absolute maximum is determined according to the second focusing data, wherein a second focusing position corresponding to the absolute maximum is an autofocus position. | 05-31-2012 |
20120133821 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - An image capturing apparatus that uses an image sensor having pixels for capturing an image and pixels for detecting a phase difference. If, in the case where it is determined that it is necessary to restart focus detection during recording of a moving image, an opening diameter of an aperture is not an opening diameter at which phase-difference detection type AF using the pixels for detecting a phase difference can be performed, the aperture is changed to an opening diameter at which phase-difference detection type AF can be performed during focus detection. Thus, even if a photographic lens that does not support driving within a minute range is mounted, a focus detection operation suitable for shooting a moving image can be performed. | 05-31-2012 |
20120140108 | APPARATUS, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD, FOR A CAMERA MODULE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A camera module is provided for an electronic device, such as a wireless mobile station or standalone device. The camera module includes a low F-stop lens assembly that is translatable into a desired position. An image of a subject is provided to an EDOF assembly, including a sensor assembly, and an extended-depth-of-field processor. The extended-depth-of-field processor provides for formation of a resultant, recorded image that exhibits improved depth of field characteristics. | 06-07-2012 |
20120140109 | Lens Arrays for Pattern Projection and Imaging - A method for imaging includes focusing optical radiation so as to form respective first and second optical images of a scene on different, respective first and second regions of an array of detector elements. The focused optical radiation is filtered with different, respective first and second passbands for the first and second regions. A difference is taken between respective first and second input signals provided by the detector elements in the first and second regions so as to generate an output signal indicative of the difference. | 06-07-2012 |
20120140110 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS AND CAMERA BODY - An interchangeable lens including a fitting unit that can be fitted to and removed from a camera body; an imaging optical system that has an aperture, and whose focal length is variable over a range from a first focal length to a second focal length; and an MTF characteristic transmission unit that transmits MTF characteristic data specifying MTF characteristics of the imaging optical system to the camera body. | 06-07-2012 |
20120147251 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND OPTICAL SYSTEM USED FOR IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus comprises an optical system that includes a plurality of lens groups, each lens group including one or more lenses, at least one of the lens groups being independently movable with respect to the other lens groups and including a focus lens group for focusing the subject and a lens control unit that controls movement of the plurality of lens groups to bring into focus based on a feeding position of the focus lens group. | 06-14-2012 |
20120147252 | IMAGING DEVICE AND AF CONTROL METHOD - An imaging device of the present invention comprises a facial organ detection section for detecting facial organs within a face from an image that has been taken by an imaging section, an eye selection section for comparing sizes of eyes and selecting the largest eye, an eye size comparative determination section for comparatively determining the size of the eye with respect to a specified value, and an AF region setting section for setting an AF region in accordance with size and position of the selected eye when it has been determined that the size of the eye is larger than a specified value, and setting an AF region in accordance with position and size of a face to which the selected eye belongs when it has been determined that the size of the eye is smaller than a specified value. | 06-14-2012 |
20120147253 | Zoom lens and imaging device - A zoom lens includes a first lens group with positive refracting power and normally located at a fixed position, a second lens group with negative refracting power and movable in an optical axis direction for zooming, a third lens group with positive refracting power and normally located at a fixed position, a fourth lens group with positive refracting power and movable in the optical axis direction for correction of a focal position for zooming and focusing, and a fifth lens group. These lens groups are arranged in order from an object side to an image side. The zoom lens satisfies the conditional equations ( | 06-14-2012 |
20120147254 | Imaging Optical System, Interchangeable Lens Apparatus and Camera System - A compact imaging optical system having a light-weight focusing lens is provided. The imaging optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a front unit in which a negative lens element is arranged closest to the object side, an aperture diaphragm, and a rear unit having positive optical power. In focusing from an infinite distance object to a short distance object, the negative lens element arranged closest to the object side and the aperture diaphragm are fixed with respect to an image surface, and a part of lens elements included in the front unit or the rear unit moves along an optical axis. The imaging optical system satisfies the following condition (1): 0.906-14-2012 | |
20120154666 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD - An imaging device is provided which includes an imaging unit for converting light passing through a focus lens into an image signal to obtain an image, an arrangement unit for arranging an evaluation frame on the image obtained by the imaging unit, a determination unit for determining a focusing position of the focus lens based on pixel value evaluation in the evaluation frame arranged by the arrangement unit, and a driving unit for moving the focus lens to the focusing position determined by the determination unit, in which the arrangement unit re-arranges the evaluation frame by modifying the evaluation frame when a straight-line component appearing on the image overlaps with the evaluation frame. | 06-21-2012 |
20120162492 | IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - An image pickup system includes an image pickup apparatus and a mount adaptor that adjusts a flange focal length between the image pickup apparatus and an interchangeable lens. The mount adaptor includes a phase-difference focus detection unit that can output a first phase-difference focus detection signal, and an optical device that separates first incident light into second and third incident light. The first incident light is transmitted from the interchangeable lens. The second incident light enters the image pickup apparatus. The third incident light enters the phase-difference focus detection unit. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device that can output a second phase-difference focus detection signal, and a controller that selects either of the first phase-difference focus detection signal and the second phase-difference focus detection signal on the basis of satisfaction of a predetermined condition and performs focusing. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162493 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS AND FOCUS DETECTION METHOD - A focus detection apparatus comprises: an image sensor that receives images that are formed by light that passes through different pupil regions of a photographing optical system including a focus lens, and outputs a pair of image signals; a control unit that controls to acquire a pair of image signals from the image sensor at first and second lens positions of the focus lens; a conversion unit that, by multiplying a shift amount between a pair of images representing the pair of image signals by a conversion coefficient, converts the shift amount to a defocus amount; and a calculation unit that calculates the conversion coefficient based on displacement amounts of respective ones of the pair of images representing the pair of image signals acquired at the first and second lens positions, and a displacement amount of the focus lens from the first lens position to the second lens position. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162494 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A focus adjusting apparatus employable for an imaging system with an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of an object, includes a unit configured to extract a specific frequency component from an image capturing signal along each horizontal scanning line to generate a focus signal and a unit configured to set a focus signal extraction area with reference to the image capturing signal. A peak holding unit extracts a line peak value by peak-holding the focus signal along each horizontal scanning line in the setting area. A first evaluation value generation unit generates an integral evaluation value by integrating line peak values obtained along a predetermined number of horizontal scanning lines of all the horizontal scanning lines in the setting area. A control unit performs a focus adjustment that includes driving a focus lens based on an AF evaluation value derived from the integral evaluation value. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162495 | IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - In an image-capturing apparatus capable of executing focus detection processing in which auto-focus detection of an imaging optical system is performed based on a contrast of a captured image, and expression detection processing in which a specific expression of a subject is detected from the captured image in parallel, if it is determined that a peak of focus state has not been found in the auto-focus detection, execution of the expression detection is not allowed, or use of a result of the expression detection performed by the expression detection unit is not allowed. Thus, excellent expression detection accuracy is achieved even if the auto-focus detection processing and the expression detection processing are performed in parallel. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162496 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING SOFTWARE - For improving picture quality in auto-focus control, image processing device | 06-28-2012 |
20120162497 | Zoom Lens System, Imaging Device and Camera - A zoom lens system comprising: a negative first lens unit; a positive second lens unit; and a positive third lens unit, wherein the first to third lens units are individually moved along an optical axis to vary magnification in zooming, the first lens unit is composed of two lens elements and includes a positive lens element having at least one aspheric surface, the third lens unit is composed of one lens element, and the condition: 1.7406-28-2012 | |
20120162498 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS WITH RANDOM TRIGGER OPERATION - An apparatus includes: a synchronizing signal generation portion outputting a synchronizing signal periodically; a diaphragm; an imaging portion operated based on the synchronizing signal to pick up a subject image through the diaphragm and generate image data; a trigger input portion operable to input a trigger signal commanding a start of a photographing operation by the imaging portion; and a control portion controlling the operation of the imaging portion. The control portion controls synchronous processing for operating the diaphragm in synchronization with the synchronizing signal. When the trigger signal is input, the control portion stops the generation of the synchronizing signal by the synchronizing signal generation portion and thereafter resumes the generation of the synchronizing signal, while when the synchronous processing is being performed, the control portion initializes the synchronous processing before resuming the generation of the synchronizing signal. | 06-28-2012 |
20120169917 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING APPARATUS AS WELL AS LENS APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM INCLUDING THE AUTOMATIC FOCUSING APPARATUS - An automatic focusing apparatus includes: a first focus detector that detects a first focus evaluation value based on a phase difference; a second focus detector that detects a second focus evaluation value using a signal from an image pickup element; a focusing mechanism; a focus controller that controls the focusing mechanism based on the first focus evaluation value obtained by the first focus detector and the second focus evaluation value obtained by the second focus detector; and a speed setting unit that sets, in a process obtaining an in-focus state by using the focus controller, a driving speed for the focus controller to drive the focusing mechanism based on a first data detected by the first focus detector and the second focus evaluation value. | 07-05-2012 |
20120176528 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE SHARPNESS OF A FIXED-FOCUS CAMERA, TEST DEVICE FOR TESTING THE SHARPNESS OF A FIXED-FOCUS CAMERA, FIXED-FOCUS CAMERA AS WELL AS METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A FIXED-FOCUS CAMERA - The invention relates to a method for determining the validity of a measured sharpness of a fixed-focus camera ( | 07-12-2012 |
20120176529 | VARIABLE POWER OPTICAL SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A variable power optical system includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a variable power group having positive refractive power, and a final lens group having positive refractive power. The variable power group is provided with, in order from the object side, a first lens element having positive refractive power, a second lens element, and a third lens element. The second lens element has a convex shape on the object side. The final lens group includes a positive lens. The variable power optical system satisfies the following conditions: | 07-12-2012 |
20120176530 | Electrically-Controlled, Variable Focal Length Liquid-Based Optical Imaging Apparatus and Method - An optical imaging apparatus having a variable focal length is disclosed. The optical imaging apparatus includes a first double-liquid variable focal lens and a second double-liquid variable focal lens. The first and second double-liquid variable focal lenses are aligned on a common axis and operable to have opposite varying curvatures. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176531 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - A lens barrel is a lens barrel that can be mounted to a camera body, including a lens element, a lens support frame, an actuator, and an electrical contact. The lens support frame supports the lens element. The actuator is arranged to drive the lens support frame in an optical direction of the lens element, and includes a drive shaft and a detector configured to detect rotation of the drive shaft. The electrical contact is disposed on the opposite side from the actuator with respect to the lens element when viewed in the optical axis direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens element, and is configured to be electrically connected with the camera body. | 07-12-2012 |
20120182460 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, a lens provided in a front part and configured to form an image of a subject on the imaging device, a dot matrix display unit which includes a plurality of LED chips, each providing a plurality of dots, and is arranged in the front part, with a light emission state visible by the subject, and a display controller which controls display of the dot matrix display unit. The dot matrix display unit displays a pattern based on the control of the display controller. | 07-19-2012 |
20120188436 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING DEVICE - A zoom lens has first through fourth lens groups from the object side to the image side, and changes the magnification by changing their intervals. The first and third lens groups and the second and fourth lens groups have negative and positive powers, respectively. When changing the magnification from the wide-angle end to the telescopic end, the interval between the first and the second lens groups is reduced. The first lens group includes a reflective optical element. The second lens group includes at least two lenses, and the lens nearest to the image is a single plastic positive lens. The third lens group is configured by a single plastic negative lens. When the focal length of the single lens nearest to the image in the second lens group is defined as f | 07-26-2012 |
20120194729 | Fast Auto-Focus in Imaging - The disclosure relates to methods and systems for automatically focusing multiple images of one or more objects on a substrate. The methods include obtaining, by a processor, a representative focal distance for a first location on the substrate based on a set of focal distances at known locations on the substrate. The methods also include acquiring, by an image acquisition device, a set of at least two images of the first location. The images are each acquired using a different focal distance at an offset from the representative focal distance. The methods further include estimating, by a processor, an ideal focal distance corresponding to the first location based on comparing a quality of focus for each of the images, and storing the estimated ideal focal distance and the first location in the set of focal distances at known locations. | 08-02-2012 |
20120194730 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes a first lens group of positive refractive power; a second lens group of negative power; a third lens group of positive power; a fourth lens group of negative power, and a fifth lens group of positive power arranged from the object side to the image side. At activation of variable power from the wide angle end to the telescopic end, the first, third, fourth and fifth lens groups moves so as to get closer to the object side or the image side at the telescopic end than at the wide angle end; and a gap between the first lens group and the second lens group increases; a gap between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases; a gap between the third lens group and the forth lens group increases; and a gap between the forth lens group and the fifth lens group increases. | 08-02-2012 |
20120194731 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensing unit that generates an image signal by performing a photoelectric conversion on an object image, a focus evaluation value calculation unit that calculates a focus evaluation value indicating a contrast of the image signal, a control unit that controls a position of a focus lens based on the focus evaluation value, a focus level calculation unit that calculates a focus level indicating a degree of focus using the focus evaluation value, and a detection unit that detects an exposure condition in taking an image of an object. The control unit determines a condition in terms of driving the focus lens based on the focus level corresponding to the exposure condition. | 08-02-2012 |
20120200763 | DRIVING CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR VOICE COIL MOTOR WITH SPRING RETURN - A driving circuit drives a voice coil motor having a spring return mechanism. A driving current generating unit supplies, to a coil of the voice coil motor, a driving current that corresponds to an analog control signal. Waveform memory stores digital waveform data which indicates the time waveform of a driving current to be supplied to the voice coil motor. A predetermined frequency component is removed from the frequency components of the waveform data. A control unit reads out the waveform data from the waveform memory at a rate that corresponds to the resonance frequency of the voice coil motor, and outputs the waveform data thus read out as a digital code. A D/A converter converts a digital code into an analog control signal, and outputs the analog control signal to the driving current generating unit. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200764 | CAMERA MODULE WITH TOLERANCE ADJUSTMENT USING EMBEDDED ACTIVE OPTICS - A focus free camera module uses fixed lenses within a housing that are combined with an electrically controllable active optical element, such as a tunable liquid crystal lens. The fixed lenses provide a desired amount of optical power, but the manufacturing tolerances of the module are insufficient to ensure a proper focus of an image on an image sensor. The active optical element is therefore used to compensate for any variations in the optical power to achieve the desired focus. To ensure an effective compensation, the module may be constructed so that, when the variation in optical power due to manufacturing tolerances is at a maximum, the desired focus is achieved when the active optical element is at zero optical power. All other variations may then be compensated by adjusting the active optical element to increase its optical power. | 08-09-2012 |
20120206640 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD - An imaging apparatus including an electric charge accumulation unit configured to accumulate electric charge in accordance with an incident light quantity; a tracking unit configured to perform tracking; and an exposure control unit configured to perform exposure control, wherein the electric charge accumulation unit performs a first accumulation, and then performs a second accumulation after the first accumulation, wherein the tracking unit performs the tracking based on an image signal obtained through the first accumulation, and wherein the exposure control unit computes a control value for the exposure control based on at least the image signal obtained through the second accumulation of the image signal obtained through the first accumulation and an image signal obtained through the second accumulation. | 08-16-2012 |
20120212660 | IMAGE CAPTURING LENS ASSEMBLY - This invention provides an image capturing lens assembly in order from an object side to an image side comprising: a first lens group has only one first lens element with a positive refractive power, and a second lens group in order from the object side to the image side comprising: a second lens element with a negative refractive power, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element; while a distance between an imaged object and the image capturing lens assembly changes from far to near, focusing is performed by moving the first lens group along the optical axis and a distance between the first lens group and an image plane changes from near to far. By such arrangement and focusing adjustment method, good image quality is achieved and less power is consumed. | 08-23-2012 |
20120218456 | AUTO-FOCUS TRACKING - An apparatus and method for supporting augmented reality or other computer vision applications are presented. Embodiments enable communication between natural feature and auto-focus engines to increase an engine's accuracy or decrease a processing time of the engine. An auto-focus engine may communicate a location of an auto-focus window to a natural feature detection module and/or a change in location of a previous auto-focus window to a next auto-focus window. The natural feature detection module uses the communicated information to limit an initial search area and/or to set a next tracking search window. A natural feature tracking module may communicate a changes from a previous location of a natural feature to a next location of the natural feature to an auto-focus engine. The auto-focus engine uses the change to set a next auto-focus window. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218457 | AUTO-FOCUSING CAMERA DEVICE, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY FOCUSING THE CAMERA DEVICE - In a method for automatically focusing a camera device, the camera device includes a camera lens and a driver device. The method controls the camera lens to capture a scene image in front of a person, and analyze the scene image to detect whether the scene image includes a person image of the person. The method further encloses the person image in the scene image within a rectangular area, and calculates a coordinate value of a center point of the rectangular area and a coordinate value of a midpoint of each edge of the rectangular area. In addition, the method calculates a focusing value of the camera lens according to the coordinate value of the center point and the coordinate value of each of the midpoints, and drives the driver device to adjust the camera lens to a position corresponding to the focusing value. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218458 | FLASH SYSTEM FOR CAMERA MODULE - A camera module having a flash that is provided therein. The flash may be an LED light source. The LED may come in a package that is generally rectangular, with the exception that one corner is flattened. The camera module includes a housing that receives the light source, an image sensor, and a lens. The housing includes mating features that receive the LED package, those features including a flattened corner so that the LED package can only be received within the housing when it is properly oriented. The housing also includes electrical terminals for connection to the LED that include springs. When the LED package is properly oriented and received within the housing, contact pads on the LED package and the electrical terminals on the housing are pressed together against the resilient force of the spring. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218459 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA THAT ADJUSTS THE DISTANCE FROM AN OPTICAL LENS TO AN IMAGING SURFACE - An electronic camera includes an image sensor. The image sensor has an imaging surface irradiated with an optical image of an object scene through a focus lens and repeatedly generates an object scene image. A CPU executes an AF process for adjusting a distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface to a distance corresponding to a focal point, based on the object scene image generated by the image sensor. However, the CPU has a high-luminance excluding function for excluding from a target to be noticed of the AF process a partial image having a luminance exceeding “TH1” out of the object scene image generated by the image sensor. The CPU determines whether or not a partial image having a luminance exceeding “TH2” larger than “TH1” exists on the object scene image generated by the image sensor, and turns on the high-luminance excluding function when a determination result is affirmative and turns off the high-luminance excluding function when the determination result is negative. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218460 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING METHOD FOR AN OPTICAL INSTRUMENT FOR MAGNIFIED VIEWING OF AN OBJECT - A focusing method for an optical instrument for magnified viewing of an object is disclosed. The instrument includes instrument optics, an adjusting unit for adjusting the focal position when viewing the object by means of the instrument optics, as well as a recording unit which records the object by means of the instrument optics. The method includes: a) producing at least two images with different focal positions, b) applying several different sharpness functions each of which has an absolute extremum which specifies the optimum focal position to be set for the viewing and which lies in a close focus range of the sharpness function adjoined on both sides by a far focus range which is more susceptible to interferences during recording than the close focus range and therefore contains local secondary extrema, in each case to each of the at least two images, and evaluation thereof with the focal position as a variable such that a sharpness function variation direction of the focal position is calculated for each sharpness function in order to arrive at the optimum focal position, c) determining a main variation direction based on all sharpness function variation directions, and d) using the determined main variation direction during further focusing. | 08-30-2012 |
20120229692 | Zoom Lens System, Imaging Device and Camera - A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising: a negative first lens unit; and at least one subsequent lens unit, wherein an interval between the first lens unit and the at least one subsequent lens unit varies in zooming, the zoom lens system is provided with: an escaping lens unit that, at the time of retracting, escapes along an axis different from that at the time of image taking; and an image blur compensating lens unit that moves in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis in order to optically compensate image blur, and the escaping lens unit is a lens unit that is different from the image blur compensating lens unit; an imaging device; and a camera are provided. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229693 | Zoom Lens System, Imaging Device and Camera - A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising: a first lens unit; and a subsequent lens unit containing at least a second lens unit, wherein an interval between the first lens unit and the subsequent lens unit varies in zooming, the zoom lens system is provided with a focusing lens unit that moves relative to an image surface in focusing from an infinity in-focus condition to a close-object in-focus condition, the focusing lens unit is an image blur compensating lens unit that moves in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis in order to optically compensate image blur, and the focusing lens unit is arranged on the image side relative to an aperture diaphragm; an imaging device; and a camera are provided. | 09-13-2012 |
20120236197 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging device includes an imaging lens which obtains an optical image of a subject, an imaging element which receives from a subject light passing through the imaging lens, a focus position determination unit which determines a focus position of the imaging lens according to image data obtained from the imaging element and a lens movement unit which moves the imaging lens, the focus position determination unit including an AF operation start position determination unit configured to calculate an AF evaluation value according to the image data, and determine an AF operation start position according to the AF evaluation value when the lens movement unit drives the imaging lens to a predetermined operation start position. | 09-20-2012 |
20120242885 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE ZOOM LENS - A zoom lens includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power. The first to fourth lens units are arranged in order from the object side to the image side. All of the lens units are moved during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. In the zoom lens, a number of lenses in each of the lens units, imaging magnifications on the telephoto end and the wide-angle end of the second lens unit and the third lens unit, a sum of thicknesses on the optical axis of the first lens unit and the second lens unit, and focal lengths of the entire zoom lens at a wide-angle end and at a telephoto end are appropriately set. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242886 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS HAVING A FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS - A focal position is searched for by contrast evaluation method, the focus lens is stopped once it is detected that the focus lens has passed the focal position, and the defocus amount at the stopping position is found. The defocus amount corresponding to the difference between the focal position and the stopping position is subtracted from this defocus amount to compute a correction value for the defocus amount. Consequently, a correction value for the focus detection result by phase-difference detection method can be obtained accurately in a focus detection apparatus capable of automatic focus detection by phase-difference detection method and contrast evaluation method, as well as a method for controlling this apparatus. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242887 | Zoom Lens System, Interchangeable Lens Apparatus and Camera System - A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a positive first lens unit, a negative second lens unit, a positive third lens unit, a negative fourth lens unit and a positive fifth lens unit, wherein the zoom lens system is provided with an image blur compensating lens unit moving in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis and being a part of the second lens unit or a part of the third lens unit, the first lens unit and the second lens unit individually move relative to an image surface in zooming, and the condition: T | 09-27-2012 |
20120242888 | Image Recognition Device, Focus Adjustment Device, Image-Capturing Device, and Image Recognition Method - An image recognition device includes: an image sensor that captures an image via an image forming optical system and outputs image information repeatedly; a detector that detects differences between reference image information related to a reference image and a plurality of sets of partial information included in the image information; a recognition circuit that includes a microprocessor and recognizes a set of partial information, for which a smallest difference value among a plurality of differences detected in correspondence to the plurality of sets of partial information is calculated, as information matching the reference image information if the smallest value is smaller than a threshold value; and a controller that includes a microprocessor and sets the threshold value in correspondence to a color indicated in the reference image information. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242889 | IMAGING DEVICE AND MOBILE APPARATUS - An imaging device according to the present invention includes a light emitting unit for emitting light toward a photographic subject; a lens movable in a movement region corresponding to a focus region; an imaging element for receiving light through the lens; and a lens control unit for acquiring imaging data photoreceived by the imaging element and for controlling the position of the lens. The lens control unit moves the lens in a stepwise manner in order to acquire imaging data for each field of a focus region. The imaging device further includes a light emission control unit for changing the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit according to the focus position of the lens in each field. | 09-27-2012 |
