Optical Viewfinder Patents (Class 348/341)
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Patent number: 8314846Abstract: The invention relates to matrix image sensors, and it relates more particularly to a method for correcting the spatial noise generated by the dispersion of the physical properties of the different individual sensitive dots, or pixels, of the matrix. For each pixel, in an individual electronic circuit associated with the pixel, a recursively digital method is used to determine an approximate value (Mij,n) of an average of the signal Sij,n obtained from the pixel during this large number of images; the signal obtained from each pixel is corrected according to the determined approximate average value and according to a reference average value (M0), and a corrected signal S*ij,n is transmitted from the circuit associated with the pixel.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Comissariat A l'Energie AtomiqueInventor: Gilles Chamming's
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Patent number: 8284269Abstract: When the shooting mode selector lever switches the shooting mode to the still image shooting mode, the viewfinder mode is switched to the optical viewfinder mode, and switching from the optical viewfinder mode to the electronic viewfinder mode is performed by operation of the start-stop button. When the shooting mode selector lever switches the shooting mode to the movie shooting mode, the viewfinder mode is switched to the electronic viewfinder mode, and movie shooting is started by operation of the start-stop button.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Kumagai, Hiroshi Kikuchi
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Patent number: 8224167Abstract: An adjustment device including an enhanced underwater viewfinder having, in use, a substantially watertight body and including a plurality of prisms within the body, at least one of the prisms being moveable by element of a control mechanism operable from a position exterior of the body.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Nauticam International LimitedInventor: Yuk Shing Lai
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Patent number: 8199245Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging device including a device main body, a focusing screen holding member configured to detachably hold a focusing screen, and a locking member configured to be provided between the focusing screen holding member and a lens attachment part of the device main body.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Masami Sato
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Publication number: 20120140107Abstract: Camera arrangements that can include electromagnetic protection, such as from EMP/IEMI events, is disclosed. One example camera arrangement includes a camera including a viewfinder having a lens, and an electromagnetically shielded enclosure defining an interior volume containing the camera and configured to include at least one opening aligned with the lens. The camera arrangement includes an electromagnetically dampening barrier disposed across the at least one opening, the barrier configured to shield the interior volume of the enclosure from electromagnetic signals while exposing an optical path between the lens and objects external to the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: David Anderson, George Anderson, David B. Jackson, Greg Fuchs, Gale Nordling, Wallace Jensen, Frederick R. Faxvog
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Patent number: 8174606Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus is provided including a lens unit, an imaging device, and a main mirror disposed between the lens unit and the imaging device, wherein the position of the main mirror can be changed so that the main mirror either reflects at least part of light which passed through the lens unit toward a first orientation or the main mirror is not positioned on a path of the light which passed through the lens unit such that the light can be incident to the imaging device. A prism unit, a viewfinder, and an image sensor for live view are also included in the apparatus. A method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus, and a storage medium having recorded thereon a computer program for executing the method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chi-hun Hwang, Myung-gyu Kim
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Patent number: 8169498Abstract: An image pickup device is provided, capable of complete correction with data of once analog-to-digital conversion, and prevention of excess use of switches and analog devices and/or erroneous correction, including: an image sensor having a plurality of analog-to-digital converters determining conversion results from a digital signal of higher order bit through separate steps of two or more times; a first correction unit which has a correction factor for correcting nonlinear errors of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters so as to adapt to the analog-to-digital converters and corrects a nonlinear error of a digital signal output from respective analog-to-digital converters based on a correction factor corresponding to respective analog-to-digital converters, characterized in that the first correction unit corrects the nonlinear errors after converting the digital signals from the plurality of analog-to-digital converters into a serial output.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuichiro Yamashita
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Patent number: 8169529Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture an image of a subject, a finder optical system configured to enable a photographer to optically observe the subject, a light-metering unit configured to perform a light-metering operation for a light flux that enters the finder optical system, an image display unit disposed in the finder optical system and configured to display an image of the subject captured by the image sensor and to enable the photographer to observe an image of the subject captured by the image sensor when the photographer looks in the finder optical system, and a control unit configured to prevent the image display unit from performing the display of the image when the light-metering unit performs the light-metering operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Fumihiro Kajimura
