Optics, Lens Shifting Patents (Class 348/208.11)
  • Patent number: 7580071
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic camera having self-detection function of foreign materials and a control program thereof. The electronic camera includes: an image sensor having an image pickup plane on an image plane of an optical system; a formation changing section changing a state of image formation of the optical system on the image pickup plane; and a control section driving and controlling the image sensor and formation changing section. The control section drives the formation changing section to set a plurality of states of image formation different from each other, and it drives the image sensor to obtain a plurality of images in each of the states and compares the plurality of images to find a part of the image which has not varied with a change in the state of image formation, and determines the found part as image of a foreign material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7576793
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of optimizing the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to operations of a ring member without sacrificing the operability of the ring member, while using a small-sized, low-cost ring member for manual operations. The rotating operation state of a focus ring 600 is detected by ring rotation sensors 603, 604. A camera microcomputer 116 causes a focus lens 105 to be moved and stopped in an optical axis direction thereof based on results of the detection by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604. The camera microcomputer 116 controls the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to the rotating operation state of the ring member detected by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604 in accordance with at least the depth of focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroto Okawara
  • Publication number: 20090201381
    Abstract: A shake correction module for a photographing apparatus is provided. The shake correction module includes: a base plate; a slider member disposed on the base plate so as to be able to move in a first axis direction and a second axis direction crossing the first axis direction, and accommodating an imaging element; and first and second drive members that are disposed between the base plate and the slider member, wherein the first and second drive members are arranged to be symmetric with a centroid of the slider member, and move the slider member in the first axis direction and the second axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-seok Byon, Jung-su Kim
  • Publication number: 20090202233
    Abstract: A shake correction module for a photographing apparatus, and a photographing apparatus including the same are provided. The module includes a base plate; a slider member disposed on the base plate so as to be able to move on the base plate, and accommodating an imaging element; a drive member generating a driving force so as to move the slider member; and a friction-reducing element disposed between the base plate and the slider member so as to reduce friction between the slider member and the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-seok Byon, Jung-su Kim
  • Publication number: 20090160956
    Abstract: There are provided a camera system which operates the proper image blur corrector when image blur correction devices are incorporated in a camera body and in an interchangeable lens, and a method for controlling this camera system. The camera system (1) includes the camera body (3) and the interchangeable lens (2), which is removably attachable to the camera body (3). The camera body (3) has an imaging unit (71), the body image blur corrector (75), and a body microprocessor (12) configured to control the operation of the imaging unit (71) and the body image blur corrector (75). The interchangeable lens (2) has the lens image blur corrector (82) and a lens microprocessor (20) configured to control the operation of the lens image blur corrector (82). The body microcomputer (12) selects either the body or lens image blur corrector (75 or 82), sets the selected image blur corrector to a correction enabled state, and sets the other image blur corrector to a correction disabled state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Kenichi Honjo, Kazuhiko Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 7548257
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can prevent displacement of subject images due to the initializing operation of the image stabilizing unit from being seen by a photographer through a finder. The apparatus comprises an image-stabilizing unit which includes a movable unit movable for image stabilization and balls movable in conjunction with the movement of the movable unit, and a controller which controls operations of the movable unit. The controller causes the movable unit to perform a specific operation for moving the balls to a specific position within a disappearance period of a subject image in a finder for observing the subject, the specific operation being a different operation from an image stabilization operation of the image-stabilizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sawako Ito, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Hiroshi Akada, Katsuhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7548685
    Abstract: A rotating device 9 is for rotating a vertically long drivable element 90 about specified two axes (rotation axis A, rotation axis B) and is provided with a first and a second actuators 91A, 91B for giving torques to the drivable element 90, a pivot bearing portion 92 as a rotation supporting point of the drivable element 90, a first and a second position detecting sensors 93A, 93B for detecting the rotational posture of the drivable element 90, and a posture controller 94. Detecting portions 905A, 905B of the first and second position detecting sensors 93A, 93B are arranged on a straight line L1 connecting acting portions 904A, 904B of the first and second actuators 91A, 91B and near the acting portions 904A, 904B. The position of the drivable element can be detected by a simple construction and the drivable element can be quickly returned to an original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mashima, Kazuhiro Shibatani