20120257098 | Two-Stage Switch Assembly - A switch assembly is provided to actuate a pair of switches using a single push key, e.g. for a camera that utilizes a first switch to activate an image focusing function and a second switch to activate a camera shutter. The switch assembly comprises a contact pad switch and a dome switch that are located laterally to one another. When the push key receives a first downward force, only the contact pad switch becomes activated and a first electric circuit is completed. When the push key receives a second downward force that is greater than the first force, the dome switch collapses and a second electric circuit is completed. | 10-11-2012 |
20120268645 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND AUTO-FOCUS CONTROL METHODS FOR CAMERAS THEREIN - A portable electronic device and an autofocus control method of a camera of the portable electronic device are disclosed. The portable electronic device provides a G-sensor to detect the orientation of the portable electronic device, and provides a storage unit to store autofocus lookup tables for different orientations of the portable electronic device, respectively. According to orientation information from the G-sensor, the central processing unit of the portable electronic device selects one autofocus lookup table from the storage unit and thereby generates an actuating signal for a focus model. The focus model of the portable electronic device is actuated by the actuating signal to adjust an image distance between a lens module and an image sensor of the camera. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268646 | MULTIPLE BAND IMAGER AND METHOD - Apparatus for imaging a scene, comprising a focusing structure for focusing light emanating from a scene on an imaging subsystem, and an imaging subsystem. The imaging subsystem includes an imager, disposed within the optical path of the focusing structure, having an array of pixels sensitive to light at frequencies higher than far infrared frequencies, and a frequency shifter disposed between the lens element and the imager. The frequency shifter includes an array of frequency-shifting elements disposed over a subset of the array of pixels, the elements shifting the far infrared frequencies from the focused light to higher frequencies and transmitting the resulting signals to the subset of the array of pixels. | 10-25-2012 |
20120274834 | IMAGER DEVICE FOR EVALUATING DISTANCES OF ELEMENTS IN AN IMAGE - An imager device including:
| 11-01-2012 |
20120274835 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CAMERA MAIN BODY - An interchangeable lens including a focus lens | 11-01-2012 |
20120281131 | Automatic Focusing Apparatus - An automatic focusing apparatus includes a position detecting unit for a focus unit, a driving unit for the focus unit, a focus detecting unit using a phase difference method, a contrast acquiring unit for picking up an image of object, and a focusing determining unit based on a contrast, a cyclic pattern determining unit for an object based on focus information obtained by the focusing detecting unit, a target position setting unit for driving of the focus unit, and a focusing direction determining unit, and, when the object has a cyclic pattern, the apparatus determines a direction of an in-focus point, sets a target position in the determined direction of the in-focus point, drives the focus unit toward the target position, and determines whether or not in-focus state is achieved by using the focusing determining unit. | 11-08-2012 |
20120287328 | DRIVING CONTROL DEVICE AND OPERATION DEVICE - A driving control device according to the present invention includes: a fixed member; an operation member arranged to be manually rotatable with respect to the fixed member; a transducer arranged in one of the fixed member and the operation member and arranged to come into contact with an opposed surface of the other of the fixed member and the operation member; a position detecting section for detecting a position of the operation member with respect to the fixed member; and an operation force amount control section for controlling driving of the transducer to change contact friction force generated when the transducer contacts with the fixed member or the operation member. The operation force amount control section controls the transducer such that the contact friction force applied to the operation member when the operation member is manually rotated with respect to the fixed member changes to a sense of click. | 11-15-2012 |
20120287329 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - A plurality of first image data having a first resolution, which are obtained by capturing images from a plurality of viewpoints, and capturing information in the capturing operation are input. Based on the capturing information, a plurality of candidate values are set as a synthesis parameter required to synthesize second image data having a second resolution higher than the first resolution from the first image data. Using a candidate value selected from the plurality of candidate values as a synthesis parameter, the second image data is synthesized from the plurality of first image data. | 11-15-2012 |
20120287330 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING IMPROVED CONTRAST AUTOFOCUS ACCURACY - An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device that includes a plurality of focus detection pixels, a phase difference detection type of a first focus detector, a contrast detection type of a second focus detector, and a controller. The controller is configured to allow the second focus detector to continue the focus detection when the shift amount detected by the first focus detector is larger than a threshold even when the second focus detector detects the lens position corresponding to the peak of the contrast value, and to move the image pickup lens to a lens position that provides a peak of a contrast value detected by the second focus detector when the shift amount is the threshold or smaller. | 11-15-2012 |
20120293705 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A method for processing images, suitable for an image capturing apparatus, is provided. In the present invention, a first image is captured. And a face recognition is executed for the first image so as to locate a face location of the first image. A second image is captured after adjusting a imaging magnification, and the face recognition is executed for the second image so as to obtain a face image. Next, the face image obtained from the second image is set at the face location of the first image for generating a composite image. | 11-22-2012 |
20120293706 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS USING THE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, AUTO-FOCUSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR PERFORMING THE AUTO-FOCUSING METHOD - An image pickup device is provided including a plurality of pixels arranged over an entire region of the image pickup device, each pixel including: a plurality of light-receiving sub-pixels that generate an image pickup signal from incident light; and a phase-difference detection sub-pixel having a confined light-receiving region. The plurality of pixels includes first group pixels and second group pixels that are each classified according to an arrangement of the confined light-receiving region of the phase-difference detection sub-pixel thereof, and the confined light-receiving region of the phase-difference detection sub-pixel of the first group pixels and the confined light-receiving region of the phase-difference detection sub-pixel in the second group pixels are arranged biased to opposite directions. | 11-22-2012 |
20120293707 | IMAGE-PICKUP ELEMENT, AND IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME - An image-pickup element includes an image-pickup pixel configured to photoelectrically convert light from an image-pickup lens to generate an image of an object, and a first focus detection pixel and a second focus detection pixel configured to receive light having passed through part of an area of an exit pupil of the image-pickup lens, and an electrode part of the first focus detection pixel and an electrode part of the second focus detection pixel are arranged at ends of a photoelectrical conversion part that are opposite to each other in a pupil diving direction of the first focus detection pixel and the second focus detection pixel. | 11-22-2012 |
20120300114 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND DISTANCE MEASUREMENT METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit; a focal range control unit configured to cause the imaging unit to capture a first image and a second image which have mutually different focal ranges, changing a focal position of the imaging unit; a reference image generation unit configured to generate, using the first image and the second image, a reference image to be used as a blur standard; and a distance measurement unit configured to measure a distance to the subject based on a difference in blur degrees between the reference image and each of the first image and the second image. The focal ranges of the first image and the second image are independent of each other, and an out-of-focus space is provided between the focal ranges. | 11-29-2012 |
20120307129 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A zoom lens includes a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, the first, second, third, and fourth lens groups being arranged in order from an object side, and satisfies conditional expression (1) and conditional expression (2) below, (1) 0.95<|fw12|/fw<1.2 and (2) 14012-06-2012 | |
20120307130 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, AUTO-FOCUSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM FOR EXECUTING THE AUTO-FOCUSING METHOD - An apparatus, computer readable medium, and method for auto-focusing, the method including reading out a live-view signal from first group pixels; reading out an auto-focusing detection signal from second group pixels; and auto-focusing using the live-view signal and the auto-focusing detection signal, wherein the first group pixels and the second group pixels do not substantially overlap | 12-06-2012 |
20120314120 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device, which accepts inputs in a plurality of levels according to pressing loads, includes: a control unit, which performs an autofocus process of automatically adjusting a focus with respect to the photographic subject when a load detecting unit detects a pressing load that satisfies a load standard for accepting a first-level input, and controls so that a still image is acquired, when the load detecting unit detects a pressing load that satisfies a load standard for accepting a second-level input higher than the load standard for accepting the first-level input, wherein, from when the autofocus process starts to when adjustment of the focus with respect to the photographic subject is completed, when the load detecting unit detects the pressing load that satisfies the load standard for accepting the second-level input, the control unit controls so that the still image is not acquired. | 12-13-2012 |
20120320253 | Digital Photographing Apparatus and Method for Controlling the Same - A digital photographing apparatus allows users to directly reflect their DOF intention to the digital photographing apparatus before a photo is taken, thereby facilitating a more accurate representation of DOF. A method for controlling the digital photographing apparatus includes receiving depth-of-field (DOF) information, calculating an aperture value corresponding to the DOF information, and controlling photographing using the calculated aperture value. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320254 | OPTICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME - A control unit that carries out focus adjustment by the drive control of a focus lens changes an oscillation convergence waiting time of the focus lens after stopped according to the imaging conditions. In the case in which an aperture value is larger than a predetermined value and the tolerated range of a focus deviation amount that accompanies the oscillation of the lens with stopped is large, the waiting time set in a timer is changed so as to be short in comparison to the waiting time that is set in the case in which the tolerated range of a focus deviation amount is small. The control unit outputs a stop command for a focus lens and ends the movement control of the focus lens after waiting for the passage of a time that has been calculated by a timer. | 12-20-2012 |
20120327289 | Inner-Focus Large-Aperture Medium-Telephoto Lens System, Imaging Optical Device, and Digital Appliance - The disclosed internal focusing large-aperture medium telephoto lens has as lens groups a positive first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a third lens group, in that order from the object side. When focusing on nearby objects, the first lens group and the third lens group have a fixed position relative to the image surface, and the second lens group displaces toward the object side. The second lens group has only one negative lens, and, in order from the object side, has at least a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens. The following expression is fulfilled: −0.5<(R | 12-27-2012 |
20130002932 | Image Enhancement Via Lens Simulation - The described implementations relate to enhancing images. One system includes a lens configured to focus an image on an image sensor. The image sensor is configured to capture the image. The model of the lens can be known to the system. The system can also include an image enhancement component configured to receive the captured image and to utilize a simulated blur kernel of the known model to produce an enhanced image. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002933 | SMA ACTUATION APPARATUS - An SMA actuation apparatus uses SMA actuator wires to move a movable element supported on a support structure, for example to provide optical image stabilisation. Eight SMA actuator wires are arranged inclined with respect to a notional primary axis with a pair of the SMA actuator wires on each of four sides around the primary axis. The SMA actuators are connected so that on contraction two groups of four SMA actuator wires provide a force with a component in opposite directions along the primary axis, so that the groups are capable of providing movement along the primary axis. The SMA actuator wires of each group have 2-fold rotational symmetry about the primary axis, so that there are SMA actuator wires opposing each other that are capable of providing lateral movement or tilting. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002934 | Zoom Lens System, Imaging Device and Camera - A zoom lens system comprising: a positive first lens unit; a negative second lens unit; a positive third lens unit; and one or more subsequent lens units, wherein in zooming, the first to third lens units are moved along an optical axis to perform magnification change, a lens unit α which is one of the subsequent lens units does not move during zooming, but moves during transition from an imaging state to an accommodated state, and the conditions: 0.801-03-2013 | |
20130010177 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND AUTO-FOCUSING METHOD - A digital photographing apparatus includes a lens; a light dividing unit that divides incident light having passed through the lens into a first path and a second path; an imaging device that generates an image signal by performing photoelectric conversion using the incident light of the first path; an auto-focusing unit that generates a lens drive signal by using the incident light of the second path; and a lens driving unit that drives the lens by using the lens drive signal. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010178 | OPTICAL PICKUP APPARATUS - There is provided an optical pickup apparatus. In an optical pickup apparatus, a focus diffraction region includes focus regions of which a number of types is equal to a number of types of light that can be emitted by a light source. The types of the focus regions correspond to the respective types of light, the respective focus regions diffract the corresponding types of light toward same positions of focus light-receiving regions. The focus regions include a plurality of focus segmented regions. The plurality of focus segmented regions of the respective types of focus regions are periodically distributed in the focus diffraction region, and at least some of the focus segmented regions are disposed to be adjacent to focus segmented regions for different types of light. | 01-10-2013 |
20130016274 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP DEVICEAANM Matsuo; KeigoAACI TokyoAACO JPAAGP Matsuo; Keigo Tokyo JPAANM Goto; HisashiAACI TokyoAACO JPAAGP Goto; Hisashi Tokyo JPAANM Ichikawa; YoshikazuAACI TokyoAACO JPAAGP Ichikawa; Yoshikazu Tokyo JPAANM Okubo; RyuhiAACI Asaka-shiAACO JPAAGP Okubo; Ryuhi Asaka-shi JPAANM Takase; HiroshiAACI TokyoAACO JPAAGP Takase; Hiroshi Tokyo JPAANM Takahashi; ToshioAACI TokyoAACO JPAAGP Takahashi; Toshio Tokyo JPAANM Murakami; DaichiAACI TokyoAACO JPAAGP Murakami; Daichi Tokyo JP - An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup device that includes a pixel used for focus detection, a plurality of the pixels being arranged in a matrix; a correction memory that stores correction information used for correcting a difference in amounts of received light that depend on pixel positions of the pixels used for focus detection; a correcting section that reads the correction information to correct a pixel value of the pixel used for focus detection; and a focus detecting section that detects a focal point by using the pixel value corrected by the correcting section. Focus accuracy is increased by correcting the pixel value for an AF pixel depending on the pixel position. | 01-17-2013 |
20130016275 | FOCUS ADJUSTING DEVICE AND FOCUS ADJUSTING PROGRAMAANM Hokoi; HayatoAACI Sakura-shiAACO JPAAGP Hokoi; Hayato Sakura-shi JP - A focus adjusting device which includes an edge detection unit that detects edges of a subject image for each color component forming an image including the subject image; a distribution detection unit that detects distributions of a focalized state and an unfocused state of the image based on the edges detected by the edge detection unit; and a control unit that moves a lens based on the distributions detected by the distribution detection unit, wherein the subject image is incident from an optical system having the lens, the control unit moves the lens, and thus the subject image is focused on. | 01-17-2013 |
20130021516 | FOCUS CONTROLLER - A focus controller includes an evaluation value generating unit and a control unit. An evaluation value generating unit obtains a first evaluation value based on a first signal output from a pixel part of an imaging unit by scanning the pixel part in a first direction and obtains a second evaluation value based on a second signal output from the pixel part by scanning the pixel part in a second direction different from the first direction. When a first movement direction of a focus lens based on the first evaluation value and a second movement direction of a focus lens based on the second evaluation value are in the same direction, the control unit performs an auto focus operation in order to move the focus lens in the movement direction determined as the same direction. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021517 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT, AND IMAGE PICKUP METHOD - A solid-state image pickup device includes a first unit to convert light into an electrical signal and a second unit to convert light into an electrical signal. The first unit includes a first lens and a first pair of light receiving elements to receive light from the first lens. The second unit includes a second lens and a second pair of light receiving elements to receive light from the second lens. A profile of the second pair of light receiving elements is different in plan view than a profile of the first pair of light receiving elements. | 01-24-2013 |
20130027605 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system has a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element and, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a negative first lens unit being composed of two lens elements; a positive second lens unit; and a positive third lens unit, wherein in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit during image taking, the individual lens units are moved along an optical axis such that an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit decreases and that an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit increases, so that magnification change is achieved, and wherein on the image side relative to the second lens unit, an aperture diaphragm is arranged that moves along the optical axis integrally with the second lens unit during zooming. | 01-31-2013 |
20130033638 | AUTO FOCUS ADJUSTING METHOD, AUTO FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS, AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - An auto focus (AF) adjusting method, an AF adjusting apparatus, and a digital photographing apparatus including the same, the AF adjusting apparatus including: an AF calculator for calculating focus detection evaluation values; a peak detector for detecting a peak position of the focus detection evaluation values; and a speed calculator for calculating a moving speed of a subject by using the peak position. When continuous photographing of still images is performed, the peak detector detects the peak position in an image pickup interval before a light exposure preparation interval for image capturing, and the focus lens driver performs moving body compensation driving for compensating for a focal position by using a moving speed calculated in the light exposure preparation interval before capturing starts. | 02-07-2013 |
20130038776 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes an auto-focusing actuator, an image sensor, and a transparent dust-proofing member. The auto-focusing actuator includes a housing. The housing includes a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, and defines a through hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. A number of positioning rods extend from the top surface and cooperatively define a fixing space. The image sensor is mounted on the bottom surface of the housing and aligned with the through hole. The transparent dust-proofing member is mounted in the fixing space and seals the through hole. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038777 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image capture apparatus comprises: a moving unit configured to move a focus position of a photographing lens relative to an image sensor at a predetermined amplitude by changing a distance in an optical axis direction between the photographing lens and the image sensor; detection unit configured to detect a focus state of an image obtained from the image sensor; and defocus correction unit configured to perform defocus correction on the image obtained from the image sensor during motion performed by the moving unit, based on the focus state detected by the detection unit, so that the focus state of each image for display on the display device at least approaches the focus state for an in-focus image. | 02-14-2013 |
20130044254 | IMAGE CAPTURE FOR LATER REFOCUSING OR FOCUS-MANIPULATION - A system, method, and computer program product for capturing images for later refocusing. Embodiments estimate a distance map for a scene, determine a number of principal depths, capture a set of images, with each image focused at one of the principal depths, and process captured images to produce an output image. The scene is divided into regions, and the depth map represents region depths corresponding to a particular focus step. Entries having a specific focus step value are placed into a histogram, and depths having the most entries are selected as the principal depths. Embodiments may also identify scene areas having important objects and include different important object depths in the principal depths. Captured images may be selected according to user input, aligned, and then combined using blending functions that favor only scene regions that are focused in particular captured images. | 02-21-2013 |
20130050565 | IMAGE FOCUSING - Camera devices in form of a computational camera and corresponding methods are described wherein at least two different focus planes are set in an image. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050566 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH THE ZOOM LENS - A zoom lens includes a first lens unit of a positive refractive power, a second lens unit of a negative refractive power, a third lens unit of a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit of a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens unit does not move for zooming, at least the second and fourth lens units are moved during zooming, the first lens unit includes at least one positive lens, and an Abbe number and a relative partial dispersion of a material of the positive lens, an average refractive index of materials of negative lenses included in the second lens unit, a movement amount of the second lens unit for zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, a focal length of the second lens unit, and a focal length of the entire zoom lens at the telephoto end are appropriately set. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050567 | Zoom Lens System and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - A zoom lens system comprising in order from an object side to an image side:
| 02-28-2013 |
20130050568 | LENS BARREL, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A lens barrel includes a first zoom/focus lens group and a second zoom/focus lens group configured to respectively vary a focal distance and imaging distance by moving in an optical axis, a first actuator configured to drive the first zoom/focus lens group, and a second actuator configured to drive the second zoom/focus lens group. | 02-28-2013 |
20130057751 | VARIABLE FOCAL LENGTH LENS SYSTEM AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A variable focal length lens system including: a first lens group having positive power; a second lens group having negative power; a third lens group having positive power; and a fourth lens group having positive power sequentially arranged from a side where an object is present. An aperture stop is disposed between the second and third lens groups. The first to fourth lens groups are so moved that the distance between the first and second lens groups increases, the distance between the second and third lens groups decreases, and the distance between the third and fourth lens groups decreases when a lens position setting is changed from a wide angle end state to a telescopic end state. The third lens group includes a negative lens and a positive lens disposed on the image side thereof. The variable focal length lens system satisfies the following conditional expression. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057752 | CAMERA SYSTEM - In a camera system according to the present invention, a lens controller obtains an exposure synchronizing signal that is generated by a camera controller from a camera body, causes a configuration formed of a first encoder, a second encoder and a counter to detect the position of a focus lens according to the obtained exposure synchronizing signal, and notifies the camera body of the detected position of the focus lens. The camera controller associates the position of the focus lens or the mechanism member obtained from the lens controller with an AF evaluation value based on the exposure synchronizing signal, and controls an autofocus operation of the camera system based on the position and AF evaluation value that are associated with each other. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of an autofocus operation with a contrast system. | 03-07-2013 |
20130063649 | DEFORMABLE FOCAL PLANE ARRAY - A deformable focal plane array (DFPA) for imaging systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the DFPA includes a detection circuitry on one side. For example, the thickness of the DFPA is in a range of about 5 to 40 microns. In one exemplary embodiment, the DFPA when warped to a desired shape provides a substantially wider field of view (FOV) than a flat focal plane array (FPA). | 03-14-2013 |
20130063650 | CATADIOPTRIC SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH SAME - A catadioptric unit includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first optical element including a first transmissive unit having positive refractive power disposed in the vicinity of an optical axis and, on the object side thereof, a first reflective unit disposed at an outer circumference relative to the first transmissive unit and having a reflective surface; and a second optical element including a second transmissive unit having negative refractive power in the vicinity of the optical axis and, on the image side thereof, a second reflective unit disposed at an outer circumference relative to the second transmissive unit and having a reflective surface. Radii of curvature of object-side and image-side surfaces of the second optical element, a thickness along the optical axis and a refractive index of a material of the second optical element are set to satisfy predetermined conditions. | 03-14-2013 |
20130070147 | THREE-POLE TILT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CAMERA MODULE - A novel camera module includes a housing having a lens unit receiving portion and an image capture device receiving portion, which includes a plurality of discrete support members. A lens unit is coupled to the lens unit receiving portion of the housing. An image capture device has a top surface, which includes an image sensor array. The top surface of the image capture device contacts the bottom of the discrete support members of the housing to align the tilt of the image capture device with respect to the housing. In a particular embodiment, the image capture device is mounted on a surface of a circuit substrate that is coupled to the housing. In an alternate embodiment, the housing is coupled directly to the image capture device. | 03-21-2013 |
20130076966 | DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEM WITH REFOCUSABLE IMAGING MODE - A digital imaging system switchable between a low-resolution refocusable imaging mode and a high-resolution non-refocusable imaging mode comprising: an image sensor having a plurality of sensor pixels for capturing a digital image; an imaging lens for forming an image of a scene onto an image plane; and a switchable optical module including a microlens array module having a microlens array with a plurality of microlenses, and a glass plate module; wherein when the digital imaging system is switched to be in the low-resolution refocusable mode the switchable optical module positions the microlens array module between the imaging lens and the image sensor, and when the digital imaging system is switched to be in the high-resolution non-refocusable mode the switchable optical module positions the glass plate module between the imaging lens and the image sensor. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076967 | Dynamic Autofocus Opertions - Systems, methods, and computer readable media for dynamically adjusting an image capture device's autofocus (AF) operation based, at least in part, on the device's orientation are described. In general, information about an image capture device's orientation may be used to either increase the speed or improve the resolution of autofocus operations. More particularly, orientation information such as that available from an accelerometer may be used to reduce the number of lens positions (points-of-interest) used during an autofocus operation, thereby improving the operation's speed. Alternatively, orientation information may be used to reduce the lens' range of motion while maintaining the number of points-of-interest, thereby improving the operation's resolution. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076968 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE - An image sensing device includes: an image sensor that generates an image signal of a subject image; a reading control portion that reads the image signal in a selected reading mode; a focus control portion that performs focus processing which detects, based on the read image signal, a relative position relationship between a focus lens and the image sensor for focusing the subject image; and a reading mode selection portion that selects, based on the read image signal, a reading mode for performing the focus processing. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076969 | OPTICAL ELEMENT DRIVE MECHANISM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - An image pickup apparatus including a lens barrel with a bending optical system, in which a reflection optical element is movable between a storage state and a photographing state. When a rotary cylinder that retains a lens group to which light beams from an object are incident is being driven by a drive source to advance and retreat between a storage state and a photographing state, the coupling between a cam mechanism for rotary cylinder operation and a driving force transmission gear train for optical element operation is automatically established and released, whereby the operation for moving the reflection optical element between the storage state and the photographing state can be achieved by a single drive source. | 03-28-2013 |
