Manually Selected Preset Focus Position Or Range Patents (Class 396/103)
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Patent number: 11733592Abstract: An accessory includes a plurality of communication contacts that includes a first contact, and a control unit that notifies an electronic apparatus of a communication request by changing a signal level of the first contact from a first signal level to a second signal level different from the first signal level, and transmits information indicating a communication factor in response to a reception of a request for the information indicating the communication factor in response to a notification of the communication request. In a case where the control unit notifies the electronic apparatus of the communication request via the first contact in response to a start of a power supply, the control unit performs predetermined communication without receiving the request for the information indicating the communication factor or transmitting the information indicating the communication factor.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toru Kohno
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Patent number: 10863076Abstract: An apparatus and a method for performing an Auto Focus (AF) function in an electronic device which does not perform the AF function while performing a camcorder function are provided. The apparatus includes a camera for receiving a photographing data, a camera processing unit for performing any one of a still picture acquisition function and an AF function, a recording processing unit for performing a function for recording the photographing data, a camera driver for operating the camera under control of the camera processing unit and the recording processing unit, and a processor for controlling the camera processing unit and the recording processing unit when detecting an AF request while photographing a moving picture to focus on the photographing data automatically and to record the focused photographing data.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang-Heum Cho, Gi-Ung Jung
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Patent number: 10498915Abstract: An electronic device is provided with an operation panel, a communication unit, and a processing unit. The operation panel has a first operation key and a second operation key within a specific region. The communication unit is arranged within the specific region of the operation panel, and is a location for communicating wirelessly with a mobile terminal that is in a state opposing the specific region. The processing unit determines whether an operation result of the second operation key is valid or invalid on the basis of operations of the first operation key and the second operation key in such a way that the operation result of the second operation key is invalidated in a case where the first operation key has been operated.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Daisuke Mukaiyama
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Patent number: 10389932Abstract: Provided are an imaging apparatus and an imaging method capable of relatively accurately focusing on a main object in a relatively short time. A movement region (40) of a main object OA is imaged in a camera apparatus A and a different camera apparatus B. In the camera apparatus A, the main object OA is recognized from a captured image. Data indicating the position of the main object OA, transmitted from the camera apparatus B, is received in the camera apparatus A, and a focusing target range is set at the front and back of the position of the main object OA. A movement of a focus lens of the camera apparatus A is limited so as to focus on the focusing target range.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Fumio Nakamaru
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Patent number: 10321802Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a processor including hardware. The processor implements a focus control process that is implemented by controlling the position of a focus lens included in an optical system that is included in an imaging device, and a mist detection process that detects whether or not mist has occurred. The processor implements the focus control process that stops a focus operation that is performed during the focus control process when the mist detection process has detected that mist has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroshi Sasaki
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Patent number: 10313604Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a light emitting unit which provides, by light emission, a notification of an operation status of a self-timer when performing self-timer shooting; a mode setting unit which sets one of a plurality of operation modes; and a control unit which controls the light emitting unit to provide the notification of the operation status of the self-timer in self-timer shooting if the mode setting unit has set a first operation mode, and controls the light emitting unit not to provide the notification of the operation status of the self-timer in self timer shooting if the mode setting unit has set a second operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Sudo, Seiji Ogawa
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Patent number: 10230887Abstract: A lens barrel attached to an imaging device, including a focus lens unit that is movable in an optical axis direction; an actuator that moves the focus lens unit along the optical axis direction; a drive control section that controls drive of the actuator; and a setting section that is capable of setting a movement range of the focus lens unit to be one of a first range and a second range that differ from each other with respect to at least one of one end and another end, each range defining the range in which the focus lens unit is allowed to move. Even when the movement range of the focus lens unit is set by the setting section to be one of the first range and the second range, the drive control section removes the setting of the movement range when instructions are received from the imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Teppei Okuyama, Hidefumi Ota, Toshiaki Maeda, Satoshi Hara, Akihiko Kawai
