Abstract: A photographing device attachable to a moving body includes: a first control section configured to predict and obtain a change in physical quantity based on an alteration in a photographing state; and a communication control section configured to transmit information related to the change in the physical quantity. The photographing device improves stability in the moving body and stability of photographing. Information related to influence on the moving body based on a change in an outer shape and a change in a position of the center of gravity of the photographing device mounted on the moving body is shared by the moving body to improve the stability in the moving body and the stability of photographing.

Abstract: A camera device includes a lens unit that includes a zoom lens on which subject light is incident, and can change a zoom magnification of the zoom lens, an imaging element that images an image based on the subject light, a shake sensor that detects shake of the camera device, a shake correction mechanism that holds a holder holding the imaging element, and performs shake correction on a captured image captured by the imaging element through driving of the holder based on a detection value of the shake sensor, and a processor that causes the lens unit to change the zoom magnification of the zoom lens based on the detection value of the shake sensor, cuts a part of the captured image on which the shake correction is performed by the shake correction mechanism through a zoom process according to the changed zoom magnification, and outputs the cut part.

Abstract: A lens drive for driving a lens having, in seriatum along the optical axis of the lens, a base member, an X-axis movable object, a Y-axis movable object and a lens carrier. The base member, the X-axis movable object, the Y-axis movable object and the lens carrier overlap circumferentially around the optical axis in the direction of the optical axis. A first conductive suspension wire connects wiring of the Y-axis movable object and the base member. A second conductive suspension wire connects wiring of the X-axis movable object and the base member. The first and second conductive suspension wires have substantially the same length.

Abstract: The image-capturing apparatus includes a camera communicator configured to provide, with the accessory apparatus, a first data communication channel used for transmitting accessory data from the accessory apparatus to the image-capturing apparatus, and a second data communication channel used for transmitting camera data from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus; and a camera controller configured to perform communication with the accessory apparatus through the camera communicator. The camera controller and the accessory apparatus are configured to be capable of switching their communication modes between a first communication mode and a second communication mode. The camera controller is configured to cause the accessory apparatus to transmit the accessory data whose settings of parity bits are different between in the first and second communication modes.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having: an image sensor, having an image pickup plane, configured to photoelectrically convert a subject image formed on the image pickup plane to an image signal; a driving actuator configured to rotatably move the image sensor relative to a rotation axis passing through the image pickup plane; an angular velocity detection sensor configured to detect a rotational angular velocity of the image sensor about the rotation axis; a first shutter configured to control an exposure time of the image sensor; a second shutter configured to control the exposure time of the image sensor; and one or more processors configured to: control the driving actuator to reduce rotational shake around the rotation axis based on the rotational angular velocity; and select one of the first shutter and the second shutter to control the exposure time of the image sensor based on the rotational angular velocity.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus including a housing supporting a magnet, a bobbin having an outer circumferential surface on which a first coil is disposed, the bobbin moving in the housing in a first direction, upper and lower elastic members each connected to both the housing and the bobbin, and a second coil disposed so as to be spaced apart from the first coil in the first direction, wherein the second coil generates induction voltage resulting from inductive interaction with the first coil when the bobbin moves in the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is able to shoot high-quality images while improving image stabilization performance. An optical device which corrects for image blurring is moved in a direction different from an optical axis. Focusing is controlled by calculating a shape of a contrast using AF evaluation values at respective positions of a focus lens, which moves in the direction of the optical axis, at predetermined intervals and using a position of the focus lens at which the contrast is at its peak as a position at which a bundle of rays comes to a focus on a light-incident plane of the image pickup device. During the focusing control, positions of the focus lens obtained when the AF evaluation values were obtained or the obtained AF evaluation values are corrected according to detected positions of the optical device in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photographing control device, microscope and program that can simply confirm whether time lapse photography is being executed normally or not. A photographing control unit may control an operation of each apparatus of the microscope that performs processing related to the time lapse photography, in an execution mode for executing the time lapse photography, and a test mode for confirming an operation of the time lapse photography before the execution mode. The photographing control unit may also control the operation of each apparatus of the microscope in the execution mode according to information acquired in the test mode.

