Mechanical Patents (Class 348/208.7)
  • Patent number: 8098289
    Abstract: The optical image stabilizer includes a substrate, a carrier movably disposed above the substrate for carrying an image sensor, an anchor fixed above the substrate, a conducting pad fixed above the anchor for coupling an image processing circuit, a flexible suspension disposed between the conducting pad and the carrier, a conducting line disposed above the flexible suspension coupled to the conducting pad and protruding over the carrier for coupling the image sensor, and a micro-actuator disposed between the substrate and the carrier for adjusting the position of the carrier according to control signals from an actuator control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jin-Chern Chiou, Yung-Jiun Lin, Tzu-Kan Chen, Meng-Hsin Kuo, Cheng-Te Tseng, Chia-Hsi Tsai
  • Patent number: 8094200
    Abstract: In a lens apparatus, light entering a lens barrel from an external source is incident to an optoelectric converting element for image recording. The light passing through an optical path of the lens apparatus is filtered by a filter that absorbs a specific range of optical wavelengths and is provided in a filter frame. The filter frame is moved to position the filter at a first position that is on the optical path or at a second position that is away from the optical path. A filter housing structure is provided establishing a frame moving region in which the filter frame is arranged and moves, and blocking the incidence of light from a source other than the optical path to the filter frame moving region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tamron Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhide Takahashi, Koji Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8089519
    Abstract: A photographic apparatus comprises a movable platform and a controller. The movable platform has an imager that captures an optical image through a taking lens, and is movable and rotatable on an xy plane. The controller calculates an inclination angle of the photographic apparatus, which is formed by rotation of the photographic apparatus around the optical axis, and performs a controlled movement of the movable platform for an inclination correction by rotating the movable platform from an initial state on the xy plane in accordance to a rotation quantity of the movable platform. The controller performs the controlled movement so as to compensate the rotation quantity under the condition in which the absolute value of the rotation quantity decreases in accordance to an increasing absolute value of the inclination angle, when the inclination angle is larger than a second angle but less than a third angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: PENTAX Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Uenaka
  • Patent number: 8081223
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device for subjecting an optical subject image to photoelectric conversion to generate an image signal; an angular velocity sensor for detecting angular velocity with the imaging apparatus; a first shaking amount calculation unit for integrating detection values from the angular velocity sensor to calculate first shaking amount of the imaging apparatus; a second shaking amount calculation unit for calculating second shaking amount of the imaging apparatus based on image data from the imaging device; a third shaking amount calculation unit for correcting the first shaking amount to calculate third shaking amount of the imaging apparatus based on first amplitude which is a fluctuation range relating to the first shaking amount, and second amplitude which is a fluctuation range relating to the second shaking amount; and a correction control unit for correcting the shaking of the imaging apparatus based on the third shaking amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 8077212
    Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator for a movie or video camera has a vertical axis system including a base, an arm pivotably attached to the base, and at least one spring connected to the base and to the arm. One or more dampeners are connected to the base and to the arm. A horizontal axis system is supported by the vertical axis system. A leveling linkage connects the vertical and horizontal axis systems. The leveling linkage has adjustment features that allow for compensation of camera lens angulation caused by movement of the camera supported on a vehicle rolling over rough or uneven ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8077211
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an angular velocity sensor (11), which outputs a blurring signal, a high-pass filter circuit unit (12), which eliminates a direct current component in accordance with a first time constant, and which outputs a fluctuation portion with respect to a reference voltage as an angular velocity signal, an analog switch ASW (1), which cause a charge that is accumulated within the high-pass filter circuit unit (12) to discharge according to a second time constant, a computation unit (15), which is for performing a computation in order to correct a blurring of an image in accordance with the angular velocity signal, and a detection circuit unit (15D), which, in order to detect a change over time of the angular velocity of the camera body, samples the angular velocity signal on a per fixed time interval basis, obtains a derivative in accordance with a value thus sampled of the angular velocity signal, and detects a change over time in a size of the derivative thus obtained, wherein the time co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehide Ohno
  • Patent number: 8078041
    Abstract: A shake correction unit comprises a first lens unit that holds a first lens and is movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the first lens during a shake correction operation and a second lens unit that holds a second lens and is attached to the first lens unit and moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis together with the first lens unit during the shake correction operation, at least one of a shutter and an iris diaphragm having a changeable opening diameter is disposed between the first lens unit and the second lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kudoh
