Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a stage member provided on the stationary support plate so as to move on a reference plane parallel with the stationary support plate; Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices secured to one of the stationary support plate and the stage member; and Y-direction moving coils secured to the other of the stationary support plate and the stage member, the Y-direction moving coils receiving magnetic flux from the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices so as to generate a driving force in a specific Y-direction between the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices and the Y-direction moving coils. The Y-direction moving coils are secured to the stage member so that the Y-direction moving coils at least partly overlap each other in an X-direction, which is parallel with the reference plane and perpendicular to the Y-direction, and do not overlap in the Y-direction.

Abstract: A supporting mechanism comprises a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit is movable in a reference plane. The fixed unit has a rectangular frame that is connected with the movable unit, that is composed of strips perpendicular to the reference plane, and that is fixed to another part of the fixed unit. The fixed unit movably supports the movable unit through an elastic transformation of the rectangular frame.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a stage member provided on the stationary support plate so as to move on a reference plane parallel with the stationary support plate; Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices secured to one of the stationary support plate and the stage member; and Y-direction moving coils secured to the other of the stationary support plate and the stage member, the Y-direction moving coils receiving magnetic flux from the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices so as to generate a driving force in a specific Y-direction between the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices and the Y-direction moving coils. The Y-direction moving coils are secured to the stage member so that the Y-direction moving coils at least partly overlap each other in an X-direction, which is parallel with the reference plane and perpendicular to the Y-direction, and do not overlap in the Y-direction.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a hand-shake quantity detector and a controller. The hand-shake quantity detector has a first detector having an angular velocity sensor and has a second detector having an angular displacement sensor. The controller performs an anti-shake operation based on a first angular signal from the first detector and a second angular signal from the second detector.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a stage member provided on the stationary support plate so as to move on a reference plane parallel with the stationary support plate; Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices secured to one of the stationary support plate and the stage member; and Y-direction moving coils secured to the other of the stationary support plate and the stage member, the Y-direction moving coils receiving magnetic flux from the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices so as to generate a driving force in a specific Y-direction between the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices and the Y-direction moving coils. The Y-direction moving coils are secured to the stage member so that the Y-direction moving coils at least partly overlap each other in an X-direction, which is parallel with the reference plane and perpendicular to the Y-direction, and do not overlap in the Y-direction.

Abstract: An anti-shake system includes a movable portion to which an optical element is mounted; a support member which holds the movable portion in a manner to allow the movable portion to move freely in directions orthogonal to an optical axis; and a drive system which drives the movable portion in the directions orthogonal to the optical axis. A natural frequency of the movable portion that originates from the movable portion and the support member is set within the range of frequencies of shaking of an apparatus equipped with the anti-shake system which is caused by hand shake.

Abstract: An imaging unit to be inserted into a camera body from a predetermined direction, thus to constitute a digital camera in combination with the camera body, is provided. The imaging unit is provided with an image pickup unit including an imaging device that obtains an object image, an imaging device driver that drives the imaging device, an image processor that processes an output signal of the imaging device; a casing for accommodating the image pickup unit, the imaging device driver and the image processor, and a lid attached to the casing so as to slide between a closed position where the lid covers a receiving surface of the image pickup unit, and an open position where the lid does not cover the receiving surface of the image pickup unit. In this structure, the lid is moved to the open position by a force exerted for inserting the imaging unit into the camera body.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support member, a movable stage plate supported by the stationary support member to be movable in a plane relative to the stationary support member, at least one magnetic force generator which is provided integral with the stationary support member, and at least one coil which is mounted on the movable stage plate and receives a magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generator to produce a driving force for driving the movable stage plate in the plane. At least one hole in which the coil is fixedly fitted is formed on the movable stage plate.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus for image stabilization of a photographing apparatus comprises an imaging sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an inclination degree output unit. The imaging sensor has an imaging surface on which an optical image through a photographing optical system of the photographing apparatus is captured. The acceleration sensor detects a first gravitational acceleration component in a direction of a first detection axis and a second gravitational acceleration component in a direction of a second detection axis. The first detection axis and the second detection axis are perpendicular to an optical axis of the photographing optical system. The inclination degree output unit outputs information regarding an inclination angle caused by a roll of the photographing apparatus about the optical axis, based on the first gravitational acceleration component and the second gravitational acceleration component.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a Y-direction deformable body including a stationary support member, a movable support member and a pair of X-direction leaf springs to form a substantially rectangular shape in a free state; and an X-direction deformable body, positioned in the Y-direction deformable body, including a connecting member, a support member and a pair of Y-direction leaf springs to form a substantially rectangular shape in a free state. The support member of the X-direction deformable body includes a support member joint portion which joins the support member to the movable support member of the Y-direction deformable body. The X-direction deformable body and the Y-direction deformable body are integrally molded by synthetic resin together with the support member joint portion.