20130088633 | BLUR-CALIBRATION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRO-OPTICAL SENSORS AND METHOD USING A MOVING MULTI-FOCAL MULTI-TARGET CONSTELLATION - Blur-calibration of art imaging sensor includes moving a known target pattern across the field-of view (FONT) of the imaging sensor to present the target pattern across different frames at different pixel phases. The known target pattern comprises a plurality of point-like objects with fixed relative positions in which at least one point-like object has a different focus position. Frames of images of the moving target pattern as seen in the FOV of the imaging sensor are captured to sample point-like objects at different focus positions and generate a multi-focal image data output, which may be subsequently processed to generate data products at different focus positions from a high-resolution composite image generated from the captured frames. | 04-11-2013 |
20130088634 | IMAGE ACQUISITION APPARATUS, IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image acquisition apparatus includes an optical system, an imaging device, a movement controller, and a multiple exposure processing unit. The optical system includes an objective lens for magnifying a portion of an imaging target. The imaging device is capable of performing all-pixel simultaneous exposure and is configured to image the portion magnified by the optical system. The movement controller is configured to move a focal point of the objective lens in a thickness direction of the portion of the imaging target. The multiple exposure processing unit is configured to perform multiple exposure of the imaging device at a plurality of positions such that, for each of ranges sectioned by positions in a direction in which the focal point is movable, an average image that covers each of the ranges is obtained. | 04-11-2013 |
20130088635 | Image Pickup Lens, Image Pickup Apparatus, and Mobile Terminal - An image pickup lens includes: a first lens with a positive power, including a convex surface facing the object side; an aperture stop; a second lens with a negative power, including a concave surface facing the image side; a third lens with a positive or negative power; a fourth lens with a positive power, including a convex surface facing the image side; and a fifth lens with a negative power, including a concave surface facing the image side. The surface of the fifth lens facing the image side is an aspheric surface and includes an inflection point. The image pickup lens satisfies the predetermined condition relating to a focal length of the first lens. | 04-11-2013 |
20130093936 | ENERGY DISPERSION DEVICE - The invention provides an energy dispersion device, spectrograph and method that can be used to evaluate the composition of matter on site without the need for specialized training or expensive equipment. The energy dispersion device or spectrograph can be used with a digital camera or cell phone. A device of the invention includes a stack of single- or double-dispersion diffraction gratings that are rotated about their normal giving rise to a multiplicity of diffraction orders from which meaningful measurements and determinations can be made with respect to the qualitative or quantitative characteristics of matter. | 04-18-2013 |
20130093937 | OPERATION DEVICE - An operation device includes a fixed member, an operation member arranged to be manually rotatable, a load section configured to apply a predetermined load to the operation member, a transducer configured to come into friction contact with the load section, a position detecting section configured to detect a relative position of the operation member with respect to the fixed member or the load section, an operation mode setting section, and an operation sense control section configured to control oscillation applied to the load section by the transducer to thereby change a sense of operation obtained from the operation member when the operation member is rotated. The operation sense control section causes, on the basis of an output from the position detecting section, the operation member to generate a sense of click corresponding to the set operation mode. | 04-18-2013 |
20130093938 | IMAGE FORMING OPTICAL SYSTEM, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS USING THE SAME, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - An optical system includes, in order from the object side, an aperture, a first lens having a positive refractive power, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power and having a meniscus shape with a convex surface facing the image side, and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power. The optical system satisfies a certain condition. | 04-18-2013 |
20130093939 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A focus adjustment apparatus includes an object detection unit configured to detect feature information of an object, a plurality of signal generation units configured to accumulate charges to generate and output a pair of image signals respectively, and a focus detection unit configured to control charge storage of the plurality of signal generation units and detect a focus based on a phase difference between a pair of image signals output from a first signal generation unit corresponding to the feature information of the object detected by the object detection unit, wherein if reliability of detection by the object detection unit is a first level which is higher than a second level, the focus detection unit sets charge storage time of the first signal generation unit longer than that in a case of the second level. | 04-18-2013 |
20130093940 | Zoom Lens System, Interchangeable Lens Apparatus and Camera System - A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein the zoom lens system is provided with an image blur compensating lens unit which moves in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis in order to optically compensate image blur, which is a part of the third lens unit, and which is positioned closest to the object side in the third lens unit, and wherein the condition: 0.504-18-2013 | |
20130093941 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging device includes an imaging lens, an image sensor to output an image signal in accordance with an image of a subject captured via the imaging lens, a lens driver to move the imaging lens, an autofocus detector to determine a focal point according to image data obtained from the image signal, a point source detector to determine whether or not a subject is a point source subject on the basis of a brightness component included in the image data, and a driving mode setter to change a driving condition of the image sensor when the subject is determined to be a point source subject. | 04-18-2013 |
20130093942 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGING DEVICE - The present invention is to provide an imaging lens and an imaging device that achieve optical performance high enough for high-pixel imaging elements, and have the smallest possible sizes and thicknesses. | 04-18-2013 |
20130100334 | Method and System for an Adaptive Auto-Focus Algorithm - A method and system for auto-focusing is presented that receives an image at an image capture device, determines a focus measure of the image, and adjusts a focus of the image by moving a lens in the image capture device in a first direction until a maximum focus measure position is reached. The method and system then evaluates a noise level of the focus measure and continues to adjust the focus of the image by further moving the lens in the first direction until the focus measure is decreased by an adaptive threshold amount, wherein the adaptive threshold amount is based on the noise level of the focus measure. The method and system then adjusts the focus of the image by moving the lens in a second direction to the maximum focus measure position. | 04-25-2013 |
20130100335 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, first to fifth lens units respectively having positive, negative, positive, negative, and positive refractive powers. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, each of the lens units moves in such a way that a distance between the first and second lens units increases, a distance between the second and third lens units decreases, a distance between the third and fourth lens units increases, and a distance between the fourth and fifth lens units increases. The distances D | 04-25-2013 |
20130100336 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND CAMERA BODY - There is provided a camera system with which, when an interchangeable lens capable of electrical zooming has been mounted, the electrical zoom can be operated from the camera body side without sacrificing the function of the camera body. This camera system comprises a lens unit with which the zoom ratio of an optical image can be varied electrically, and a camera body having a body mount with which the lens unit can be attached and removed, a self-centering manipulation member, and a camera controller that controls the lens unit so as to vary the zoom ratio of an optical image electrically. | 04-25-2013 |
20130100337 | OPTICAL SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An optical system includes a first lens unit fixed during a focusing operation and having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit moving in an optical axis direction during the focusing operation and having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit positioned at the image side relative to the second lens unit and having a positive or negative refractive power, the first lens unit is configured by first, second, and third partial lens units, the first partial lens unit is configured by two positive lens components, the second partial lens unit is configured by one cemented lens having a negative combined refractive power, the third partial lens unit is positioned between the second partial lens unit and the second lens unit and has a positive refractive power as a whole, and each lens unit is configured so as to meet an appropriate condition. | 04-25-2013 |
20130107105 | OPTICAL APPARATUS | 05-02-2013 |
20130113980 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens including, in order from object side to image side: a first positive lens unit which does not move for zooming; a second negative lens unit which moves during zooming; a third positive lens unit which moves during zooming; a fourth lens unit which moves during zooming; and a fifth positive lens unit which does not move for zooming. The second unit passes through a point at which magnification of the second unit becomes −1 during zooming from wide-angle end to telephoto end, and −1<β34<−0.3, and 4.0<|m2/m3|<15 are satisfied where β34 represents a magnification of a combined unit including the third and fourth units at a zoom position fz at which the magnification of the second unit becomes −1, and m2 and m3 respectively represent displacements of the second and third units on optical axis at the zoom position fz with reference to the wide-angle end. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113981 | LIGHT FIELD CAMERA IMAGE, FILE AND CONFIGURATION DATA, AND METHODS OF USING, STORING AND COMMUNICATING SAME - A method for acquiring, generating, and/or outputting image data comprises (i) acquiring light field data representative of a scene, (ii) acquiring configuration data representative of how light rays optically propagate through a device, (iii) generating image data using the light field data and the configuration data, wherein the image data includes a focus depth different from that of the light field data, (iv) generating an electronic data file including the image data, the light field data, and the configuration data, and (v) outputting the electronic data file. In one aspect, a light field acquisition device comprises optics, a light field sensor, and processing circuitry to: (i) determine configuration data representative of how light rays optically propagate through the optics, and (ii) generate the electronic data file, wherein the electronic data file includes image data, light field data representative of a light field from the scene, and configuration data. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113982 | IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT AND IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - An image pickup element includes a light-receiving portion having a matrix arrangement formed by disposing first-direction arrays, each having photoelectric conversion portions arranged in a first direction with a predetermined gap maintained therebetween, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and micro-lenses provided above the light-receiving portion. A certain first-direction array in the matrix arrangement is provided with a pair of photoelectric conversion portions that optically receive, via a pair of micro-lenses, photographic-subject light beams passing through a pair of segmental regions in an exit pupil of a photographic optical system, the pair of segmental regions being disposed biasedly in opposite directions from each other in the first direction. The pair of micro-lenses is disposed such that light axes thereof extend through vicinities of edges of the pair of photoelectric conversion portions, the edges being the farthest edges from each other in the first direction. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113983 | IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A camera body including a mirror controller configured to retract the reflecting mirror out of the optical path of the optical system when the reflecting mirror is in the first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and the moving picture photography mode is selected, in the still picture photography mode. The image recording controller is configured to perform the autofocusing operation by contrast method and make the recorder to record moving images depending on an instruction of the moving picture photography when the moving picture photography mode is selected and the mirror controller retracts the reflecting mirror out of the optical path of the optical system, in the still picture photography mode. | 05-09-2013 |
20130120638 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS USING ZOOM LENS - An image pickup apparatus includes a zoom lens having a first positive lens unit, and a first negative lens unit disposed on an object side of the first positive lens unit. A distance between the first positive lens unit and the first negative lens unit is narrowed at the time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end. The zoom lens includes an aperture stop disposed between a lens nearest to an image side in the first negative lens unit and a lens nearest to the image side in the first positive lens unit, and a light-amount reducing filter made of a resin material which is disposed on the image side of the lens nearest to the image side in the first positive lens unit, and which can be inserted in an optical path and withdrawn from the optical path. The zoom lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120639 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DIAPHRAGM - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a first information acquisition unit configured to acquire information on a focal length of a lens unit configured to guide light to the imaging unit, a second information acquisition unit configured to acquire information on an amount of light incident on the imaging unit, and a control unit configured to control a diaphragm configured to adjust the amount of light incident on the imaging unit, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a maximum opening value, which is used for diaphragm control of the diaphragm, based on the information on the focal length acquired by the first information acquisition unit and the information on the amount of incident light acquired by the second information acquisition unit. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120640 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes a negative lens unit having a negative refractive power and a positive lens unit having a positive refractive power arranged in order from an object side to an image side. For focusing from infinity to a closest distance, the negative lens unit moves towards the image side and the positive lens unit moves towards the object side. Predetermined mathematical conditions are satisfied to obtain high optical performance over the entire focusing range. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120641 | IMAGING DEVICE - The imaging device includes: a first optical system; a second optical system; a first imaging element configured to convert an optical image of a first shooting range formed by the first optical system into an electrical signal; a second imaging element configured to convert an optical image of a second shooting range formed by the second optical system into an electrical signal; a first focus driving section configured to shift a focus lens of the first optical system to a focus position of a first object in the first shooting range; and a movement prediction section configured to predict movement of an image of a second object in the second shooting range. The first focus driving section shifts the focus lens of the first optical system to a position different from the focus position of the first object, according to a result of the prediction of the movement prediction section. | 05-16-2013 |
20130128096 | ZOOM ILLUMINATING SYSTEM AND IMAGING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - A zoom illuminating system and an imaging apparatus including the same are provided. The imaging apparatus includes: the zoom illuminating system; a zoom lens system including a plurality of lens groups and zooming an image of an object as a distance between the plurality of lens groups varies. | 05-23-2013 |
20130128097 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An image-pickup apparatus has an image sensor in which an image-pickup pixel and a focus detecting pixel are arrayed; a focus detection unit which detects a defocus amount of the imaging lens by a phase difference detection method using an output signal from the focus detecting pixel; and acquisition unit which acquires the ray vignetting information of the imaging lens. When the focus lens in the imaging lens is positioned within a position range in which the position of the focus lens cannot be detected, the focus detection unit detects the defocus amount of the imaging lens using the ray vignetting information in a position of the focus lens in which the amount of ray vignetting is the smallest within the position range. | 05-23-2013 |
20130135516 | AUTO-FOCUS CONTROLLING APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND DIGITAL STILL CAMERA - An auto-focus controlling apparatus includes a focus evaluation value generating device generating a focus evaluation value based on image data acquired through the focus lens, a target lens position determining device determining a target lens position, a timing determining device determining a plurality of acquisition lens positions for acquiring the focus evaluation values in a scanning direction from a present lens position of the focus lens toward the target lens position, a scanning device driving the focus lens in the scanning direction, a predicted focus lens position determining device predicting a predicted focus lens position based on the acquired focus evaluation values and a moving device stopping the scanning device to drive the focus lens when the predicted focus lens position is determined and driving the focus lens in the same direction as the scanning direction to move the focus lens to the predicted focus lens position. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135517 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING ERROR OF AUTO FOCUS CALIBRATION - Provided is a method and a system for detecting an error focus calibration, wherein a first DFOV value is measured in a state before the collimator lens is interposed between the resolution chart and the camera module, and a second DFOV value is measured in a state after the collimator lens is interposed between the resolution chart and the camera module, a determination is made whether a value obtained by subtracting the second DFOV value from the first DFOV value is smaller than a threshold value, and detecting as an error of auto calibration, in a case the subtracted value is greater than the threshold value. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135518 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS AND FOCUS ADJUSTING METHOD - There are provided a focus adjusting apparatus and method in which a look of an image plane can be improved when an object area to be focused in the image plane is judged and focused prior to image-taking preparation operation. A first operation for determining the object area to be focused is performed prior to the image-taking preparation operation, and a second operation for performing the focus adjusting operation is performed at the time of the image-taking preparation operation. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135519 | OPTICAL FUNCTION DEVICE AND IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE - An optical function device includes a base material layer, a semi-transparent layer formed on a principal plane of the base material layer, the semi-transparent layer reflecting light of incident light at a ratio determined in advance and passing remaining light; and a reflection prevention layer formed on a principal plane opposite to the principal plane of the base material layer with respect to the base material layer, the reflection prevention layer preventing reflection of the light passing through the base material layer. The image-capturing device includes an optical function device, a first light receiving device for receiving transmission light from the optical function device, and a second light receiving device for receiving reflection light from the optical function device. | 05-30-2013 |
20130141627 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system comprising a negative first lens unit, a positive second lens unit, a negative third lens unit, and a positive fourth lens unit, wherein the first lens unit and the third lens unit move along an optical axis, and the fourth lens unit is fixed with respect to an image surface in zooming, the third lens unit moves along the optical axis in focusing, and the conditions: 0.0<|M | 06-06-2013 |
20130141628 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system comprising a negative first lens unit, a positive second lens unit, a negative third lens unit, and a positive fourth lens unit, wherein the second lens unit is composed of an object-side second lens unit and an image-side second lens unit, the object-side second lens unit has positive optical power, an aperture diaphragm is located between the object-side second lens unit and the image-side second lens unit, and the conditions: −0.506-06-2013 | |
20130141629 | SINGLE FOCAL LENGTH LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A single focal length lens system comprising a front lens unit, an aperture diaphragm, and a rear lens unit, wherein the front lens unit is composed of three or less lenses including a negative lens located closest to the object side and a positive lens located on the image side relative to the negative lens, and does not move along an axis in focusing, the rear lens unit includes a focusing lens unit moving along the axis and a fixed lens unit not moving along the axis in focusing, and the conditions: 0.406-06-2013 | |
20130148006 | SINGLE FOCAL LENGTH LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A single focal length lens system comprising: at least a front lens unit having positive or negative power, and being fixed in focusing; a focusing lens unit having positive power, and moving along an optical axis in focusing; and a rear lens unit having negative power, and being fixed in focusing, wherein the focusing lens unit includes: a cemented lens of a negative lens and a positive lens; and a positive single lens located on the image side relative to the cemented lens and having an aspheric surface, the rear lens unit is composed of one single lens, and the condition: −0.506-13-2013 | |
20130148007 | CAMERA SYSTEM - A camera system of this invention includes: a fixed member; a focusing lens; a drive portion that drives the focusing lens; a rotational member to be engaged; an operation ring that can be positioned at a first position and a second position in the optical axis direction; an engagement portion that, when the operation ring is at the second position, causes the rotational member to be engaged and the operation ring to engage with each other; and a control portion that, when the operation ring is at the first position and the operation ring is rotated, drives the focusing lens in accordance with the rotation, and when the operation ring is at the second position, drives the focusing lens in accordance with a relative movement position between the rotational member to be engaged and the fixed member. | 06-13-2013 |
20130148008 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS AND CAMERA BODY - An interchangeable lens includes a zoom lens, a driver configured to drive the zoom lens, an operation unit configured to receive a user's operation for changing a magnification of the zoom lens, and a controller configured to control the driver according to the operation of the operation unit. The controller controls the driver in either one of a first operation mode for enabling the zoom lens to stop at an arbitrary position according to the operation of the operation unit and a second operation mode for enabling the zoom lens to stop at one of discrete predetermined stop positions according to the operation of the operation unit. | 06-13-2013 |
20130155312 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a zoom lens, including: a first lens group having a positive refracting power; a second lens group having a negative refracting power; a third lens group having a positive refracting power; and a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power; the first, second, third and fourth lens groups being disposed in order from the object side; the lens groups moving upon zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end of the zoom lens such that the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increases while the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases. | 06-20-2013 |
20130162883 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging lens including: in order from an object side thereof, a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens formed in a meniscus shape having a negative refractive power with a concave surface faced to an image side; a third lens formed in a biconvex shape having a positive refractive power near an optical axis; a fourth lens formed in a meniscus shape having a positive refractive power with a concave surface faced to the object side near the optical axis; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power near the optical axis and a positive refractive power in a peripheral portion, the imaging lens satisfying the following conditional expression (a), 3.0≦f3/f4≦30.0 (a) where f3 is a focal length of the third lens, and f4 is a focal length of the fourth lens. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162884 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, a third lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power, disposed in order from an object side to an image side, and an aperture stop between a lens surface closest to the object side of the second lens unit and a lens surface closest to the object side of the third lens unit, the third lens unit is moved to the image side during a focusing operation from an infinite object to a short distance object, the first lens unit is configured by at most two negative lenses and one positive lens, the third lens unit is configured by a single lens or a cemented lens, and an appropriate conditional expression are met. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162885 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit of a negative refractive power, a second lens unit of a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit of a positive refractive power, an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit and an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit being configured to change in zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end. The first lens unit includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens and a positive lens. The predetermined conditions are satisfied. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162886 | Inner Focus Lens System and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - An inner focus lens system includes, from the object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, an aperture stop, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit. The first lens unit includes a plurality of negative lenses and at least one positive lens, the lens located closest to the object side is a negative lens. The second lens unit includes at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens, and moves toward the object side for focusing from an infinite object distance to a close object distance such that the distance between the second lens unit and the aperture stop decreases and that the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit increases. The lens system satisfies the following conditions: 106-27-2013 | |
20130162887 | Inner Focus Lens System and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - An inner focus lens system comprises, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit, an aperture stop, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, a third lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens unit has at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens, the second lens unit has at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens, the third lens unit has at least one negative lens, the fourth lens unit has at least one positive lens, at the time of focusing on an object at a short distance from an object at infinity, the third lens unit moves to an image side so as to lengthen a distance to the second lens unit and to shorten a distance to the fourth lens unit, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: | 06-27-2013 |
20130162888 | IMAGING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING TERMINAL, MOBILE TELEPHONE, PROGRAM, AND LIGHT EMISSION CONTROL METHOD - A camera-mounted cellular phone ( | 06-27-2013 |
20130162889 | LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - It has conventionally been difficult to reduce the size of a fast lens system having an F number of about 1.4 to 2.4. In a lens system of the present invention, a positive lens element is disposed closest to an object side. A diaphragm is disposed in a widest air space in the lens system. The lens system of the present invention satisfies the following conditions: | 06-27-2013 |
20130169853 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTABLISHING AUTOFOCUS BASED ON PRIORITY - An approach for enabling the autofocus feature of a camera to be directed towards priority targets within a frame is described. A camera retrieves a stored object image. An autofocus platform then compares an object viewed by the camera within a scene with the stored object image. The autofocus platform then determines a focus point within the scene based on the comparison. The image is captured by the camera using the determined focus point. | 07-04-2013 |
20130169854 | CAMERA MODULE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING THE SAME AND AUTO FOCUS METHOD - A camera module, an electronic device comprising the same and an Auto Focus (AF) method, wherein the camera module controls an AF according to received direction information of the camera module. The camera module includes: a memory configured to store focus drive information of the camera module in different directions; a lens drive unit configured to call the focus drive information stored in the memory and corresponding to the direction information according to the direction of the camera module sensed by the sensor, and drive a lens group according to the focus drive information to perform the AF; and the lens group configured to perform the AF according to the driving by the lens drive unit. The start and stop positions or the preset position of the AF may be more accurately recorded, thereby reducing the power consumption while reducing the time to respond (response time). | 07-04-2013 |
20130169855 | Imaging Arrangements and Methods Therefor - Image data is processed to facilitate focusing and/or optical correction. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an imaging arrangement collects light data corresponding to light passing through a particular focal plane. The light data is collected using an approach that facilitates the determination of the direction from which various portions of the light incident upon a portion of the focal plane emanate from. Using this directional information in connection with value of the light as detected by photosensors, an image represented by the light is selectively focused and/or corrected. | 07-04-2013 |