  • Patent number: 8068141
    Abstract: An imaging device ICD, which realizes an image blurring compensation function which achieves image blurring compensation during a framing period and image blurring compensation during releasing, is provided. In the imaging device (ICD), an OIS unit control section (104) compensates image blurring occurring in an optical image by moving an optical axis of an imaging optical system (100), and compensates the image blurring by changing a position of cutout of image data outputted from an image sensor (106). An image shift amount calculation section (39x, 39y) detects image blurring information. A system controller (120) causes the OIS unit control section (104) to mainly move the optical axis during an exposure period based on the detected image blurring information, and to mainly change the position of the cutout of the image data during a period other than the exposure period, thereby compensating image blurring which occurs in a taken image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Honjo
  • Patent number: 8063940
    Abstract: Image stabilization systems and methods are disclosed. One embodiment of the image stabilization method, among others, includes detecting motion of a camera, and responsive to the detected motion, changing an optical filter orientation to displace an image provided on a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Stavely, Christopher A. Whitman, Gregory V. Hofer, David K. Campbell, Jason E. Yost
  • Patent number: 8059159
    Abstract: A image capturing device includes an image capture unit, a digital signal processor (DSP), a selection unit, an adjustment unit, a microprocessor, a storage unit, and a accelerometer. The image capture unit photographs a subject to output image data representing the subject to the DSP. The accelerometer detects an angle between a vertical axis of the image capture unit and the direction of the gravitational field to output an adjustment signal. The microprocessor outputs an adjustment value after comparing the adjustment signal with a reference adjustment value preset in the storage unit. When a first photograph angle adjustment manner is selected by the selection unit, the DSP adjusts the image data according to the adjustment value. When a second photograph angle adjustment manner is selected by the selection unit, the adjustment unit adjusts photographing angle of the image capture unit according to the adjustment value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hou-Hsien Lee, Chang-Jung Lee, Chih-Ping Lo
  • Patent number: 8059158
    Abstract: A photographing apparatus for reducing the effect of shake on an image. The photographing apparatus includes an image pickup device, an image pickup device stage supporting the image pickup device and moving the image pickup device, a driving force generating portion for driving the image pickup device stage and moving the image pickup device stage, a guide portion contacting the image pickup device stage and limiting the direction in which the image pickup device stage moves, a first elastically pressing portion elastically pressing the driving force generating portion to consistently bring the driving force generating portion into contact with the operating portion of the image pickup device stage, and a second elastically pressing portion elastically pressing the image pickup device stage to bring the image pickup device stage into contact with the guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Shirono
  • Patent number: 8049784
    Abstract: An anti-shake device for positioning an image-capturing unit in an optical instrument. A base includes a shaft pillar. A clamp unit includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm. The first and second clamping arms pivot to the shaft pillar of the base and detachably clamp the image-capturing unit. A drive unit is connected to the base and includes a driven member driving the first and second clamping arms of the clamp unit to rotate and shifting between a first mode and a second mode. The first and second clamping arms are separated from each other and the image-capturing unit when the driven member is in the first mode. The first and second clamping arms close and clamp the image-capturing unit when the driven member is in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Dun-Kui Huang, Bing-Ren Lai
  • Publication number: 20110249131
    Abstract: A camera apparatus capable of providing optical image stabilisation comprises: a support structure; a camera unit comprising an image sensor and a lens system; a suspension system comprising a plurality of flexure elements supporting the camera unit on the support structure in a manner allowing the camera unit to tilt; and a plurality of SMA actuators each formed as SMA wire connected between the camera unit and the support structure and arranged on contraction to drive tilting of the camera unit. The SMA wire may be fixed to the camera unit at its ends and hooked over an element of the support structure. A vibration sensor, whose output is used as the basis for generating drive signals, may be mounted on the camera unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Topliss, Robert John Leedham
  • Patent number: 8035693
    Abstract: A micro-optical image stabilizer is disclosed. The optical image stabilizer includes a substrate, a carrier movably disposed on the substrate for carrying an image sensor, an anchor fixed on the substrate, a conducting pad fixed on the anchor for coupling an image processing circuit, a flexible suspension disposed between the conducting pad and the carrier, a conducting line disposed on the flexible suspension coupled to the conducting pad and protruding over the carrier for coupling the image sensor, and a micro actuator disposed between the substrate and the carrier for adjusting the position of the carrier according to control signals from an actuator control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jin-Chern Chiou, Yung-Jiun Lin, Tzu-Kan Chen, Cheng-Te Tseng, Chia-Hsi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20110228115