Abstract: An X-axis movable object holding portion to hold an X-axis movable object to be movable in an X-axis direction is provided at a position facing an X-axis actuator with an optical axis between the X-axis movable object holding portion and the X-axis actuator in a base member. A Y-axis movable object holding portion to hold a Y-axis movable object to be movable in a Y-axis direction is provided at a position facing a Y-axis actuator with the optical axis between the Y-axis movable object holding portion and the Y-axis actuator in the X-axis movable object. An auxiliary member supports a carrier actuator to move a lens carrier. In the lens carrier, a movement of the direction of the optical axis is regulated by a carrier stopper mechanism.

Abstract: An actuator and a camera module including the same are provided. The actuator driving apparatus includes a detector configured to apply a reference signal to a driving coil of an actuator and detect a coil current flowing in the driving coil, a calculator configured to determine a position of a lens carrier based on the coil current, and a driver configured to drive the actuator based on the position of the lens carrier and a position control signal.

Abstract: A gimbal handheld holder includes two support legs and a control device. A transverse rod is located between the two support legs. A handle is located on the transverse rod. A gimbal connector is located at a junction of the handle with the transverse rod. The gimbal handheld holder is connected with a gimbal through the gimbal connector. The gimbal is located below the transverse rod and between the two support legs. The handle is located on the transverse rod. The control device controls the gimbal to move. The gimbal handheld holder is able to achieve force balance at two ends thereof, and steadily hold the gimbal below the transverse rod. While being connected with the gimbal, the gimbal handheld holder is able to be directly steadily placed on ground.

Abstract: In one example, a camera is provided that includes: a plurality of MEMS electrostatic comb actuators, each actuator operable to exert a force on at least one lens; and an optical image stabilization (OIS) algorithm module operable to command the plurality of actuators to actuate the at least one lens responsive to motion of the camera.

Abstract: Provided is an actuator capable of efficiently detecting the vibration of a driven part which is a movable body (an imaging module, for example), over a wide range even with a narrow mounting space. A fixed body in this actuator comprises: a gyroscope for detecting the vibration of the fixed body; a first Hall element for detecting a first position of a lens part associated with a movement in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens part; and a second Hall element for detecting a second position associated with a movement in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The vibration of the driven part is corrected on the basis of the vibration of the fixed body detected by the gyroscope and the positions detected by the first and second Hall elements.

Abstract: A correcting optical device including: a fixing member; a rotating member; a movable member; first and second drive units; and at least first and second contact members. For the regulation of movement of the movable member, rotational driving force is produced by the first and second drive units and, the rotating member is rotated in the opposite direction of the rotational direction of the movable member after the movable member is rotated to be brought into contact with the first contact member, whereby translational movement of the movable member is regulated. For image deflection correction, rotational driving force in the opposite direction of the rotational force is produced and, the rotating member is rotated in the opposite direction of the rotational direction of the movable member after the movable member is rotated to be brought into contact with the second contact member, whereby regulation on the movable member is released.

Abstract: Disclosed is a camera module capable of overcoming a design limitation on a structure for auto-focusing and handshake compensation attributable to the thickness of the camera module provided in a small-sized camera device.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus including a housing supporting a magnet, a bobbin having an outer circumferential surface on which a first coil is disposed, the bobbin moving in the housing in a first direction, upper and lower elastic members each connected to both the housing and the bobbin, and a second coil disposed so as to be spaced apart from the first coil in the first direction, wherein the second coil generates induction voltage resulting from inductive interaction with the first coil when the bobbin moves in the first direction.

