# US 2023/0054882 A1 · Imaging device, imaging program, and imaging method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0054882 A1 - Document ID: US20230054882A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/890,267 - Filed: 2022-08-18 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-19 - Assignees: Nidec Copal Corporation - Applicants: Nidec Copal Corporation - Inventors: Ryuzo NAKANO; Taizo TAKIGUCHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230054882A1 ## CPC - H04N 5/77: between a recording apparatus and a television camera - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - G03B 9/36: Sliding rigid plate - G03B 11/043: {Protective lens closures or lens caps built into cameras} - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - H04N 23/60: Control of cameras or camera modules - H04N 23/61: based on recognised objects - H04N 23/71: Circuitry for evaluating the brightness variation - H04N 23/76: by influencing the image signals - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract To reduce increased consumption of the recording capacity of a recording medium to record generated image data, an imaging device includes an imaging element and an image processor that receive subject light through an opening in a housing and generate image data, a recording controller that records the image data generated by the imaging processor onto a memory card, a lens cover movable to a position at which the lens cover covers the opening to restrict the subject light from entering the imaging element, and a determiner that detects a position of the lens cover based on the image data generated by the imaging processor and determines whether the lens cover covers the opening. The recording controller stops recording the image data onto the memory card when the determiner determines that the lens cover covers the opening. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging device, comprising: an imaging unit configured to receive subject light through an opening in a housing and generate image data; a recording controller configured to record the image data generated by the imaging unit onto a recording medium; a light shield movable to a position at which the light shield covers the opening to restrict the subject light from entering the imaging unit; and a determiner configured to detect a position of the light shield based on the image data generated by the imaging unit and determine whether the light shield covers the opening, wherein the recording controller stops recording the image data onto the recording medium when the determiner determines that the light shield covers the opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a light source inside the housing and configured to emit light, wherein the determiner determines that the light shield covers the opening when determining, based on the image data, that an image area satisfies a predetermined condition and that part of light emitted from the light source is reflected from the light shield and enters the imaging unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the determiner determines that the image area satisfies the predetermined condition when luminance of an area with a predetermined proportion of the image area is less than a threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the determiner determines that the image area satisfies the predetermined condition when luminance of a central portion of the image area is lower than luminance of a peripheral portion of the image area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the determiner determines that the image area satisfies the predetermined condition when the image area does not include a main subject. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the determiner determines that part of light emitted from the light source is reflected from the light shield and enters the imaging unit when luminance at a predetermined position of the image area exceeds a threshold based on the image data. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: an imaging controller configured to reduce an amplification factor of a signal for the imaging unit to generate the image data to a predetermined amplification factor after the light shield changes from a state in which the light shield covers the opening to restrict the subject light from entering the imaging unit to a state in which the light shield releases restriction of entry of the subject light into the imaging unit. ### Claim 8 A program for causing processes to be performed, the processes comprising: receiving, with an imaging unit, subject light through an opening in a housing and generating image data; recording the generated image data onto a recording medium; determining, based on the generated image data, whether a light shield is at a position at which the light shield covers the opening to restrict the subject light from entering the imaging unit; and stopping recording the image data onto the recording medium when the subject light is determined to be restricted from entering the imaging unit. ### Claim 9 An imaging method, comprising: receiving, with an imaging unit, subject light through an opening in a housing and generating image data; recording the generated image data onto a recording medium; determining, based on the image data generated by the imaging unit, whether a light shield is at a position at which the light shield covers the opening to restrict the subject light from entering the imaging unit; and stopping recording the image data onto the recording medium when the light shield is determined to cover the opening.