    Abstract: A camera system is described for a large format digital camera for taking images of at least one gigapixel resolution. The camera system may include a lens, a sensor, a rigid housing that provides for minimal movement of the camera and a translation stage. The translation stage may include a vertical stage, a horizontal stage and a perpendicular stage such that the sensor is moved to incremental positions by the translation stage in a planned sequence. At each incremental position, the sensor comes to a complete stop to capture a tile image and then moves to the next position. Each tile image may overlap adjacent tile images such that the tile images are combined or mosaiced together to create a final complete image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Moshe Ben-Ezra
  • Patent number: 8022999
    Abstract: The correction amounts of respective correction units 37 of first and second shake correction amount deriving units 38, 39 are alternately employed in every short period composed of a time shorter than a period up to a timing at which it is contemplated that the output from a first HPF 31 is approximately stabilized after a switch S1 is turned on, and the signals of shake correction amounts, which are obtained by subjecting the outputs from first integration units 35 to a correction of the correction amounts, are alternately employed as drive signals to be output to the X-axis and Y-axis actuators 27, 28. With this arrangement, a shake correction amount deriving unit, which is operated later than a shake correction amount deriving unit operated just before it, can derive a shake correction amount based on a state in which a first HPF 31 has a smaller output error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Okada
  • Publication number: 20110221915
    Abstract: An image stabilization mechanism is provided with a base unit, a movable unit on which an image pickup device is arranged and which is movable with reference to the base unit, a guide axis to guide the movable unit in a first direction that is an axis direction parallel with an imaging area of the image pickup device, a first drive unit to move the movable unit along the guide axis in the first direction, and a second drive unit to move the guide axis along the base unit in a second direction that is parallel with the imaging area and that intersects with the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisanori TAKANO, Hiroaki Imagawa
  • Patent number: 8013897
    Abstract: A digital camera 100 is provided with an optical unit 1, CCD 3, a CCD holder 27 for holding CCD 3, actuator 10 for connecting the CCD holder 27 with the optical unit 1, wherein the actuator changes in shape when a voltage is applied across a front surface and rear surface thereof, and flexible printed circuits 8, 9 for applying voltages to driving members 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d in response to detection of camera shake to move the CCD holder 27 such that an optical axis Z of the optical unit 1 passes through the center of the image capturing plane 300 of CCD 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Nakayamai
  • Patent number: 7995099
    Abstract: A blur correction mechanism includes: a first guide shaft extending in a first direction, the direction being a predetermined direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens groups; a base frame supporting the first guide shaft; a first correcting moving frame supported by the base frame so as to be movable in the first direction via the first guide shaft; a second guide shaft extending in a second direction orthogonal to both the optical axis and the first direction, and being supported by the first correcting moving frame; and a second correcting moving frame supported by the first correcting moving frame so as to be movable in the second direction via the second guide shaft, and holding the lens groups therein. The first guide shaft and the second guide shaft are positioned so as to be substantially coplanar in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Maeda
  • Patent number: 7991277
    Abstract: A camera module includes a circuit board, an image sensor mounted on the circuit board, a lens module including a lens, a position sensor, a plurality of electrical wire groups mounted on the lens, and a plurality of magnetic field generators. The lens held a distance from the circuit board by holding wires fixed on the circuit board. The position sensor is mounted on the circuit board and configured for detecting displacements of the lens module and the image sensor relative to the object. The magnetic field generators are arranged adjacent to the respective electrical wire groups, and each configured for generating a magnetic field for allowing the electrical wire groups together with the lens to move to give a correction of the displacements of the lens, such that an image of an object is projected at a predetermined region of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chau-Yuan Ke
  • Publication number: 20110169973
    Abstract: The invention includes a vibration reduction mechanism, a vibration detecting part, a reference signal generating part, a target drive position calculating part, and a driving part. The vibration reduction mechanism reduces a vibration of a subject image. The vibration detecting part outputs a vibration detection signal. The reference signal generating part estimates a reference signal of the vibration detection part. The target drive position calculating part obtains a vibration component from a difference between the vibration detection signal and the estimated reference signal to obtain a target position to which the vibration reduction mechanism is driven. The driving part controls the vibration reduction mechanism to follow the target position. Particularly, the reference signal generating part corrects the reference signal according to a motion signal obtained from a captured image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tomita, Kazutoshi Usui, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20110169972
