Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Imaging device
- Patent Title (中): 成像设备
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Application No.: US13570447Application Date: 2012-08-09
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Publication No.: US08830338B2Publication Date: 2014-09-09
- Inventor: Shinichiro Hirooka , Hirotomo Sai , Mari Ohbuchi
- Applicant: Shinichiro Hirooka , Hirotomo Sai , Mari Ohbuchi
- Applicant Address: JP Tokyo
- Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
- Current Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
- Current Assignee Address: JP Tokyo
- Agency: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP.
- Priority: JP2011-247026 20111111
- Main IPC: H04N5/225
- IPC: H04N5/225 ; H04N5/232 ; H04N5/235

Abstract:
In an imaging device with a wide dynamic range function by combining images, focus is controlled to establish an in-focus state for each image to enlarge the dynamic range with reducing blur, thereby improving visibility. The device includes an imaging unit with a variable focal distance focus lens, an exposure controller for controlling the imaging unit's exposure to implement several shooting operations for a subject with different sensitivity, a processing unit for processing a signal outputted from the imaging unit to generate an image signal and a focus evaluation value indicating focus degree, an image combining unit for combining signals generated by the processing unit and outputting the combined signal, the processing unit generates a focus evaluation value for each outputted signal and the focus controller controls the focus lens for shooting operations of the imaging unit with mutually different sensitivity values, based on focus evaluation values respectively associated therewith.
Public/Granted literature
- US20130120615A1 IMAGING DEVICE Public/Granted day:2013-05-16
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