  • Publication number: 20090135260
    Abstract: An optical image stabilizer for use in a camera to compensate for an unwanted movement of camera, wherein two bending actuators are used to shift a lens element or the image sensor in different directions in a plane so as to shift a projected image on the image sensor in response to the unwanted camera movement. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of camera, and longitudinal axis of each bending actuator is substantially parallel to the optical axis. The actuator can be fixedly mounted on one end so that the other end is allowed to bend. The actuator can be fixedly mounted on both ends so that the middle section is allowed to bend. Alternatively, the middle section is fixedly mounted and both ends can be used for shifting an imaging component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Jarkko Rouvinen, Petteri Kauhanen
  • Patent number: 7538794
    Abstract: A digital imaging device having a CCD sensor array with one or more fields captures both short and long exposures of a particular field during the capture of a single image frame. The short-exposure image data and the long-exposure image data from the particular field may be correlated to estimate motion within the image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Turley, Dan Dalton, Daniel Bloom, Gregory V. Hofer, Casey L. Miller, Scott Woods
  • Publication number: 20090128642
    Abstract: An apparatus and appertaining method for controlling the apparatus are provided for processing a digital image, which can capture an image with reduced hand shake effect without using a hand shake sensor. The apparatus includes: an image input unit receiving a plurality of input images from the outside; and a control unit receiving the plurality of input images when a shutter-release button select signal is input from the outside, selecting a clearest image from among the input images as a best image, and capturing the best image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-shik Koh, Kazuhiko Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7535510
    Abstract: A focus control apparatus controls a step motor and a piezoelectric material into order to control a focal distance between an electronic imaging device and a lens unit. The focus control apparatus has an image calculating unit for processing an image signal taken by the electronic imaging device into a resolution value, a displacement controlling unit receiving the resolution value in order to determine an optimal focal distance between the electronic imaging device and the lens unit and output a displacement controlling signal, a step motor controller and a piezoelectric material controller. The displacement controlling signal is supplied to the step motor controller or the piezoelectric material controller to control optimally the distance between an electronic imaging device and a lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Starshine Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Alex Kuo, Franklin Lin, Yu-Yao Chang, Der-Jung Chen
  • Patent number: 7536091
    Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a guide device which guides an image-stabilizing optical element in a manner to allow the image-stabilizing optical element to move in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis, the guide device including at least one mechanical movement limit preventing movement of the image-stabilizing optical element in a guide direction; a driving device which moves the image-stabilizing optical element in the plane; and a drive controller which controls the driving device to move the image-stabilizing optical element within an image-stabilizing movement range so as not to reach the mechanical movement limit for correction of image shake during an image stabilizing operation, and which controls the driving device to move the image-stabilizing optical element to a standby position located outside of the image-stabilizing movement range in the guide direction, when the image stabilizer changes from an operating state to a non-operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nomura, Shinya Suzuka, Ken Endo
  • Patent number: 7528862
    Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a movable-unit and a fixed-unit. The movable-unit has an imaging device and can be moved in first and second directions. The fixed-unit slidably supports the movable-unit in both the first and second directions. The movable-unit has a hall-element unit, and a first driving coil which is used for moving the movable-unit in the first direction, and a second driving coil which is used for moving the movable-unit in the second direction. The hall-element unit has a horizontal hall-element which is used for detecting a position of the movable-unit in the first direction as a first location, and a vertical hall-element which is used for detecting a position of the movable-unit in the second direction as a second location. The horizontal hall-element is arranged inside the first driving coil. The vertical hall-element is arranged inside the second driving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Uenaka, Shuzo Seo
  • Patent number: 7529475
    Abstract: An optical system comprising a photographing optical system, a finder optical system and optical path changing means for changing an optical path from the photographing optical system to the finder optical system or an optical system for observing an image of an object after rays from an object to be photographed are reflected twice or more times comprising camera shake correction means disposed in a finder optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Kuba Keiichi
