IP Library Granted Patent US 8,482,638
Granted Patent B2
US 8,482,638 · App. 12/976,048 · Granted Jul 9, 2013

Digital camera generating composite image from main image and sub-image, and method for manufacturing same

Inventor: Ryuichi Shiohara (Nagano, JP)
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,482,638
App. No.
12/976,048
Granted
Jul 9, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A digital camera is provided with a focusing function and a focal length varying function of a main lens. The digital camera includes a main imaging unit configured to generate a main image by performing a photoelectric conversion from a subject obtained via the main lens, a sub-imaging unit configured to generate a sub-image by performing a photoelectric conversion from the subject obtained via a sub-lens, a focal length acquiring unit configured to acquire the focal length of the main lens, a magnification setting unit configured to set a level of magnification on the basis of the focal length, a composite image generating unit configured to generate a composite image by combining the main image and the sub-image, after at least one of the main image and the sub-image is magnified at the level of magnification, and an image display unit configured to display the composite image.

Claims (22)

1. A digital camera having a focusing function and a focal length varying function of a main lens, the digital camera comprising:

a main imaging unit configured to generate a main image by performing a photoelectric conversion from a subject obtained via the main lens;

a sub-imaging unit configured to generate a sub-image by performing a photoelectric conversion from the subject obtained via a sub-lens;

a focal length acquiring unit configured to acquire the focal length of the main lens;

a magnification setting unit configured to set a level of magnification on the basis of the focal length;

a composite image generating unit configured to generate a composite image by combining the main image and the sub-image, after at least one of the main image and the sub-image is magnified at the level of magnification;

an image display unit configured to display the composite image; and

wherein the magnification setting unit is configured to set the level of the magnification in order to match substantially a size of the main image and a size of the sub-image.

2. The digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein the sub-lens is a pan-focus lens.

3. The digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein

the magnification setting unit is configured to set the level of the magnification in a correction mode in which a predetermined magnification rule applies in setting the level of the magnification, and

the digital camera further includes

an instruction receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to change the level of the magnification such that difference between the size of the main image and the size of the sub-image in the composite image is less than or equal to a predetermined amount in the correction mode, and

a correcting unit configured to correct the magnification rule by using amount to change the level of the magnification as amount of correction in the correction mode, when the focal length of the main lens is in predetermined length.

4. The digital camera according to claim 1 , further comprising

an focusing amount acquiring unit configured to acquire amount of the focusing, wherein

the composite image generating unit is configured to generate the composite image by combining the main image and the sub-image by setting a cutout position on the sub-image, cutting out a partial image from the cut out position, and adding the partial image on the main image, and

misalignment of the composite image decreases as the composite image is in focus with the subject on the basis of the amount and a predetermined cutout rule.

5. The digital camera according to claim 4 , wherein

the predetermined cutout rule is based on a principle of triangulation based on an interval between the main lens and the sub-lens, and distance from the digital camera to the subject on the basis of the amount.

6. The digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein

the main image of the object is captured from a different angle from the sub-image of the subject.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2019
From: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
To: 138 EAST LCD ADVANCEMENTS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 050710/0121 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2010
From: SHIOHARA, RYUICHI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025761/0992 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2009-295202 · Dec 25, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110157404A1 · Jun 30, 2011