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Patent number: 9995990Abstract: A camera is configured for use with a removable camera lens cover, which can be secured to or removed from the camera by a user without the use of a tool set. The mechanism which allows the lens cover to be secured to and removed from the camera includes a set of wires embedded into the lens cover and a set of wedges protruding from the lens wall of the camera. To secure the lens cover to the camera, the lens cover is placed onto the front of the camera and rotated until the wires align with corresponding wedges, securing the wires underneath the tapered surface of the wedges. To remove the lens cover from the camera, a force is applied outward and normal to the lens cover, causing the wires to flex outward and enabling the rotation and removal of the lens cover from the camera.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventors: Way Chet Lim, Andrew Liu, Margaret Birmingham Mittan, Daniel Lee Sobel
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Patent number: 9832364Abstract: An automatic focal adjustment apparatus capable of focusing at a distance appropriate for an object at infinity, and a method of controlling the automatic focal adjustment apparatus, are disclosed. The automatic focal adjustment apparatus detects an in-focus position of a focus lens based on an AF evaluation value generated from an image signal. Also, the automatic focal adjustment apparatus moves the focus lens to the detected in-focus position when the detected in-focus position is within a predetermined range from a reference position determined in advance corresponding to an object at a infinity distance.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuki Konishi
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Patent number: 9712756Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a light emitting unit which provides, by light emission, a notification of an operation status of a self-timer when performing self-timer shooting; a mode setting unit which sets one of a plurality of operation modes; and a control unit which controls the light emitting unit to provide the notification of the operation status of the self-timer in self-timer shooting if the mode setting unit has set a first operation mode, and controls the light emitting unit not to provide the notification of the operation status of the self-timer in self timer shooting if the mode setting unit has set a second operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Sudo, Seiji Ogawa
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Patent number: 9451150Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: a focus detection unit to obtain an in-focus position for each preset focus detection area; a setting unit to set an object area for a captured image; an acquisition unit to acquire a representative in-focus position of the object area based on in-focus positions contained within a given range where in-focus positions of focus detection areas corresponding to the object area are most concentrated; a determination unit to determine, if a plurality of object areas are set by the setting unit, a priority order of the object areas based on representative in-focus positions of the object areas; and a control unit configured to perform control so as to sequentially drive the focus lens to the representative in-focus positions of the object areas in decreasing order of the priority order and perform shooting.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Genjiro Shibagami
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Patent number: 9413944Abstract: An apparatus and a method in an electronic device provide for controlling a camera, wherein the camera can selectively operate in a first focus mode and in a second focus mode. The first focus mode is initially selected. In response to detecting a state of the electronic device, the second focus mode is selected. The first focus mode can be an autofocus mode. The second focus mode can be an extended depth of field mode, wherein software processing is used to extend the focus range of the camera. The detected state of the electronic device can be a previous user selection, a low power mode, or a continued request for taking photographs following taking a photograph in the autofocus mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventor: Oleg Los
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Patent number: 9307139Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that photographs an object through a lens; a memory unit that stores images captured by the imaging unit; an adjusting unit that adjusts a position of the lens, based on a value that is obtained from each of the images captured by the imaging unit and that represents an extent of focusing by the lens; a calculating unit that calculates a local maximum value of the value, based on temporal changes of the value that is obtained from each of the images successively captured by the imaging unit and that represents the extent of focusing by the lens; and a selecting unit that selects an image from among the images stored in the memory unit, based on differences of the local maximum value and the value obtained from each of the images and representing the extent of focusing by the lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: SOCIONEXT INC.Inventor: Soichi Hagiwara
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Patent number: 9036071Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a shooting lens having a focus lens for adjusting a degree of focus on an imaging plane; an image sensor converting an optical image of a photographic subject to an electric image signal and outputting it; a confirmation image creator creating a focus state confirmation image in which a part, or a whole of an image expressed by the image signal is enlarged; a display displaying the focus state confirmation image; and a focus evaluation value calculator calculating a focus evaluation value based on the image signal; wherein when a state of an inclination of change in a focus evaluation value calculated at a plurality of positions of the focus lens while moving the focus lens is different from a state of an inclination of change in a focus evaluation value calculated immediately before, the focus state confirmation image is displayed on the display.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Akihiro Yoshida, Noriaki Ojima