20130169856 | ZOOM LENS AND PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS - A zoom lens and a photographing apparatus including the same. The zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and an additional lens grouping having a positive refractive power, which are sequentially arranged from an object side, wherein the additional lens grouping comprises a third lens group having a positive refractive power. | 07-04-2013 |
20130176477 | Lens Front Cap Module and Image Pickup Apparatus Thereof - A lens front cap module and an image pickup apparatus having a zooming barrel, a focusing barrel and a lens front cap body. Both zooming barrel and focusing barrel are hollow barrel shaped structures. The focusing barrel is installed in the zooming barrel. An abutting portion is formed on an inner wall of the zooming barrel. The lens front cap body comprises a driving plate and a vane module. The driving plate is installed at an end of the zooming barrel and has a central window aperture. A driving pin is axially extended from the driving plate. The vane module is disposed on a side of the zooming barrel for shielding or unshielding the central window aperture. When the abutting portion abuts the driving pin, the driving pin drives the driving plate to rotate, and to drive the vane module to shield the central window aperture. | 07-11-2013 |
20130176478 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC IMAGING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, positive second and third lens groups, wherein upon zooming from the short to long focal length extremities, the distance between the first and second lens groups decreases and the distance between the second and third lens groups changes. The second lens group includes a biconvex positive lens element with an aspherical surface on each side, and a negative meniscus lens element with an aspherical surface, and a concave surface on the image side. Conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied: | 07-11-2013 |
20130176479 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH SAME - A zoom lens includes a front lens group including a first lens unit and a second lens unit, a reflecting mirror configured to bend an optical path, and a rear lens group including two or more lens units. When the zoom lens is retracted, the reflecting mirror performs at least one of rotation and linear movement to provide space for the front lens group. A focal length of a lens unit having the highest absolute value of refractive power among negative lens units in the front lens group, a focal length of the entire zoom lens at a telephoto end, a maximum value and a minimum value of amounts of movement of the at least two lens units in the rear lens group during zooming, a length of a reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror, and a maximum effective diameter of the first lens unit are appropriately set. | 07-11-2013 |
20130182171 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, LENS UNIT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor operable to generate an image signal, and controller that controls communication with a mounted lens unit including an image taking optical system and generates a drive instruction to drive a focus lens of the mounted lens unit on a basis of a focus signal generated by using the image signal, the focus signal indicating a focus state of the image taking optical system. The controller sends information relating to a predetermined timing and the drive instruction to the lens unit, and receives, from the lens unit, a first signal indicating whether the focus lens is able to be moved by a movement based on the drive instruction to satisfy the predetermined timing. | 07-18-2013 |
20130182172 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - 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. | 07-18-2013 |
20130188089 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND AUTO FOCUS METHOD - The invention provides a camera system. In one embodiment, the camera system comprises a camera module and a processor. The camera module photographs a target object according to a focal length to generate an image. The processor comprises an extending-lens-depth-of-filed (EDOF) module and an auto focus module. The EDOF module processes the image according to an EDOF process to generate an EDOF image. The auto focus module adjusts the focal length of the camera module according to an auto focus process. | 07-25-2013 |
20130188090 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS - In an image capture apparatus, when a first object and a second object are designated via a touch operation unit during live view display, focus information of each of the first and second objects is stored, and then a focus moving time is set. In execution of image capture, image capture where a focusing point and an exposure value are adjusted to the first object is executed and, after an interval corresponding to the focus moving time, image capture where the focusing point and the exposure value are adjusted to the second object is executed. | 07-25-2013 |
20130188091 | Taking Lens System and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - A taking lens system comprises a frontmost lens unit, a rearmost lens unit, and a plurality of lens units arranged between the frontmost lens unit and the rearmost lens unit. One of the plurality of lens units is a first focusing lens unit. During focusing from an infinite object distance to a close object distance, only the first focusing lens unit moves toward the image side in a first shooting mode, and at least two lens units in the taking lens system move in a second shooting mode. In the state in which the taking lens system is focused on an object at infinity, the positions of the first focusing lens unit and at least one lens unit in the taking lens system in the first shooting mode are different from those in the second shooting mode. The taking lens system satisfies the condition M | 07-25-2013 |
20130194484 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens unit having positive refractive power, which does not move for zooming, the first lens unit including a lens unit which moves for focusing; a second lens unit having negative refractive power for magnification variation; a third lens unit having negative refractive power, which moves for zooming; a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power, which moves for zooming; and a fifth lens unit having positive refractive power, which does not move for zooming, in which an interval between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit becomes largest at a telephoto end, and lateral magnifications β2w and β2t of the second lens unit at a wide-angle end and at the telephoto end are respectively set appropriately. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194485 | IMAGING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - An imaging apparatus includes an autofocus function, and performs focus adjustment by displacing a focus lens to an in-focus opposition. A focal correction calculation unit calculates a focal correction amount using at least one type of information selected from the diaphragm information used for exposure adjustment, positional information for the zoom lens, and positional information for the focus lens. The focal correction amount is further revised, and processing is executed to suppress coloring on the subject image resulting from chromatic aberration. The correction amount after revision is sent to a focal adjustment unit and the focal lens is driven and controlled by the lens control unit. | 08-01-2013 |
20130201381 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, LENS APPARATUS, AND CAMERA APPARATUS - Provided is an image pickup apparatus, including: a lens portion including a focus lens unit and a magnification-varying lens unit; an image pickup element movable in an optical axis direction; a moving unit for moving the image pickup element in the optical axis direction; a memory unit for storing, as a reference position, a position of the image pickup element serving as a reference in the optical axis direction, the position corresponding to a zoom position; an operation unit for operating a defocus amount; and a controller for controlling the moving unit to move the image pickup element based on the reference position and the defocus amount operated by the operation unit. | 08-08-2013 |
20130201382 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Equipped with Same - A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. The first lens unit includes a negative lens and a positive lens. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression ( | 08-08-2013 |
20130201383 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image sensor comprises a plurality of pixels covered by color filters and arranged two-dimensionally in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a read out means capable of reading by switching between a first read out method for reading a signal from each of the plurality of pixels and a second read out method for reading by adding signals in the first direction within each pixel group including a predetermined number of pixels covered by a color filter of a same color. The plurality of pixels include a plurality of pixel groups of first focus detection pixels and a plurality of pixel groups of second focus detection pixels, arranged discretely, and the first and second focus detection pixels are partially shielded from light on different sides in the second direction so as to receive light transmitted through different exit pupil regions. | 08-08-2013 |
20130201384 | LIQUID LENS AND APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A decrease in the spectral transmittance of a liquid lens due to yellowing of an iodide aqueous solution used as an electrolytic solution is inhibited. A liquid lens includes a liquid container, an electrolytic solution contained in the container and containing iodide ions and a water-soluble antioxidant that inhibits oxidation of the iodide ions, a nonelectrolytic solution contained in the container and forming an interface with the electrolytic solution, and an electrode configured to apply a voltage to the electrolytic solution. A voltage is applied across the electrolytic solution and the electrode to change the curvature of the interface. | 08-08-2013 |
20130208176 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THEREOF - 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 behaviour pattern of the user through vibration transition measured by a vibration detection sensor. | 08-15-2013 |
20130215319 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE FOCUS CONTROL METHOD, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - The stability is improved with which focus control is performed by an image capture device that brings a face region image into focus according to the contrast method. A human detection circuit | 08-22-2013 |
20130222674 | AUTO-FOCUSING CAMERA MODULE - An auto-focusing camera module includes a lens module, an image sensor, a color separation unit, a controller, and a shape memory alloy. The lens module captures light signal of an object. The image sensor senses the light and forms an image. The color separation unit separates the image into red image, green image and blue image. The controller calculates MTF values of the image and determines a shooting distance between the lens module and the object. When the shooting distance is greater than a predetermined distance value, the controller processes the image according to the MTF values to compensate blurs of the image caused by out of focus; when the shooting distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance value, the controller controls the shape memory alloy drive the lens module to an optimum focusing position for focus according to the MTF values. | 08-29-2013 |
20130222675 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging lens includes a first lens; a second lens; and a third lens arranged from an object side to an image plane side. The first lens has an object-side surface with a positive curvature radius. The second lens has an object-side surface and an image plane-side surface with negative curvature radii. The third lens has an object-side surface and an image plane-side surface with positive curvature radii. The object-side surface and the image plane-side surface of the third lens are respectively formed as an aspheric shape having an inflexion point. When the whole lens system has a focal length f, the first lens has a focal length f | 08-29-2013 |
20130222676 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus, including: an image formation lens having focal lengths different in every region; a light receiving section having light receiving elements; optical elements corresponding to a plurality of the light receiving elements to make the corresponding light receiving elements receive an object light beam that passed through predetermined pupil regions in an exit pupil of the image formation lens; and an image generation section, wherein in the case of selecting, for generation of the image of the object, any one of the pupil regions in the exit pupil through which an object light beam passes, the image generation section selects, based on an object distance and focal lengths each corresponding to a plurality of the pupil regions of the exit pupil, at least one of the pupil regions through which an object light beam that forms an image at a position of the light receiving section passes. | 08-29-2013 |
20130229565 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A zoom lens includes a fixed first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power and movable along an optical axis, a fixed third lens group having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens group having a negative refracting power and movable along the optical axis, and a fixed fifth lens group, disposed in order from the object side to the image side. The following expressions are satisfied: | 09-05-2013 |
20130235250 | FAST AUTO FOCUS TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS - Embodiments are directed towards using a color filtration system to generate multiple color images of a same single image that is displayed on a photo sensor plane to determine a lens adjustment position for a defined region of interest usable to automatically focus at least the defined region of interest using the single image. In one embodiment, the color filtration system employs a multiple color aperture filter and two single element lenses to generate multiple color images when an object within the single image is out of focus. In another embodiment, a metal dielectric interference filter is mounted directly in front of the photo sensor, to generate the multiple color images. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235251 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A zoom lens includes: first, second, third and fourth lens groups having negative power, positive power, negative power and positive power, respectively, and sequentially arranged from an object side toward an image side. When the magnification at a wide angle side is changed to the magnification at a telescopic side, the first lens group is so moved along an optical axis that the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group decreases, and the second third and fourth lens groups are moved from the image side toward the object side, the third lens group is moved along the optical axis for focusing, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (1) | 09-12-2013 |
20130242162 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND LENS ACTUATING DEVICE AND LENS ACTUATING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses an image capturing device and a lens actuating device and a lens actuating method thereof. The lens actuating device comprises a focus lens group, a zoom lens group, a motor and a microcontroller. The focus lens group is arranged for changing a focus point of the image. The zoom lens group is arranged for changing distance of the image. The motor is arranged for driving the movements of the focus lens group and the zoom lens group respectively. The microcontroller is arranged for receiving a plurality of instructions, and controlling the motor at one of a plurality of predetermined speeds according to the instruction received to control the motor to drive the focus lens group or the zoom lens group to perform a focus motion or a zoom motion. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242163 | INNER FOCUS LENS, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - There are provided an inner focus lens consisting of a first lens group, an aperture diaphragm, and a second lens group in order from an object side. The first lens group has a positive first lens element, a positive second lens element, and a negative third lens element; or a positive first lens element, a positive second lens element, a positive third lens element, and a negative fourth lens element, in order from the object side. One lens element in the second lens group is moved with respect to an image surface in focusing, some of the lens elements thereof are moved in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. The inner focus lens satisfies 0.2<|fF/fO|<3.0 (fF: a focal distance of a focus lens, fO: a synthetic focal distance of the lens elements moving in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis). | 09-19-2013 |
20130242164 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Equipped with Same - A zoom lens has a plurality of lens units including, in order from its object side to image side, a first lens unit having a negative refracting power composed of two lens elements including a biconcave negative lens and a positive lens, and a second lens unit having a positive refracting power composed of four lens elements including a positive lens and a negative lens. During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, a distance between the lens units changes, and the second lens unit moves toward the object side. The zoom lens has an aperture stop that moves integrally with the second lens during the zooming and satisfies a specific condition. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242165 | VARIABLE FOCAL LENGTH LENS SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a variable focal length lens system including: a first lens group having a positive refracting power; a second lens group having a negative refracting power; a third lens group having a negative refracting power; a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power; and a fifth lens group having a positive refracting power; all of the first to fifth lens groups moving, when a positional state of the variable focal length lens system changes from a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state; the fifth lens group being configured from a first sub lens group and a second sub lens group; and the variable focal length lens system satisfying the following expression (1): | 09-19-2013 |
20130242166 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP UNIT - A zoom lens includes: first to fourth lens groups having positive, negative, positive, and negative refractive power, respectively. The first to fourth lens groups are arranged in order from the object plane. The fourth lens group is configured of one negative lens or a cemented lens including positive and negative lenses that are arranged in order from object plane and are attached to each other. A magnification-varying operation from wide end to telephoto end causes the first and third lens groups to travel toward the object plane and causes the second and fourth lens groups to travel along an optical axis. A focusing operation causes the fourth lens group to travel along the optical axis. The following conditional expression is satisfied: | 09-19-2013 |
20130242167 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING IMAGE IN MOBILE TERMINAL - An image capturing apparatus and a method capable of capturing images that have undergone Auto Focus (AF), in a mobile terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a camera module, and a controller for determining whether a captured frame has undergone AF if a ‘capture’ entry is selected while performing Continuous Auto Focus (CAF) in a preview mode, and for performing AF on the captured frame if the captured frame has not undergone AF. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242168 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes a zoom lens, an operation unit that receives an operation for changing a magnification of the zoom lens, an imaging unit that generates image data based on a subject image formed via the zoom lens, a driver that moves the zoom lens stepwise to one of predetermined stop positions corresponding to each of a plurality steps according to the operation received by the operation unit, and a controller that controls the driver. The controller changes the stop position of the zoom lens at each step according to a size of a region of the imaging unit on which the image data is generated so that a converted focal length at the stop position of the zoom lens at each step is the same regardless of the size of the region. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242169 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, first and third lens units having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens group. The first lens unit is closer to the object side at a telephoto end than at a wide angle end. The second lens unit is closer to the image side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. A distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit at the telephoto end, focal lengths at the wide angle end and the telephoto end, respectively, a focal length of the second lens unit, and an amount of movement of the second lens unit in an optical axis direction during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end are appropriately set. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242170 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; a third lens unit having positive optical power; a fourth lens unit; and at least one subsequent lens unit, wherein the subsequent lens unit(s) includes a lens unit having negative optical power, the first lens unit is composed of two or less lens elements, the third lens unit is composed of four or more lens elements, the first lens unit and the second lens unit move along an optical axis in zooming, and the condition: 0<|f | 09-19-2013 |
20130242171 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system comprising: a positive first lens unit; a negative second lens unit; a positive third lens unit; a fourth lens unit; and at least one subsequent lens unit, wherein the subsequent lens unit(s) includes a negative lens unit, the first and third lens units are respectively composed of two or less lens elements and four or more lens elements, the first and second lens units move along an optical axis in zooming, and the conditions: 0.009-19-2013 | |
20130250160 | Zoom lens with forward-located aperture stop - A zoom lens comprising, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: first lens group with negative power; an aperture stop; a second lens group with positive power; a third lens group with positive power; and a fourth lens group. The second and third lens groups and the aperture stop are axially movable for zooming. At least one lens element in the first lens group is moveable to provide for focusing. The aperture stop moves during zooming and has a clear aperture that changes size during zooming. | 09-26-2013 |
20130250161 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTO FOCUS FUNCTION IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An apparatus and a method for performing an Auto Focus (AF) function in an electronic device which does not perform the AF function while performing a camcorder function are provided. The apparatus includes a camera for receiving a photographing data, a camera processing unit for performing any one of a still picture acquisition function and an AF function, a recording processing unit for performing a function for recording the photographing data, a camera driver for operating the camera under control of the camera processing unit and the recording processing unit, and a processor for controlling the camera processing unit and the recording processing unit when detecting an AF request while photographing a moving picture to focus on the photographing data automatically and to record the focused photographing data. | 09-26-2013 |
20130250162 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING APPARATUS AND LENS APPARATUS INCLUDING THE AUTOMATIC FOCUSING APPARATUS - An automatic focusing apparatus includes: a focus lens unit; a focus driver; a first focus detector that detects an in-focus state based on a phase difference; a second focus detector that detects an in-focus state using a signal from an image pickup element; a focus controller that controls the focus driver to perform focusing based on a first focus detection result and a second focus detection result; a movement detector that detects a movement of an object with components in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis based on an image signal obtained from the first focus detector; and a re-execution determination unit that determines whether to control the focus driver to re-execute focusing based on the first focus detection result and the second focus detection result that are newly detected after the execution of focusing and based on a movement detection result detected by the movement detector. | 09-26-2013 |
20130258164 | MOBILE DEVICE AND OPTICAL IMAGING LENS THEREOF - Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned in an order from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements to allow the thickness of the second lens element and the sum of all air gaps between all five lens elements along the optical axis satisfying the relation: 0.2010-03-2013 | |
20130258165 | MEMS Autofocus Camera Module with Alignment Registration - A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes a housing, an image sensor coupled to the housing, and an autofocus optical module coupled within the housing and including a MEMS actuator that is configured to move one or more movable lenses relative to one or more fixed lenses along an optical axis of the camera module to adjust a focusing distance of the autofocus optical module to automatically focus an object disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module onto the image sensor. The autofocus optical module includes one or more pairs of adjacent lens surfaces that include abutting registration features to aid in alignment. | 10-03-2013 |
20130265479 | Miniature Camera Module with MEMS-Actuated Autofocus - A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes a MEMS actuated movable lens group and at least one fixed lens group defining an optical axis within a camera module housing. Objects disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module are automatically focused at a determined zoom to an image sensor. MEMS actuation of the movable lens group is performed to accomplish autofocus functionality. | 10-10-2013 |
20130265480 | AUTO-FOCUS IMAGE SYSTEM - An auto-focus image system that includes a pixel array coupled to a focus signal generator. The pixel array captures an image that has a plurality of edges. The generator generates a focus signal that is a function of a plurality of edge-sharpness measures, each being measured from a different one of the plurality of edges. The edge-sharpness measure is a quantity that has a unit that is a power of a unit of length. It may be a distance in the edge. It may be an area. It may be a central moment. The generator may reduce a relative extent to which an edge contributes to the focus signal on basis of detecting that the edge does not have sufficient reflection symmetry in a sequence of gradients of an image signal across the edge according to a predefined criterion. The edge may be prevented from contributing altogether. | 10-10-2013 |
20130265481 | WAFER LEVEL CAMERA MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A method includes forming optical lenses on an ICD at the wafer level, rather than attaching a separate lens assembly. The lenses may be formed as an array of individual lenses or as multiple, e.g., two, arrays of individual lenses. The array of lenses may be coupled to an array of ICDs. The ICDs and individual lenses in the array assembly may be singulated to form individual digital camera modules. Additionally or alternatively, the ICDs and individual lenses may be singulated in separate steps. | 10-10-2013 |
20130271643 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a third lens unit and a fourth lens unit that includes a | 10-17-2013 |
20130271644 | CAMERA BODY, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A camera body including a receiving unit that receives an operation by a user, an obtaining unit that obtains driving method information indicating a capability of controlling a focus lens from a mounted interchangeable lens, a body controller that controls the camera body and generates a control signal for controlling the interchangeable lens, and a sending unit that sends the control signal to the interchangeable lens. The body controller determines control of the interchangeable lens by referring to the driving method information to generate a control signal that instructs the interchangeable lens to perform the determined control. The receiving unit receives a selection of one driving method setting menu from a plurality of driving method setting menus, and makes a driving method setting menu, which uses a driving method other than the driving method indicated by the driving method information, unselectable. | 10-17-2013 |
20130278811 | CONTEXT AWARE INPUT SYSTEM FOR FOCUS CONTROL - The invention is directed to systems, methods and computer program products for controlling a focus operation for an image-capturing device. An exemplary method includes receiving a focus instruction, wherein the focus instruction describes an object of focus; sending first context data to an external system; in response to sending first context data to the external system, receiving second context data from the external system, wherein the second context data comprises data associated with the object of focus; and identifying the object of focus based on the received second context data; and determining a focus distance based on the identified object. | 10-24-2013 |
20130278812 | LOW POWER AUTO-FOCUS DEVICE - An auto-focus device includes a distance sensor, an actuator, a digital auto-focusing unit, and a controller. The distance sensor is configured for measure an object distance from an object to a lens module. The actuator is configured for drive the lens module to focus on an image sensor. The digital auto-focus unit is configured to process a blur image captured by the image sensor without focusing the lens module on the image sensor to get a sharp image. The controller is configured to activate the actuator when the object distance is shorter than a preset distance or otherwise activate the digital auto-focus unit. | 10-24-2013 |
20130278813 | CAMERA MODULE AND IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, in a first imaging mode, an imaging mode control unit allows a second imaging optical system to function in an optical path between an imaging unit and a first imaging optical system and stops focus adjustment. In a second imaging mode, the imaging mode control unit stops the function of the second imaging optical system and allows the focus adjustment to be performed. The first imaging optical system takes in a light from an object to the imaging unit. The second imaging optical system forms an image piece in each pixel block. | 10-24-2013 |
20130278814 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side toward an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power. The second lens unit, the third lens unit, and the fourth lens unit are moved during zooming. A position of the third lens unit at a telephoto end is closer to the object side than a position of the third lens unit at a wide-angle end. The focal length of the zoom lens at the wide-angle end, the difference in the position of the second lens unit on an optical axis between that at the wide-angle end and that at the telephoto end, and the focal length of the second lens unit are set appropriately. | 10-24-2013 |
20130286275 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus for processing image signals which are obtained from an image pickup element in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion units are arranged correspondingly to a microlens detects whether or not the image signal from each photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to one microlens reaches a saturation level, and controls whether or not a correlation of the image signals from a plurality of photoelectric conversion units including the photoelectric conversion units is used for an operation of an image shift amount which is performed by a correlation operation unit. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286276 | Image Pickup Apparatus Having Zoom Lens - An image pickup apparatus includes a zoom lens and an image pickup element. The zoom lens includes a first positive lens unit, a first negative lens unit, a stop, and a second positive lens unit. For zooming, the first positive lens unit is stationary, the first negative lens unit moves, and the second positive lens unit moves. A position at a telephoto end of the first negative lens unit is on the image side of a position at the wide angle end. A position at a telephoto end of the second positive lens unit is on the object side of a position at the wide angle end. For focusing, the first positive lens unit is stationary. A first positive lens unit object-side system has a negative refractive power. A first positive lens unit image-side system has a positive refractive power. The image pickup apparatus satisfies predetermined conditional expressions. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286277 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - A zoom lens includes in order from an object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power, and at the time of zooming, the first lens unit moves, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expressions (1-1a), (1-2a), and (1-3a). | 10-31-2013 |