  • Patent number: 7522188
    Abstract: A vibration reduction apparatus estimates a reference value from a vibration detection signal, and determines a target drive position from a difference between the vibration detection signal and the estimated reference value. A driving unit drives a vibration reduction mechanism so that the vibration reduction mechanism makes a follow-up movement to the target drive position. The vibration reduction apparatus has a feedback path for feeding back a motion signal to the reference value. A feedback control unit for changing the feedback amount of the motion signal in accordance with a difference in an analytical condition of the motion signal is provided on the feedback path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tomita, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7519283
    Abstract: A barrel unit includes a barrel having an image sensing device and a photographing optical system built therein, a supporting member for pivotally supporting the barrel, a steel ball functioning as a pivot bearing portion provided between the barrel and the supporting member, and first and second actuators for giving driving forces to the barrel for shake correction. A gravity point of the barrel is located within an area enclosed by supporting points by first and second acting portions, to which the driving forces from the first and second actuators are given, and the steel ball. The barrel unit can be made more compact and more stably and precisely driven for shake correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mashima, Tomohiro Matsumoto, Kazuhiro Shibatani
  • Publication number: 20090086039
    Abstract: A compound lens on which a plastic lens is formed on a glass lens, having: an annular step part which is formed on the end part of the optical functional surface, on which the plastic lens is formed, on the outer circumference side on the outside of the outermost diameter of the optical functional surface and which is formed for directly mounting on a resin-made lens tube frame; and a caulk-fix part, being formed, in a form of a chamfer, in the outer form part of the glass lens on the optical functional surface on the opposite side of the optical functional surface on which the plastic lens is formed, wherein an influence of a heat on the plastic lens is eliminated when fixing the glass lens onto the resin-made lens tube frame by means of thermal caulking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicants: Olympus Imaging Corp., Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Goto, Manabu Yoshii, Keisuke Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7502051
    Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit has an imaging device and is movable in first and second directions. The fixed unit slidably supports the movable unit in both the first and second directions. The movable unit has a hall-element unit. The magnetic-field change-detecting unit has a horizontal hall-element which is used for detecting a position of the movable unit in the first direction as a first location, and a vertical hall-element which is used for detecting a position of the movable unit in the second direction as a second location. Application of voltage to input terminals of the horizontal hall-element and the vertical hall-element is performed during a position detecting operation of the movable unit, and is stopped at a time other than that for the position detecting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Uenaka
  • Patent number: 7502554
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeo Enomoto
  • Patent number: 7499635
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus of the invention includes an image pickup device for picking up object light; a mirror section for switching an optical path of the object light; a retaining member for retaining at least the mirror section; and a shake detection section for detecting a shake of the image pickup device. The shake detection section is provided in a member separate from but indirectly connected to the retaining member via a predetermined connection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Tanaka, Yasuhiro Hirose, Yoshiyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 7495693
    Abstract: An anti-shake-apparatus comprises a movable-unit, a fixed-unit, a signal-processor, and a controller. The movable-unit has an imaging-device and is movable in first-and second-directions. The fixed-unit has a hall-element-unit. The controller controls the movable-unit, the fixed-unit, and the signal-processor, and has first- and second-A/D-converters. The hall-element-unit has first and second horizontal-hall-elements for detecting a first-location, and first and second vertical-hall-elements for detecting a second-location. The movable-unit has a magnetic-field-generating unit having a coil for detecting the first- and second-locations. The signal-processor outputs a first-signal, specifying the first-location from the horizontal-hall-elements, to the first-A/D-converter, and a second-signal, specifying the second-location from the vertical-hall-elements, to the second-A/D-converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Uenaka
  • Publication number: 20090047009
    Abstract: A driving device includes a fixed section, a holding member, a driving section disposed at the fixed section and having a driving shaft, a first movable body having a bearing section friction-coupled with the driving shaft, a second movable body formed as a body separate from the first movable body and capable of moving in conjunction with the first movable body although not secured to the first moving body, and support means for supporting the second movable body with the fixed section and the holding member so as to allow the movable body to move in a predetermined plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kouta Nagano