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Patent number: 8160425Abstract: A method of storing different video data in a video file is disclosed. The method processes a display of video windows (eg 621) each for displaying the different video data in an arrangement, and a user interface (eg 601) for selecting a period of the different video data to be stored for display in the video windows (eg 621) The method stores a portion of the different video data, corresponding to the selected period, in the video file. The video file maintains the arrangement of the video windows (eg 621) for displaying the portion of video data.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Andrew Kisliakov
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Publication number: 20120075516Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image capturing unit, a projection unit, a reproduction processing unit configured to perform processing for reproducing image data, and a control unit configured to switch between operation modes at least including an image capturing mode in which the image capturing unit performs image capturing and a reproduction mode in which the reproduction processing unit performs reproduction processing. When the operation mode is switched to the reproduction mode, the control unit starts activation processing for activating the projection unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Tomotaka OGURA, Katsumi Ikuta
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Patent number: 8134632Abstract: The invention relates to a digital motion picture camera including at least one optoelectronic sensor device for the recording of motion pictures. The sensor device has, in an areal arrangement, a plurality of sensor elements for the generation of a respective received signal in dependence on a light exposure. The camera further has a control device for the controlling of the read-out of the received signals of the sensor elements as well as a digitizing device for the digitizing of the received signals. The camera moreover has an optical viewfinder for the visual observation of the motion pictures to be recorded and a beam deflection device which is interposed in front of the sensor device and by which the reception beam path can be split at least into one recording beam path for the sensor device and one viewfinder beam path for the optical viewfinder.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Arnold Richter Cine Technik GmbH and Co. Bertriebs KGInventors: Robert Kandleinsberger, Tran Quoc Khanh, Michael Koppetz, Hermann Popp
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Publication number: 20120050601Abstract: A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus, and a digital photographing apparatus, in which a child's face is registered in the digital photographing apparatus, and the child's interest is continuously attracted by using a preferred image and sound of the child. Thus, an inattentive child's interest may be attracted to a camera and thus the child may be photographed while the child is focusing on images displayed on the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jae-myung Lee
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Patent number: 8023033Abstract: A viewfinder includes: a main unit to be detachably attached to a camera body; and a display unit including a display portion on which a picture to be imaged at the camera body side; wherein the display portion includes a supporting member, a display panel including a display surface, a first connecting mechanism configured to connect the main unit and the supporting member so as to rotate, and a second connecting mechanism configured to connect the supporting member and the display panel so as to swing between a laid state in which the display panel is laid on the supporting member and a standing state in which the display panel stands from the supporting member; wherein the first connecting mechanism is configured such that the supporting member can rotate within a range of at least not less than 180 degrees on the main unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Toru Kirihara, Eiji Kaji
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Patent number: 8013924Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic motion picture camera having an optical receiving system and a beam splitter which splits the receiving beam path into a taking beam path leading to an optoelectronic taking sensor and a viewfinder beam path leading to an optical viewfinder. The camera has an electronic display for the reproduction of an additional image. An optical vision mixer is arranged in the viewfinder beam path by which the taken image and the additional image can be directed in the direction of the viewfinder such that the taken image or the additional image, or the taken image and the additional image as a uniform image, can be observed in the viewfinder.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KGInventor: Michael Koppetz
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Patent number: 7978227Abstract: An imaging apparatus, includes a viewfinder optical system for guiding an observation light beam to a viewfinder window, the observation light beam being output from an imaging optical system and then reflected from a main reflective surface, an imaging element for generating an image signal in response to the reception of the observation light beam, an exposure control unit for performing exposure control of the imaging element in response to the image signal from the imaging element, and a light sensing detector, arranged in the vicinity of the imaging element, for measuring light. The exposure control unit determines an exposure control value in the exposure control in response to a light measurement value provided by the light sensing detector if a predetermined condition is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Katsunari Oda
