According to one embodiment, a ranging device includes storage and a processor. The storage is configured to store a statistical model generated by learning a bokeh that occurs in a first image affected by aberration of an optical system of a capture unit. The processor is configured to acquire a second image captured by the capture unit, acquire focus position information when the second image was captured, acquire a bokeh value indicating a bokeh of a subject in the second image, which is output from the statistical model by inputting the acquired second image to the statistical model, and convert the acquired bokeh value into a distance to the subject based on the acquired focus position information.

The present invention provides a mobile terminal and a method of capturing an image using the same. The mobile terminal controls a camera conveniently and efficiently to capture an image and performs focusing in various manners to capture an image. Accordingly, a user can obtain a desired image easily and conveniently.

An image capturing apparatus which a lens unit is interchangeable, comprises an image capturing unit which captures images using an image sensor, an synthesizing unit which synthesizes a plurality of images, and a controlling unit which controls predetermined synthesis processing for creating a synthetic image by causing the synthesizing unit to synthesize a plurality of images that have been obtained by the image capturing unit performing image capturing a plurality of times, wherein, if it is judged that a lens unit that has been replaced after a first image for the synthesis processing was acquired is a lens unit having an image circle that is different from that of a lens unit that was mounted before the replacement, the controlling unit controls the image capturing unit to not capture a new image for creating the synthetic image.

An apparatus includes at least one memory configured to store instructions, and at least one processor in communication with the at least one memory and configured to execute the instructions to detect a feature amount from each of a plurality of images different in in-focus position in an optical axis direction, and align the plurality of images by using the feature amount. The at least one processor further executes instructions to detect the feature amount by preferentially using a focusing area of each of the plurality of images.

An apparatus for reading an image executes operations including receiving a plurality of images for a same subject from a photographing device, obtaining a screen division value related to the plurality of images, checking focused sections of the plurality of images based on the obtained screen division value, and determining type of the plurality of images based on a result of checking the focused sections. According to the apparatus, it can be determined whether an image is actually photographed without a separate ToF module.

An endoscope includes an objective optical system provided in a distal end portion of an insertion portion, and a light splitting element configured to split a light beam from an objective optical system into a plurality of light beams including a first light beam and a second light beam. The first light beam is reflected by a reflection mirror, and is formed into an image on a first image pickup device. The second light beam is formed into an image on a second image pickup device. The first image pickup device and the second image pickup device are disposed adjacent to the light splitting element at positions different from each other with respect to an optical axis of the light beam from the objective optical system.

A method for determining whether or not a transparent protective cover of a video camera comprising a lens-based optical imaging system is partly covered by a foreign object is disclosed. The method comprises: obtaining (402) a first captured image frame captured by the video camera with a first depth of field; obtaining (404) a second captured image frame captured by the video camera with a second depth of field which differs from the first depth of field; and determining (406) whether or not the protective cover is partly covered by the foreign object by analysing whether or not the first and second captured image frames are affected by presence of the foreign object on the protective cover such that the difference between the first depth of field and the second depth of field results in a difference in a luminance pattern of corresponding pixels of a first image frame and a second image frame. The first image frame is based on the first captured image frame and the second image frame is based on the second captured image frame.

An imaging system including: first camera and second camera; depth-mapping means; gaze-tracking means; and processor configured to: generate depth map of real-world scene of real-world environment; determine gaze directions of first eye and second eye; identify line of sight of user and conical region of interest real-world scene; determine optical depths of objects in conical region of interest, wherein at least first object, second object and third object from amongst objects are at different optical depths; adjust optical focus of one of first camera and second camera to focus on first object and second object in alternating manner, whilst adjusting optical focus of another of first camera and second camera to focus on third object; and capture images using adjusted optical focus of cameras.

In an example embodiment, method, apparatus and computer program product for improving image and video captures using depth maps of viewfinder depth map, are provided. The method includes facilitating receipt of a viewfinder depth map of a scene, the viewfinder depth map comprising depth information of a plurality of objects in the scene. One or more objects are selected from the plurality of objects based on depth information of the one or more objects in the viewfinder depth map. Two or more images of the scene are facilitated to be captured by at least adjusting focus of a camera corresponding to the depth information of the one or more objects that are selected. In an example, a method also includes facilitating capture of an image of the scene by at least adjusting focus of a camera corresponding to the depth information of the two or more objects that are selected.

An image sensor includes an imaging device, an optical system including a liquid lens to form an image of a subject on an imaging surface of the imaging device, and a controller that performs a refractive power control process of adjusting an application voltage applicable to the liquid lens to control a refractive power of the liquid lens, and a recognition process of analyzing image data from the imaging device to recognize predetermined information about the subject. The controller is operable in a plurality of operation modes each with a different wait period from a change in the application voltage to the liquid lens in response to the refractive power control process to a start of the recognition process.