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Patent number: 8781313Abstract: A lens apparatus detachable from an image pickup apparatus includes a focus lens, a driver configured to drive the focus lens, a first position detector configured to detect a position of the focus lens, and a controller configured to correct the position of the focus lens detected by the first position detector to a position of the focus lens in a predetermined optical characteristic, to transmit a corrected position of the focus lens to the image pickup apparatus, to correct driving information of the focus lens in the predetermined characteristic received from the image pickup apparatus to driving information of the focus lens in a current optical characteristic, and to instruct the driver to drive the focus lens in accordance with the position of the focus lens detected by the first position detector and corrected driving information of the focus lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Minoru Uchiyama
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Patent number: 8774616Abstract: The present invention provides an interchangeable lens mounted on a camera body in an exchangeable manner, and the interchangeable lens includes: an optical system in which a state of a subject light flux incident to the mounted camera body is adjustable by changing an optical state; a contact position detecting unit with a detection plane, which detects a contact state including a contact and a contact position of a finger of a photographer, to detect a change in a contact position on the detection plane in an approximately same direction as an optical axis direction of the optical system; and a lens controller to control an optical state of the optical system according to a contact state of the finger including the contact position detected by the contact position detecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.Inventor: Koichi Nakata
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Patent number: 8743277Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an operation member movable from an initial position with respect to an apparatus body, a first elastic member configured to be deformed from a first state to a second state when the operation member is moved from the initial position and to restore the operation member to the initial position with a force produced to return from the second state to the first state, a second elastic member configured to be held by the first elastic member when the first elastic member is in the first state, and a contact portion configured not to come into contact with the second elastic member when the operation member is at the initial position and to come into contact with the second elastic member when the operation member is moved from the initial position.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuichi Matsuzawa, Takazumi Seo
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Patent number: 8692927Abstract: There is set forth herein an imaging terminal having an image sensor array and a variable lens assembly for focusing an image onto the image sensor array. In one embodiment, an imaging terminal can include one or more focusing configuration selected from the group comprising a full set focusing configuration, a truncated set focusing configuration and a fixed focusing configuration. When a full set focusing configuration is active, a full set of candidate focus settings can be active when the imaging terminal determines a focus setting of the terminal responsively to a trigger signal activation. When a truncated set focusing configuration is active, a truncated range of candidate focus settings can be active when the imaging terminal determines a focus setting of the terminal responsively to a trigger signal activation.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael Pease, Scott Garmon, Jeffrey Baker
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Patent number: 8614763Abstract: An auto-focusing camera module includes a lens module, an image sensor, a color separation unit, a controller, and a shape memory alloy. The lens module captures light signal of an object. The image sensor senses the light and forms an image. The color separation unit separates the image into red image, green image and blue image. The controller calculates MTF values of the image and determines a shooting distance between the lens module and the object. When the shooting distance is greater than a predetermined distance value, the controller processes the image according to the MTF values to compensate blurs of the image caused by out of focus; when the shooting distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance value, the controller controls the shape memory alloy drive the lens module to an optimum focusing position for focus according to the MTF values.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yu-Han Chen, Yu-Chen Yao
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Patent number: 8368802Abstract: An automatic focusing method for a camera, including scanning in a macro mode, scanning in a normal mode, and additional scanning. In the scanning in the macro mode, a region within a first distance is scanned if the macro mode is set by a user. In the scanning in the normal mode, a region beyond the first distance is scanned if the normal mode is set by the user. In the additional scanning, the scanning in the normal mode is performed additionally if it is determined that the position of the focus lens found in the scanning in the macro mode does not have the largest focus value, and the scanning in the macro mode is performed additionally if it is determined that the position of the focus lens found in the scanning in the normal mode does not have the largest focus value.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Byoung-kwon Lee
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Patent number: 8326137Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens barrel in which operability for a user is increased and a reduction in parts is achieved while provided with a manual operating member.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoto Yumiki, Takushi Terasaka, Toshio Yoshimatu