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Patent number: 7907201Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit for generating an image signal from an optical subject image, a display having a display mode and a non-display mode, an electronic finder for displaying a preview image on the display, an optical finder for leading the subject image to a finder window, an eye proximity detecting unit for detecting proximity of the eye to the finder window, a shutter having a light-blocking mode and a non-light-blocking mode, a first control unit for switching the display to the non-display mode and switching the shutter to the non-light-blocking mode to lead the subject image to the finder window when the eye proximity detecting unit detects proximity of the eye, and a second control unit for switching the shutter to the light-blocking mode and the display to the display mode to display the preview image when proximity of the eye is not detected.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kazuhiko Kojima, Takahiro Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 7907202Abstract: An image pickup apparatus with a specific operation member for accepting an operation input includes a image pickup unit configured to receive a light image of a subject and generate an image signal, a display unit configured to display an image on the basis of the image signal, an electronic finder unit configured to cause the display unit to display the image relating to the light image before performance of a main shooting process on the basis of image signals generated in sequence by the image pickup unit, an optical finder unit configured to guide the light image to a finder window, and an allocation unit configured to allocate a function to the specific operation member in the case in which the optical finder unit is used and another function to the specific operation member in the case in which the electronic finder unit is used.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Takashi Okazaki
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Publication number: 20100321556Abstract: A power transmission mechanism includes a rotational drive member which rotates to drive a driven member, a drive switcher for switching between a transmission-ON state in which a driving force of a drive source is transmitted to the rotational drive member to rotate the rotational drive member and a transmission-OFF state in which the transmission of the driving force to the rotational drive member is canceled, and a rotation restrictor which allows the rotational drive member to rotate when the drive switcher is in the transmission-ON state and is engaged with the rotational drive member to restrict rotation of the rotational drive member when the drive switcher is in the transmission-OFF state.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: HOYA CORPORATIONInventor: Masayuki MISAWA
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Patent number: 7847853Abstract: An image taking apparatus which can perform a focusing operation quickly is described. The image taking apparatus comprises a light splitting unit which splits a light flux from the image-taking lens into a plurality of light fluxes, a view finder optical system for observing an object image formed by the light flux from the image-taking lens, an image pickup element which photoelectrically converts the object image to an electric signal and a focus detection unit for detecting the focusing state of the image-taking lens according to a phase difference detection system. Here, the light splitting unit changes between a first state in which the light flux is directed to the view finder optical system and the focus detection unit and a second state in which the light flux is directed to the image pickup element and the focus detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuo Suda
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Publication number: 20100283886Abstract: An optical unit (1) includes a first attachment/detachment portion (2) to which an imaging optical system (31) is detachably attached, an optical path division means (3), a finder optical system (6), and a second attachment/detachment portion (4). An imaging unit includes a third attachment/detachment portion (11) disposed at a position corresponding to the second attachment/detachment portion (4) and an imaging element (12, 12?). An imaging body (20, 20?) includes the optical unit (1) and imaging unit (10, 10?) which are detachably attached to each other through the second and third attachment/detachment portions (4) and (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: Olympus CorporationInventors: Toshifumi Nakano, Tatsuya Suzuki, Hisashi Goto
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Patent number: 7787045Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, and the microcomputer 110 controls so that movable mirrors 121a and 121b to enter an optical path of an image pickup optical system after the amount of light from a subject is obtained based on the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130, a strobe 137 emits light, and measurement results of an AE sensor 133 are obtained. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki, Toshio Makabe, Kenji Maeda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kazuhiro Ishimaru
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Patent number: 7787193Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an imaging device and a camera realizing simultaneously a high magnification zoom lens system and the miniaturization of the device. The imaging device (2) includes a first lens group (G1), a second group frame unit (42), a first group frame unit (41), a motor unit (32), a third lens group (G3), and a CCD unit (33). The first lens group (G1) takes in a light flux incident along a first optical axis (A1). The second group frame unit (42) bends the light flux incident along the first optical axis (A1) to a direction along a second optical axis (A2). The first group frame unit (41) retains the first lens group (G1), and moves the first lens group (G1) in the direction along the first optical axis (A1). The motor unit (32) drives the first group frame unit (41).Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Keiji Sakamoto, Takayuki Hayashi, Eiichi Nagaoka, Kenichi Hayashi, Daisuke Ito, Akio Konishi, Keishi Iwasaki