20130293761 | IMAGE ENHANCEMENT VIA CALIBRATED LENS SIMULATION - The description relates to enhancing images. One device includes a lens configured to focus images on an image sensor. The device also includes point spread function (PSF) lens data relating to manufacturing specifications of the lens and a PSF measurement of the lens associated with a test image of a planar calibration pattern at a single depth of field. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293762 | MEMS Autofocus Camera Module with Fixed and Movable Lens Groups - A miniature MEMS-actuated camera module includes one or both of a camera module housing or a rigid substrate that either defines an aperture or is coupled to an aperture, or both. An image sensor is coupled to the one or both of the camera module housing or rigid substrate. A first lens group is coupled to the housing and fixed relative to the image sensor or coupled directly to the image sensor or both. A MEMS actuator is coupled to the housing or rigid substrate. A second lens group is coupled to the actuator and movable relative to the image sensor. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293763 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS THAT PERFORM FOCUS DETECTION USING PHASE DIFFERENCE METHOD - A focus detection apparatus which is capable of estimating each of signals from a plurality of split PDs, which are included in a sum signal from split PDs, by performing a computation to thus detect saturation with respect to each split PD. With respect to each unit pixel cell having a plurality of PDs sharing one micro lens, saturation of a pixel signal read out in a non-destructive manner from one of the PDs is detected. Based on a first luminance signal and a sum pixel signal obtained by summing signals output from the PDs, another pixel signal output from another one of the PDs is estimated. Saturation of the estimated pixel signal is detected, and a second luminance signal is generated. Based on the first and second luminance signals, the amount of defocus for an optical unit is calculated. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293764 | MEMS Auto Focus Miniature Camera Module with Fixed and Movable Lens Groups - A MEMS auto focus miniature camera module includes an image sensor and an optical train including at least one movable lens and one or more fixed lenses or fixed lens groups on either side of the movable lens. The movable lens provides an auto focus feature of the camera module. A MEMS actuator translates the movable lens through an auto focus range to adjust focus. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293765 | MEMS Auto Focus Miniature Camera Module with Abutting Registration - A MEMS auto focus miniature camera module includes an image sensor and an optical train including at least one movable lens and one or more fixed lenses or fixed lens groups on either side of the movable lens. The movable lens provides an auto focus feature of the camera module. A MEMS actuator translates the movable lens through an auto focus range to adjust focus. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293766 | IMAGING DEVICE AND MAIN PHOTOGRAPHIC SUBJECT RECOGNITION METHOD - When a contrast-system multipoint ranging is performed to detect a main photographic subject in a screen based on a ranging result, a focus area is set at a screen center to perform continuous AF. When focusing is attained or almost attained in the continuous AF, the multipoint ranging is executed, and the main photographic subject in the screen is detected based on the ranging result. In this way, change in an angle of view can be prevented, and the main photographic subject can be accurately recognized. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293767 | INNER FOCUS LENS, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An inner focus lens, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein the second lens unit is moved along an optical axis so that focusing from an infinite-distance object side to a short-distance object side is achieved, the first lens unit includes a bi-convex air lens, and the following conditions: 0.65<|f | 11-07-2013 |
20130300914 | MEMS Autofocus Camera Module with Multiple Lens Groups - A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes an image sensor and an optical assembly including a movable lens group that comprises one or more lenses and that is coupled to a MEMS actuator such that the movable lens group is movable relative to the image sensor, the optical assembly further including at least a first fixed lens group that comprises one or more lenses and that is fixed relative to the image sensor. In operation of the miniature MEMS autofocus camera module, a registration of de-center between the one or more fixed lenses and the one or more moving lenses comprises approximately seven microns or less. | 11-14-2013 |
20130300915 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the optical system to generate image data, a driver operable to drive the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, and an autofocus adjusting unit operable to adjust a subject image formed on the imaging unit to be in focus by evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit and by controlling the driver to drive the focus lens. When adjusting the subject image to be in focus anew after previously adjusting the subject image to be in focus, the autofocus adjusting unit estimates a focus position and controls the driver to drive the focus lens according to a driving method used for evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit, and different driving methods are used for different results of the estimation. | 11-14-2013 |
20130300916 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising: a first lens unit having positive optical power; and at least one subsequent lens unit, wherein in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, an interval between the first lens unit and a lens unit which is one of the at least one subsequent lens unit varies, the condition: f | 11-14-2013 |
20130308036 | IMAGE FOCUS ADJUSTMENT USING STACKED-CHIP IMAGE SENSORS - Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors and adjustable lens systems. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels and processing circuitry. The adjustable lens system may pass light from a scene onto the image pixels at a number of focus positions. The image pixels may capture a focus bracket of image frames at a capture frame rate for light passed by the adjustable lens system at two or more of the focus positions. The processing circuitry may combine a set of image frames in the focus bracket to generate a focused image. The focused image may have one or more portions of the captured scene in focus. The processing circuitry may output the focused image to off-chip image processing circuitry at an output frame rate that is less than the capture frame rate. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308037 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of performing focus controls by plural AF methods and causing a user to confirm the focus control operation by each of the plural AF methods. The apparatus includes a controller which performs a first focus control and a second focus control by a method different from that of the first focus control, and an information output device which outputs information for causing a user to distinguish whether the first or second focus control is currently performed. The controller performs the second focus control after performing the first focus control, and the information output device outputs the information when the first focus control is performed and does not output the information when the second focus control is performed. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308038 | AUTOFOCUS APPARATUS - 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. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308039 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - The interchangeable lens includes a focus actuator to move a focus lens, a memory storing speed control data for the focus actuator and end position data showing infinity side and close side end positions of a movable range of the focus lens, a lens controller to control the drive speed of the focus actuator by using the speed control data. The lens controller receives, from an image pickup apparatus, timing information showing a timing relating to acquisition of focus information, performs an end reachability determination for predictively determining, by using the timing information, the speed control data and the end position data, whether or not the focus lens reaches the infinity side or close side end position by a scheduled focus information acquisition timing, and sends information showing a result of the end reachability determination to the image pickup apparatus. | 11-21-2013 |
20130314583 | WAFER LEVEL CAMERA MODULE ARRAY - A wafer level camera module array including a plurality of camera modules is provided. Each of the camera modules includes a back focus control layer. Each of the back focus control layer has the same thickness and includes a first control layer and a second control layer. The first control layer has a first refractive index, and the second control layer has a second refractive index different form the first refractive index. For the plurality of back focus control layers, the first thickness of the first control layer of at least one back focus control layer is different from the first thicknesses of the first control layers of the other back focus control layers. Alternatively, the second thickness of the second control layer of the at least one back focus control layer is different from the second thicknesses of the second control layers of the other back focus control layers. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314584 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - There is provided a zoom lens including in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. In zooming from a wide-angle end to a telescopic end, the first lens group moves to the object side in a manner that a distance toward the second lens group narrows, and a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group widens. The third lens group includes a single lens or a single cemented lens. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314585 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - There is provided a zoom lens including, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. In zooming from a wide-angle end to a telescopic end, the first lens group moves to the object side in a manner that a distance toward the second lens group shortens, and a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group lengthens. The third lens group includes a single lens or a single cemented lens. | 11-28-2013 |
20130321690 | Methods and Apparatus for Refocusing via Video Capture - Methods and apparatus for refocusing via video capture are disclosed. In response to an image capture request, a multi-focus image data structure including a plurality of image data structures representing a scene is captured. The capturing the plurality of image data structures further includes capturing a first image data structure, altering a focal distance of a lens apparatus focusing light on a photosensor, and capturing a second image data structure. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321691 | IMAGING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGING DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - There is provided an imaging device including an imaging control unit that executes imaging control in first and second self-timer modes in which an automatic focusing process and an imaging process are executed in order after reception of an imaging start instruction. A first period from the reception of the imaging start instruction to execution of the automatic focusing process in the first self-timer mode is shorter than a second period from the reception of the imaging start instruction to execution of the automatic focusing process in the second self-timer mode. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321692 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS, LENS UNIT, CONTROL METHOD OF THE IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF THE LENS UNIT, AND IMAGE-PICKUP SYSTEM - An image-pickup apparatus to which a lens unit that includes an image-pickup optical system including a focus lens is attachable includes an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed via the lens unit that has been attached, and to generate an image signal, and a controller configured to generate information on driving of the focus lens in the lens unit based upon the image signal and to provide focus control, the controller communicating data with the lens unit, wherein the controller transmits information on a driving target position of the focus lens to the lens unit in a first control, and transmits information on a driving direction and driving speed of the focus lens to the lens unit in a second control different from the first control. | 12-05-2013 |
20130329118 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, LENS APPARATUS, AND LENS APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD - An imaging apparatus, to which a lens apparatus can be attached, includes an imaging unit that executes charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generates an imaging signal, a control unit that controls the data communication with an attached lens apparatus and executes focus detection by using data received from the lens apparatus. The control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal. When a predetermined operation that instructs preparation for still image shooting is being carried out by a user, the control unit changes the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which the control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus out of synchronization with the reference signal. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329119 | LENS SYSTEM, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND DRIVE CONTROL METHOD FOR LENS SYSTEM - Provided is a lens system, including: a lens apparatus including a movable optical member; a command apparatus for generating a command signal to be transmitted to the movable optical member; and a signal converter connected to the command apparatus by wire and communicable to and from the lens apparatus by wireless, in which: the lens apparatus includes: a drive controller for controlling drive of the movable optical member based on the command signal; and a wireless communicator for performing wireless communication to and from the signal converter; and after the wireless communication between the wireless communicator and the signal converter is stopped, the drive controller drives and controls the movable optical member in accordance with a situation in which the wireless communication is stopped. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329120 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing method is capable of performing a reconstruction for an input image so as to generate a plurality of output images having a plurality of focus positions different from each other, and the image processing method includes the steps of obtaining the input image that is an image containing information of an object space obtained from a plurality of points of view using an image pickup apparatus having an imaging optical system and an image pickup element including a plurality of pixels, and calculating a pixel shift amount of pixels that are to be combined by the reconstruction for a plurality of virtual imaging planes corresponding to the plurality of focus positions. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329121 | VARIABLE MAGNIFICATION OPTICAL SYSTEM AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A variable magnification optical system consists of a negative first lens group, a stop that is fixed relative to an image plane during magnification change, and a positive second lens group, which are in this order from an object side. A distance between the first lens group and the second lens group in an optical axis direction becomes shorter when magnification is changed from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. The first lens group consists of a positive lens having a convex object-side surface and two negative lenses, in this order from the object side. The variable magnification optical system satisfies the following formula (1) about Abbe number νd1 of the positive lens in the first lens group for d-line: | 12-12-2013 |
20130329122 | FOCUS ERROR ESTIMATION IN IMAGES - Estimating focus error in an image involves a training phase and an application phase. In the training phase, an optical system is represented by a point-spread function. An image sensor array is represented by one or more wavelength sensitivity functions, one or more noise functions, and one or more spatial sampling functions. The point-spread function is applied to image patches for each of multiple defocus levels within a specified range to produce training data. Each of the images for each defocus level (i.e. focus error) is sampled using the wavelength sensitivity and spatial sampling functions. Noise is added using the noise functions. The responses from the sensor array to the training data are used to generate defocus filters for estimating focus error within the specified range. The defocus filters are then applied to the image patches of the training data and joint probability distributions of filter responses to each defocus level are characterized. In the application phase, the filter responses to arbitrary image patches are obtained and combined to derive continuous, signed estimates of the focus error of each arbitrary image patch. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329123 | INFORMATION DISPLAY DEVICE AND DISPLAY DRIVING METHOD - A liquid crystal lens optical body that is available to a rapid response, the liquid crystal lens optical body having a first liquid crystal lens in which a liquid crystal layer is held between first electrodes, the first liquid crystal lens changing optical power by controlling orientation condition of liquid crystal molecules based on an input signal to the electrodes, and a second liquid crystal lens in which a liquid crystal layer is held between second electrodes, the second liquid crystal lens changing optical power by controlling orientation condition of liquid crystal molecules based on the input signal to the electrodes, the first and second liquid crystal lenses provided on an optical axis. In each liquid crystal lens, a response characteristic when the optical power undergoes a transition from a large condition thereof to a small condition thereof is different from a response characteristic when the optical power undergoes a transition from a small condition thereof to a large condition thereof. | 12-12-2013 |
20130335616 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - There is provided a zoom lens including a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, the lens groups being arranged in order from an object side to an image side. The second lens group includes a front group having positive refractive power, and a rear group having positive refractive power, the front and rear groups being arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The front group includes a positive lens, a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens, the lenses being arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The rear group includes at least one positive lens. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335617 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; a third lens unit having positive optical power; a fourth lens unit having negative optical power, and a subsequent lens unit, wherein the first lens unit comprises a negative lens element having negative optical power, and a positive lens element having positive optical power, and wherein the conditions: 1.4712-19-2013 | |
20130342749 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a negative refractive power. Each distance between two adjacent lens units varies during at least one of zooming and focusing. The first lens unit and the second lens unit move during zooming so that a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at a telephoto end is shorter than that at a wide-angle end. The third lens unit moves during the focusing. Each lens unit includes at least one positive lens and at least one negative lens. Predetermined conditions are satisfied. | 12-26-2013 |
20140002712 | Depth of Focus in Digital Imaging Systems | 01-02-2014 |
20140002713 | FOCUSING DEVICE | 01-02-2014 |
20140002714 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 01-02-2014 |
20140002715 | ZOOM LENS AND ZOOM LENS MODULE | 01-02-2014 |
20140016015 | IMAGING DEVICE WITH A PLURALITY OF DEPTHS OF FIELD - An imaging device includes an image sensor that includes a first group of pixels and a second group of pixels disposed on a semiconductor die. The first group of pixels are arranged to capture a first image and the second group of pixels are arranged to capture a second image. The imaging device also includes a first lens configured to focus image light from a first focus distance onto the first group of pixels. The imaging device further includes a second lens configured to focus the image light from a second focus distance onto the second group of pixels and not the first group of pixels. The first lens is positioned to focus the image light from the first focus distance onto the first group of pixels and not the second group of pixels. The first focus distance is different than the second focus distance. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016016 | System And Method For Effectively Implementing A Lens Array In An Electronic Device - A system for implementing and utilizing a lens array in an electronic device includes a sensor array coupled to the electronic device for capturing image data corresponding to a photographic target. The lens array includes a plurality of lenses that each has a different respective principal focal length to transmit reflected light from the photographic target to the sensor array. The sensor array captures a set of MFP images that each corresponds with a respective one of the lenses in the MFP lens array. The electronic device may further include an image processor that performs one or more digital signal processing procedures on the captured MFP images to thereby generate a rendered final image. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016017 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCSSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - According to an embodiment, an image processing device includes a generator and a processor. The generator is configured to generate, from a plurality of unit images in which points on an object are imaged by an imaging unit at different positions according to distances between the imaging unit and the positions of the points on the object, a refocused image focused at a predetermined distance. The processor is configured to perform blurring processing on each pixel of the refocused image according to an intensity corresponding to a focusing degree of the pixel of the refocused image. | 01-16-2014 |
20140022436 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a negative refractive power; a third lens group including a first sub-lens group having a positive refractive power, an iris, and a second sub-lens group having a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the first to fourth lens groups are sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, the distance between each of the first through fourth lens groups changes when zooming, the surface of the lens closest to the image side in the first sub-lens group is concave, the lens closest to the object side in the second sub-lens group is a meniscus lens concave towards the object side, and the lens located closest to the object side in the third lens group is an aspheric lens. | 01-23-2014 |
20140022437 | INNER FOCUS LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An inner focus lens system comprising a first lens unit and subsequent lens units, wherein an aperture diaphragm is provided, the first lens unit is: fixed with respect to an image surface in focusing; and composed of five or more lens elements including a first positive lens element located closest to the object side and a second positive lens element, the subsequent lens units include at least a first focusing lens unit located closest to the object side and a second focusing lens unit, at least one of the first focusing lens unit and the second focusing lens unit is composed of two or less lens elements, at least one lens element is provided on the image side relative to the aperture diaphragm, and the condition: N | 01-23-2014 |
20140022438 | INNER FOCUS LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An inner focus lens system comprising a first lens unit and subsequent lens units, wherein the first lens unit: is fixed with respect to an image surface in focusing; and includes a first positive lens element located closest to the object side and a second positive lens element, the subsequent lens units include only a first focusing lens unit located closest to the object side and a second focusing lens unit, at least one of the first focusing lens unit and the second focusing lens unit is composed of two or less lens elements, and the subsequent lens units include an image blur compensating lens unit. | 01-23-2014 |
20140028894 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - A digital photographing apparatus is provided for performing an auto-focus (AF) function and a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus is provided as well. The method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus includes determining whether an AF operation is about to be performed by using a deviation of image data or a vibration degree of the digital photographing apparatus; performing a preceding operation of a focus lens if it is determined that the AF operation is about to be performed; and performing a post operation of the focus lens when a first shutter-release button input is received. Thus, a moving distance and a frequency of changing direction of the focus lens may be reduced by recognizing a behavior pattern of the user, and thus, an AF operating time (i.e., AF operating time after the user pushes a shutter) may be reduced. | 01-30-2014 |
20140036134 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT DEVICE AND FOCUS ADJUSTMENT METHOD - There is provided a focus adjustment device including an image sensor including a plurality of phase difference detection pixels that each perform pupil division of a photographing lens, a correction value acquisition unit for acquiring a correction value for a focus position in a spatial frequency of a subject which is obtained by the image sensor, and a focus adjustment unit for adjusting a focus position of the photographing lens based on the correction value acquired by the correction value acquisition unit. | 02-06-2014 |
20140036135 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING A STREAM OF OBJECTS - A camera system ( | 02-06-2014 |
20140036136 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes first to third lens units having positive, negative, and positive refractive power, respectively, and a rear lens group having positive refractive power. An aperture stop is arranged between a lens surface of the second lens unit closest to the image side and a lens surface of the third lens unit closest to the image side. The third lens unit includes first and second positive lenses each including an aspheric surface, and a negative lens. In the third lens unit, a refractive index of the first positive lens, and an Abbe number and relative partial dispersion of the second positive lens are appropriately set. | 02-06-2014 |
20140036137 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, first to third lens units having negative, positive, and negative refractive power, respectively, and a rear lens group including a plurality of lens units and having overall positive refractive power, a distance between every adjacent lens unit included in the zoom lens is variable during zooming. The second lens unit moves in a direction nonparallel to an optical axis during image shake correction, the third lens unit moves in an optical axis direction during focusing, each of the second and third lens units consists of a single lens element, and a focal length of the entire zoom lens at a wide-angle end, a focal length of the second lens unit, and a focal length of the third lens unit are appropriately set. | 02-06-2014 |
20140036138 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A zoom lens consists of a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group, which are arranged in this order from an object side. When magnification is changed from wide angle end to telephoto end, the first lens group and the third lens group are fixed, and the second lens group moves toward an image side, and the fourth lens group moves. The first lens group consists of a cemented lens of a negative lens and a positive lens, and two positive lenses, which are in this order from the object side. The third lens group consists of a negative partial lens group including a cemented lens, and a positive partial lens group, which are in this order from the object side. | 02-06-2014 |
20140043519 | Camera Module with EMI Shield - A compact camera module has an EMI housing configured to shield camera module components from electromagnetic interference and having defined therein a focus-adjustment aperture to permit an optical train to extend to at one end of an auto-focus range, and a light leak baffle partially overlaps the focus-adjustment aperture along the optical path outside the auto-focus range. | 02-13-2014 |
20140043520 | LENS APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - The lens apparatus includes a first member having a first cam, a second member having a first cam follower engaging with the first cam and a second cam follower, which rotates in a circumferential direction and is moved in an optical axis direction by the first cam, a third member provided with a second cam engaging with the second cam follower and rotating the second member, and biasing members generating between the first and second members a biasing force in a direction oblique to the optical axis direction. The biasing force presses the first and second cam followers respectively against the first and second cams. A biasing force generation direction changes with rotation of the second member, and the biasing force presses the first and second cam followers respectively against same cam surfaces of the first and second cams in an entire second member rotation range. | 02-13-2014 |
20140043521 | Zoom Lens Having Optical Path Bending Member and Image Pickup Apparatus Equipped with Same - A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit including a lens. The distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit changes during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. The first lens unit consists, in order from the object side, of a front sub lens unit having a negative refractive power, an optical path bending member, and a rear sub lens unit having a positive refractive power. The front sub lens unit includes a biconcave single lens, and the rear sub lens unit includes one or two single lenses. | 02-13-2014 |
20140049680 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens, including, in order from object side to image side: a positive first lens unit which does not move during zooming; a negative second lens unit for zooming; a positive third lens unit for zooming; a negative fourth lens unit which moves during zooming; and a positive fifth lens unit which does not move during zooming, in which: 0.6<|β3F|<1.0, −4.002-20-2014 | |
20140049681 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens in which aberration variations at telephoto end during focusing are suppressed while suppressing breathing at wide angle end, which includes, from object side: a positive first unit which does not move for zooming; a negative second unit which moves during zooming; at least one zooming unit which moves during zooming; a stop; and an imaging unit which does not move for zooming. The first unit includes: a negative first sub unit which does not move for focusing; a positive second sub unit which moves to image side during focusing from infinity to proximity; and a positive third sub unit which moves to object side during focusing from infinity to proximity. Focal lengths of the first, second, first sub, and second sub units, and amounts of movement of the second and third sub units during the focusing from infinity proximity are appropriately set. | 02-20-2014 |
20140055662 | CAMERA AND METHOD FOR TAKING SHARP IMAGES - A camera is provided having an image sensor for taking images, a reception optics, an adjustable focusing unit for setting a focal position of the reception optics as well as a control and evaluation unit which is configured to continuously move the focal position of the reception optics between a first focal position and a second focal position by means of the focusing unit and to take a respective one image at at least one third focal position and one fourth focal position, to determine a degree of sharpness of the images and to determine a focal position of greatest image sharpness therefrom. The control and evaluation unit is configured to move the focal position cyclically and continuously to and fro between the first focal position and the second focal position and to take a further image when the focal position of greatest image sharpness is reached. | 02-27-2014 |