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Patent number: 8305484Abstract: According to the present invention, when a lens is moved in an operation of an operation device, the focal information calculated for each travel position of the lens can be graphed corresponding to the lens position, and the focal information about the current lens position can be identified from the focal information about another position. Thus, a manual focus adjustment can be made while checking the graph. Especially, since the history of the focal information calculated for each lens travel position can be graphed, the lens can travel to the lens position in which a desired peak can be obtained when there are a plurality of peaks of focal information on the graph.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventor: Manabu Hyodo
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Patent number: 8180213Abstract: In an embodiment of methods and systems for optical focusing for laser guided seekers using negative index metamaterial, the methods and systems comprise a light focusing system comprising: a lens comprising a negative index metamaterial to focus at least one selected wavelength while defocusing other wavelengths, and a sensor upon which the lens focuses the selected wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Abram G. Young, Delmar L. Barker, William R Owens
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Patent number: 8115814Abstract: An apparatus and method to track and to photograph a mobile object over a wide range, by a cooperative operation of multiple cameras. In addition, a mobile tracking system is provided for tracking the mobile object by the cooperation of multiple cameras, in which each camera includes a photographing device which photographs and recognizes the mobile object, a changing device which changes a view angle of the photographing device, a position deriving device which derives a position of the camera, a distance deriving device which derives the distance between the camera and the mobile object, and a communication device which transmits an identifier of the camera, a position of the camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and the distance between the camera and the mobile object to another camera and receives an identifier of the other camera, a position of the other camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and a distance between the other camera and the mobile object from the other camera.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiko Iwase, Masaaki Imaizumi
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Patent number: 8014661Abstract: An imaging device includes an autofocusing section, which moves at least a part of an imaging lens as a focusing lens, and focuses the imaging device on a subject, a photographing distance range setting section, which sets a predetermined distance range including a subject distance to the subject obtained by the autofocusing section as a photographing distance range for photographing, a continuous shooting section, which continuously photographs at a plurality of focused positions in the photographing distance range while moving and stopping the focusing lens according to input of a photographing instruction, and a display section, which displays an image of the subject focused by the autofocusing section and the photographing distance range set by the photographing distance range setting section.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Akihiro Yoshida, Kenji Shiraishi
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Patent number: 7894716Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a detector detecting information used for focus control in each of a plurality of detection areas set in an image-pickup area, a selecting member being operated to change a selected area selected from the plurality of the detection areas, and a controller performing the focus control based on the information detected by the detector in the selected area. The controller determines a selectable detection area among the plurality of the detection areas based on the information used for the focus control detected in each of the detection areas and changes the selected area among the selectable detection areas in response to the operation of the selecting member. The optical apparatus reduces burdens in a selecting operation of the detection area for information used for the focus control and allows selection of an intended detection area quickly.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takurou Asano
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Patent number: 7817911Abstract: A photographic method for slow synchro-flash photography conducted by firing a flash at a slow shutter speed, comprising the steps of: starting exposure with a focusing lens placed at an arbitrary position, and moving the focusing lens to such a position as to focus on a main subject, just before the flash is fired.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Seiji Tanaka, Kenkichi Hayashi
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Patent number: 7815379Abstract: The focus adjustment support device is mounted on a lens apparatus included in an image pickup system for supporting the focus adjustment of the lens apparatus. The image pickup system comprises: an image pickup apparatus having a lens apparatus including focus adjusting section requiring a manual adjustment; and, a case member disposed at a given position for covering at least the image pickup range of the lens apparatus and focus adjusting section, while a portion of the case member corresponding to the image pickup range of the lens apparatus is made of a first light transmissible member having a given optical characteristic. The focus adjustment support device includes a second light transmissible member formed to have an optical characteristic which can provide the same image forming position as in a state where the case member is disposed at a given position.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Fujinon CorporationInventor: Masumi David Sato