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Patent number: 7734170Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus having a viewfinder optical system; a first image sensor; a photometric sensor; and optical path changing means. The viewfinder optical system has a first reflective surface that reflects a monitoring luminous flux, and the first reflective surface changes a reflection angle of the monitoring luminous flux. A change in a reflection angle of the first reflective surface causes a course of the monitoring luminous flux to be switched between a first optical path and a second optical path. In a case of second optical path, a travel direction is changed with the optical path changing means placed on the second optical path, causing a photometric processing to be performed using the first image sensor, while in a case of the first optical path, the photometric processing is performed using the photometric sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Genta Yagyu, Ichiro Tsujimura
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Publication number: 20100110272Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element including image pickup pixels and focus detection pixels, and first and second focus information calculating parts respectively calculating first focus information based on outputs from the focus detection pixels and second focus information based on an output from a light-receiving element which is provided separately from the image pickup element. The focus information indicates a focus state of an image pickup optical system. The apparatus further includes a correction value calculating part calculating a correction value based on the first focus information and the second focus information, and a controlling part performing focus control of the image pickup optical system based on the second focus information corrected using the correction value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Atsushi Sugawara
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Patent number: 7706678Abstract: An electronic imaging apparatus having a section for generating imaging data which indicates an imaging condition; an optical finder mechanism for introducing light from a subject to a finder; a data display device for displaying at least one of the subject's image and the imaging condition in the finder; and a switching device for switching between light incident/non-incident states for the optical finder mechanism. When imaging is not performed, the switching device makes the light incident on the optical finder mechanism. When imaging is performed and the image signal is not recorded, the switching device makes the light incident on the optical finder mechanism, and the subject's image and the image formed by the data display device are superimposed and displayed in the finder. When imaging is performed and the image signal is recorded, at least the image formed by the data display device is displayed by the switching device.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Yoshinori Ikeda, Shinichi Nakajima
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Patent number: 7706682Abstract: Described is a wide-angle slip-on viewfinder (1) on rangefinder cameras for analog and digital wide-angle recordings of different image recording formats with lenses of different focal lengths, comprising three lens groups (LG1, LG2, LG3), a frame/mask unit (10) and a partially transmissive prism cube (8) which is designed as a combination element, wherein, on the light entrance side (4) in the viewfinder beam path (9), a first lens group (LG1) has a negative refractive power and the second and third lens groups (LG2, LG3) have a positive refractive power, wherein the second lens group (LG2) is composed of a first lens (L3) arranged downstream of the first lens group (LG1) and a second lens (L4) arranged on the light exit side (7) and the partially transmissive prism cube (8) is arranged between the lenses (L3, L4) and the third lens group (LG3) is arranged in a mask imaging beam path (11) which is at right angles to the viewfinder beam path (9) between the frame/mask unit (10) and the partially transmissiveType: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Leica Camera AGInventors: Kathrin Keller, Uwe Reinstädtler
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Patent number: 7705907Abstract: What is disclosed is a display apparatus that introduce an electronic image that is generated electronically into a viewing optical system through which an object is viewed to make the electronic image viewable in such a way as to be superimposed on an image of the object. The electric image forming apparatus has a light source, a micro lens array and scanning means for scanning light from the light source to form an image on the micro lens array. There is disclosed a scanning display apparatus that introduces an image formed on the micro lens and superimpose it on an image of an object and a camera in which an object image formed optically and an electronic image are made viewable in a superimposed manner using the scanning display apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Toru Iwane
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Patent number: 7693414Abstract: An adapter in an interposed position between a hand-held camera and a battery for operating the camera in facing relation to each other in the clearance therebetween the camera-attached adapter positions an eyepiece of the camera so the camera user makes eye contact against the eyepiece despite the physical obstacle of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Inventor: Paul Nigro
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Publication number: 20100045847Abstract: Provided are an integrated image sensor with a shutter and a digital camera including the same. The integrated image sensor with a shutter includes: an image sensor converting an image signal that has passed through a lens unit, into an electrical signal; a functional polarization film that is disposed on an optical path between the lens unit and the image sensor and opens or closes the optical path according to a turn-on/turn-off of an operational voltage; and a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode respectively disposed on either side of the functional polarization film and applying the operational voltage. Accordingly, the integrated image sensor with a shutter includes a shutter structure that opens or closes the optical path of an image signal by receiving an electric signal, wherein the shutter and the image sensor are integrally formed as a single unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hun-young Ryu