Abstract: A supporting mechanism comprises a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit is movable in a reference plane. The fixed unit has a rectangular frame that is connected with the movable unit, that is composed of strips perpendicular to the reference plane, and that is fixed to another part of the fixed unit. The fixed unit movably supports the movable unit through an elastic transformation of the rectangular frame.

Abstract: A hand-shake quantity detector of an image blur correcting device comprises a rolling gyro sensor and a rolling gyro sensor base circuit board. The rolling gyro sensor detects an angular velocity regarding a rolling motion. The rolling gyro sensor base circuit board attaches the rolling gyro sensor. The rolling gyro sensor has a vibrator whose angular velocity detection axis is perpendicular to the rolling gyro sensor base circuit.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a hand-shake quantity detector and a controller. The hand-shake quantity detector has a first detector having an angular velocity sensor and has a second detector having an angular displacement sensor. The controller performs an anti-shake operation based on a first angular signal from the first detector and a second angular signal from the second detector.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises a solid state imaging device provided with an optical low-pass filter. A photographing optical system forms an object image on a light receiving surface of a CCD through the optical low-pass filter. An electronic-charge accumulation-time control program is stored in a ROM of a system control circuit to determine optimum exposure parameters according to which a photography is performed. The electronic-charge accumulation-time control program has a program diagram showing a relationship between an electronic-charge accumulation-time and an aperture value and/or an ISO speed.

Abstract: An anti-shake system includes a movable portion to which an optical element is mounted; a support member which holds the movable portion in a manner to allow the movable portion to move freely in directions orthogonal to an optical axis; and a drive system which drives the movable portion in the directions orthogonal to the optical axis. A natural frequency of the movable portion that originates from the movable portion and the support member is set within the range of frequencies of shaking of an apparatus equipped with the anti-shake system which is caused by hand shake.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support member, a movable stage plate supported by the stationary support member to be movable in a plane relative to the stationary support member, at least one magnetic force generator which is provided integral with the stationary support member, and at least one coil which is mounted on the movable stage plate and receives a magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generator to produce a driving force for driving the movable stage plate in the plane. At least one hole in which the coil is fixedly fitted is formed on the movable stage plate.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a stage member provided on the stationary support plate so as to move on a reference plane parallel with the stationary support plate; Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices secured to one of the stationary support plate and the stage member; and Y-direction moving coils secured to the other of the stationary support plate and the stage member, the Y-direction moving coils receiving magnetic flux from the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices so as to generate a driving force in a specific Y-direction between the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices and the Y-direction moving coils. The Y-direction moving coils are secured to the stage member so that the Y-direction moving coils at least partly overlap each other in an X-direction, which is parallel with the reference plane and perpendicular to the Y-direction, and do not overlap in the Y-direction.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a Y-direction deformable body including a stationary support member, a movable support member and a pair of X-direction leaf springs to form a substantially rectangular shape in a free state; and an X-direction deformable body, positioned in the Y-direction deformable body, including a connecting member, a support member and a pair of Y-direction leaf springs to form a substantially rectangular shape in a free state. The support member of the X-direction deformable body includes a support member joint portion which joins the support member to the movable support member of the Y-direction deformable body. The X-direction deformable body and the Y-direction deformable body are integrally molded by synthetic resin together with the support member joint portion.

Abstract: An imaging unit to be inserted into a camera body from a predetermined direction, thus to constitute a digital camera in combination with the camera body, is provided. The imaging unit is provided with an image pickup unit including an imaging device that obtains an object image, an imaging device driver that drives the imaging device, an image processor that processes an output signal of the imaging device; a casing for accommodating the image pickup unit, the imaging device driver and the image processor, and a lid attached to the casing so as to slide between a closed position where the lid covers a receiving surface of the image pickup unit, and an open position where the lid does not cover the receiving surface of the image pickup unit. In this structure, the lid is moved to the open position by a force exerted for inserting the imaging unit into the camera body.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises a photographing optical system, an imaging-device board having an imaging device, a stationary base, a pair of first support plates, a movable frame, and a pair of second support plates. The movable frame encloses the optical axis. The first and second support plates are disposed parallel to the optical axis of the photographing optical system. Front-end portions of the first and second support plates are connected to the movable frame. Rear-end portions of the first support plates are supported by the base. Rear-end portions of the second support plates are supported by the imaging-device board. The first and second support plates have piezoelectric actuators.