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Patent number: 7813633Abstract: An imaging device includes an autofocusing section, which moves at least a part of an imaging lens as a focusing lens, and focuses the imaging device on a subject, a photographing distance range setting section, which sets a predetermined distance range including a subject distance to the subject obtained by the autofocusing section as a photographing distance range for photographing, a continuous shooting section, which continuously photographs at a plurality of focused positions in the photographing distance range while moving and stopping the focusing lens according to input of a photographing instruction, and a display section, which displays an image of the subject focused by the autofocusing section and the photographing distance range set by the photographing distance range setting section.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Akihiro Yoshida, Kenji Shiraishi
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Patent number: 7781710Abstract: An image pickup apparatus, a control method and a program are provided. The image pickup apparatus includes an imaging module which takes an image; a display module which displays the image taken by the imaging module; a touch panel configured integrally with the display module and manipulatable by a user; a focus frame control module which controls a focus frame in accordance with a manipulation of the touch panel by the user, the focus frame being set at a given position on the image displayed on the display module and being used for focus control; and a focus control module which controls focus based on an image inside the focus frame on the image displayed on the display module.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Fuminobu Higashino
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Patent number: 7772532Abstract: There are many inventions described herein. Some aspects are directed to methods and/or apparatus to provide relative movement between optics, or portion(s) thereof, and sensors, or portion(s) thereof, in a digital camera. The relative movement may be in any of various directions. In some aspects, relative movement between an optics portion, or portion(s) thereof, and a sensor portion, or portion(s) thereof, are used in providing any of various features and/or in the various applications disclosed herein, including, for example, but not limited to, increasing resolution, optical and electronic zoom, image stabilization, channel alignment, channel-channel alignment, image alignment, lens alignment, masking, image discrimination, range finding, 3D imaging, auto focus, mechanical shutter, mechanical iris, multi and hyperspectral imaging, and/or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Inventors: Richard Ian Olsen, Darryl L. Sato, Borden Moller, Olivera Vitomirov, Jeffrey A. Brady, Ferry Gunawan, Remzi Oten, Feng-Qing Sun, James Gates
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Patent number: 7742693Abstract: An interchangeable lens type digital camera includes a camera main body and an interchangeable lens. The camera main body includes a control section which communicates with an interchangeable lens, and controls focus adjustment of the interchangeable lens by a hill-climbing AF system. A judgment section judges a characteristic of the interchangeable lens on the basis of communication between the interchangeable lens and the control section. The interchangeable lens includes a focus lens for performing focus adjustment. A focus lens drive section drives the focus lens. A lens control section communicates with the control section, and controls the focus lens drive section to perform focus adjustment. The control section changes a previously determined drive enabled range of the focus lens on the basis of a judgment result of the judgment section to perform focus adjustment of the interchangeable lens.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.Inventor: Kazuya Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7719602Abstract: An electronic device can perform photographing by an AF (Auto-Focusing) function and a PF (Pan-Focus) function, and can give improvement of quickness of the taking of an image by automatically selecting an image, which is taken into the device, from a relation between the AF function and a shutter operation. The electronic device has an imaging part which catches an image obtained through an optical system, and also has a focusing mechanism which moves the optical system to an auto-focusing position or a fixed focus position. The electronic device further comprises a switch and a control part. The switch functions as a focusing switch ordering the focusing mechanism a focusing action, and also functions as a shutter switch ordering taking of an image caught by the imaging part. By this, the switch orders the focusing action or the taking of the caught image.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Susumu Aoyama, Ken Hayashida, Toshikazu Houmura, Kiyoshi Miyazaki
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Patent number: 7664384Abstract: A device allows a user to select an arbitrary portion of a scene being previewed for picture taking. In one implementation, the device includes a camera; a display to preview a scene associated with the camera; an interface configured to allow a user of the device to select a portion of the scene; and autofocus logic to adjust the focus of the camera based on the selected portion of the scene.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventor: Julian Charles Hope
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Patent number: 7634186Abstract: A still image focused on a desired subject is captured and stored in a more reliable manner without particularly increasing in size and complicating an apparatus and circuits. There are provided a photographing system including a lens optical system which has an autofocus function and captures a subject image, a motor and a CCD, a key input section including a shutter key to instruct photography, and a control unit which causes the photographing system to sequentially capture a still image by actuating the autofocus function and a still image with a fixed focus allowing a fixed depth of field to be obtained, in accordance with the operation of the shutter key.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2006Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Osamu Nojima