Abstract: A lens barrel that is capable of reducing unnecessary movement of an optical element. A first unit has a first correction optical element arranged on an optical axis and a first magnet that moves the first correction optical element along a first spherical surface around a first point on the optical axis. A second unit has a second correction optical element arranged on the optical axis and a second magnet that moves the second correction optical element along a second spherical surface of which radius is smaller than the radius of the first spherical surface around a second point on the optical axis. A magnetic body is arranged on at least one of the first unit and the second unit, and reduces leakage of magnetic flux from a facing part of the second magnet that faces the first magnet.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus module is disclosed, and includes: an image sensor module; a lens module shifted with respect to the image sensor module in a first direction or a second direction that is perpendicular to an optical axis direction of incident light; and an image stabilization module arranged in the image sensor module and applying a driving force to the lens module.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a base and a frame movably connected to the base. A holder carries a lens and is movably disposed in the frame. A focus driving unit includes at least one first coil disposed on the holder and at least one first magnetic element disposed on the frame and corresponding to the first coil. Electromagnetic induction occurs between the first coil and the first magnetic element, so that the holder is moved along an optical axis of the lens with respect to the base. A tilt driving unit includes several first electromagnetic driving parts disposed on opposite sides of the holder and several second electromagnetic driving parts disposed on the frame and corresponding to the first electromagnetic driving parts. Electromagnetic induction occurs between the first and second electromagnetic driving parts, so that the holder is tilted with respect to the base.

Abstract: A camera and an electronic device are provided. The camera or the electronic device generally includes a plurality of lens barrels configured to include a plurality of lenses, and a moving frame. The moving frame is configured to launch the plurality of lens barrels, move the plurality of lens barrels in an optical axis direction, and move the plurality of lens barrels in a direction at least one of a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The camera or the electronic device may further include a fixed frame configured to movably support the moving frame, and a base. The base is configured to fix the fixed frame and includes a plurality of image sensors displaced from the plurality of lenses in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A range of movement of a correction unit is set based on an object distance value. According to various embodiments, the range of movement of the correction unit is set to be larger as the object distance increases. According to one embodiment, a setting unit sets the range of movement of the correction unit to be larger as the object distance increases in a range where an object distance is larger than a first threshold and is equal to or smaller than a second threshold, and the setting unit fixes the range of movement of the correction unit to be a first range of movement where the object distance is equal to or smaller than the first threshold, and to be a second range of movement where the object distance is larger than the second threshold.

Abstract: An image-based motion sensor has a camera system and a processing system. The camera system generates an image output including a plurality of captured images. The processing system obtains a motion sensor output by processing the image output, and identifies a user input as one of a plurality of pre-defined user actions according to the motion sensor output. Different functions of at least one application performed by one electronic device are controlled by the pre-defined user actions. The motion sensor output includes information indicative of at least one of a motion status and an orientation status of the image-based motion sensor. Each of the captured images has more than one color component, and only values of one single color component are involved in obtaining the motion sensor output.

Abstract: A lens driving apparatus includes: a fixed assembly, the fixed assembly including a base frame; a movable assembly, the movable assembly including a lens holder; a set of magnets surrounding the movable assembly; three sets of coils; and a spring system attached between the movable assembly and the fixed assembly and configured to support the movable assembly and form a suspension system to allow the movable assembly to move along a first, a second, and a third orthogonal axes. The lens holder is configured to hold a lens unit, the third axis is parallel to an optical axis of the lens unit, while the first and second axes are respectively perpendicular to the third axis.

Abstract: A device can comprise an outer frame, a platform, and a motion control mechanism. The motion control mechanism can be adapted to permit movement of the platform in a desired direction with respect to the outer frame and inhibit rotation of the platform with respect to the outer frame. An actuator can be contained at least partially within the motion control mechanism.

