Attitude Sensing Patents (Class 396/50)
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Publication number: 20080124064Abstract: In an imaging device including an image recording arrangement, a tilt-sensor, and a display, a method may include detecting a tilt-angle for the image recording arrangement using the tilt-sensor; and presenting at least one marker-arrangement via the display indicative of the tilt-angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS ABInventors: Gunnar Klinghult, Mats Kleverman
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Publication number: 20080044169Abstract: A device may include a camera to capture an image; a sensor to measure, when the camera captures the image, information indicative of an angular displacement, about a line of sight of the camera, of an orientation of the device away from a reference orientation of the device; storage to store the measured information for rotating the image relative to a frame of the image based on the angular displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS ABInventor: Mats WERNERSSON
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Patent number: 7327897Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of precisely correcting geometrically distorted satellite images. In order to correct a geometrically distorted satellite image, the position and attitude of a satellite must be accurately recognized. In this case, a correlation between the position and attitude values of the satellite exists, so accurate position and attitude values cannot be obtained. Therefore, the present invention accurately obtains position and attitude information of the satellite by separating variables having a high correlation to minimize the correlation between the position and attitude of the satellite and then calculating corresponding variables, and precisely corrects a geometrically distorted satellite image using the position and attitude information of the satellite.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Myung Jin Choi, Tae Jung Kim
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Publication number: 20070223900Abstract: When composition of a first captured image having a tilted subject image is corrected, the first image is rotated such that the subject image stands in an erect position, according to the attitude of the camera achieved during capture of the first image. Images corresponding to missing portions, which arise in the image area for recording due to rotation, are extracted from a second captured image as compensation images. The second image is obtained by capturing an image of the same subject as that captured by the first image, at the different angle of view and attitude of the camera. An image obtained by enlarging the compensation images extracted from the second image according to the angle of view employed for capturing the first image is synthesized with the rotated first image, to thus make the subject image stand in an erect position and to obtain a corrected image without involving a decreased number of pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Masao Kobayashi, Kazuyasu Kurata, Hirokazu Nakazawa
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Patent number: 7265790Abstract: In an embodiment, a method sets an image capture device to one of a plurality of available operational modes for the image capture device. The method comprises determining an angle of pitch orientation of the image capture device, and setting the image capture device to the one of the plurality of operational modes if the angle of pitch orientation is within a predetermined angle range associated with the one of the plurality of operational modes.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Amy E. Battles, David K. Campbell
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Publication number: 20070154194Abstract: A camera position sensing device comprises a magnet installed in a first member which has a camera module mounted therein, and a hall element installed in a second member which is relatively rotatably coupled to the first member, to sense a position of the camera module depending upon a position of the hall element relative to the magnet, wherein an initial offset is afforded to an installation position of the magnet in a relative rotating direction of the magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Young Bok Yoon, Ki Suk Woo
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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: 7075661Abstract: Methods and apparatus for introducing a plurality of optical markers to a field of view, capturing a two-dimensional image of said field of view on an image plate comprising a pixel array, determining a set of marker origin offset values and using said offset values to establish a set of orientation values describing the relationship between the field of view and the image plate are disclosed. These orientation values are used to relate the area of image captured by each pixel in the image plate to the real world. By applying projective geometry, vector analysis and trigonometrical surveys an image analysis is conducted to establish a three-dimensional positional data set describing the three-dimensional position of regions of reflectivity in the captured two-dimensional image. From this data set a three-dimensional model of the field of view can be reconstructed.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Industrial Control Systems LimitedInventors: John Michael Petty, Phillip Stephen Petty
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Patent number: 7024109Abstract: Sound information related to an image is inputted together with the image taken by a camera, and is printing outputted as a two-dimensional bar code data with the image by a printer provided in the camera as one body. Specifically, a printed matter is formed by printing the taken image and the sound information sound inputted in relation to the image. Thereby, the printed matter is printed with a comment on image taking environment such as information on a subject of image taking and a light condition when taking the image or on the subject of the image taking inputted through the sound. As a result, it can be used as a storage medium which stores information of higher dimension and is easy to access.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Horii, Hirofumi Hirano