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Publication number: 20090284641Abstract: A digital camera has distance measurement zone setting means (12) for dividing distance to a subject into a plurality of distance measurement zones; distance measurement zone selection means (13) for selecting a distance measurement zone to be scanned; an autofocus evaluation calculation circuit (14) for acquiring an AF evaluation value by scanning the selected distance measurement zone; zone-update determination means (15) for determining, through use of the AF evaluation value, whether or not to update a distance measurement zone to be scanned; and in-focus position decision means (16) for appropriately updating the scanned distance measurement zone based upon the determination as to whether to update the distance measurement zone, and deciding an in-focus position based upon acquisition of AF evaluation value. A focusing lens (2) is driven to the in-focus position by a focusing-lens drive circuit (17).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shinya Hirai
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Patent number: 7590339Abstract: A digital camera is provided with a photographing lens, an image capturing element, which is configured to capture an optical image of an object formed by the photographing lens, a coarse movement control system configured to control a position of the photographing lens in a direction of an optical axis by a motor, and a fine movement control system configured to control a position of an image receiving area of the image capturing element in the direction of the optical axis is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: HOYA CorporationInventor: Yuichi Kurosawa
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Publication number: 20090196592Abstract: A still image focused on a desired subject is captured and stored in a more reliable manner without particularly increasing in size and complicating an apparatus and circuits. There are provided a photographing system including a lens optical system which has an autofocus function and captures a subject image, a motor and a CCD, a key input section including a shutter key to instruct photography, and a control unit which causes the photographing system to sequentially capture a still image by actuating the autofocus function and a still image with a fixed focus allowing a fixed depth of field to be obtained, in accordance with the operation of the shutter key.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Osamu Nojima
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Patent number: 7548686Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus for controlling a drive system for an optical system corresponding to the position of an operation unit includes a motor for driving a control target of the drive system, a driver for the motor, position detecting means for detecting the position of the operation unit, position generating means for generating the output corresponding to the position of the operating unit with a limited movable range by configuring an initialization value and maximum and minimum values of integrated displacement by the output of the position detecting means, and controlling means for controlling the motor via the driver so as to drive the control target corresponding to the position generating output of the operating unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Hidenori Kushida
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Patent number: 7539405Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises a setting unit which arbitrarily sets different auto focus search ranges, a selection unit which selects a desired auto focus search range from said different auto focus search ranges arbitrarily set by the setting unit, and an auto focus control unit which performs an auto focus operation based on the desired auto focus search range selected by the selection unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akira Miyata
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Patent number: 7446810Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit for capturing an image of an object; a focal length storing unit for storing a focal length of the object which is outside of an image capturing region of the image being captured by the image capturing unit by corresponding to a positional relationship between the image capturing unit and the object; an image capturing region variation detecting unit for detecting variation in the image capturing region of the image capturing unit; a positional relationship predicting unit for predicting a positional relationship between the image capturing unit and the object after the image capturing region of the image capturing unit is varied on the basis of the variation in the image capturing region detected by the image capturing region variation detecting unit; and a focus adjustment control unit for controlling focus adjustment by the image capturing unit on the basis of the focal length stored by the focal length storing unit, wherein the focal length isType: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Shuji Ono
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Patent number: 7433586Abstract: A first area of a predetermined size is set as a focus area from which AF evaluation values are picked up in AF control when a focus mode is a normal one. When the focus mode changes to a macro mode, a second area narrower than the first area is set as the AF area. Thus, in the macro mode, focus search is performed automatically through the narrower area. AF frames indicative of the first and second areas are displayed on a through image.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaru Onozawa
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Patent number: 7430368Abstract: A zoom lens assembly includes an optical system forming an optical axis and having at least one lens group, a base member (1), a macro ring member (2) rotatably engaged with the base member for accomplishing both zooming and focusing operations, a lens holder (3) received in the macro ring member and having the at least one lens group received therein, a resilient member (4) compressively engaged with the lens holder, and an interengaging means (13, 21; 16, 25) provided between the macro ring member and the base member. The macro ring member has a driving member (22, 27) disposed thereon for manual manipulating. When the driving member is manipulated, the macro ring member is rotated and moved along the optical axis relative to the base member by the action of the interengaging means, and thus the focal length of the optical system is varied for effecting both normal photography and macro photography.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Asia Optical Co., IncInventor: Chun-yen Lee