    Abstract: Is a camera stabilizer design based on pendulum system, in where the camera hangs in the lower extremity of the pendulum and the counterbalances are situated in the upper position of the center pendulum centered, the system of the pendulum is adjoined to the support arm by a universal union point, it has two gearmotors for palm and tilt function controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Vicente Maldonado
  • Publication number: 20110164863
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an optical system, an imaging unit, a movable member, a drive unit, a second detection unit, and a selection unit. The optical system is configured to form an optical image of a subject. The imaging unit is configured to receive an image signal of the optical image. The first detection unit is configured to detect vibration of the imaging device. The movable member includes at least one of a portion of the optical system and a portion of the imaging unit. The drive unit is configured to move the movable member based on the detected vibration. The second detection unit is configured to detect movement of the movable member. The selection unit is configured to select a first image area based on the detected vibration and the detected movement, and the first image area is used to determine a characteristic value based on the image signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 7973822
    Abstract: A drive device includes an actuator, a fixed member, a movable member, rotating members, and a guide member. The actuator is arranged on the fixed member, and includes a piezoelectric element and at least two drivers on the piezoelectric element in parallel with the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The movable member moves by the drivers on the fixed member. The rotating members are located between the fixed member and the movable member to support the movable member. The guide member is arranged on at least one of the fixed member and the movable member, and guides movement of the rotating members in a direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The drivers are located between the rotating members in the direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Sumio Kawai, Takashi Okamura
  • Patent number: 7973855
    Abstract: An image shake correction apparatus and method for reducing frictional loss when elements vibrate or slide by reducing a distance from a center of an image pickup device stage to a virtual line connecting a portion, to which a driving force generator applies a driving force, and a guide portion. A CCD image sensor converts light irradiated on a photographing surface into electric signals, a slider and a CCD base support the CCD image sensor and move the CCD image sensor with respect to the photographing surface, and piezoelectric actuator assemblies drive the slider and the CCD base, such that the virtual line connects a portion, to which the driving force of the driving force generator is applied, to the guide portion that extends along the photographing surface of the CCD image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Shirono
  • Patent number: 7965318
    Abstract: The invention provides an image detecting module including a base, a carrier movably disposed on the base, an image detecting unit disposed on the carrier, a contact portion fixed to the carrier, and a fixed member fixed to the base. The fixed member has a protrusion movably contacting a recess of the contact portion. When an external force is exerted on the base and the carrier moves with respect to the base, the protrusion slides on a surface of the recess. When the external force is released, the protrusion slides to the bottom of the recess, such that the carrier is held in a predetermined position with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Yaw-Ching Huang
  • Patent number: 7961223
    Abstract: In this image sensor, a first spring member is so arranged that the urging direction of the first spring member is inclined with respect to the axis of a first rotating shaft of a first driving source thereby inclining a transmission member urged by the first spring member with respect to the axis of the first rotating shaft and bringing the transmission member into contact with a first pressing member engaging with the first rotating shaft, so that the first pressing member engages with the first rotating shaft while the axis of the first pressing member is inclined with respect to the axis of the first rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Okamoto, Hisao Kai
  • Patent number: 7961220
    Abstract: There is provided a camera-shake correction mechanism by which camera shaking is corrected for by moving an imaging device on a plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis and in directions that are mutually orthogonal. The mechanism includes a heat dissipating mechanism that diffuses heat from the imaging device into atmosphere from a rear surface of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Orihashi, Kazuhiko Suzuki, Ryuichi Yasuhara, Naoki Kamaya
  • Patent number: 7957631
    Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus for stabilizing an image sensor is disclosed. The image stabilization apparatus includes a transmission component whereon a slot is formed. The image stabilization apparatus further includes a rotary motor including an annular rotor connected to the transmission component, and an annular stator disposed on a side of the annular rotor. The annular rotor is capable of rotating relative to the annular stator. The image stabilization apparatus further includes a carrier for carrying the image sensor. The carrier includes a shaft disposed inside the slot in a slidable manner. The image stabilization apparatus further includes a linear motor coupled to the transmission component and the shaft of the carrier for driving the carrier to slide inside the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Kun-Rong Chang