Abstract: An optical unit with a shake correction function may include a movable module holding an optical element; a fixed body; a support mechanism swingably supporting the movable module at a midway position in an optical axis direction; and a shake correction drive mechanism to swing the movable module. The movable module may include an optical module which holds the optical element; and a weight provided on one side of a front side and a rear side in the optical axis direction of the optical module, the weight being configured to shift a gravity center position of the movable module to a support position side of the support mechanism relative to a gravity center position of the optical module in the optical axis direction. An end face of one side of the weight may be formed in a flat face which is perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a movable member supporting an imaging device; a stationary member supporting the movable member to allow the movable member to spherically swing about a point on an optical axis of the imaging device; first and second actuators which apply two driving forces to the movable member in different tilting directions to vary an inclination of the optical axis; and a third actuator which applies a driving force to the movable member in a rotational direction about the optical axis. The first, second and third actuators are provided as three separate actuators installed at intervals in a circumferential direction about the optical axis, in an initial state of the movable member in the spherical-swinging operation relative to the stationary member. Part of each of the first, second and third actuators lies on a cylindrical surface centered on the optical axis in the initial state.

Abstract: A shake correction apparatus includes: a stationary portion (21) having coils (22S, 22L, 23S, 23L, 24S, 24L) arranged; a movable portion including magnets (52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d) opposed to the coils and an imaging element; a supporting member for movably supporting the movable portion to the stationary portion along a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of light entering into the imaging element; means for detecting a position of the movable portion; and means for controlling current flowed into the coils based on output of the detection means, the coils including at least three coil pairs when two coils opposed to each other along the plane orthogonal to the optical axis are paired, driving forces of two coils forming each coil pair being different.

Abstract: The present invention is a lens driving device comprising first driving coils 30a which relatively moves a lens holder 40 against a base part 10 along X axis perpendicular to an optical axis of a lens 100, and second driving coils 30b which relatively moves a lens holder 40 against a base part 10 along Y axis perpendicular to an optical axis. At the base part 10, an opening part 12 is formed where a part of the lens 100 is to be inserted in a movable manner along the driving plane. The oblique diameter Dxy1 and Dxy2 of the opening part 12 along the oblique direction positioned at the middle of X axis and Y axis, is larger than the first inner diameter Dx along X axis direction of the opening part 12, and also larger than the second inner diameter Dy along Y axis direction of the opening part 12. At the base part 10, the cylinder shape projection part 14 is formed along the periphery of the opening part 12.

Abstract: A vibration type motor includes a vibrator, a friction member extending in a predetermined direction and including a first surface in pressed contact with the vibrator and a second surface positioned on a side opposed to the first surface and a holding member holding the friction member. The first surface forms with a surface adjacent thereto a first corner portion extending in a direction parallel with the predetermined direction, the second surface forms with a surface adjacent thereto a second corner portion, the first corner portion is different in radius of curvature from the second corner portion, either one of the first surface and the second surface is in contact with the holding member, either one of the first corner portion and the second corner portion has a radius of curvature smaller than the other.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus including a housing supporting a magnet, a bobbin having an outer circumferential surface on which a first coil is disposed, the bobbin moving in the housing in a first direction, upper and lower elastic members each connected to both the housing and the bobbin, and a second coil disposed so as to be spaced apart from the first coil in the first direction, wherein the second coil generates induction voltage resulting from inductive interaction with the first coil when the bobbin moves in the first direction.

Abstract: Provided is an optical unit with a shake correction function, said optical unit being capable of ensuring a space wherein a drive mechanism and the like are positioned between a side surface of an optical module and a side surface of a stationary body, even when the optical module is supported by a gimbal mechanism in such a manner as to be able to swing with respect to the stationary body. In the optical unit, a gimbal mechanism is disposed by utilizing corners of an optical module and corners of a square tube-shaped body section of a stationary body. In other words, the optical unit is configured in such a manner that: a rectangular movable frame is positioned between a rectangular second frame of the optical module and a rectangular frame secured to the square tube-shaped body section); and a first corner and a third corner of the movable frame are swingably supported by corners of the rectangular frame.

Abstract: An optical image stabilizer including an offset remover configured to remove a direct current offset of an angular velocity signal and output a corrected angular velocity signal; an idle state determiner configured to determine a moving-state or an idle state of the optical image stabilizer based on the corrected angular velocity signal; a switching filter configured to filter the corrected angular velocity signal using a second filter during a stabilization time and subsequently filter the corrected angular velocity signal using a first filter switched from the second filter when the optical image stabilizer is in the moving-state; and an integrator configured to integrate the filtered corrected angular velocity signal from the switching filter to output an angular position signal.