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Patent number: 7665912Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which comprises an image-pickup device, an image processing unit, a display unit, a focus detection unit which detects a focus state of the image-taking lens, and an optical path splitting unit which is switchable between a first state in which it is disposed in an optical path from the image-taking lens and a second state in which it is retracted from the optical path. The optical path splitting unit transmits part of the light from the image-taking lens toward the image-pickup device and reflects the remaining part of the light toward the focus detection unit in the first state. A control unit performs focus control based on the detection result of the focus detection unit. The control unit performs the focus control in the first state such that an image-forming position matches a light-receiving surface of the image-pickup device in the second state.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Oikawa
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Publication number: 20100033587Abstract: A camera body includes an imaging unit, a reflecting mirror, a determination unit, and a mirror controller. The imaging unit is configured to convert the optical image into an image signal and acquires an image of the subject. The reflecting mirror has a first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and a second state of being outside the optical path. The mirror controller is configured to retract the reflecting mirror to outside the optical path of the optical system when the reflecting mirror is in the first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and a moving picture photography mode is selected, which is a mode for capturing moving pictures.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventor: NAOTO YUMIKI
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Patent number: 7609316Abstract: An optical viewfinder system includes: a lens element group (22), a beam splitter (30) and a window (40). The beam splitter is disposed behind the lens group. The window located behind the beam splitter, the lens element group and the beam splitter being located on a line with the window. The optical viewfinder system provides a better quality and power saving for a portable electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yang-Chang Chien
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Patent number: 7609960Abstract: The present invention discloses a finder device and camera including the finder device having an information display device arranged near a mat screen on which a subject image is formed, and an imaging device for acquiring a finder image including the subject image on the mat screen. In this structure, the operation of the information display device is stopped in response to the imaging operation of the imaging device. This can prevent the subject image and the image displayed by the information display device from being difficult to see due to the difference between the brightness of the image on the mat screen and the brightness of the information display device. The information display device can be configured such that it superimposes, for example, shooting information and focus points on the image.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.Inventor: Yoichiro Okumura
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Publication number: 20090262233Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus, a light receiving unit produces a first signal at a first timing and a second signal at a second timing later than the first timing. First and second parameters for detecting a scene change are acquired based on the first and second signals, respectively. The presence or the absence of a scene change is determined based on both the parameters. The apparatus further includes a selecting unit configured to select a focusing target AF area from among a plurality of AF areas, and a focusing control unit configured to execute focusing control by using focusing information with respect to the AF area selected by the selecting unit. When the determining unit determines that the scene change is not present, the selecting unit selects the AF area having been selected at the first timing, as the focusing target AF area, at the second timing continuously.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Junko NAGAHATA, Hisamo SOGAWA, Tsuyoshi KISHIMOTO, Toshio KATAYAMA
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Patent number: 7583892Abstract: The present invention discloses a finder device capable of adjusting the amount of light emitted from a light-emitting display section arranged in the device according to the light-receiving level of an image pickup device. The amount of light emitted is adjusted, for example, so that the light-receiving level of the image pickup device is not saturated. The light-emitting display section can be configured, for example, to include a LED display element for projecting light onto a mat screen in the finder device and a drive circuit that can adjust the amount of LED light, or to include an LCD display unit provided adjacent to the mat screen and a backlight unit that can adjust the amount of light for the LCD unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.Inventor: Yoichiro Okumura