  • Patent number: 7952613
    Abstract: In the image blur correcting unit, one end of a flexible board is connected to a sensor board included in a holding module, and the portion of the flexible board that extends at least first from the sensor board extends outwardly from the holding module in a direction oblique to both first and second directions. That is, the flexible board is extended from the vicinity of an axis point which swings least while the holding module is swinging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Shizuo Sekino, Hideo Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20110122267
    Abstract: A shake correction module, a camera module including the same, and a method of manufacturing the camera module are provided. The shake correction module includes: a hinge member which supports rotation movement of an optical module based on each of at least two axes at least by using an elastic characteristic of the hinge member, wherein the optical module comprises an image sensor; a base member to which the hinge member is installed; and a driving motor which rotates the hinge member based on the each of the at least two axes with respect to the base member, in order to manufacture a structure for supporting two-axes rotation of the optical module to be simple and reliable with a low manufacturing cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicants: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD., MUTAS INC.
    Inventors: Jae-wook AHN, Nam-il KIM, Jae-hwan JEONG, Tae-ho KIM, Kyung-sik SHIN
  • Patent number: 7949243
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an anti-shake lens L3 shifting with respect to an optical axis AXL of an optical system, a movable lens L4 moving along the optical axis, a light intensity controlling member 5 controlling light intensity, first and second actuators including magnets 33a and 33b and coils 34a and 34b, respectively, which shifts the anti-shake lens to directions different from each other, a third actuator including a magnet 63 and a coil 54 which moves the movable lens, a fourth actuator 51 which operates the light intensity controlling member, and a barrel member 7 which contains the anti-shake lens, the movable lens, the light intensity controlling member, and the first to the fourth actuators. The first to the fourth actuators are disposed inside the barrel member so as not to overlap with one another when viewed in an optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7925146
    Abstract: In an image blur correction device and an imaging device according to the present invention, a holder for holding an optical component, which is displaced for correcting an image blur, is supported by one or more balls, so as to be freely displaced by sliding on the base, and has a structure to restrict the movement of the holder within a range, which is smaller than a mobile range normally acquired when the ball is assembled, if the ball is omitted in an assembly. Therefore the image blur correction device and the imaging device having this configuration can detect the missing of a ball in an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Naohiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7917022
    Abstract: A shaking sensing unit includes a sensor sensing a rotation about at least one axis, a high pass filter passing only a signal having a frequency not less than a cutoff frequency of the high pass filter, among electrical signals output from the sensor, and a low pass filter passing only a signal having a frequency not greater than a cutoff frequency of the low pass filter and higher than the cutoff frequency of the high pass filter, among the electrical signals output from the sensor. The cutoff frequency of the high pass filter and the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter are variably determined according to a shaking frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-gi Lee, Sung Park
  • Patent number: 7916205
    Abstract: A pickup device driving apparatus includes: a movable part which moves a pickup device in a first direction while a direction of a pickup surface is held; a linear actuator which moves an axis in a second direction different from the first direction; a direction changing part which has a bearing part provided in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, rotates on the bearing part, and changes a bias force applied in the second direction by the axis of the linear actuator to a bias force applied in the first direction, and applies the bias force to the movable part; and a weight part which is provided in the direction changing part to cancel a rotation moment of the bearing part generated in the direction changing part by the inclination of the movable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Takahashi, Jouji Wada, Shokichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7907176
    Abstract: An image pickup system capable of obtaining images to be observed without giving a sense of discomfort to an observer, while moving as fast as possible. The image pickup system comprises an image pickup device, and a drive section arranged to rotate the image pickup device in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, respectively. A directive is issued on a rotation target angle of the image pickup device associated with the first direction and a rotation target angle of the image pickup device associated with the second direction. A component higher than a specified cut-off frequency in a command signal associated with the first direction entered from the command section is cut. A component higher than a specified cut-off frequency in a command signal associated with the second direction entered from the command section is cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadashi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7907175