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Patent number: 6978087Abstract: A disclosed photographing apparatus has a LCD display, a select member, and a controller. The display displays information about a photographic condition, in arbitrary display form using a dot-matrix. The select member selects one display mode among a plurality of display modes. In each mode of the plurality of display modes, display forms are different to each other, standard information required for photographing is displayed common to every display mode, and at least one information inherent to each display mode is displayed. The controller controls the display to display the display mode selected by the selector, and at a time of starting the camera, to display a display mode which has been displayed when the camera was previously switched off.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Reiji Seki, Makoto Akesaka, Hiroaki Minami, Tatsuya Suzuki, Reiko Yoshida, Masami Ohyama, Hirofusa Kondo
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Patent number: 6873357Abstract: A digital camera includes a position sensor which detects a position of the camera body relative to the direction of gravity, an acceleration sensor which detects an acceleration acted upon the camera body, a memory in which image data of a captured image is recorded, and a controller. If the magnitude of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor when the captured image is produced is smaller than a predetermined value, the controller records the image data in the memory together with positional data of the camera body that is detected by the position sensor. If the magnitude of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor when the captured image is produced is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the controller deems the data on the position of the camera body as invalid data and records only the image data in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2001Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: PENTAX CorporationInventors: Atsushi Fuchimukai, Yuichi Kurosawa
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Patent number: 6819362Abstract: The invention provides a digital camera with a disposition device for automatically converting a picture to an appropriate image meeting the vision via the viewfinder, wherein the disposition device for auto-detecting the holding condition of a digital camera comprises: an insulating envelope having a cavity which is formed by an insulating bottom and side wall, wherein the cavity is divided into a plurality of concave regions; a conductive plate covering the cavity of the insulating envelope and connected to the power source; a plurality of conductive pads selectively located on the insulating bottom; and a conductive ball rolling in the cavity by the influence of gravity, wherein the movable sensor touching one of the conductive pads and the conductive plate represents the holding condition of the digital camera.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Benq CorporationInventor: Ying-Hao Hsu
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Patent number: 6791617Abstract: A distance detecting device comprising an optical system, a pair of image sensors having a plurality of pixels which receives light flux from a photographic subject through said optical system, a distance calculator which calculates the distance to a photographic subject 3 from the image information of a region of the image sensors, and an posture detector detects the posture of the distance detecting device, wherein the distance to a photographic subject is detected from image information of the measurement region which is set such that the length of the region in the vertical direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction relative to the normal ground surface and in accordance with the posture of the distance detecting device.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1999Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Nakamura
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Patent number: 6788889Abstract: In multi-point distance measurement, the distance of a distance measurement object is three-way divided into a very short distance range, a short distance range and a moderate to long distance range, and if the distance of an object located at a very short distance is measured in any one of the endmost distance measurement areas of a plurality of distance measurement areas, and all the distances measured in other distance measurement areas belong to the moderate to long distance, the distance belonging to the very short distance range is not employed, and the shortest distance of distances belonging to the moderate to long distance range is employed as a measured distance. On the other hand, if any of the distances measured in other distance measurement areas belongs to the short distance range which is closer than the moderate to long distance range, the distance belonging to the very short distance range is employed, thereby reducing the frequency of erroneous distance measurement.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Yoshida, Yoshikazu Mihara
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Patent number: 6778771Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus for a camera comprises an area sensor, an integration circuit, and a switching circuit. The above-mentioned area sensor receives light of a picture image in the image plane. The integration circuit integrates output signals of this area sensor. The control circuit controls operations of starting and stopping the integration of the above-mentioned integration circuit, based on output signals corresponding to a specific block of the above-mentioned area sensor. The switching circuit switches the above-mentioned specific block according to using state of the camera.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Osamu Nonaka
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Patent number: 6625398Abstract: The present invention provides the position detector (line sensors) for outputting the information concerning the position of each distance measuring point within a picture to be taken by a camera, the multi-point photometer (correlation computer and integral controller) for outputting the incident light luminance information of each distance measuring point and the priority determiner (selector) for determining the priority of the distance measuring point according to the information concerning the position and incident light information of each distance measuring point within a picture, and is capable of executing the integral control of all the distance measuring points within a picture, determining the priority of the distance measuring point according to the luminance distribution within the picture and executing the interpolation computation for only the distance measuring points within the predetermined range of distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Osamu Nonaka