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Patent number: 7561793Abstract: A camera adjusts the aspect ratio of a viewfinder image. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder of the camera displays a light image of the scene. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper is switchable among a plurality of settings. Each setting defines a different rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder. A cropping control is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The cropping control has a cropping input element that is accessible external to the body. The cropping input element is movable between first and second opposed cropping control positions to change the settings. The cropping control positions define a cropping control axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the capture unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Randolph C. Brost
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Patent number: 7548267Abstract: A digital single-lens reflex camera comprises: an optical viewfinder; a retractable movable mirror for guiding subject images to the optical viewfinder; an image display device, serving as an electronic viewfinder, for displaying a subject image captured by an image-capturing device with the movable mirror retracted from the optical path; and a control device for starting image data acquisition with the image-capturing device after elapsing of a predetermined time, taking into consideration the amount of time necessary for the movable mirror to be retracted from the optical path and maximum diaphragm driving time of a diaphragm driving unit, following the user making a releasing operation while displaying a moving image on the image display device. This realizes a digital single-lens reflex camera which allows settings wherein the shutter release time lag is constantly the same, regardless of whether the optical viewfinder or the electronic viewfinder is used.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Tsugumoto Kosugiyama
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Publication number: 20090141162Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises a barrel including an image pickup element and a lens; an optical viewfinder; an audio output unit for generating a sound; and a light emitting unit having a member for emitting light, wherein the audio output unit is arranged in a space surrounded by the barrel, the optical viewfinder, and the light emitting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuto Ariga
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Publication number: 20090122163Abstract: an electronic camera includes: an image-capturing unit that creates an image by capturing an image of a subject; an enlarged image generating unit that creates an enlarged image by enlarging a portion of the image created by the image-capturing unit; an optical viewfinder that enables verification of a subject range corresponding to a range of the image created by the image-capturing unit; and a warning output unit that issues a warning when the enlarged image generating unit is in operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: Nikon CorporationInventor: Kazuyuki Kazami
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Patent number: 7529479Abstract: A camera viewer device including an assembling sheet member developed and changed in shape between a box-shaped angle finder and a direct viewing finder. The sheet member includes first and second mirror wall portions with first and second inner mirrors, an attachment wall portion attached to a back face of a camera body, and an upper wall portion. In the box-shaped angle finder, the first mirror reflects an image of a subject in a display panel on the back face of the camera body and downwardly projects the image of the subject, the second mirror upwardly projects the projected image, a window portion of the attachment wall portion is opposed to the display panel, and a window portion of the upper wall portion is opposed to the second mirror wall portion to look into the interior of the assembled sheet member through the window portion of the upper wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2006Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Tatsuya Watanabe
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Patent number: 7512332Abstract: A camera has a viewfinder that forms a subject image to be observed, a multipoint auto-focus adjuster that focuses the subject image on the basis of multiple focus points defined on the subject image, a superimposer that superimposes an indicator mark on a position of a given focus point, and a focus point luminance detector that detects a luminance of the position. Then, the superimposer superimposes the indicator mark such that a brightness of the indicator mark increases as the luminance of the position increases.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventors: Shigeru Iwamoto, Tadahisa Ohkura, Masahiro Nakata
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Publication number: 20090079861Abstract: This invention provides an alternative to a digital single lens reflex camera, by not providing a through-the-lens optical image for the viewer to preview, while providing a high resolution through-the-lens electronic image that has a resolution equivalent to at least 200 dpi when seen by the viewer through the eyepiece, such that the viewer can preview the external image that he wishes to capture at a quality that is equivalent to an optical image, in the absence of any corresponding optical reflective element in the camera. The advantage of the present invention is that the quality of preview image is maintained while solving some of the problems in an OVF.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventor: York Liao
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Patent number: 7502557Abstract: In a finder optical system, a primary image is formed by an objective lens on a primary image formation face and is passed via a relay optical system to form a secondary image on a secondary image formation face. This secondary image is observed via an ocular lens system. A diffuser is arranged at the position of the secondary image formation face.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Hisashi Goto