  • Publication number: 20090040321
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique capable of generating an image having a portrait effect without complicating a configuration of a digital camera system. An image capturing apparatus has an optical system including a zoom lens, a correction lens, and a focus lens; and an image sensor for converting subject light which is incident via the optical system into an electric signal. The image capturing apparatus captures a blurred image in which a blurring is generally caused intentionally by changing a relative positional relation between any one of the zoom lens, the correction lens, and the focus lens and the image sensor, and also captures a normal image in which a blurring is not caused intentionally. An image processing apparatus combines the normal image and the blurred image, thereby generating a composite image having a no-blurring area in which a blurring is not intentionally caused and a blurred area in which a blurring is intentionally caused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: MegaChips Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 7486332
    Abstract: A camera has a lens system that includes a lens barrel incorporating therein an image taking lens, the lens barrel being variable in a barrel length between a collapsed state in which the barrel length is relative short and a photographic state in which the barrel length is relative long. The lens barrel comprises a light quantity control member that controls quantity of photographic light passing through the image taking lens, and a light quantity control member saving and advancing mechanism that provides such a control that when the lens barrel changes over from the photographic state to the collapsed state, the light quantity control member is saved from a photographic optical axis, and when the lens barrel changes over from the collapsed state to the photographic state, the light quantity control member is advanced to the photographic optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignees: FUJIFILM Corporation, Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Endo, Yoshihiro Ito, Takehiko Senba, Akio Omiya
  • Publication number: 20090028537
    Abstract: A photographing apparatus including: a photographing means that photographs a subject to obtain an image representing the subject by receiving an instruction to perform photographing; a camera shake correction means constructed to be driven in a direction different from the optical axis of the photographing means and corrects a camera shake induced blur of an image to be obtained by the photographing; and a correction system driving means that receives an instruction to perform main photographing and initiates driving of the camera shake correction means from a first predetermined position during a period from the time when the instruction to perform main photographing is given to the time when the subject is photographed, and drives the camera shake correction means to a second predetermined position during a period from the time when the driving is initiated to the time when the main photographing is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Tamura
  • Publication number: 20090027507
    Abstract: An XY stage includes an X stage and a Y stage. The X stage is supported at three points, i.e., two bearings of a first guide shaft, and a first support shaft. The Y stage is also supported at three points, i.e., two bearings of a third guide shaft, and a second support shaft. A CCD holder, which is a stage to be moved, is also supported at three points, i.e., two bearings of a second guide shaft and one bearing of the first guide shaft. The one bearing supporting the CCD holder is opened in the Y direction to be U-shaped so that the first guide shaft is inserted therein, and the first guide shaft is supported on one side of this U-shaped bearing by receiving a biasing force applied by a spring, so that the attitude of the CCD holder in a predetermined direction is defined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Hideo Kobayashi, Yukitaka Takeshita, Keiji Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 7483210
    Abstract: A zoom lens optical system having a third lens unit including a first correction lens unit of negative (?) power and a second correcting lens unit arranged behind the first correcting lens unit in an optical path and having positive (+) power. The system can minimize aberration variation upon hand-shaking correction and obtain high resolution upon OIS application since the third lens unit for correcting the hand-shaking is formed with a lens group of plural lenses having negative (?) power and positive (+) power. Further, the system can enhance a response speed since the minimization of aberration variation upon the hand-shaking correction can reduce driving load when lenses move due to short movement distance of the third lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-wook Kim
  • Patent number: 7479985
    Abstract: An image stabilizer for stabilizing an image against unexpected vibrations or shaking of a zoom lens includes a diaphragm arranged to vary its full-open-aperture diameter according to a magnification varying (zooming) action from a wide-angle end position to a telephoto end position of the zoom lens for the purpose of preventing variations in light quantity which more conspicuously take place in the peripheral part than in the central part of an image plane when an image stabilizing action is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Noguchi, Tadanori Okada
  • Patent number: 7480004