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Patent number: 6516151Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera (1) that projects a pattern of visible light (28) onto an object such as a document (10) to be photographed to indicate to a photographer the area of the object within view of the camera. The camera comprising image capture means (18), a lens (2) arranged to image the document (10) in an object plane onto the image capture means (18), an image framing projector (2,20,22) operable to project visible optical radiation (24,26) onto the object plane to indicate to a user of the camera (1) the bounds (28) of the document (10) imaged onto the image capture means (18), and a camera attitude sensor system (9,15) for sensing the attitude of the camera (1). The image framing projector (2,20,22) is operable in response to the attitude sensor system (9,15) to project the optical radiation (24,26) onto the object plane only when the attitude sensor system (9,15) senses that the camera (1) is oriented so that the optical radiation (24,26) will be projected downwards.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: Maurizio Pilu
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Patent number: 6507702Abstract: A device having a sight line detecting function includes an illumination unit for illuminating an eyeball of an observer looking into an observation screen, by a plurality of light-emitting members; an image-pickup member which receives the light reflected from the eyeball; a rotational angle calculating device which calculates the rotational angle of the eyeball of the observer, using the cornea reflection images detected by the image-pickup member; and a correction unit for calculating correction data for correcting error between the calculated rotational angle value and the sight line of the observer, and for storing the correction data. In this device, the correction unit stores a plurality of correction data corresponding to the number of the cornea reflection images, with respect to the same observer.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tadasu Ohtani
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Publication number: 20020146245Abstract: An image shake correcting device is provided for use with an apparatus (e.g., a camera) in which image shake is to be corrected. The device comprises an image shake correcting unit for correcting image shake in accordance with an output of a shake detecting unit for detecting a shake condition; a support condition determining unit for determining whether the apparatus, in which image shake is to be corrected, is supported in a predetermined stationary condition; a shutter speed information determining unit for determining a shutter speed at photo-shooting; and a varying unit for varying a response manner of the image shake correcting means to the output of the shake detecting means in accordance with a combination of the determination made by the support condition determining means and the determination made by the shutter speed information determining means.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 1999Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventor: KAZUNORI MASUDA
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Patent number: 6424805Abstract: An exposure control device for use in a camera includes a photosensor having at least two different types of spectral characteristics, a lightness calculating circuit that calculates lightness of each zone of the photosensor from the output of the zone of the photosensor, wherein the photosensor is partitioned into a plurality of zones, a saturation calculating circuit that calculates saturation of each zone of the photosensor from the output of the zone of the photosensor, a cloudy sky determining circuit that determines whether an area of the object field is a cloudy sky area, based on the lightness and saturation of each zone of the photosensor, and an exposure control circuit that performs exposure control based on the determination result of the cloudy sky determining circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshifumi Ohsawa
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Patent number: 6404986Abstract: A focus detecting device includes a defocus amount detecting circuit for detecting an amount of defocus obtained at each of a plurality of focus areas disposed within an image plane, a selecting circuit for, on the basis of amounts of defocus detected respectively at the plurality of focus areas, dividing the plurality of focus areas into a plurality of groups and selecting a focus area capturing a target object from among the plurality of groups, a posture sensor for detecting a posture of an apparatus, a weighting circuit for, on the basis of positions of the plurality of focus areas within the image plane, dividing the plurality of focus areas into a plurality of groups and respectively weighting the plurality of groups, the weighting circuit making grouping of the plurality of focus areas differently according to the posture of the apparatus, and a deciding circuit for deciding at least one focus area from among the plurality of focus areas by adding a result of weighting made by the weighting circuit toType: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Goichi Morikawa
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Patent number: 6366736Abstract: The present invention provides a distance measuring apparatus for a camera capable of deciding priority of a plurality of types of autofocusing methods automatically and rapidly and achieving high-speed, accurate focusing under various shooting conditions. This device uses jointly, for example, two types of AFs: active type AF whereby a distance to the subject is measured based on a signal generated by reception of reflected signal light from a subject when distance measuring light is cast on the subject, and passive type AF whereby a distance to the subject is measured by using a light reception signal that corresponds to the subject image, and changes the priority of both types of AFs in response to an output of the shooting condition detecting part and performs a distance measuring operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Osamu Nonaka