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Patent number: 7499640Abstract: An image-recording apparatus includes a display unit for displaying an image photographed by an sensing device, an illuminating unit for emitting light by discharging charges charged in a capacitor on photographing, a power source unit in which any one of plural kinds of power sources is selectively usable, and a power source detector to detect which kind of the power source is being used in the power source unit. Displaying on the display unit and charging of the capacitor are performed by using the power source in the power source unit. When the power source detector detects that the power source unit uses a specified kind of the power source, the display unit is operated even during charging the capacitor, whereas when the power source detector detects that the power source other than said specified one is being used in the power source detector unit, the display unit is set in no operation during charging the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Koyama
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Patent number: 7463303Abstract: An electronic still camera includes a finder optical system for viewing a subject image. An imaging section obtains the subject image. A display section displays the subject image based on image data associated with the subject image obtained by the imaging section. A mode selecting section selects either a first mode in which the electronic still camera performs imaging operation using the imaging section while a user views the subject image through the finder optical system or a second mode in which the electronic still camera performs imaging operation using the imaging section while the user views the subject image on the display section. A first focus detection circuit performs a first focus detecting operation when the first mode is selected by the mode selecting section. A second focus detection circuit performs a second focus detecting operation when the second mode is selected by the mode selecting section.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Junichi Ito
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Patent number: 7456894Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a case, a photographing optical system, an imaging element, and a viewfinder device. The viewfinder device includes a viewfinder case, a transmission liquid crystal panel, a lighting device, a first sheet polarizer, and a second sheet polarizer. The viewfinder case includes a case body and a case partitioning member. The lighting device and the first sheet polarizer are supported inside the case partitioning member. The transmission liquid crystal panel is supported inside the case partitioning member with the display surface faced to the window. The second sheet polarizer is supported inside the case body.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kunihito Saiki, Hirokazu Nakayoshi, Toshitake Terada, Shunichi Matsunaga
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Publication number: 20080284898Abstract: The invention relates to a digital motion picture camera comprising at least one optoelectronic sensor device for the recording of motion pictures. The sensor device has, in an areal arrangement, a plurality of sensor elements for the generation of a respective received signal in dependence on a light exposure. The camera further has a control device for the controlling of the read-out of the received signals of the sensor elements as well as a digitizing device for the digitizing of the received signals. The camera moreover has an optical viewfinder for the visual observation of the motion pictures to be recorded and a beam deflection device which is interposed in front of the sensor device and by means of which the reception beam path can be split at least into one recording beam path for the sensor device and one viewfinder beam path for the optical viewfinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Robert Kandleinsberger, Tran Quoc Khanh, Michael Koppetz, Hermann Popp
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Patent number: 7453508Abstract: In a camera system of this invention, a light beam coming from a photographing lens is reflected by a quick return mirror in the widthwise direction of a body unit, and is reflected by a second mirror via a half mirror and screen in the upward direction of the body unit except for some light beam components. The light beam reflected by the second mirror is reflected by a third mirror in a direction opposite to that of the light beam reflected by the quick return mirror, and is also reflected by a fourth mirror toward an eyepiece side in the back side of the body unit. Some light beam components reflected by the half mirror are fetched by an AF sensor unit to detect the focal point position of the photographing lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Shigeru Iwase, Motoaki Kobayashi, Toshifumi Nakano
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Patent number: 7453507Abstract: An electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention comprises a photographing optical system, in order from an object side, a first lens group having negative refracting power, which has a reflecting component having a reflecting surface for bending an optical path of an incident light from the object side and at least two positive lens groups arranged at an image side of the first lens group, wherein the photographing optical system is a zoom optical system and the following condition is satisfied: ?1.75<f1/fw<?0.8 where f1 is a focal length of the first lens group, and fw is a focal length at the wide angle end at the photographing optical system.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Masaru Morooka
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Patent number: 7428381Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic motion picture camera having an optical receiving system and a beam splitter which splits the receiving beam path into a taking beam path leading to an optoelectronic taking sensor and a viewfinder beam path leading to an optical viewfinder. The camera has an electronic display for the reproduction of an additional image. An optical vision mixer is arranged in the viewfinder beam path by which the taken image and the additional image can be directed in the direction of the viewfinder such that the taken image or the additional image, or the taken image and the additional image as a uniform image, can be observed in the viewfinder.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KGInventor: Michael Koppetz