20140063326 | IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An imaging device according to embodiments includes a lens support that fixes a set of optical lenses, a substrate that fixes the lens support, an imaging element arranged between the set of optical lenses and the substrate, and an elastic body connected to the imaging element and a member other than the imaging element. The substrate includes a Lorentz-force generating unit that generates a Lorentz force between the Lorentz-force generating unit and the imaging element. Furthermore, the substrate moves the imaging element to a position at which the imaging element has a desired optical property by adjusting the Lorentz force. | 03-06-2014 |
20140071330 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED MONOIMAGING - A system and method for enhanced automatic monoimaging. Embodiments of the present invention are operable for configuring a first camera based on a configuration determination by a second camera. The method includes capturing a first image with the first camera and determining an optical configuration based on an optical measurement performed by a second camera. In one embodiment, the second camera comprises a lower resolution sensor than a sensor of the first camera. The method further includes sending the optical configuration from the second camera to the first camera and adjusting a configuration of the first camera based on the optical configuration. The method further includes capturing a second image with the first camera. The first image and the second image may be preview images. | 03-13-2014 |
20140071331 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - There is provided An imaging lens including a first lens group having a positive refractive power, an aperture stop, and a second lens group having a positive refractive power that are configured to be arranged sequentially from an object side to an image side. Focus is achieved by fixing the first lens group in an optical axis direction and moving the second lens group from the image side to the object side when a subject distance is changed from infinity to proximity. The first lens group includes an object-side lens group having a negative refractive power and an image-side lens group having a positive refractive power that are configured to be arranged sequentially from the object side to the image side. In an air space of the first lens group, an air space between the object-side lens group and the image-side lens group is set to be maximum. | 03-13-2014 |
20140071332 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An imaging lens includes: a movable lens group with total positive refractive power, including first and second sub lens groups; and an ever-fixed lens group that is ever-fixed. The imaging lens has first and second focusing modes for focusing operation in first and second focus ranges, respectively. The first focus range covers from an object at an infinite distance to an object at a first finite distance, and the second focus range covers from an object at a second finite distance shorter than the infinite distance to an object at a third finite distance shorter than the first finite distance. The first sub lens group is configured to be fixed and the second sub lens group is configured to travel, during each of the first and second focusing modes. Traveling of the movable lens group toward object plane allows switching from the first to second focusing modes. | 03-13-2014 |
20140078375 | VARIABLE POWER OPTICAL SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - Provided are a variable power optical system in which the value of the entire length with respect to the image height is reduced and the aberration is well corrected, and an image pickup device comprising the same. Specifically provided is a variable power optical system comprising, in order from the object side, at least a first lens group having negative refractive power, a variable power group having positive refractive power, and a final lens group having positive refractive power, wherein the variable power group is provided with, in order from the object side, a first lens element having positive refractive power, a second lens element, and a third lens element, the second lens element has a convex shape on the object side, and the final lens group comprises a positive lens, the variable power optical system satisfying the following conditional expression: | 03-20-2014 |
20140085528 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power. Each lens unit moves so that a distance between adjacent lens units changes during zooming. The third lens unit includes a positive lens G | 03-27-2014 |
20140085529 | ZOOM LENS SYSTEM, LENS BARREL, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - Compact and lightweight zoom lens systems having less aberration fluctuation in association with focusing, lens barrels, interchangeable lens apparatuses, and camera systems are provided. The zoom lens system comprises: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a first focusing lens unit which is located on an image side relative to the first lens unit, has negative optical power, and moves along an optical axis in zooming and focusing; and a second focusing lens unit which is located on the image side relative to the first focusing lens unit, has positive optical power, and moves along the optical axis in the zooming and the focusing, and satisfies the condition: |d | 03-27-2014 |
20140085530 | CAMERA MODULE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME - The present invention proposes a camera module and a method for driving the same, the camera module including an image pick-up unit including a lens to photograph an object, a lens transfer unit configured to move the lens of the image pick-up unit, a focusing driving unit configured to operate the lens transfer unit, and an ISP (Image Signal Processor) configured to select, as an auto-focused image, an image of the object by dividing an image area of the object photographed by the image pick-up unit to a plurality of sections, controlling the focusing driving unit to allow each section to be auto-focused and photographed, detecting and comparing a focusing level of same pixel from each image of the object photographed from each auto-focused section. | 03-27-2014 |
20140098283 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF CURVE FITTING FOR COMMON FOCUS MEASURES - An efficient method and system for estimating an optimal focus position for capturing an image are presented. Embodiments of the present invention initially determine an initial lens position dataset. Then, scores are calculated for each value of the initial lens position dataset producing a plurality of scores. Embodiments of the present invention then determine an optimum focus position through interpolation and extrapolation by relating the initial lens position dataset to the score dataset, in which the score dataset comprises of the plurality of scores. | 04-10-2014 |
20140104482 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes an optical system including optical elements, an image sensor, a lens barrel movable relative to a device body to move the optical elements along an optical axis, a fixed element, a movable element on which the image sensor is mounted, a drive mechanism to generate a drive force by flowing an electric current into a magnetic field, to move the movable element relative to the fixed element, and movable connectors each including a bar element and a bearing provided in the fixed element and the movable element provided to movably support the bar element along the axis. The bar elements of the movable connectors are set to move in different directions along the plane orthogonal to the optical axis. At least one of the bearings is disposed outside the lens barrel in the orthogonal direction relative to the optical axis. | 04-17-2014 |
20140111682 | CARRIER FRAME AND CIRCUIT BOARD FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device includes an electronic circuit board containing a processing element and a vision sensor. A carrier frame is used to support the electronic circuit board. An optical element is positioned over the sensor and supported by the carrier frame. The electronic circuit board is bent to reduce the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device, without increasing the others of the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device. | 04-24-2014 |
20140118604 | MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING CAMERA - One embodiment disclosed is an imaging system that includes a first optical component configured to receive electromagnetic energy associated with an image of an object. The system also includes a second optical component configured to split and diffract the received electromagnetic energy into a plurality of beams of different wavelengths of electromagnetic energy. The system also includes an imaging array configured to receive the plurality of beams and to selectively attenuate one or more of the plurality of beams. The system also includes an imaging detector configured to receive and capture the one or more of the plurality of beams after the beams have been selectively attenuated and recombined and re-focused into a spectrally altered version of the image. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118605 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - The zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit. During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (1): | 05-01-2014 |
20140118606 | SMART CAMERAS - A system includes a smart phone and an image receiving module. The smart phone includes a communication port and a camera. The image receiving module is capable of being physically coupled to the smart phone via the communication port. The image receiving module includes an iris for adjusting an aperture for rays entering the device via the aperture, based on user input, a set of lenses capable of zooming an image formed by the rays greater than a predetermined number of times an original size of the image, and a shutter whose speed is configurable based on user input. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118607 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side, a first unit that does not move, a negative second unit which moves during zooming, a positive third unit which moves during zooming, a positive fourth unit which moves during zooming and focus adjustment, an aperture stop that does not move in an optical axis direction, and a positive fifth unit which does not move, wherein Z | 05-01-2014 |
20140118608 | LENS APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - The lens apparatus includes a first lens barrel and a second lens barrel disposed on an image side further than an object side end portion of the first lens barrel so as to allow a movement of the first lens barrel in an optical axis direction, a positioning member attached to one lens barrel of the first and second lens barrels, and an elastic member disposed between the first and second lens barrels to bias the first lens barrel toward an object side. Another lens barrel of the first and second lens barrels is brought in contact with the positioning member with a biasing force from the biasing member, and thereby the first lens barrel is positioned with respect to the second lens barrel in a state where a movement of the first lens barrel on the image side due to an external force is allowed. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118609 | CAMERA MODULE - Disclosed is a camera module. The camera module includes a lens barrel including a lens, a lens holder coupled with the lens barrel, and a sensor unit in the lens holder. The lens holder includes a body part including the sensor unit, and a focal length adjusting unit interposed between the lens barrel and the body part to adjust a focal length between the lens and the sensor unit. The focal length of the camera module is easily adjusted without disassembling the camera module. | 05-01-2014 |
20140125858 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - The zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens group including one or more lens units and having as a whole a positive refractive power. The first and rear lens group are moved during zooming so that a distance therebetween decreases at a telephoto end as compared with at a wide-angle end. The first lens unit includes an image side aspheric lens having a negative aspheric amount and one or more object side aspheric lenses disposed on the object side further than the image side aspheric lens. A condition of 0.060<ΣAspi×Ndi/BLD1<0.200 is satisfied where Aspi represents an aspheric amount of an i-th object side aspheric lens, Ndi represents a refractive index of the i-th object side aspheric lens, BLD1 represents a length of the first lens unit. | 05-08-2014 |
20140132822 | MULTI-RESOLUTION DEPTH-FROM-DEFOCUS-BASED AUTOFOCUS - A hierarchical method of achieving auto focus using depth from defocus is described herein. The depth from defocus technique is performed hierarchically in the resolution that is determined to be optimal at each step. Where higher resolution gives the better accuracy but requires more computational costs, the optimal resolution is estimated based on the target accuracy and the possible max blur amount at each step, which determines the amount of the computation and the number of pixels in the focus area. The proposed multi-resolution depth-from-defocus-based autofocus enables the reduction in the required resource, which is beneficial in the system where resource is limited. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132823 | Imaging Lens and Portable Electronic Apparatus Having the Same - An imaging lens includes first, second, third, and fourth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. The first lens element has a positive refractive power. The second lens element has a negative refractive power, and concave object-side and image-side surfaces. The third lens element has a positive refractive power. The fourth lens has a curved object-side surface with a convex portion and a concave portion. The imaging lens satisfies AAG/CT3≧1.3, where AAG is a sum of distances between any adjacent two of the lens elements, and CT3 is a thickness of the third lens element. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132824 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - A lens drive unit drives a focus lens. An imaging element obtains an image signal. An evaluation value calculation unit calculates an AF evaluation value from the image signal read out based on an interlace system. A determination unit determines whether the continuous AF evaluation values have a distribution of continuous increases and decreases. If the AF evaluation values are determined to have the distribution of continuous increases and decreases, an in-focus position calculation unit calculates an in-focus position by obtaining an interpolation curve from an intermediate value of the AF evaluation values adjacent to each other, otherwise, calculates the in-focus position by obtaining an interpolation curve of the AF evaluation value. A control unit drives the focus lens to the in-focus position. | 05-15-2014 |
20140139720 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Equipped with Same - A zoom lens comprising, in order from the object side to the image side a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens unit is located closest to the object side, the fifth lens unit is located closest to the image side, during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit, the second lens unit, the third lens unit, and the fourth lens unit move, the fifth lens unit is stationary, and the distances between the lens units vary, the third lens includes a positive lens, and the zoom lens satisfies the following condition (1): | 05-22-2014 |
20140139721 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SHOOTING AND STORING MULTI-FOCUSED IMAGE IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method for shooting a multi-focused image in an electronic device includes selecting a plurality of focus targets in a preview mode, calculating camera lens moving distances of the focus targets, and shooting an image of each focus target from a single fixed angle by reference to the camera lens moving distances of the focus targets. Thus, a user does not have to move the focus several times from the fixed angle. | 05-22-2014 |
20140139722 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - A zoom lens includes a lens unit Lv positioned at the most object side of a plurality of lens units having the negative refractive power, a lens unit Lp positioned at the most object side of lens units having a positive refractive power, the lens units being positioned at an image side of the lens unit Lv, and lens units Fp and Fn respectively having a positive and a negative refractive power positioned at an image side of the lens unit Lp, the lens units Fp and Fn being configured to move during focusing. During focusing from infinity to minimum object distance, the lens unit Fp and the lens unit Fn move in the same direction in a wide angle range, and the lens unit Fp moves to an object side and the lens unit Fn moves to an image side in a telephoto range. | 05-22-2014 |
20140146217 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Equipped with Same - A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side to the image side along its optical path, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power and including a prism reflecting member, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the distances between the lens units vary during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit and the third lens unit are located closer to the ray incidence side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the position of the second lens unit is fixed during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146218 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, FOCUS DETECTION METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A focus detection apparatus performs focus detection by a phase difference method using an image pickup element including first and second pixels, the focus detection apparatus includes a correlation data calculator which calculates correlation data between pixel data obtained from the first pixels and the second pixels in ranges of image data, a detector which detects a saturated pixel having a level of at least a predetermined value in each of the ranges, an adding processor which performs an addition processing of the correlation data calculated in each of the ranges based on a detection result, and a defocus amount calculator which calculates a defocus amount based on a result of the addition processing, and the adding processor performs the addition processing using correlation data obtained from a first range in which the number of the saturated pixels is less than a predetermined number. | 05-29-2014 |
20140152885 | Method And Apparatus For Calibrating A Camera Lens Flange To Sensor Distance - A method and camera assembly for use in a machine vision system, the assembly comprising a support structure forming a mounting flange that is configured for coupling with any of a plurality of exchangeable electrically controllable adjustable focal length lens assemblies, a two dimensional image sensor supported by the support structure and forming a sensor plane spaced from the mounting flange by a flange focal distance and a processor programmed with a flange focal distance error and to use the flange focal distance error to generate lens control signals to compensate for the flange focal distance error when a lens is mounted to the mounting flange. | 06-05-2014 |
20140168500 | Image Capture Device and Converter Lens Assembly Thereof - An image capture device and a converter lens assembly thereof are provided. The image capture device includes a mobile phone and the converter lens assembly wherein the converter lens assembly is connected to the mobile phone. The converter lens assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens and a fifth lens, all of which are arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens is with positive refractive power. The fourth lens is with positive refractive power. The converter lens assembly satisfies the condition: 1<|f | 06-19-2014 |
20140168501 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - There is provided a zoom lens including, in order from an object side: a first lens group having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a negative refractive power; a third lens group having a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power. The second lens group includes, in order from an object side, a negative meniscus lens concave toward an image plane side, a negative lens concave toward both sides, and a positive lens convex toward both sides. The negative lens and the positive lens of the second lens group are made of a resin material, and satisfy the following Conditional Expression (a). Conditional Expression (a): 1.0206-19-2014 | |
20140176782 | Imaging Optical System and Image Pickup Apparatus Including the Same - An imaging optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. The second lens unit moves toward the image side during focusing from a far object to a near object. The third lens unit includes, in order from the object side to the image side, two lenses having concave surfaces that face each other with a largest air gap in the third lens unit provided therebetween, and a positive lens. A focal length of the entire imaging optical system and a focal length of the second lens unit are appropriately set. | 06-26-2014 |
20140184881 | Auto-Focus Camera Module with MEMS Closed Loop Compensator - A MEMS actuator for a compact camera couples with an alignment compensation component for generating alignment compensation signals to position and align one or more movable lenses to account for a specific focus distance and for a camera module orientation and nonlinear displacement property of the one or more movable lenses. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184882 | INNER FOCUS LENS SYSTEM, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An inner focus lens system, in order from an object side, comprising: a first lens unit including a most-object-side negative first lens element; a positive second lens unit; and a negative third lens unit, wherein an aperture diaphragm is included, the first lens unit, the third lens unit, and the aperture diaphragm are fixed relative to an image surface in focusing, the second lens unit moves relative to the image surface in the focusing, and the conditions: BF/Y<1.7 and TH/f>1.6 (BF: a distance from an apex of an image-side surface of a most-image-side lens element to the image surface, Y: a maximum image height, TH: a distance from an apex of an object-side surface of a most-object-side lens element to the apex of the image-side surface of the most-image-side lens element, f: a focal length of the lens system) are satisfied. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184883 | IMAGING DEVICE, SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND IMAGING METHOD - An image capture device according to the present disclosure includes: an image sensor; a lens optical system condensing light onto the image sensor and including a focus lens; a driving section driving one of the image sensor and the focus lens to change a distance between the image sensor and the focus lens; a displacement control section configured to control the displacement of the one being driven according to a predetermined displacement pattern by outputting an instruction to the driving section; and a synchronizing section configured to control the displacement control section by reference to timing of exposure of the image sensor. The displacement range of the image sensor or focus lens includes a first range, a second range separated from the first range, and a third range interposed between the first and second ranges. The predetermined displacement pattern includes first, second and third types of displacement patterns according to which one of the image sensor and the focus lens is displaced at least once in each of the entire first, second and third ranges. And one of the first and second types of displacement patterns and the third type of displacement pattern are repeated alternately. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184884 | ZOOM LENS AND CAMERA DEVICE - The zoom lens comprises the foremost or first lens group of positive refractive power located the closest to an object, the succeeding second lens group of negative refractive power, and the third lens group of positive refractive power, all arranged in this order, and if any, the rearmost lens group(s) closer to the imaging plane than the third lens group, all or part of the lens group(s) of negative refractive power behind the third lens group being moved in directions normal to the optical axis to serve as an anti-vibration lens for shifting an image. The zoom lens meets requirements as defined in the formula regarding a displacement of the first lens group, a focal length of the zoom lens at the wide-angle end, a focal length of the zoom lens at the telephoto end, and a focal length of the first lens group. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184885 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - Disclosed are an image capture apparatus in which an arrangement relationship between an image sensor and a microlens array that is arranged in front of the image sensor can be varied, and a method for controlling the same. In a state in which a photographic lens including the microlens array is attached, information on the photographic lens and information on the image sensor are used to control a distance between the microlens array and the image sensor, and an aperture value. The microlens array or the image sensor is shifted so that they are arranged at this distance, and the aperture value is set. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184886 | TELEVISION LENS APPARATUS - A television lens apparatus in which circuit boards can be easily mounted or dismounted and can be easily wired is provided. A lens barrel is contained in a housing. A housing opening is formed in the lens barrel to be opened and closed with a rotatable lid. A board holding device is fixed on a rear portion of the lens barrel. In the board holding device, four connectors are mounted on a wiring board and arranged in an axial direction of the lens barrel. Four circuit boards are inserted in the connectors through the housing opening in a direction perpendicular to the lens barrel. | 07-03-2014 |
20140192248 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element including a pixel portion having a plurality of photoelectric conversion units with respect to one micro lens and color filters which are regularly arranged for each micro lens. The imaging apparatus generates a first signal and a second signal for phase difference-type focus detection based on an output of the imaging element. Each of the first signal and the second signal consists of a plurality of unit signals, and the unit signal of each of the first signal and the second signal is a signal obtained by mixing image signals from the same combination of the color filters. | 07-10-2014 |
20140204264 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a positive first lens unit; a positive second lens unit; and an aperture stop disposed between the first and second lens units and moving along a locus different from loci of the first and the second lens units during zooming, the first and second lens units being configured to change an interval therebetween during zooming, the second lens unit including at least one positive lens and at least one negative lens. A distance from a lens surface closest to the object side in the entire system to the aperture stop at a wide angle end, and a distance from the lens surface closest to the object side in the entire system to a lens surface closest to the object side in the second lens unit at the wide angle end are each appropriately set. | 07-24-2014 |
20140211074 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - A zoom lens includes in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and includes an aperture stop which is disposed between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit, and the first lens unit includes a negative lens and a plurality of positive lenses, and at the time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit widens, a distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit narrows, and a distance between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit changes, and the zoom lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions. | 07-31-2014 |
20140218589 | FOCUSING METHOD OF PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS ADOPTING THE FOCUSING METHOD - A focusing method includes operations (a) through (d). In (a), a maximum focus value generated during a searching is set as a first maximum focus value. In (b), the focus lens moves to a first position that is the position of the first maximum focus value. In (c), a focus value generated when the focus lens moves to the first position is set as a second maximum focus value. In (d), if it is determined that a difference value between the first maximum focus value and the second maximum focus value is greater than a first set allowance value, a position of a focus value, whose difference value from the first maximum focus value is less than a second set allowance value, is searched for within a second range that has the first position as its center and is narrower than the first range. | 08-07-2014 |
20140218590 | System and Method for Determining and Controlling Focal Distance in a Vision System Camera - This invention provides a system and method for determining and controlling focal distance in a lens assembly of a vision system camera using an integral calibration assembly that provides the camera's image sensor with optical information that is relative to focal distance while enabling runtime images of a scene to be acquired along the image axis. The lens assembly includes a variable lens located along an optical axis that provides a variable focus setting. The calibration assembly generates a projected pattern of light that variably projects upon the camera sensor based upon the focus setting of the variable lens. That is, the appearance and/or position of the pattern varies based upon the focus setting of the variable lens. This enables a focus process to determine the current focal length of the lens assembly based upon predetermined calibration information stored in association with a vision system processor running the focus process. | 08-07-2014 |
20140218591 | IMAGING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING A PROGRAM THEREFOR - An imaging apparatus comprises: an image pickup element including a two-dimensional array of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, for outputting an electric signal of an optical image; a focus adjustment unit for adjusting a focus state of a photographing optical system; an image pickup control unit for obtaining electric signals from the image pickup element in a plurality of different focus states while changing the focus state by the focus adjustment unit; and a light ray determination unit for obtaining incident position information and incident angle information, which are light field information of the optical image of an object, by using the electric signals obtained in the a plurality of different focus states by the image pickup control unit. | 08-07-2014 |
20140218592 | IMAGING DEVICE HAVING AUTOFOCUS CAPABILITY - Herein disclosed is an imaging device having an imaging optical system, the device including: an imaging element configured to include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels arranged along a predetermined direction; a first processor configured to execute focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of second pixels; and a second processor configured to execute specific processing based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of first pixels, the specific processing being different from the focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system and being necessary for a function of the imaging device. | 08-07-2014 |
20140232926 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND FOCUS ADJUSTMENT METHOD - Focus adjustment apparatus and methods for effectively auto-focusing on a subject by adaptively changing a shape of a focus area according to a determined image condition, and in particular, setting the focus area in a shape of which a width of an upper part is narrow according to the condition. | 08-21-2014 |
20140240584 | APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING THE FOCUS OF AN IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - Described is an apparatus, including computer program products, for adjusting the focus of an image capturing device. An apparatus for capturing a focused digital image of a scene includes a lens having an optical surface including a deformation that is asymmetric with respect to an optical axis of the lens, and an aperture component configured to adjust a position of the aperture stop of the lens on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens. The apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture a digital image of an optical image formed by the lens, the digital image being defocused based on the position of the aperture stop. The apparatus includes a digital image processor configured to generate a focused digital image based on the digital image captured by the image sensor. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240585 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus is provided which includes: an imaging unit that captures an image through an optical system and outputs an image signal corresponding to the captured image; a focus detection unit 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 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 performs focus detection; and a control unit that, when the focus detection unit 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. | 08-28-2014 |