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Publication number: 20020001464Abstract: An exposure control device for use in a camera includes a photosensor having at least two different types of spectral characteristics, a lightness calculating circuit that calculates lightness of each zone of the photosensor from the output of the zone of the photosensor, wherein the photosensor is partitioned into a plurality of zones, a saturation calculating circuit that calculates saturation of each zone of the photosensor from the output of the zone of the photosensor, a cloudy sky determining circuit that determines whether an area of the object field is a cloudy sky area, based on the lightness and saturation of each zone of the photosensor, and an exposure control circuit that performs exposure control based on the determination result of the cloudy sky determining circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Inventor: Toshifumi Ohsawa
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Publication number: 20010055483Abstract: A control unit box and one of standard point members are provided close to a connection of first and second bars. A standard plane is defined by the standard point members. A loop antenna is provided in a mount unit situated on the top surface of the control unit box. The box is positioned such that a ratio of a second distance to a first distance is less than tan 8°. The first distance is from the point member to the mount unit, along the standard plane, and the second distance is from the standard plane to the top surface of the mount unit, along a direction perpendicular to the standard plane. The antenna is connected to an oscillator of 310 MHz. With respect to the antenna, the total length is approximately 0.48 m, a height from the top surface of the unit box is approximately 9.5 mm, and the inner diameter is approximately 25 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Teruo Sakai, Atsumi Kaneko
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Patent number: 6285831Abstract: A camera is provided with a correction lens movable in two directions perpendicularly intersecting each other; a target position setter for setting a target position for the correction lens; a driver for moving the correction lens to a set target position; a detector for detecting a position at which the correction lens has been moved by a predetermined driving energy and stopped; and a posture detector for detecting a posture of the camera comparing a moved position with the target position.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshihiro Hara
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Patent number: 6263161Abstract: There is disclosed an image blur prevention apparatus which is reduced in size and weight, which is mounted onto an apparatus without deteriorating operations of the apparatuses, and which appropriately and quickly removes the offset signal superimposed onto a blur signal, so that a highly precise blur signal can be output. The apparatus comprises blur detection means for detecting blur, offset signal removing means for removing the offset signal superimposed on the blur signal from the blur detection means, and re-operation instructing means for allowing the offset signal removing means to remove the offset signal again even after offset signal removing is once completed and the blur signal is used to start a digital calculation.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichi Washisu
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Patent number: 6262769Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically rotating a graphical user interface for managing portrait and landscape captures in an image capture unit. A method and apparatus for viewing an image in an image capture unit including a display comprises the steps of providing a first orientation associated with the image and providing a second orientation associated with the image capture unit. It is then determined whether the first orientation is different from the second orientation, and the image is displayed in the second orientation if the first and second orientations are different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1997Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, George W. Dalke
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Patent number: 6229959Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a projecting optical system for projecting an image of an object in a viewfield onto an image receiving surface. First detecting structure is provided for detecting which position is viewed in the viewfield. Second detecting structure is provided for detecting a defocus for the image receiving surface of the image of the object. Optical system driving structure is provided for driving a portion of the projecting optical system according to the defocus detected by the second detecting structure. A processor is provided for causing the detection by said second detecting structure and the drive by said optical system driving structure to be repeated until the image of the object is focused on the image receiving surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1997Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuo Suda, Akihiko Nagano, Kazuki Konishi
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Patent number: 6226458Abstract: A camera includes a movable mirror which moves between a mirror-down position and a mirror-up position, an attitude detecting device which detects an attitude of the camera, and a control circuit in which a plurality of periods of stabilization time of the movable mirror are set and which changes over the stabilization time of the movable mirror among the plurality of periods according to a result of detection provided by the attitude detecting device. If the attitude of the camera has changed in process of a continuous photo-taking operation, the control circuit keeps the stabilization time of the movable mirror set at the time of start of the continuous photo-taking operation without changing over the stabilization time of the movable mirror.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shoji Kaihara