    Abstract: A tracking image pickup device which makes it possible to perform high-speed and high-accuracy drive and tilting drive without sacrificing the rigidity of the device. An image pickup section has a predetermined optical system and acquires an image pickup signal through the optical system. A tracking target-detecting section detects a tracking target from the image pickup signal acquired by the image pickup section. A drive section has a fine movement part formed by a part of the optical system, and a rough movement part, so as to turn the tracking image pickup device in a panning or tilting direction. A control command value-computing section drivingly controls the drive section such that an amount of deviation between the tracking target and an image pickup direction of the tracking image pickup device is reduced. An image pickup direction-computing section determines the image pickup direction of the tracking image pickup device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Osaka
  • Patent number: 7907837
    Abstract: In an image blur correction apparatus, rotation of a correction lens about an optical axis is regulated without special mechanism or drive unit. When displacing a third lens unit in a pitch and yaw directions, forces Bp, By driving a shift base are generated in the respective directions by Lorentz force, to generate forces Cp, Cy, Dp, Dy returning a magnet to an original position by attraction force. By, Cy and Bp, Dp, respectively, are exerted on the same axes, whereas Cp, Dy are not in the same axes as those of Bp, By, respectively, so that a rotational moment for the shift base is generated and the shift base is stabilized at a first angle. Since the first angle is smaller than a second angle regulated by a restriction portion for a shift movement frame, the shift base does not abut the shift movement frame to deteriorate image stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yohei Anshita
  • Publication number: 20110050921
    Abstract: The image stabilizing apparatus includes a base member, a first member shiftable with respect to the base member in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis direction, a first actuator shifting the first member with respect to the base member, an image-pickup element constituted by a photoelectrical conversion element, a second member holding the image-pickup element. The second member is shiftable together with the first member in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction and rotatable with respect to the first member in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction. The apparatus further includes a second actuator rotating the second member with respect to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Goro Noto
  • Patent number: 7893965
    Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to stabilize the image produced by the device or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Heim, Ilya Polyakov, Alireza Zarrabi
  • Patent number: 7884852
    Abstract: An optical device with an imaging device for forming an image of a subject with a lens device includes a lens unit, a movable member making the lens unit movable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit, an image pickup device imaging the subject image formed by the lens device, a fixed member limiting the movement of the movable member in the optical axis direction, at least three balls rolling between the movable and fixed member, a vibration detecting unit, and a pitch direction drive unit for driving the movable member in the pitch direction within the optical axis orthogonal plane and a yaw direction drive unit for driving the movable member in the yaw direction within the optical axis orthogonal plane. The pitch and yaw direction drive units press the movable member toward the fixed member side by means of magnetic pressing forces caused by magnetic attractive action between drive magnets and yokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7885524
    Abstract: A photographic apparatus comprises a movable platform, a translational movement switch, a rotational movement switch, and a controller. The movable platform has an imager, and is movable and rotatable in an xy plane. The translational movement switch is for selecting ON/OFF states of a translational movement including a first stabilization and a second stabilization. The first stabilization moves the movable platform in the x direction for correcting hand shake caused by yaw. The second stabilization moves the movable platform in the y direction for correcting hand shake caused by pitch. The rotational movement switch is for selecting ON/OFF states of a rotational movement that rotates the movable platform in the xy plane. The controller controls the movable platform for the translational movement on the basis of the state of the translational movement switch, and the rotational movement on the basis of the state of the rotational movement switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Uenaka
  • Publication number: 20110025862
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pan and tilt head (12) for an optical apparatus (10) (e.g. a video camera) which captures or creates an image. The head has a base (19) to be mounted on a support structure (11) (e.g. a tripod), and a body (15) is mounted on the base for pan movement and a platform mounted on the body for tilt movement, about a tilt axis to receive the optical apparatus. The head includes damping means for damping both pan and tilt movement and transducer means (17, 20) for measuring tilt movement of the body about said tilt axis and pan movement of the base to provide measures of unwanted pan and tilt movement for correction of the optical apparatus for said unwanted movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: THE VITEC GROUP PLC
    Inventor: Richard Arthur Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20110001835