    Abstract: A two-step auto focus lens system for a digital camera so that the digital camera can switch between a near focal point and a far focal point. The two-step auto focus lens system includes a coil base, a sensor, and a lens barrel. The coil base has two ends and a coil around the coil base. The sensor is disposed corresponding to one end of the coil base to drives the coil base to switch polarities of the two ends of the coil base. The lens barrel is movably installed inside the coil base and has a magnetic component corresponding to the other end of the coil base. When the coil base is driven by the sensor to switch polarities of ends of coil base, lens barrel moves relative to the coil base to the near and far focal points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Lite-on Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Ming Lee, Wei-Kuo Shih
  • Publication number: 20090002500
    Abstract: A drive device includes an actuator, a fixed member, a movable member, rotating members, and a guide member. The actuator is arranged on the fixed member, and includes a piezoelectric element and at least two drivers on the piezoelectric element in parallel with the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The movable member moves by the drivers on the fixed member. The rotating members are located between the fixed member and the movable member to support the movable member. The guide member is arranged on at least one of the fixed member and the movable member, and guides movement of the rotating members in a direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The drivers are located between the rotating members in the direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
    Inventors: Sumio Kawai, Takashi Okamura
  • Patent number: 7468841
    Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power, and second and third lens groups each having a positive refractive power, sequentially aligned from an object side. The first lens group is moved along an optical axis and the second lens group is moved along the optical axis toward the object side, during zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telescopic end state. The third lens group includes a negative sub-lens group having a negative refractive power, and a positive sub-lens group having a positive refractive power, sequentially aligned from the object side. Moving the positive sub-lens group orthogonally to the optical axis causes image shifting. The zoom lens satisfies a conditional expression (1): 0.3<1??<2.5, where ? is a magnification of the positive sub-lens group at the telescopic end state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Kanai
  • Patent number: 7466343
    Abstract: A line of sight stabilization system using two mirrors pivotally mounted to a fixed platform that can be used with existing imaging systems to provide pitch, roll, and yaw compensation while maintaining image orientation. By deflecting only the photons, the inventive system avoids the need to stabilize the entire imaging sensor and optics system. The only mass to move is that of the two imaging system mirrors. By monitoring attitude changes via an inertial measurement system, proceeding platform positions can be estimated for subsequent image acquisitions, and efficient mirror positioning can provide optimal image orientation and stabilization. This approach requires small motors with low torque, providing a less expensive, lightweight, and small image orientation and stabilization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Nahum Gat
  • Patent number: 7460776
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Hirunuma, Shigeo Enomoto
  • Patent number: 7453494
    Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a movable unit, a fixed unit, and a signal-processing unit. The movable unit has an imaging device and is movable in first and second directions. The fixed unit slidably supports the movable unit in both the first and second directions. The movable unit has a horizontal magnetic-field change-detecting element for detecting a first location, and a vertical magnetic-field change-detecting element for detecting a second location. The signal-processing unit outputs a first detected-position signal, which specifies the first location on the basis of output signals of the horizontal magnetic-field change-detecting element, and outputs a second detected-position signal, which specifies the second location on the basis of output signals of the vertical magnetic-field change-detecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Uenaka
  • Patent number: 7450833
    Abstract: A lens barrel is provided, including a radially-retractable optical element constituting a part of a photographing optical system, the radially-retractable optical element being movable between a photographing position located on an optical axis of the photographing optical system, and a radially-retracted position located on an off-optical-axis position; a biasing device for biasing the radially-retractable optical element toward the photographing position; and a swing member which is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to the optical axis, the swing member pushing the radially-retractable optical element against a biasing force of the biasing device to move the radially-retractable optical element to the radially-retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 7450153
    Abstract: An image blur correction apparatus which can be reduced in size is disclosed. The image blur correction apparatus has a base member which is moved in a direction of an optical axis with respect to a member extended in the direction of the optical axis and a lens hold member which is moved in a plane substantially orthogonal to the optical axis with respect to the base member. The base member has a concave portion on a periphery thereof through which the member extended in the direction of the optical axis passes and is provided with a support shaft closer to the optical axis than the concave portion, the support shaft supporting the lens hold member and the lens hold member has an engaging portion which engages with the support shaft to allow a movement of the lens hold member in the plane substantially orthogonal to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akada