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Patent number: 6219492Abstract: A camera has a distance-measuring device, which has an area sensor for sensing the light from an object to convert it into an electrical signal, a posture detector for detecting the posture of the camera, a setter for setting the positions and sizes of a plurality of calculation regions demarcated on the light-sensing surface of the area sensor in accordance with an output from the posture detector, and a calculator for calculating the distance to the object based on an output from the area sensor that corresponds to the calculation regions set by the setter. The setter can be so controlled as to set the sizes of the calculation regions for distance calculation according to the size of the object that is likely to be detected in those calculation regions. This reduces possibility of low contrast and foreground/background interference, and thereby enhances distance measurement accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Maehama, Kenji Nakamura
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Patent number: 6192198Abstract: A camera capable of print format selection includes a connecting unit for responding to at least one of a unit for forming information for focus adjustment on the basis of one of distance measurement information of a plurality of portions in a scene and defocus information, and a unit for different print formats, thereby affecting an operation related to at least the other unit, or includes a connecting unit for responding to at least one of a unit for a predetermined distance range and a unit for different print formats, thereby affecting an operation related to at least the other unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1997Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazunari Kitani, Takanori Kodaira, Masanori Ohtsuka, Hidetoshi Masuda
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Patent number: 6185373Abstract: A mirror control apparatus 100; 200 for controlling a mirror 20 in a single lens reflex camera 10. The mirror 20 is supported for reciprocal rotation between a first position in a photographing light path POP and a second position out of the photographing light path POP. The mirror control apparatus 100; 200 comprises a drive mechanism 102; 202 and a brake mechanism 104; 204. The drive mechanism 102; 202 is operatively connected to the mirror 20 for applying drive power to the mirror 20 for rotation between the first and second positions. The brake mechanism 104; 204 is operatively connected to the mirror 20 for producing brake power which varies depending on at least one of factors affecting rotation of the mirror, the brake power serving as resistance against rotation of the mirror 20. Such factors include temperature in the camera 10 and orientation of the camera 10 relative to the gravity.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeru Morishita
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Patent number: 6148149Abstract: A digital camera comprises a controller and an image sensor that digitally captures an image. The camera also includes an orientation sensor, such as a mercury switch, that that indicates orientation of the image sensor whenever an image is captured. When capturing an image, the controller is configured to format the image in a way that it will be correctly oriented when displayed. In one embodiment, the camera automatically rotates the digital image to correct for different orientations of the camera.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Jonathan Kagle
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Patent number: 6014524Abstract: A camera comprising: finder means for inspecting an object, illumination means for illuminating an operator's eye by which the operator looks in at the finder means, a condensing optical system for condensing a reflected light from the operator's eye, photoelectric converter means for receiving the condensed reflected light, calculation means for calculating a direction of a visual axis of the operator's eye on the basis of an output of the photoelectric converter means, and condition setting means operable in response to the result of the calculation of the calculation means, for setting taking conditions of the camera.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1994Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Suzuki, Akira Ishizaki, Keiji Ohtaka, Yasuo Suda, Hidehiko Fukahori, Akihiko Nagano, Kazuki Konishi, Tokuichi Tsunekawa
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Patent number: 6011926Abstract: A horizon control for indicating to a user whether a camera is level with respective to the ground. The horizon control includes an x-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface and a y-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface. A x-axis level detector is provided for detecting whether the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, the x-axis level detector is provided in the camera, the x-axis level detector is electrically connected to the x-axis level indicator. A y-axis level detector is provided for detecting whether the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, the y-axis level detector is provided in the camera, the y-axis level detector is electrically connected to the y-axis level indicator.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1998Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Inventor: Patrick G. Cockell
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Patent number: 6011925Abstract: An image input apparatus includes a camera unit for converting image information from an optical system into an electrical signal and outputting the electrical signal, a pan head having a control mechanism for at least two axes, a sensor for detecting the attitude of the image input apparatus, and a controller for controlling the control mechanism of the pan head on the basis of the attitude of the image input apparatus detected by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Hosoe