Abstract: There is provided a camera module including: a housing unit; a lens unit which is movable relative to the housing unit in an optical axis direction and directions perpendicular with respect to an optical axis; and an actuator unit moving the lens unit, wherein corners of the housing unit are provided with flat surfaces which are inclined with respect to an optical axis of the lens unit.

Abstract: A camera lens module of a portable terminal includes an external case; an OIS carrier disposed in the external case; a lens system which is guided along an optical axis in the OIS carrier; an AF driving unit facing to a first surface of the external case and which enables the lens system to move; a first OIS driving unit disposed in parallel along a second surface of the external case at the other side opposite to the first surface on which the AF driving unit is disposed; and a second OIS driving unit disposed in parallel along a third surface of the external case between the first OIS driving unit and the AF driving unit.

Abstract: A method of generating pictures with rotation trace includes controlling a camera lens to open a shutter within a first period and an image sensor to rotate an angle within the first period, so as to generate a first picture with a rotation trace.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes an image stabilization controller configured to control an image stabilization of an optical apparatus by driving an image stabilizer, and a calculator configured to calculate a follow shot angular velocity for following an object based on an output from a shake detector configured to detect a shake applied to the optical apparatus and an output from a motion vector detector configured to detect a motion vector representing motion of the object. The image stabilization controller determines whether to drive the image stabilizer depending on a difference between the follow shot angular velocity and an angular velocity of the optical apparatus acquired based on the output from the shake detector.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a detection unit that detects accelerations in directions of three orthogonal axes; a generation unit that, in a case in which a difference between the magnitude of a resultant vector of the accelerations in the directions of the three orthogonal axes and the magnitude of the acceleration of gravity is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, generates a reference vector using the resultant vector; and a correction unit that corrects an image blur caused by translational shakes in directions of two orthogonal axes perpendicular to at least an optical axis of an imaging optical system, using the reference vector, on the basis of the accelerations in the directions of the three orthogonal axes.

Abstract: An optical device may include a movable part including a lens; a holding part to hold the movable part; and a drive mechanism to drive the movable part. The holding part may include a case body. The drive mechanism may include a plurality of drive magnets; a plurality of sheet-shaped coils including a coil part; and a flexible printed circuit board including a coil attaching part. A plurality of the sheet-shaped coils may be attached to one face of the coil attaching part. A thickness of the coil attaching part is thinner than the sheet-shaped coil. A width of the coil attaching part may be narrower than a width of the sheet-shaped coil.

Abstract: A lens moving apparatus including a bobbin, a first coil mounted at an outer circumference of the bobbin, a first magnet moving the bobbin in a first direction parallel to an optical axis by interaction with the first coil, a housing supporting the first magnet, an upper elastic member disposed at a top surface of the bobbin and at a top surface of the housing, a lower elastic member disposed at a bottom surface of bobbin and at a bottom surface of the housing, and first and second winding protrusions disposed with being opposite to each other, the first coil being wound on the first and second winding protrusions.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a plurality of images is captured through an image sensor of a camera during a period of time. The plurality of images is registered to calculate an image-sensor-based measure of movement of the camera during the period of time. The image-sensor-based measure of movement is compared to a motion-sensor-based measure of movement of the camera during the period of time, and a systematic offset between the motion-sensor-based measure of movement and the image-sensor-based measure of movement is calculated.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens barrel including at least one lens group; a moving frame that includes the lens barrel and moves in an optical axis direction and in a first direction and a second direction that are perpendicular to the optical axis direction; a fixed frame that movably supports the moving frame and provides the moving frame with a driving force in the optical axis direction, a driving force in the first direction, and a driving force in the second direction; and a base that fixes the fixed frame and includes an image sensor that is spaced apart from the at least one lens group in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for restoring a motion blurred image are disclosed. The method of restoring a motion blurred image comprises calculating a motion trajectory and a project trajectory of a camera using an embedded sensor; estimating a point spread function according to camera motion by using the motion trajectory and the project trajectory; and restoring the motion blurred image using the estimated point spread function and a spatially variant activity map.

