The present disclosure generally pertains to autofocus imaging circuitry, configured to: obtain, for a first adjusted focus, a first plurality of brightness change events from a brightness change event detection element; obtain, for a second adjusted focus, a second plurality of brightness change events from the brightness change event detection element; and determine a focus based on the first and the second plurality of brightness change events for autofocusing a scene.

The present disclosure generally pertains to autofocus imaging circuitry, configured to: obtain, for a first adjusted focus, a first plurality of brightness change events from a brightness change event detection element; obtain, for a second adjusted focus, a second plurality of brightness change events from the brightness change event detection element; and determine a focus based on the first and the second plurality of brightness change events for autofocusing a scene.

Image processing device is image processing device that uses a plurality of images respectively having focusing positions different from each other to calculate distance information to a subject, and includes frequency converter, amplitude extractor, and distance information calculator. Frequency converter converts the plurality of images into frequency. Amplitude extractor extracts an amplitude component out of a phase component and the amplitude component of a coefficient obtained by converting the plurality of images into frequency. Distance information calculator calculates the distance information, by using lens blur data and only the amplitude component extracted by amplitude extractor out of the phase component and the amplitude component of the coefficient.

An apparatus for enhancing an input phase distribution (I(x.sub.i)) is configured to retrieve the input phase distribution (I(x.sub.i)) and compute a baseline estimate (ƒ(x.sub.i)) as an estimate of a baseline (I.sub.2 (x.sub.i)) in the input phase distribution (I(x.sub.i)). The apparatus is further configured to obtain an output phase distribution (O(x.sub.i)) based on the baseline estimate (ƒ(x.sub.i)) and the input phase distribution (I(x.sub.i)).

An apparatus for enhancing an input phase distribution (I(x.sub.i)) is configured to retrieve the input phase distribution (I(x.sub.i)) and compute a baseline estimate (ƒ(x.sub.i)) as an estimate of a baseline (I.sub.2 (x.sub.i)) in the input phase distribution (I(x.sub.i)). The apparatus is further configured to obtain an output phase distribution (O(x.sub.i)) based on the baseline estimate (ƒ(x.sub.i)) and the input phase distribution (I(x.sub.i)).

An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing unit; a focus detection unit that detects a focus position of an imaging optical system based on a phase-difference detection method; an imaging control unit that controls the image capturing unit to make the image capturing unit acquire pieces of light field data in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of focus positions of the imaging optical system; and a generation unit that generates a refocused image corresponding to a focus position between the plurality of focus positions of the imaging optical system using the pieces of light field data, the generation depending on a direction of phase-difference detection by the focus detection unit and on a direction of parallax in the pieces of light field data.

An imaging device including an imaging element configured to output an image pickup signal and a parallax image signal is provided. The imaging device selects a subject area on the basis of the image pickup signal and performs a control to read the parallax image signal from a reading area of the imaging element corresponding to the selected subject area. In this control, the imaging device selects a subject area on the basis of a result of comparing the number of lines configuring the reading area corresponding to the subject area and a threshold value.

An apparatus for baseline estimation in input signal data is configured to retrieve input signal data (I(x.sub.i)) and to subtract baseline estimation data (ƒ(x.sub.i)) from the input signal data (I(x.sub.i)) to compute output signal data. The apparatus is further configured to compute the baseline estimation data (ƒ(x.sub.i)) from a convolution using a discrete Green's function (G(x.sub.i)).

An apparatus for baseline estimation in input signal data is configured to retrieve input signal data (I(x.sub.i)) and to subtract baseline estimation data (ƒ(x.sub.i)) from the input signal data (I(x.sub.i)) to compute output signal data. The apparatus is further configured to compute the baseline estimation data (ƒ(x.sub.i)) from a convolution using a discrete Green's function (G(x.sub.i)).

A digital microscope and a focusing thereof are provided. The microscope integrates a focusing lens unit, a zooming lens unit and related control circuits into the interior of the microscope. The control unit executes a focus searching algorithm and focus tracking algorithm, controls movement of the focusing lens unit and the zooming lens unit and achieves auto-focus by adjusting the image distance and makes the microscope zoom by adjusting the focal length. This improves the focusing efficiency and shortens the focusing time greatly. The microscope can achieve continuous zooming and tracking by the zoom tracking algorithm and the image is kept clear in the zooming process. The microscope adjusts the brightness of the assist light source at the front end of the microscope according to the change of the amount of light transmission by the control unit executing the exposure algorithm to ensure uniform exposure.