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Patent number: 5995765Abstract: A camera is used in a photogrammetric analytical measurement, and has a distance-measuring sensor unit for measuring a vertical distance between the camera and a sloping surface of the ground and a minimum distance between the camera and the sloping surface of the ground when the camera is placed above the sloping surface of the ground. The camera has a memory medium for storing the vertical distance and the minimum distance as vertical distance data and minimum distance data, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsumi Kaneko, Toshihiro Nakayama, Atsushi Kida
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Patent number: 5978598Abstract: In this invention, an image blur correction apparatus adapted to an optical apparatus, which has an image blur correction means, a driving means for driving the image blur correction means in a predetermined direction, and an energization control means for controlling energization to the driving means in accordance with a vibration signal corresponding to the vibration state of the optical apparatus, also has an energization restricting means for restricting a current supplied to the driving means by the energization control means to less than a predetermined restricting level, and a determination means for determining the restricting level of the energization restricting means in accordance with the detection result of a gravitation direction detection means for detecting the gravitation direction, whereby the upper limit of the energization amount to the driving means is changed in accordance with the gravitation direction to attain driving suitable for the direction of gravitation acting on the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masanori Ishikawa
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Patent number: 5937213Abstract: A camera, such as a video camera or other electrically recordable camera, has scale imprintable capabilities and a method for imprinting a scale onto memory storage media. The camera and method imprints, optically or electrically, a standard scale on memory storage media for the purpose of estimating the size of a subject image. A photographic magnification calculation circuit calculates the photographic magnification based on a subject distance, and a reference scale setting circuit sets a reference scale for the purpose of estimating the size of the subject image on the memory storage media regardless of the magnification during picture taking or print size. An imprinting circuit imprints, optically or electrically, the reference scale onto the memory storage media in accordance with the reference scale setting circuit, and only when needed or wanted. The reference scale can be imprinted in a vertical or horizontal direction in accordance with a mode selection switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hiroshi Terunuma, Hidenori Miyamoto, Hideya Inoue, Toshiyuki Nakamura, Tatsuo Amanuma, Yoshikazu Iida, Yoshihiro Takeuchi
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Patent number: 5913078Abstract: In a camera for receiving an electric wave including position information from a satellite of Global Positioning System and for recording a photographing position together with a photographed image, wherein a photographing attitude of the camera is arbitrarily changed in accordance with an image to be photographed, the camera comprises an enabling device to make the receiving of the electric wave through an antenna possible regardless of the photographing attitude of the camera.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Yoshiaki Kimura, Masanori Kawai, Yoshinori Mochizuki, Haruhiko Momose
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Patent number: 5903782Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for producing a three-hundred and sixty degree spherical visual data set using at least one lens. The lens encompasses a field of view of not less than one-hundred and eighty degrees. The field of view is represented by a hemisphere defined by a half-space which is, in turn, defined by a first plane having an origin point through which a vertical axis of the plane extends. The apparatus includes a mounting support member and a plumbing device. The mounting support member positions at least one camera having the at least one lens. The mounting support member is aligned with the vertical axis and rotatable in first and second directions through at least one-hundred and eighty degrees from a first position to a second position. The plumbing device is mounted to one of the camera, lens and mounting means and maintains the vertical axis plumb.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Inventor: Ford Oxaal
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Patent number: 5887200Abstract: A line of sight detection device for detecting a line of sight of a user by using personal data of the user includes a personal data obtaining device for obtaining personal data related to the line of sight of the user, an attitude detection device for detecting an attitude of the device, a memory for storing the attitude of the device detected by the attitude detection device, the memory storing the attitude of the line of sight detection device at a time when the personal data obtaining device starts an obtaining operation of the personal data, and a determination device for comparing the attitude of the line of sight detection device stored in the memory with the attitude of the device during the obtaining operation for the personal data by the personal data obtaining device, and for outputting information indicative of a failure of the obtaining operation of the personal data when the compared attitudes of the device are different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keisuke Aoyama
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Patent number: 5797046Abstract: A visual axis controllable optical apparatus, which is used in different postures. The optical apparatus includes a light detecting device for receiving light reflected by an eye, and detecting the intensity distribution of the received light, a storage device for storing personal data associated with a personal difference of the eye in correspondence with the different postures and a visual axis detecting device for detecting a visual axis. The visual axis detecting device detects the position of the visual axis using the personal data stored in the storage device corresponding to the posture of the optical apparatus, and the intensity distribution detected by the light detecting device.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1995Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akihiko Nagano, Akira Yamada, Yoshiaki Irie