Abstract: A camera lens module includes a lens unit, an automatic focus actuator including a first flexible circuit board. The first flexible circuit board has a plurality of first coil windings and a first Hall sensor. The plurality of first coil windings actuates the lens unit along an optical axis. An image stabilization actuator includes an image stabilization carrier having a plurality of magnets facing the first coil windings and a second flexible circuit board having a plurality of second coil windings facing respective lower surfaces of the magnets and a second Hall sensor. The camera lens module includes a base coupled with the image stabilization actuator under the image stabilization actuator, and a plurality of rollers disposed on the base and configured to rollably move the image stabilization actuator.

Abstract: An image shake correction apparatus includes a first fixing member; a movable member configured to correct the image shake, and configured to hold an optical element; a plurality of spherical members that are movable; a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force through the spherical member in the optical axis direction; a second fixing member that is disposed on the opposite side of the optical axis direction; and a plurality of damping members disposed in the second fixing member that suppresses vibration resulting from movement of the movable member. Either one of the first fixing member or the movable member includes a contact surface configured to make contact with the spherical member, and the maximum movable range of the contact surface overlaps with at least a portion of the installation region of the damping member in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus which reduces variations in performance with surface accuracy of a rolling surface for rolling members. A movable unit holds an optical element and is rotatable about a first rotational axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical element and a second rotational axis perpendicular to the optical axis and the first formational axis through rolling of the rolling members. With the second rotational axis coinciding with a center of the rolling surface, a first ratio of the first moving range of the rolling members to the first rotational range of the movable unit is smaller than a second ratio of the second moving range of the rolling members to the second rotational range of the movable unit.

Abstract: A camera lens module of a portable terminal includes an external case; an OIS carrier disposed in the external case; a lens system which is guided along an optical axis in the OIS carrier; an AF driving unit facing to a first surface of the external case and which enables the lens system to move; a first OIS driving unit disposed in parallel along a second surface of the external case at the other side opposite to the first surface on which the AF driving unit is disposed; and a second OIS driving unit disposed in parallel along a third surface of the external case between the first OIS driving unit and the AF driving unit.

Abstract: A platform for interchangeably mounting a payload to a base support is provided. In one aspect, the platform comprises: a support assembly configured to be releasably coupled to a payload via a first coupling and configured to control a spatial disposition of the payload; and a mounting assembly configured to be releasably coupled via a second coupling to a plurality of types of base supports selected from at least two of the following: an aerial vehicle, a handheld support, or a base adapter mounted onto a movable object.

Abstract: The present invention provides some configurations of flexible connections jointly or integrally formed with a movable part and/or a fixed part of a lens module. The flexible connections may move the movable part along an optical axis direction and/or directions perpendicular to the optical axis. The configuration and material of the flexible connections provide an enhanced strength bearing plastic deformation, and hence increasing the structure strength of the lens module. The formation of the flexible connections with the movable part and/or the fixed part with one mold-injection process can reduce parts of the lens module and simply its manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method of generating pictures with an object moving trace includes controlling a camera lens to capture a first picture at a first time, a second picture at a second time and a third picture at a third time, comparing the first and second pictures to generate a first image mask and a second image mask, keeping a first area of the first or second picture according to the first image mask and removing a second area of the first or second picture according to the second image mask to generate a fourth picture, and blending the third and fourth pictures according to a weighting to generate a fifth picture with an object moving trace.

Abstract: An approach is provided for correlating and navigating between a live camera image and a prerecorded panoramic image. A mapping and augmented reality application correlates at least one live image with a prerecorded panoramic image, when a location of a device used to capture the at least one live image matches a location of a device used to capture the panoramic prerecorded image. The mapping and augmented reality application causes, at least in part, automatically alternating presentation on a screen of the device capturing the at least one live image, of the at least one live image and the prerecorded panoramic image.