    Abstract: An image shake correction apparatus, comprising: a correction optical system which corrects a camera shake; a moving member in which the correction optical system is provided; two first guide shafts by which the moving member is held so as to be movable in parallel with a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis; a first voice coil motor which is provided at the moving member and which moves the moving member in the first direction; a slider to which the two first guide shafts are fixed; two second guide shafts by which the slider is held so as to be movable in parallel with a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis and the first direction; and a second voice coil motor which is provided at the moving member and which moves the slider in the second direction, wherein the second voice coil motor is provided substantially on the extension line of at least one of the two first guide shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kouhei AWAZU
  • Patent number: 7856126
    Abstract: A position sensing device is provided which can include a first sensing unit for outputting a detection signal periodically changing in accordance with the movement of an object, a second sensing unit for sensing a reference position of the object, and an arithmetic unit for determining position data corresponding to the position of the object based on the detection signals, where the position sensing device can determine the relative position of a lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoaki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7847824
    Abstract: A shake correction apparatus of a camera, includes a stationary support board; an electrical board movable relative to the stationary support board; an image pickup device supported by the electrical board and including leads made of a magnetic material which are arranged on a periphery of the image pickup device to electrically connect the image pickup device to the electrical board; at least one drive coil which moves with the electrical board; at least one magnet provided on a surface of the stationary support board which faces the electrical board, and positioned around the image pickup device and the leads as viewed from the front thereof, the magnet exerting a magnetic force on the drive coil; and at least one magnetic cover, made of a magnetic substance, for covering a portion of the magnet which faces the leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Mogamiya
  • Patent number: 7840128
    Abstract: An image-blur compensating device includes an optical component configured to compensate blur in an image, an actuator driving the optical component, a displacement detector detecting a position of the optical component changed by the actuator, an angular velocity detector detecting an angular velocity applied from outside, and a target displacement calculator calculating a driving amount when the actuator has driven the optical axis changing unit based on the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity detector and the position detected by the displacement detector. The target displacement calculator then obtains, as a result of compensating an amount of influence on the position of the optical component, a driving amount when driving the actuator based on the calculated driving amount. The image-blur compensating device further includes a driver driving the actuator based on the driving amount calculated by the target displacement calculator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Takagi, Tatsuyuki Takahashi, Toshifumi Takaoka, Tomoya Takei
  • Patent number: 7830414
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical apparatus having a vibration detector that detects vibration, a holding member that holds an image stabilizing optical system, an elastic member that elastically supports the holding member so that the holding member can shift within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis, a drive unit that generates a drive force resisting against an elastic force of the elastic member, a drive circuit that drives the drive unit, a control circuit that controls the position of the holding member, a temperature sensor that measures temperature, and a viscous damper that damps movement of the holding member in the drive direction. The control circuit changes the image stabilizing drive control characteristic of the drive circuit to compensate for changes in viscosity of the viscous damper with temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Inoue, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Hiroshi Akada, Sawako Ito
  • Publication number: 20100265343
    Abstract: An image stabilization driving assembly that corrects a shake of a digital camera includes a driving plate in which a correction lens is mounted and that operates in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis; a base plate that supports the driving plate at a rear of the driving plate; a tilt correction plate fastened at a rear of the base plate and that adjusts the fastening degree and corrects tilting of the driving plate; and a plurality of suspension wires having one end fixed to the driving plate, another end fixed to the tilt correction plate, and extending through the base plate. The plurality of suspension wires may be formed of an elastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Seung-hwan Lee, Kwang-seok Byon, Kyung-bae Lee
  • Publication number: 20100238306
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes a housing, a camera module, a motion detector and a driving module. The housing defines a receiving cavity therein. The camera module is flexibly received in the receiving cavity. The motion detector is fixedly positioned on the camera module and is configured for detecting a rotational movement of the camera module. The driving module includes a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The first magnetic member is positioned on the camera module. The second magnetic member is positioned on the housing. The driving module is configured for driving the camera module to rotate through interaction of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member to counteract the detected rotational movement of the camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHAU-YUAN KE