20140247384 | CAMERA DEVICE, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS DEVICE, CAMERA MAIN BODY, AND FOCUS CONTROL METHOD - A lens controller | 09-04-2014 |
20140267879 | FOCUS ASSEMBLY FOR CAMERA - A method and apparatus for adjusting the focus of a camera. A rotatable focus member, when rotated, effects movement of an indicator element. The position of the indicator element is sensed by a sensing element and is passed to a controller within the camera. The controller prompts a motor to drive a focusing element of the camera in response to changes in the sensed position of the indicator element. The focus member effects movement of the indicator element by way of rolling resistance as opposed to sliding friction, allowing for more consistent and controlled manipulation. | 09-18-2014 |
20140285705 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element for outputting focus detecting signals. A DFE performs phase difference detection-type focus detecting calculation using an output signal of the imaging element. A CPU controls a focus drive circuit depending on the result of calculation and a focus lens is driven so as to perform a focus adjusting operation. The CPU controls the DFE to intermittently execute focus detecting calculation at a predetermined frequency set for a plurality of image frames. In the first mode, AF processing is executed at a rate of once in a few frames and the operation of a circuit unit for performing correlation calculation or the like is stopped in a frame period during which no focus detecting calculation is performed, whereas in the second mode, AF processing is executed for each frame so as to perform a focus adjusting operation following the movement of an object. | 09-25-2014 |
20140300797 | DIGITAL CAMERA - A digital camera, in particular a motion picture camera, comprises an objective mount for connecting an objective and an image sensor, wherein the image sensor and the objective are arranged along an optical axis of the camera. The camera furthermore comprises an adjustment apparatus, which is adapted to adjust the distance between the objective mount and the image sensor along the optical axis, and a control unit having at least one operating parameter signal input for receiving at least one operating parameter value of the camera or of a connected objective. The control unit is adapted to determine a desired distance value between the objective mount and the image sensor on the basis of the at least one operating parameter value and to control the adjustment apparatus to set the distance between the objective mount and the image sensor to the desired distance value. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300798 | Multi-Imager Camera for Increased Depth-of-Field Imaging - A multi-imager camera having a focusing means attached to each imager in the form of a Z actuator and having an image-splitting optical assembly that splits the scene's energy to the individual imagers while maintaining the full scene coverage and while having all imagers placed in the same back-focal-distance that matches that of the camera's lens. The above camera focuses the individual imagers to different parts of the scene by individually controlling the Z actuator of each imager, and captures all images instantaneously for real-time on-board image processing or for post processing. | 10-09-2014 |
20140313394 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in an order from an object side to an image surface side: a first lens group having positive refractive power and including a negative lens and a positive lens; a second lens group having negative refractive power and including a negative lens having a meniscus shape concave to the image surface side; a third lens group having positive refractive power and including an aspherical lens having at least one aspherical surface; and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. During zooming from a wide angle position to a telephoto position, the first through fourth lens groups all move, and the third lens group moves from the image surface side to the object side and then back to the image surface side. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313395 | WIDE-ANGLE LENS SYSTEM AND IMAGING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - A wide-angle lens system includes, in an order from an object side toward an image surface side: a first lens group having positive or negative refractive power; a second lens group having positive refractive power; and a third lens group having negative refractive power. When an object position changes from an infinite distance to a nearest distance, the first and third lens groups are fixed, and the second lens group moves along an optical axis to perform focusing. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313396 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING CORRECTION COEFFICIENT OF AUTOFOCUS FUNCTION - An image capturing device includes a lens, a motor to move the lens, and a variety of modules. The variety of modules includes an interface control module, a module to control the lens movement, a determining module, and an analyzing module. The interface control module displays an input interface for inputting control data. The determining module determines an actual position of the lens according to the basic autofocus function. The analyzing module calculates an optimal autofocus position for the control data input, and determines a ratio between the actual position of the lens and the optimal autofocus position as a correction coefficient. When in use, after the correction coefficient has been set, the input control data is firstly modified according to the correction coefficient, and the lens is moved by the actuator to a modified autofocus position according to the corrected control data. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313397 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A zoom lens includes: a first lens group having positive refractive power; a second lens group having negative refractive power; a third lens group having positive refractive power; a fourth lens group having positive refractive power; a fifth lens group having negative refractive power; and a sixth lens group having positive refractive power. The first to sixth lens groups are arranged in order from an object side. A total length of the zoom lens varies when a lens position state varies from a wide end state to a telephoto end state. A focusing operation is performed through allowing the fifth lens group to travel along an optical axis in accordance with variation in a subject distance from infinite to a closer distance. | 10-23-2014 |
20140320729 | IMAGE SENSOR, ELECTRIC DEVICE USING THE SAME AND FOCUSING METHOD OF THE ELECTRIC DEVICE - An image sensor, an electric device using the same and a focusing method of the electric device are provided. The image sensor comprises a plurality of image capturing units and a detecting unit. Each image capturing unit includes an image capturing pixel and a first micro lens. The first micro lens is disposed in front of the image capturing pixel. The detecting unit has a focus detecting pixel and a second micro lens. The second micro lens is disposed in front of the image detecting pixel. A length of the second micro lens is different from a length of the first micro lenses. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320730 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING FOCAL POINT OF DIGITAL OPTICAL DEVICE - Disclosed is a method for automatically controlling a focal point of a digital optical device, which: performs the steps of a focal point mode for performing a high-speed AF operation, and function processing high-capacity function image data; configures a function mode for detecting function focal point data and comparing it to a critical range; automatically performs switching between the focal point mode and the function mode by using an optical device; yields high-capacity function image data having an adjusted focal point in an environment in which the optical device is used where focal point distances change rapidly when a subject or the user of the optical device is moving; and performs required commands at high speed through the optical device when the user of the storing optical device inputs a required command once. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320731 | FOCUS POSITION ESTIMATION - A method for lens position estimation can include receiving from a lens driver a drive current value representing a current to be provided to a motor to position a camera lens of an electronic device, detecting an orientation of the electronic device using a motion sensor, determining a gravity vector based upon the orientation, and computing an estimated value of a lens position of the camera lens of the electronic device based upon the drive current value and gravity vector. | 10-30-2014 |
20140327809 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup lens having an aperture stop; an image pickup device obtaining image pickup data based on light detected; one or more microlenses arranged between the image pickup lens and the image pickup device so as to correspond to a plurality of pixels in a partial region of the image pickup device; and an image processing section performing image processing based on the image pickup data obtained from the image pickup device, in which the image processing section includes: a distance measurement section measuring a distance from the image pickup lens to a measurement object based on pixel data in the partial region of the image pickup device, and an interpolation section interpolating pixel data for the partial region of the image pickup device. | 11-06-2014 |
20140333821 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING ZOOM LENS - A zoom lens includes, in order from object side to image side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power; a second lens unit having negative refractive power; a third lens unit having positive refractive power; and a rear lens group including one or more lens units. During zooming, three or more lens units move to change an interval between adjacent lens units. The third lens unit includes, in order from object side to image side, a first lens subunit having positive refractive power, a second lens subunit having negative refractive power, and a third lens subunit having positive refractive power. The second lens subunit moves in a direction having a component perpendicular to the optical axis regarding image blurring correction, a focal length of the zoom lens at the telephoto end and a focal length of the third lens unit are set to satisfy specific mathematical conditions. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333822 | CAMERA MODULE - A camera module according to an aspect of the present invention includes a camera module housing configured to have an opening on the upper side thereof and have an image sensor installed therein and a window member made of light transmission material, formed to have a shape corresponding to the opening of the camera module housing, and fixed to the opening. | 11-13-2014 |
20140340561 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUTOFOCUSING THE SAME - Provided is an imaging system and a method of autofocusing the same. The imaging system includes a camera array including a plurality of cameras to image an image, and a control circuit to control the plurality of cameras to autofocus, and to output a single image by combining images output from the plurality of cameras. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340562 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image pickup apparatus where a lens unit including an image pickup optical system including a focus lens is attachable, includes an image pickup element, a control unit that controls drive of the focus lens based on a focus signal, and an acquisition unit that acquires type information of the lens unit, and the control unit performs a first scanning operation of driving the focus lens in a first direction and perform a second scanning operation of driving the focus lens at a lower speed than a predetermined speed in a second direction after the first scanning operation, and determines whether to perform the second scanning operation based on the type information in a case where a drive speed of the focus lens when an in-focus position is detected based on the focus signal acquired during the first scanning operation is higher than the predetermined speed. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340563 | WIDE ANGLE LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A wide angle lens includes: a positive first lens group, a second lens group, constituted by two or fewer lenses, that moves during focusing operations, and a third lens group that includes at least one positive lens, provided in this order from the object side. The first lens group includes at least a positive meniscus lens with a convex surface toward the object side, a negative meniscus lens with a convex surface toward the object side, a lens having a concave surface with a radius of curvature having a smaller absolute value toward the image side, a negative lens, a cemented lens formed by a positive lens and a negative lens, and an aperture stop provided adjacent to the cemented lens toward the image side thereof, provided in this order from the object side. The wide angle lens satisfies a predetermined conditional formula. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340564 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING APPARATUS WITH CYCLIC PATTERN DETERMINATION - An automatic focusing apparatus includes a position detecting unit for a focus unit, a driving unit for the focus unit, a focus detecting unit using a phase difference method, a contrast acquiring unit for picking up an image of object, and a focusing determining unit based on a contrast, a cyclic pattern determining unit for an object based on focus information obtained by the focusing detecting unit, a target position setting unit for driving of the focus unit, and a focusing direction determining unit, and, when the object has a cyclic pattern, the apparatus determines a direction of an in-focus point, sets a target position in the determined direction of the in-focus point, drives the focus unit toward the target position, and determines whether or not in-focus state is achieved by using the focusing determining unit. | 11-20-2014 |
20140347545 | Zoom Lens and Imaging Apparatus - A zoom lens includes a first lens group having positive refracting power, a second lens group having negative refracting power, a third lens group having positive refracting power, a fourth lens group having negative refracting power and a fifth lens group having negative refracting power in order from an object side, in which the lens groups move in magnification change from a wide angle end to a telephoto end such that a gap between the first lens group and the second lens group increases and a gap between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases, a negative lens group disposed closer to an image focusing side than a diaphragm among all lens groups is set as a focusing lens group, and the focusing lens group moves toward the image focusing side at focusing from infinity to a close object, the zoom lens satisfies a conditional expression, the fifth lens group includes at least a single lens block of a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface at an object side, the single lens block of the meniscus shape has a negative focal distance and satisfies a different conditional expression. | 11-27-2014 |
20140347546 | Zoom Lens and Imaging Apparatus - A zoom lens includes a first lens group having positive refracting power, a second lens group having negative refracting power, a third lens group having positive refracting power, a fourth lens group having negative refracting power and a fifth lens group having negative refracting power in order from an object side, in which the lens groups move in magnification change from a wide angle end to a telephoto end such that a gap between the first lens group and the second lens group increases and a gap between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases, a negative lens group disposed closer to an image focusing side than a diaphragm among all lens groups is set as a focusing lens group, and the focusing lens group moves toward the image focusing side at focusing from infinity to a close object, the zoom lens satisfies a conditional expression, and the focus lens group is composed of a single lens block of a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface at an image focusing side; and satisfies a different conditional expression. | 11-27-2014 |
20140368724 | METHODS FOR ENHANCING CAMERA FOCUSING PERFORMANCE USING CAMERA ORIENTATION - An electronic system for enhancing camera focusing on a portable electronic device is disclosed. The system comprises a body, a bus, and a camera module coupled to the bus and comprising a photosensitive substrate and a lens assembly wherein the lens assembly comprises a lens capable of being selectively moved to a distance from the photosensitive substrate for light focus thereon. Further, it comprises an accelerometer coupled to the bus and configured to generate orientation information, said orientation information indicating contemporaneous orientation of the body with respect to a predetermined reference. It also comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the bus. The memory comprises instructions that when executed implement an autofocus program configured to automatically determine the distance based on: 1) image data captured by said camera module; and 2) the orientation information generated by the accelerometer. | 12-18-2014 |
20140368725 | CONTINUOUS AUTOFOCUS MECHANISMS FOR IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICES - At least certain embodiments described herein provide a continuous autofocus mechanism for an image capturing device, The continuous autofocus mechanism can perform an autofocus scan for a lens of the image capturing device and obtain focus scores associated with the autofocus scan. The continuous autofocus mechanism can determine an acceptable band of focus scores based on the obtained focus scores. Next, the continuous autofocus mechanism can determine whether a current focus score is within the acceptable band of focus scores. A refocus scan may be performed if the current focus score is outside of the acceptable band of focus scores. | 12-18-2014 |
20140375869 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that photographs an object through a lens; a memory unit that stores images captured by the imaging unit; an adjusting unit that adjusts a position of the lens, based on a value that is obtained from each of the images captured by the imaging unit and that represents an extent of focusing by the lens; a calculating unit that calculates a local maximum value of the value, based on temporal changes of the value that is obtained from each of the images successively captured by the imaging unit and that represents the extent of focusing by the lens; and a selecting unit that selects an image from among the images stored in the memory unit, based on differences of the local maximum value and the value obtained from each of the images and representing the extent of focusing by the lens. | 12-25-2014 |
20140375870 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - A zoom lens includes in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a negative refractive power. At the time of zooming, distances between the lens units change, and a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at a telephoto end is shorter than a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at a wide angle end, and an aperture stop is disposed on an image side of an image-side surface of the first lens unit, and on an object side of an image-side surface of the second lens unit, and the zoom lens satisfies the conditional expressions. | 12-25-2014 |
20150015769 | HANDHELD ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND FOCUSING METHOD THEREOF - A handheld electronic apparatus, an image capturing apparatus and focusing method thereof are provided. The image capturing apparatus includes a main image capturer, an auxiliary image capturer and a controller. The main image capturer performs an image capturing operation on a target object according to a detection focusing distance. The auxiliary image capturer is disposed adjacent to the main image capturer. The auxiliary image capturer performs a plurality of focusing operations on the target object according to a plurality of focusing distances, and generates a plurality of image contrast values. The controller controls the main image capturer and the auxiliary image capturer. The controller selects one of the focusing distances to be the detection focusing distance according to the image contrast values. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015770 | CAMERA MODULE - There is provided a camera module including: a lens barrel having one or more lenses positioned along an optical axis; and a housing having the lens barrel therein, wherein the housing includes a first through hole into which the lens barrel is inserted and a second through hole having a diameter larger than that of the first through hole. | 01-15-2015 |
20150029385 | IMAGING LENS SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - The imaging lens system includes a first lens group and a second lens group that are sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side. The first lens group has a negative refractive power and includes a first lens having an image-side surface concave toward the image side. The second lens group includes a lens that is closest to the object side and an aspheric lens that is closest to the image side. The lens that is closest to the object side has a positive refractive power and an object-side surface convex toward the object side. The aspheric lens that is closest to the image side has a positive or negative refractive power and at least one inflection point on an image-side surface thereof. | 01-29-2015 |
20150029386 | MICROLENS ARRAY ARCHITECTURE FOR AVOIDING GHOSTING IN PROJECTED IMAGES - Light-field image data is processed in a manner that reduces projection artifacts in the presence of variation in microlens position by calibrating microlens positions. Approximate centers of disks in a light-field image are identified, and gridded calibration is performed, by fitting lines to disk centers along orthogonal directions, and then fitting a rigid grid to the light-field image. For each grid region, a corresponding disk center is computed, and a displacement vector is generated. For each grid region, the final disk center is computed as the vector sum of the grid region's geometric center and displacement vector. Calibration data, including displacement vectors, is then used in calibrating disk centers for more accurate projection of light-field images. In at least one embodiment, the imaging geometry is arranged so that disks are separated by a gap, so as to limit or eliminate ghosting. | 01-29-2015 |
20150036039 | OPTICAL APPARATUS - An optical apparatus includes an operator rotationally operable about an optical axis of an image pickup optical system and configured to move, when rotationally operated, part of the image pickup optical system in an optical axis direction of the image pickup optical system and to change a focal length, an adjustor rotationally operable about the optical axis and configured to change, when rotationally operated, a pressure applied to the operator so as to change an operating load necessary to rotationally operate the operator, and an indicator prohibited from rotating about the optical axis and configured to move in the optical axis direction of the image pickup optical system, the indicator including part disposed between the operator and the adjustor. The operator indicates a plurality of zoom states, the part of the indicator has a pointer configured to select one of the plurality of zoom states. | 02-05-2015 |
20150042864 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side, a positive first unit, a zooming lens group constituted by at least two lens units having a zooming function and a function of correcting image plane variation with zooming, and a last lens unit disposed on the most image side having an imaging effect and not moving for zooming. The first unit includes a negative first sub unit not moving for focusing, a second sub unit moving during focusing, and a positive third sub unit not moving for focusing. The first sub unit is composed of one or more concave lenses, and the third sub unit is composed of one or more convex lenses. Of the first and third sub units, the refractive powers, the average Abbe constants and the paraxial converted beam heights at the telephoto end are appropriately set. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042865 | Automated Camera System With One Or More Fluidic Lenses - An automated camera system is disclosed herein. The automated camera system includes a camera configured to capture an image of an object; at least one fluidic lens disposed between the camera and the object, the at least one fluidic lens having a chamber that receives a fluid therein; a fluid control system operatively coupled to the at least one fluidic lens, the fluid control system configured to insert, or remove, an amount of the fluid into, or from, the chamber of the at least one fluidic lens; and a Shack-Hartmann sensor assembly operatively coupled to the fluid control system, the Shack-Hartmann sensor assembly by means of the fluid control system configured to automatically control the amount of the fluid in the chamber of the at least one fluidic lens, thereby automatically focusing the camera so that the image captured of the object is in focus. | 02-12-2015 |
20150070564 | OPTICAL INSTRUMENT, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR OPTICAL INSTRUMENT - An optical instrument comprises a control section for driving a lens group in an optical axis direction, a first position detection section for detecting an absolute position of the lens group, a second position detection section for detecting a relative position of the lens group, and a storage section for storing first data corresponding to output of the second position detection section corresponding to a specified position, and second data corresponding to a target position, wherein, the control section acquires output of the second position detection section, at a point when a specified variation has occurred, as third data, calculates a stop target position based on the first data and the third data and executes a stop operation for the lens group to stop the lens group, and corrects output of the second position detection section in a state, based on the second data, and the stop target position. | 03-12-2015 |
20150077620 | FOCUS DETECTION DEVICE, PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION SYSTEM, METHOD OF DRIVING FOCUS DETECTION DEVICE - A focus detection device, a photoelectric conversion system, and a method of driving the focus detection device are provided in which a length of an electric charge accumulation period is determined based on a signal level based on an electric charge accumulated by a photoelectric converter in a sub-accumulation period. | 03-19-2015 |
20150085176 | Close Focus with GPU - Disclosed are systems and methods for focusing a digital camera to capture a scene. It is first detected that a change in a scene requires the digital camera to be focused or refocused. The camera focus is automatically scanned from a closest settable distance to farther distances until a first closest object in the scene is detected. Once the first closest object in the scene is detected, the camera focus is set at the distance of the first closest object and a finer scan is executed. In an embodiment, a dynamic movement threshold is calculated and used to determine that the change in scene requires the digital camera to be focused or refocused. | 03-26-2015 |
20150085177 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, LENS APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A lens apparatus is detachable from an image pickup apparatus. The lens apparatus includes a controller configured to communicate with the image pickup apparatus in synchronization with a first signal. A communication contains a plurality of blocks in the same cycle of the first signal. The controller transmits information of a first time period to the image pickup apparatus, and prohibits a communication of an m-th block from starting before the first time period passes after a communication of an n-th block starts or ends where n is an integer equal to or larger than 1 and m is an integer larger than n. | 03-26-2015 |
20150103230 | Inner Focus Lens System and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - An inner focus lens system comprises, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit, an aperture stop, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, a third lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens unit has at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens, the second lens unit has at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens, the third lens unit has at least one negative lens, the fourth lens unit has at least one positive lens, at the time of focusing on an object at a short distance from an object at infinity, the third lens unit moves to an image side so as to lengthen a distance to the second lens unit and to shorten a distance to the fourth lens unit, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: | 04-16-2015 |
20150116577 | METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE FOCUSING - A focusing method having depth-of-field adaptability and aperture adaptability is provided. The method is applied to an image capture unit. A plurality of first images are captured in an image capture window according to a plurality of objects for obtaining a plurality of distances between the plurality objects and the image capture unit. Thereby, a focus distance of the image capture unit is given. Then, according to a maximum value and a minimum vale of the plurality of distances, the first aperture is adjusted to a second aperture, so that the image capture unit can acquire a complete depth of field by means of the second aperture and the focus distance. Accordingly, the preferred focus distance and depth of field satisfying the requirements for theme or special depth of field can be acquired. In addition, image capturing can be performed for a shorter exposure time. | 04-30-2015 |
20150130985 | Image Forming Lens System and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - An image forming lens system includes an aperture stop, and an image-side lens unit group which is disposed on an image side of the aperture stop. The image-side lens unit group includes a first image-side lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second image-side lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third image-side lens unit having a negative refractive power. Any one of the first image-side lens unit, the second image side lens unit, and the third image-side lens unit is a focusing lens unit which moves along the optical axis at the time of focusing, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: | 05-14-2015 |
20150138425 | IMAGING LENS SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - An imaging lens system includes a first lens that includes a convex object-side surface and has a positive refractive power; a second lens that includes a concave image plane-side surface and has a negative refractive power; a third lens; a fourth lens that includes two spherical surfaces and has a negative refractive power; a fifth lens that includes a convex image plane-side surface and has a positive refractive power; and a sixth lens that has a negative refractive power, wherein the first through sixth lenses are arranged in order from an object side to an image plane side. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138426 | Composite Module for Mobile Phone - A composite module includes a macro focus module comprising a second lens and at least one light source near the second lens, wherein the second lens is movable, after the time that the second lens moves to a predetermined location in front of the first lens, the light source illuminates, and after the time that the second lens leaves the predetermined location of the first lens, the light source extinguishes; a power supply module comprising a power supply and a connection interface; and a first circuit board coupled to the power supply, the light source and the connection interface, wherein the power supply is configured to provide power for the light source, and further provide power for the mobile phone through the connection interface which is connected to the mobile phone. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138427 | LOCATION-TAG CAMERA FOCUSING SYSTEMS - A system for improved camera focusing systems using subject location tags. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to providing a system comprising camera accessories and in-lens technologies that allows for the continuous, automated focus of a subject by measuring the distance between the camera and a subject that has been “tagged” with a locator beacon. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138428 | Single Focal Length Lens System and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - A single focal length lens system includes a front lens unit and a rear lens unit, and does not include any other lens unit. The front lens unit includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a third lens unit having a negative refractive power. Each of the first lens unit and the second lens unit includes a positive lens and a negative lens, and the first lens unit and the second lens unit do not move all the time. An aperture stop is disposed on the image side of the second lens unit. Any one of the lens units positioned on the image side of the second lens unit is a focusing lens unit, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: | 05-21-2015 |