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Patent number: 7391461Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus and method, and an image-pickup control computer program, a photographing optical system is driven, when a plurality of objects are present at different distances in a same detection field of view for identifying an object to be focused, so as to be focused on each of the plurality of objects, and a photographing operation is performed at each position of the photographing optical system driven so as to be focused on each of the plurality of objects.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Ogino
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Patent number: 7215373Abstract: The object distance display apparatus displays object distances according to actually measured object distance data entered in advance, matched with focusing lens positions acquired from a television lens device, and enables, when the apparatus is connected to the television lens device, any data entry error to be readily identified by graphically displaying the object distance data entered in advance. Actually measured object distance data entered in advance, matched with focusing lens positions, can be graphically displayed on an LCD panel with a touch panel function of the apparatus. If any abnormal datum such as an input error is detected, it can be deleted by touching a delete switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Fujinon CorporationInventors: Tadashi Sasaki, Chikatsu Moriya
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Patent number: 7210798Abstract: The methods and apparatus for lighting systems provide a camera integral to a particular image projection lighting device (IPLD) to capture the projected image from the particular IPLD. The captured image can then be sent over a communication system to the operator for viewing on a visual display device such as a computer monitor on a central controller. Using the captured image of the projected image as viewed upon the display device, the operator may then command using the central controller the focusing, position or other parameters of the projected image upon the stage or projection surface to the desired value. The captured image may also be used, such as by a central control system, to automatically, and without operator intervention, adjust parameters of the IPLD to desired values.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: High End Systems Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, Vickie Lynn Claiborne, Timothy G. Grivas, Brian Emerson Jurek, Jeffrey K. Washburn
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Patent number: 7164855Abstract: An optical apparatus according to the present invention enables a reduced drive distance in focusing operation of a focus lens to allow focus detection and focusing operation in a short time period. The optical apparatus has a detection unit which detects the attitude of the optical apparatus; and a controller which performs focus control for driving a focus lens included in an image-taking optical system based on a focus state of the image-taking optical system. The controller changes a drive start position of the focus lens in accordance with the attitude of the optical apparatus before the focus state of the image-taking optical system starts to be taken.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takumi Uehara
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Patent number: 7142780Abstract: A camera system comprises a camera body; a lens barrel having a photographing optical system, which can be mounted at the camera body; a shutter release switch disposed at the camera body and operated to start a shutter release operation; and a first operating switch related to an operation of the camera system other than the shutter release operation. The first operating switch is disposed at the lens barrel so as to allow an operator to perform a batch operation of the shutter release switch and the first operating switch with the lens barrel mounted at the camera body.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Yuuichi Katagishi
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Patent number: 7079763Abstract: A digital camera has distance measurement zone setting means (12) for dividing distance to a subject into a plurality of distance measurement zones; distance measurement zone selection means (13) for selecting a distance measurement zone to be scanned; an autofocus evaluation calculation circuit (14) for acquiring an AF evaluation value by scanning the selected distance measurement zone; zone-update determination means (15) for determining, through use of the AF evaluation value, whether or not to update a distance measurement zone to be scanned; and in-focus position decision means (16) for appropriately updating the scanned distance measurement zone based upon the determination as to whether to update the distance measurement zone, and deciding an in-focus position based upon acquisition of AF evaluation value. A focusing lens (2) is driven to the in-focus position by a focusing-lens drive circuit (17).Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Hirai
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Patent number: RE41222Abstract: A digital camera has distance measurement zone setting means (12) for dividing distance to a subject into a plurality of distance measurement zones; distance measurement zone selection means (13) for selecting a distance measurement zone to be scanned; an autofocus evaluation calculation circuit (14) for acquiring an AF evaluation value by scanning the selected distance measurement zone; zone-update determination means (15) for determining, through use of the AF evaluation value, whether or not to update a distance measurement zone to be scanned; and in-focus position decision means (16) for appropriately updating the scanned distance measurement zone based upon the determination as to whether to update the distance measurement zone, and deciding an in-focus position based upon acquisition of AF evaluation value. A focusing lens (2) is driven to the in-focus position by a focusing-lens drive circuit (17).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Hirai