  • Publication number: 20080273092
    Abstract: A micro-optical image stabilizer is disclosed. The optical image stabilizer includes a substrate, a carrier movably disposed on the substrate for carrying an image sensor, an anchor fixed on the substrate, a conducting pad fixed on the anchor for coupling an image processing circuit, a flexible suspension disposed between the conducting pad and the carrier, a conducting line disposed on the flexible suspension coupled to the conducting pad and protruding over the carrier for coupling the image sensor, and a micro actuator disposed between the substrate and the carrier for adjusting the position of the carrier according to control signals from an actuator control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Jin-Chern Chiou, Yung-Jiun Lin, Tzu-Kan Chen, Cheng-Te Tseng, Chia-Hsi Tsai
  • Patent number: 7443422
    Abstract: When a photographing apparatus that is in a photographing enabled state but, at the same time, in a blur correction disabled state, is expected to be subjected to a shock, e.g., when an flash device in the photographing apparatus is about to be deployed, a blur correcting optical system is held at a constant position over a necessary length of time. In addition, at the start of a photographing operation, the blur correcting optical system is moved to a position at which the optical axis of the photographic optical system and the optical axis of the blur correcting optical system are substantially aligned with each other and the blur correcting optical system is held at the position. As a result, it becomes possible to dispense with a lock mechanism for holding the blur correcting lens and, at the same time, power consumption is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Usui
  • Publication number: 20080260368
    Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus for stabilizing an image sensor is disclosed. The image stabilization apparatus includes a transmission component whereon a slot is formed. The image stabilization apparatus further includes a rotary motor including an annular rotor connected to the transmission component, and an annular stator disposed on a side of the annular rotor. The annular rotor is capable of rotating relative to the annular stator. The image stabilization apparatus further includes a carrier for carrying the image sensor. The carrier includes a shaft disposed inside the slot in a slidable manner. The image stabilization apparatus further includes a linear motor coupled to the transmission component and the shaft of the carrier for driving the carrier to slide inside the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Kun-Rong Chang
  • Patent number: 7436447
    Abstract: A lens barrel movable between a collapsed position and a photographing position, and a picture taking apparatus using the lens barrel. The lens barrel has lens groups movable along an optical axis, a deformable mirror supported in the lens barrel, the deformable mirror having a reflecting surface which varies to vary its optical power, a picture taking optical system including the lens groups and the deformable mirror, and a driving mechanism for retracting the deformable mirror from a light path of the picture taking optical system when the lens barrel lies at the collapsed position, and inserting the deformable mirror into the light path of the picture taking optical system when the lens barrel lies at the photographing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Mikami
  • Patent number: 7432953
    Abstract: An image-taking apparatus which improves accuracy of taken images by correcting image blurring is disclosed. The image-taking apparatus comprises an image pickup element which photoelectrically converts an object image formed by an image-taking optical system; a detection sensor which detects vibration; and a control circuit which controls driving of a correcting lens unit being disposed in the image-taking optical system and correcting image blurring by moving within a plane substantially orthogonal to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Washisu
  • Patent number: 7426340
    Abstract: A stage apparatus in which a movable stage is guided in first and second directions orthogonal to each other on a stationary member, includes a pair of first elongated holes formed on one of the movable stage and the stationary member and are elongated in the first direction; a pair of link members having two engaging pins at first ends thereof which are engaged in the pair of first elongated holes to be movable therein, respectively, one of second ends of the pair of link members being pivoted at the other of the movable stage and the stationary member, and the other of the second ends of the pair of link members being supported by the other of the movable stage and the stationary member; and a link-member support mechanism for moving the movable stage in the second direction while maintaining a symmetrical shape thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Shuzo Seo
  • Publication number: 20080192124
    Abstract: A voice coil motor lens module has a lens holder adapted to carry a lens or lens assembly. The lens holder supports a coil which interacts with a permanent magnet field generated by one or more permanent magnets supported by a magnet yoke. The maximum axial movement of the lens holder is limited by the magnet yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Yasumasa Nagasaki
  • Publication number: 20080170128