20150146078 | SHIFT CAMERA FOCUS BASED ON SPEAKER POSITION - An image-capturing device includes a receiver that receives distance and angular direction information that specifies an audio source position from a microphone array. The device also includes a controller that determines whether to change an initial focal plane within a field of view based on the audio source position. The device includes a focus adjuster that adjusts an optical focus setting to change from the initial focal plane to a subsequent focal plane within the field of view to focus on at least one object-of-interest located at the audio source position, based on a determination by the controller. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146079 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PHOTOGRAPHING IMAGE THEREOF - A method for photographing an image by an electronic apparatus includes displaying an image as a live view; setting a plurality of focus areas from the image; when a photographing command is received, obtaining an Auto Focus (AF) evaluation value of a photographed image; detecting a plurality of focus positions corresponding to the plurality of focus areas by analyzing the AF evaluation value; and obtaining and storing a plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of detected focus positions. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146080 | DRIVE APPARATUS OF VIBRATION-TYPE ACTUATOR, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS USING THE SAME - When a vibration-type actuator is in a non-driving period, at least one of a voltage amplitude and a phase difference of an alternate signal applied to an electrode of a piezoelectric element is set to be equal to a minimum value or a maximum value of a dead zone in terms of the voltage amplitude or the phase difference. | 05-28-2015 |
20150296123 | Advanced Fast Autofocusing - Several autofocus techniques are disclosed. The autofocus techniques help the device to achieve focus without presenting unpleasant blurred images to the operator of the camera, e.g., by dividing image frames into technical frames and display frames, with autofocus search occurring during technical frames. With another technique, the upper bound of the spatial frequencies of the blurred image permits a calculation of the focused lens position. Another technique searches for focus in jumps that exponentially decrease the search space with each jump. In another focusing technique, the lens is moved through a range of positions during a frame acquired with a rolling shutter exposure and the focused position may be determined from the sharpest row of the frame. | 10-15-2015 |
20150296126 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND FOCUSING METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing apparatus is configured to store the control result of a focus position during scanning of segmented regions and determine an initial focus position in scanning of the (n+1)th segmented region, based on the control result stored during scanning of the nth (n is an integer of 1 or more) or earlier segmented region. The foregoing technique allows this image capturing apparatus to roughly determine the initial focus position in the next-scanned segmented region by making use of the control result of the segmented region the scanning of which has been already completed. This can suppress increase in processing time necessary for imaging, by simplification of pre-focus. | 10-15-2015 |
20150312471 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element configured to photoelectrically convert an optical image, and a controller configured to control a drive of a focus lens based on a signal outputted from the image pickup element and control a frame rate to drive the image pickup element, and the controller is configured to detect an in-focus position based on a signal outputted from the image pickup element which is driven at a first frame rate, and to switch the frame rate of the image pickup element to a second frame rate lower than the first frame rate while performing a first operation to drive the focus lens to the in-focus position. | 10-29-2015 |
20150316753 | ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - There is provided a zoom lens including a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, the lens groups being arranged in order from an object side to an image side. The second lens group includes a front group having positive refractive power, and a rear group having positive refractive power, the front and rear groups being arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The front group includes a positive lens, a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens, the lenses being arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The rear group includes at least one positive lens. | 11-05-2015 |
20150316833 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT DEVICE, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS - A focus adjustment device obtains a correction value for correcting a result of autofocus, from aberration information regarding at least one of an astigmatism, a chromatic aberration, and a spherical aberration of an imaging optical system, and focus detection information regarding the autofocus. The focus adjustment device then controls a position of a focusing lens that the imaging optical system has, based on a result of the autofocus corrected using the correction value. By correcting the result of the autofocus while considering at least a focus condition of a photographic image, a focus detection error caused by an aberration of the optical system can be accurately corrected. | 11-05-2015 |
20150326765 | CAMERA MODULE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND METHOD OF PRE-FOCUSING A LENS OBJECTIVE IN A LENS HOLDER - A camera module for a motor vehicle having a lens objective, a lens holder holding said lens objective, and a back plate connected to said lens holder and holding an image sensor in or close to an image plane of the lens objective. The materials, shapes and/or relative positions of the components of the lens objective are designed to keep the image plane in or close to the sensitive plane of the image sensor over an operating temperature range of the camera module. | 11-12-2015 |
20150350524 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - There is provided an image processing device including a camerawork determination unit configured to determine camerawork at a time of imaging and set a determination start timing of a main subject in image data on the basis of the determination, and a main subject determination unit configured to determine the main subject among subjects contained in the image data from the image data from the determination start timing. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350529 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - An image pickup device includes a pixel region having a plurality of pixels that are two-dimensionally arranged, the plurality of pixels including a plurality of image pickup pixels and a plurality of focus detection pixels capable of phase difference detection; a plurality of microlenses arranged to correspond to respective photoelectric conversion units of respective image pickup pixels; and a plurality of microlenses arranged to correspond to respective photoelectric conversion units of the respective focus detection pixels. When at least one of the plurality of microlenses is orthogonally projected onto the corresponding photoelectric conversion unit, a vertex position of the at least one microlens is off a center position of the at least one microlens. | 12-03-2015 |
20150358528 | MOVING MAGNET FOR AUTO-FOCUS - In some embodiments, the actuator module includes an voice coil motor base, a coil rigidly attached to the voice coil motor base, a lens movement mechanism suspended on the voice coil motor base by a suspension means configured to limit relative motion in linear directions orthogonal to an optical axis of the miniature camera, and a plurality of magnets rigidly mounted to the lens movement mechanism. | 12-10-2015 |
20150358531 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMAGE ACQUISITION - The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for image acquisition. The apparatus includes: a main lens, a micro lens array, an image sensor, and a focal length control unit; the main lens, the micro lens array, and the image sensor are successively disposed alternately, and the image sensor is configured to: sense an optical signal that is transmitted from the main lens and the micro lens array, and convert the optical signal into an electrical signal; and the focal length control unit is configured to control a focal length of the main lens, a focal length of a micro lens in the micro lens array, or focal lengths of the main lens and the micro lens. The apparatus and the method for image acquisition according to embodiments of the present invention can implement switching between the two light field camera modes, thereby improving user experience. | 12-10-2015 |
20150365585 | IMAGING AND SENSING DURING AN AUTO-FOCUS PROCEDURE - A method comprising: selecting one of a plurality of read start positions for an image sensor; during a first auto-focus frame, moving a focused region of an optical system relative to an image sensor in accordance with an auto-focus control signal and then after moving the focused region of the optical system relative to the image sensor and during the first auto-focus frame, starting reading of the image sensor from the read start position. An apparatus that can perform the method. | 12-17-2015 |
20150370035 | AUTO-FOCUS CAMERA MODULE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - An electronic device includes an auto-focus camera module. The auto-focus camera module comprises a lens module equipped with at least one lens and including an cylindrical insertion unit formed therein; and a carrier formed with a hollow portion, into which the insertion unit of the lens module is inserted in an optical axis direction of the lens, wherein the lens module includes a first rotation prevention portion, the carrier includes a second rotation prevention portion formed at a position corresponding to the first rotation prevention portion, and in a state where the insertion unit of the lens module is inserted into the hollow portion of the carrier, the first rotation prevention portion and the second rotation prevention portion are engaged with each other so as to prevent the lens module from being rotated with respect to the carrier. | 12-24-2015 |
20150373250 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD PROVIDING WIDE DYNAMIC-RANGE OPERATION OF AUTO-FOCUS(AF) FOCUS STATE SENSOR ELEMENTS, DIGITAL IMAGING DEVICE, AND COMPUTER SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME - A method and apparatus performing scene-adaptive auto-focusing for image capture with a variable-focus lens. The array of color pixels includes a array of half-covered light sensors to obtain lens-focus state information. The exposure time of the plurality of partially-covered light sensors is dynamically selected as long-exposure or short-exposure, based upon a current measurement of a property (e.g., brightness, or color-specific brightness) of a selected region of interest within a scene to be captured by the array. Then, focus state information corresponding to the selected region of interest is obtained by capturing light from the selected region of interest with first and second partially-covered light sensors. The exposure time of the partially-covered light sensors can be changed based on whether the brightness is greater than a predetermined threshold value. | 12-24-2015 |
20150373251 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup device includes a pixel section in which image pixels and phase difference pixels are arranged in a matrix shape, an image-signal generating section that stores pixel signals outputted from the pixel section in a memory section for one or more rows of unit rows, which are rows of unit pixels configured by a plurality of pixels adjacent to each other, combines, for each of the unit rows, the pixel signals of the unit pixels as combined pixel signals, and extracts phase difference pixel signals from the unit row, and an image-signal readout section that reads out, as signals of one row, the combined pixel signals and the phase difference pixel signals of one unit row generated by the image-signal generating section. | 12-24-2015 |
20150381877 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LIQUID CRYSTAL LENS IMAGING - A liquid crystal lens imaging apparatus includes a lens group containing at least a liquid crystal lens, a drive circuit, an image collecting unit, and an image processing unit. The drive circuit is connected to the liquid crystal lens to drive the liquid crystal lens into an out-of-focus state or into an in-focus state. The image collecting unit is configured to collect light signal passing through the liquid crystal lens and to generate an image according to the light signal. When the liquid crystal lens is in the in-focus state, the image collecting unit generates an in-focus image of the light signal and, when the liquid crystal lens is in the out-of-focus state, the image collecting unit generates an out-of-focus image of the light signal. Further, the image processing unit is connected to the image collecting unit to receive both the in-focus image and the out-of-focus image and to process the in-focus image using the out-of-focus image to obtain a processed in-focus image as a final generated image. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381881 | IMAGING DEVICE HAVING AUTOFOCUS CAPABILITY - Herein disclosed is an imaging device having an imaging optical system, the device including: an imaging element configured to include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels arranged along a predetermined direction; a first processor configured to execute focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of second pixels; and a second processor configured to execute specific processing based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of first pixels, the specific processing being different from the focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system and being necessary for a function of the imaging device. | 12-31-2015 |
20160006926 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, AND IMAGE PICKUP METHOD - A solid-state image pickup device including a lens, a first light receiving element, a second light receiving element, and an element separation area. The first light receiving element is configured to receive light from the lens. The second light receiving element is configured to receive light from the lens. The element separation area is between the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element. The lens has an optical axis, which is offset from a center of the element separation area. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006948 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image capture apparatus can execute automatic focus detection of an imaging optical system, using a signal obtained from an image sensor. First image-forming position information is obtained by performing, using first weights, weighted addition on information regarding image-forming positions of the imaging optical system, the information corresponding to different spatial frequencies. In addition, second image-forming position information is obtained by performing, using second weights, weighted addition on the information. A result of the automatic focus detection is corrected based on a result of a comparison between the first and second image-forming position information. The first weights correspond to an evaluated band at the time of appreciating an image, and the second weights correspond to an evaluated band of the signal used in the automatic focus detection. | 01-07-2016 |
20160018721 | IMAGING DEVICE, CAMERA SYSTEM AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An imaging device includes an optical information acquiring section that acquires optical information of a photographing optical system to form an image in the imaging element, an optical function calculating section that calculates an optical function to determine the correction function based on the optical information, a pixel function calculating section that calculates a pixel function to determine the correction function based on the pixel outputs of pixels positioned around focus detecting pixels, and a correction function selecting section ( | 01-21-2016 |
20160021295 | CONTRAST DETECTION AUTOFOCUS USING MULTI-FILTER PROCESSING AND ADAPTIVE STEP SIZE SELECTION - Techniques related to contract detection autofocus for imaging devices and, in particular, to contrast detection autofocus using multiple filters to generate adaptive step sizes are discussed. Such techniques may include determining a ratio of filter responses for filters applied to a portion of a scene, generating a distance from focus based on the ratio, and determining a lens position movement based on an adaptive step size generated using the distance from focus and a confidence level associated with the distance from focus. | 01-21-2016 |
20160021299 | IMAGING DEVICE AND FOCUS CONTROL METHOD - An imaging element | 01-21-2016 |
20160028941 | CLOSE FOCUS WITH GPU - Disclosed are systems and methods for focusing a digital camera to capture a scene. It is first detected that a change in a scene requires the digital camera to be focused or refocused. The camera focus is automatically scanned from a closest settable distance to farther distances until a first closest object in the scene is detected. Once the first closest object in the scene is detected, the camera focus is set at the distance of the first closest object and a finer scan is executed. In an embodiment, a dynamic movement threshold is calculated and used to determine that the change in scene requires the digital camera to be focused or refocused. | 01-28-2016 |
20160044228 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A mobile terminal having a display unit, a camera configured to capture an image, the captured image being re-focusable and a controller configured to perform refocusing of the captured image by changing a focal depth of the captured image is provided. When a transmission request of the captured image is received by the controller, the controller is configured to transmit the captured image after changing the focal depth of the captured image based on an identified recipient of the captured image. | 02-11-2016 |
20160044232 | MOBILE TERMINAL - A mobile terminal including a camera module includes a case; a camera module housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing is exposed through an opening in the case; a first lens unit disposed in the housing and having a plurality of lenses configured to focus light received through the exposed portion of the housing; a second lens unit disposed in the housing and configured to magnify an image formed by light passing through the first lens unit as a function of a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit; and a moving unit connected to the the first lens unit and the second lens unit and configured to move at least one of the first lens unit and the second lens unit in order to adjust the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit. | 02-11-2016 |
20160057337 | PHASE FILTER, IMAGING OPTICAL SYSTEM, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A phase filter | 02-25-2016 |
20160057338 | BLUR DETECTION METHOD OF IMAGES, MONITORING DEVICE, AND MONITORING SYSTEM - A monitoring device, system, and blur detection method of images separate a monitored area into an in-focus area and an out-of-focus area after focusing is done and then analyze the following captured images for how the blocks that makes up the in-focus area change in the blurriness and the proportion of the blocks with changed blurriness to overall blocks in the in-focus area. When the proportion of a captured image meets a specific condition, the captured image is then determined as a blur image. A consecutive number of determined blur images will trigger an auto focus procedure. | 02-25-2016 |
20160065853 | APPARATUS FOR DRIVING AUTO FOCUSING AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF - There is provided an apparatus for driving auto focusing including: a motion sensor outputting motion data on motion of a camera module; a processor generating a control signal for controlling a focus of a subject based on the motion data; and an optical driving module moving a lens in a predetermined direction based on the control signal. | 03-03-2016 |
20160070098 | IMAGING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - An imaging apparatus includes an autofocus function, and performs focus adjustment by displacing a focus lens to an in-focus opposition. A focal correction calculation unit calculates a focal correction amount using at least one type of information selected from the diaphragm information used for exposure adjustment, positional information for the zoom lens, and positional information for the focus lens. The focal correction amount is further revised, and processing is executed to suppress coloring on the subject image resulting from chromatic aberration. The correction amount after revision is sent to a focal adjustment unit and the focal lens is driven and controlled by the lens control unit. | 03-10-2016 |
20160073004 | DETECTION OF OBJECT IN DIGITAL IMAGE - A detection apparatus for detecting a subject in a digital image, including: an input section to which a word for identifying the subject is input; and a processor configured to: receive the word for identifying the subject from the input section; determine an attribute that is specified by the word for identifying the subject; select a method of detection in accordance with the determined attribute; and apply the selected method of detection to the digital image to detect the subject in the digital image. | 03-10-2016 |
20160073006 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - Focus detection can be performed preferentially in an area that is likely to include a main object. An image capturing apparatus is configured to detect a main object in an image with a particle filter, divide the image into divided areas respectively corresponding to a plurality of focus detection areas, set a priority to each of the focus detection areas based on a distributed state of particles distributed in each of the divided areas, and select the focus detection area based on the set priority. | 03-10-2016 |
20160073009 | AUTO FOCUS ADJUSTING METHOD, AUTO FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS, AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - An auto focus (AF) adjusting method, an AF adjusting apparatus, and a digital photographing apparatus including the same, the AF adjusting apparatus including: an AF calculator for calculating focus detection evaluation values; a peak detector for detecting a peak position of the focus detection evaluation values; and a speed calculator for calculating a moving speed of a subject by using the peak position. When continuous photographing of still images is performed, the peak detector detects the peak position in an image pickup interval before a light exposure preparation interval for image capturing, and the focus lens driver performs moving body compensation driving for compensating for a focal position by using a moving speed calculated in the light exposure preparation interval before capturing starts. | 03-10-2016 |
20160088216 | APPARATUS AND METHOD COMPRISING DEFORMABLE LENS ELEMENT - An apparatus comprising a deformable lens element can be provided wherein a deformable lens element can be deformed to change an optical property thereof by the impartation of a force to the deformable lens element. | 03-24-2016 |
20160093021 | Move Based and Sonic Based Super Resolution - A camera system for producing super resolution images is disclosed. The camera system may include a lens, a detector array configured to capture an image focused through the lens onto a focal plane, and a transducer coupled to one of the lens and the detector array. The transducer may be configured to impart motion to the one of the lens and the detector array over a predetermined time period, and the detector array may capture a plurality of images over the predetermined time period. | 03-31-2016 |
20160094781 | AUTO-FOCUS DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF SAME - This invention provides an auto-focus device, which is for eliminating an uncomfortable feeling when phase difference AF is switched to optical path length difference AF when an arbitrary area is set as a focusing target area, and a method for controlling operation of the same. A cameraman sets a desired area as the focusing target area. Until a focus lens reaches a first threshold value position, the focus lens is moved on the basis of a phase difference AF evaluation value obtained from a phase difference AF sensor so as to bring the center portion of the imaging area into focus. Until the focus lens reaches a second threshold value position, the focus lens is moved on the basis of a phase difference AF evaluation value which is output from a phase difference imaging element and is obtained from a signal of an area corresponding to the set focusing target area. When the focus lens reaches the second threshold value position, the focus lens is positioned at the focusing position using the differential AF evaluation value, which is obtained on the basis of the set focusing target area, among the differential AF evaluation values obtained from an optical path length difference AF sensor. | 03-31-2016 |
20160100095 | ILLUMINATION APPARATUS INTERPOSABLE DURING EXAMINATION PROCEDURE - 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. | 04-07-2016 |
20160100096 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTO FOCUS FUNCTION IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An apparatus and a method for performing an Auto Focus (AF) function in an electronic device which does not perform the AF function while performing a camcorder function are provided. The apparatus includes a camera for receiving a photographing data, a camera processing unit for performing any one of a still picture acquisition function and an AF function, a recording processing unit for performing a function for recording the photographing data, a camera driver for operating the camera under control of the camera processing unit and the recording processing unit, and a processor for controlling the camera processing unit and the recording processing unit when detecting an AF request while photographing a moving picture to focus on the photographing data automatically and to record the focused photographing data. | 04-07-2016 |
20160119533 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CONTROL METHOD - A photographing apparatus comprising: a focus adjustment lens which is provided within a lens barrel containing a photographing lens and is movable in an optical axis direction; a ring member disposed rotatably with respect to the lens barrel in an angle range from a first end point to a second end point; a storage unit to store a first relationship between a rotation angle of the ring member and a distance, and a second relationship between a position of the focus adjustment lens in the optical axis direction and the distance; and a control unit to calculate a distance corresponding to a rotation angle of the ring member according to a rotation angle of the ring member and the first relationship, and to set a position of the focus adjustment lens in the optical axis direction according to the distance and the second relationship. | 04-28-2016 |
20160119534 | PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD AND TERMINAL - A photographing method and terminal are provided, which achieve that image data of objects in depth-of-field ranges of different focuses is recorded in one time of photographing, avoid loss of image details of an object that is caused when there is only one single fixed focus, and enable a user to see more comprehensive image data, without increasing hardware costs and a volume of an apparatus. The photographing method of the present invention includes: acquiring a photographing instruction; moving a lens according to the photographing instruction; acquiring image data for at least two times in a process in which the lens is moved, to obtain at least two pieces of image data; and generating an image file according to the at least two pieces of image data. | 04-28-2016 |
20160124287 | METHOD FOR CALIBRATING A SIGHTING SYSTEM - The invention relates to a method for calibrating a sighting system comprising a viewfinder and an optic for detecting the position of an object in space, characterised in that it comprises the determination of a control law to apply to the viewfinder to aim at the object as a function of its position, said position being determined in a frame of reference of the detection optic and the control law comprising two angular controls and a focusing control of the viewfinder, expressed as a function of the relative positions between the object to aim at and an intersection point of all the lines of sight of the viewfinder,
| 05-05-2016 |
20160150149 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - A focus detection apparatus comprises: a focus detection unit configured to detect a focus state; an obtaining unit configured to obtain a correction value to be used in correction of the focus state detected by the focus detection unit; and a storage unit configured to store a correction value. In a case where a difference between the correction value stored in the storage unit and the correction value obtained by the obtaining unit is smaller than a threshold value, the correction value stored in the storage unit is not updated. | 05-26-2016 |
20160156833 | FOCUS CONTROL DEVICE, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING THEREIN PROGRAM FOR FOCUS CONTROL, AND METHOD FOR FOCUS CONTROL | 06-02-2016 |
20160156835 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
20160156836 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND FOCUS CONTROL METHOD | 06-02-2016 |
20160165125 | Camera Module - A camera module is disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention comprises: a printed circuit board provided with an image sensor; a lens unit mounted at the upper side of the printed circuit board and arranged at a position corresponding with the image sensor; and an actuator unit for fixing the lens unit and adjusting the focus of an image, wherein a lens barrel has a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. | 06-09-2016 |
20160173756 | FOCUS CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD AND IMAGING APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160173758 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160182810 | LENS APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME | 06-23-2016 |
20160205312 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE AND FOCUS ADJUSTMENT METHOD | 07-14-2016 |
20160205313 | AUTOMATIC FOCUSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR | 07-14-2016 |
20160381279 | IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM, ILLUMINATION APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR DETECTING FOCUS - An image capturing system includes an image capturing apparatus, a first light emitting unit, a second light emitting unit having a light coverage smaller than a light coverage of the first light emitting unit, and a control unit configured to perform control according to whether a predetermined optical accessory for the first light emitting unit is present in such a manner that, when focus detection is performed in the image capturing apparatus, one of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit is used as a light emitting unit that emits assist light for the focus detection. | 12-29-2016 |
20160381285 | IMAGING DEVICE AND FOCUSING CONTROL METHOD - A digital camera includes an imaging element ( | 12-29-2016 |
20170235090 | LENS BARREL, METHOD OF CONTROLLING LENS BARREL, CAMERA BODY, METHOD OF CONTROLLING CAMERA BODY, IMAGING DEVICE, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGING DEVICE | 08-17-2017 |
20170235096 | IMAGE DEVICE COMPRISING FILL-LIGHT PROJECTOR, AND AUTOFOCUS METHOD USING IMAGING DEVICE | 08-17-2017 |
20180027172 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS, FOCUS ADJUSTING METHOD, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM | 01-25-2018 |
20220137325 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - A lens barrel and an imaging device which can be miniaturized, the lens barrel with a movable cylinder that moves along the optical axis with a change in focal length; first and second drive units in the movable cylinder; and first and second lens driven by the first and second drive units respectively to move along the optical axis relative to the movable cylinder. The movement amount of the first lens relative to the cylinder when the focal length is changed to a second focal length from a first state where the first lens is at a position closest to a subject with a first focal length is less than the movement amount of the first lens relative to the cylinder when the focal length is changed to the second focal length from a second state where the first lens is closer to an image plane than the first state. | 05-05-2022 |