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Patent number: 5794078Abstract: An image correcting camera, for precisely detecting translational vibrations of the camera and precisely correcting an image shake, includes an acceleration detector for detecting tri-axis directional accelerations acting on the camera, an angular velocity detector for detecting angular velocities about the tri-axes that act upon the camera, an attitude calculating device for calculating a coordinate transform matrix between a camera coordinate system and a static coordinate system from the tri-axis directional accelerations and the angular velocities about the tri-axes, and a gravitational acceleration component calculating device for calculating a gravitational acceleration component in the camera coordinate system from the coordinate transform matrix. An initial velocity is calculated from the acceleration with an elimination of the gravitational acceleration component, and a velocity is calculated from the acceleration thereof and the initial velocity. A displacement is calculated from this velocity.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1996Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Mitsuhiro Okazaki
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Patent number: 5764291Abstract: An orientation sensor generates a left orientation signal and a right orientation signal to indicate whether a camera is in an upright orientation, a left orientation, a right orientation, or an inverted orientation. A setting unit retrieves the left and right orientation signals and light intensity signals corresponding to image measurement zones. Based upon the values of the left and right orientation signals, the setting unit uses different weighted combinations of the light intensity signals to determine optimum exposure and focus settings. The orientation sensor includes a first tube and a second tube that each contain an indicating object. The indicating object within each tube selectively provides two orientation signals based upon the camera's orientation relative to an image, thereby changing an orientation signal from a binary "0" signal to a binary "1" signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1994Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventor: Scott F. Fullam
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Patent number: 5734930Abstract: An optical apparatus having predetermined functions includes a visual-axis detecting device for detecting the direction of the visual axis of an operator, a posture detecting device for detecting the posture of the optical apparatus, and a control device for causing the predetermined functions to be performed in accordance with an output from the visual-axis detecting device and for causing the predetermined functions to be performed by using a predetermined algorithm in accordance with an output from the visual-axis detecting device when the visual-axis detecting device is disallowed to operate.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1995Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichi Hagiwara
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Patent number: 5732289Abstract: A detecting apparatus which includes a balancer which generates a moment of rotation around an axis; and a pressure sensing sheet which contacts at one or more contact points with the balancer and outputs a pressure signal corresponding to a force acting on the contact point and depends on the moment of rotation. An attitude detecting apparatus and a detecting apparatus for difference of attitude each of which includes, the detecting apparatus; and an arithmetic circuit which receives a pressure signal at predefined time intervals in order and processes a calculation.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1997Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Daiki Tsukahara, Hidenobu Kaji, Yoshio Imura
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Patent number: 5710948Abstract: A camera is equipped with an integral color temperature measurement mechanism. The color temperature measurement mechanism measures the color temperature of the light source illuminating the subject field and a display mechanism displays the color temperature information based on output from the color temperature measurement mechanism. The camera also includes a system that determines what kind of filter is recommended based on the output of the color temperature measurement mechanism and a display mechanism that displays the output of the filter determination.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1995Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Tadao Takagi
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Patent number: 5677760Abstract: A rangefinding device for use in a camera comprising a projection section for projecting a light beam emitted by a light source through a projection lens to an object, a light pickup section disposed diagonally opposite from the projection section that picks up, on its light pickup element, light reflected off the object, two-dimensionally senses the light, and outputs incident light position information, a CPU for computing the range to the object based on the output of the light pickup section and an attitude sensor section for sensing the orientation or attitude of the camera. In response to the output of the attitude sensor section, the CPU computes the range to the object based on the incident light position information in either the vertical direction or horizontal direction of the photographing frame, output by the light pickup section.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Mikami, Takashi Inoue
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Patent number: RE36895Abstract: An automatic focusing camera comprises a measuring device formed integrally with a camera housing, defining a distance measuring zone selectively extended in different directions, and adapted for producing information employed for focusing to an object contained in the extended distance measuring zone. A position detecting device for detecting the position of the camera housing, and a device for varying the extending direction of the distance measuring zone, in response to the position of the camera housing detected by the position detecting device.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Tsuru, Tadashi Otani, Shigemasa Sato