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of preventing image degradation due to shaking of an image photographing device. An apparatus for preventing image degradation due to shaking of an image photographing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image acquiring unit to acquire a plurality of images of a predetermined subject using a second exposure time shorter than a first exposure time, a scale adjusting unit to adjust scales of the plurality of acquired images, and an image restoring unit to restore images of the subject using the plurality of images whose scales are adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-hwa Oh, Chang-yeong Kim, Seong-deok Lee
  • Patent number: 7380998
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprising a first lens unit which comprises at least a negative lens element and at least a positive lens element and has negative refractive power, a second lens unit which has positive refractive power, and an optical path bending reflecting optical element which has a variable reflecting surface disposed in an airspace between a most object side lens component of the first lens unit and a most object side lens component of the second lens unit. This image pickup apparatus changes a magnification by moving the second lens unit along an optical axis and corrects a deviation of an image location by varying a shape of the variable reflecting surface of the reflecting optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Mihara, Masahito Watanabe, Tomoyuki Satori, Toyoharu Hanzawa, Shigeru Kato
  • Patent number: 7375905
    Abstract: An optical unit for forming an object image according to the present invention includes: a reflection member for bending an optical axis of the optical unit; a front lens group arranged closer to an object side of the optical unit than the reflection member; a rear lens group arranged closer to an image forming side of the optical unit than the reflection member; and a driver for driving the optical unit. The driver drives the reflection member and the front lens group in a predefined first direction and in a predefined second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Makoto Jin
  • Patent number: 7369313
    Abstract: A zoom lens wherein the image plane movement upon lens shifting is minimized. A power variation section and a final lens group are disposed in order from an object side. The power variation section includes at least two lens groups movable in an optical axis direction to vary a lens position state. The final lens group is fixed in the optical axis direction and includes first to third sub groups having negative, positive and positive refracting powers and disposed in order from the object side. The second sub group is shiftable substantially perpendicularly to the optical axis to shift an image. A conditional expression 0.2<ft/fBt<0.8 is satisfied where ft and fBt are the focal distances of the lens system and entire lens groups disposed on the object side of the third sub group in the telephoto end state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Motoyuki Otake
  • Patent number: 7355630
    Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing-apparatus comprises a movable-unit and a fixed-unit. The movable-unit has an imaging-device and a position-detecting magnet. The movable-unit can be moved in a first-direction and a second-direction. The fixed-unit has a hall-element unit. The first-direction is perpendicular to an optical-axis of a camera-lens of the photographing-apparatus. The second-direction is perpendicular to the optical-axis and the first-direction. The position-detecting magnet is used for detecting a first location in the first-direction of the movable-unit and a second location in the second-direction of the movable-unit, and has a front-surface which faces the hall-element unit. The hall-element unit has hall-elements which are used for detecting the first location, and has hall-elements which are used for detecting the second location, and faces the position-detecting magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Uenaka, Shuzo Seo
  • Publication number: 20080079813
    Abstract: An imaging device for making camera shake compensation by relatively moving an imaging optical system and an imaging element in directions perpendicular to an optical axis direction, includes first to third actuators and a moving member. The first actuator relatively moves the imaging optical system and the imaging element in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The second actuator 6 relatively moves the imaging optical system and the imaging element in a second direction which is perpendicular to the optical axis direction and which intersects the first direction. The second actuator is attached to the moving member. The moving member is moved by an action of the first actuator and an action of the second actuator in the first direction and the second direction. The third actuator relatively moves the imaging optical system and the moving member in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Yusuke SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 7352389
    Abstract: An anti-shake-apparatus of a photographing-apparatus comprises a movable-unit and a fixed-unit. The movable-unit has an imaging-device, a first coil-unit having a first driving-coil and a first position-detecting-coil, and a second coil-unit having a second driving-coil and a second position-detecting-coil. The movable-unit is movable in a first-direction and a second-direction. The fixed-unit has a first permanent-magnet and a second permanent-magnet. The first-direction is perpendicular to an optical-axis of the photographing-apparatus. The second-direction is perpendicular to the optical-axis and the first-direction. The first driving-coil and the first permanent-magnet are used for moving the movable-unit in the first-direction. The second driving-coil and the second permanent-magnet are used for moving the movable-unit in the second-direction. The first position-detecting-coil and the first permanent-magnet are used for detecting a first-location in the first-direction of the movable-unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Uenaka