Image Stabilization Patents (Class 359/554)
  • Patent number: 8848291
    Abstract: A fixed focus lens includes an M group that is disposed at a center of the optical system and has a positive refractive power; an F group that is disposed farther on the image plane side than the M group, has a negative refractive power, and is moved along the optical axis during focusing; a V group that is disposed farther on the object side than the M group, has a negative refractive index, and is moved in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis during vibration control; and an FC group that is disposed farther on the object side than the V group and has a positive refractive power. The V group is configured by a single lens element, and during focusing, at least the FC group and the M group are fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tamron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Adachi
  • Publication number: 20140268339
    Abstract: A multi-axis motor includes a first elongate magnet member disposed in a first orientation and a second elongate magnet member disposed in a second orientation orthogonal to the first orientation and mechanically coupled to the first elongate magnet member. The first elongate magnet member is operable to adjust a first axis of a fine axis structure. The second elongate magnet member is operable to adjust a second axis of the fine axis structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DRS RSTA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Pekarek, Milton A. Woodall, Jim Royalty
  • Patent number: 8837905
    Abstract: Provided are a movement guide providing method of a video recording device. The method includes: measuring a movement speed according to a movement of the video recording device; comparing the measured movement speed value of the video recording device with a reference value; generating a guide sub screen that represents a result value of the comparing; and displaying the generated sub screen on a display main screen of the video recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung-joo Lee
  • Patent number: 8830335
    Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus uses SMA actuator wires to move a movable element supported on a support structure, for example to provide optical image stabilization. Eight SMA actuator wires are arranged inclined with respect to a notional primary axis with a pair of the SMA actuator wires on each of four sides around the primary axis. The SMA actuators are connected so that on contraction two groups of four SMA actuator wires provide a force with a component in opposite directions along the primary axis, so that the groups are capable of providing movement along the primary axis. The SMA actuator wires of each group have 2-fold rotational symmetry about the primary axis, so that there are SMA actuator wires opposing each other that are capable of providing lateral movement or tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Mechatronics Limited
    Inventors: Richard Topliss, Andrew Benjamin David Brown
  • Patent number: 8830583
    Abstract: A position controller for a removable optical element in an optical system includes an advancing/retracting ring; a removable optical element holding member supported by the advancing/retracting ring and rotatable about a first rotational axis between an insertion position on the optical axis and a removed position; an insertion holder which holds the removable optical element holding member at the insertion position; a removal drive member supported by the advancing/retracting ring and rotatable about a second rotational axis between an insertion allowance position and a forced removing position; and an insertion/removal controller. A rotational radius from the second rotational axis to a contact point between the removable optical element holding member and the removal drive member is greater than a rotational radius from the first rotational axis to the contact point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Suzuka
  • Patent number: 8817375
    Abstract: A voice coil motor for moving a correction lens including a magnet unit having a pair of yokes and at least one permanent magnet for defining a magnetic gap, and a coil disposed in the magnetic gap. The permanent magnet having different magnetic poles adjacent to each other along the movement direction on a surface opposing the magnetic gap; the width of the permanent magnet in the movement direction being two times the width Wm of the magnetic poles; the width Wa of the coil in the movement direction being smaller than the width 2Wm of the permanent magnet; and the effective conductor width Wb of the coil, the magnetic pole width Wm of the permanent magnet and the longest movement distance St of the correction lens meeting the conditions of Wm=(Wb+St)×K, wherein K is a constant meeting 1<K?1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Motoike, Hiroyuki Ooara, Yoshihiko Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 8804243
    Abstract: Provided is a zoom lens that has a plurality of lens groups and performs zooming by changing spaces between the plurality of lens groups. A final lens group closest to an image side includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first partial lens group that has a negative refractive power; a second partial lens group that has a positive refractive power; and a third partial lens group that has a positive refractive power. Image blur is corrected by shifting the second partial lens group in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis. Assuming that a focal length of the first partial lens group is fGF, a focal length of the second partial lens group is fGS, and a focal length of a whole lens system of the lens groups in a telephoto end state is ft, the following expressions are satisfied: ?0.24<fGF/ft<?0.09; and 0.12<fGS/ft<0.32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 8792166
    Abstract: An image blur correction apparatus includes a base, a movable holding member, a support mechanism that supports the movable holding member to be movable within a plane vertical to an optical axis of a lens, a driving means for driving the movable holding member, a position detecting unit, and a returning unit for returning the movable holding member to a pause position, wherein the driving unit includes coils fixed to the base and drive magnets fixed to the movable holding member, the returning unit includes return magnets fixed to the base to face the drive magnets, the position detecting means includes magnetic sensors fixed to the base, and the support mechanism includes at least three concave portions provided on the base, at least three spheres rollably arranged in the concave portions, and at least three abutment surfaces provided on the movable holding member to abut on the spheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Watanabe, Yuta Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140198387
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a position of an optical element is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a support; a movement unit for supporting an optical element and being movable relative to the support; a magnet unit; a coil unit for generating a magnetic force for moving the movement unit when an electrical signal is applied; a sensor unit disposed in a position corresponding to the magnet unit for detecting a relative position of the movement unit with respect to the support; a locking unit for limiting or allowing movement of the movement unit; and a controlling unit connected to the coil unit for controlling the coil unit and determining whether the movement unit is in a state where movement of the movement unit is limited by the locking unit based on a signal output from the sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-jae Hwang, Jin-gi Lee, Kwang-seok Byon
  • Publication number: 20140176742
    Abstract: An image-blur correction device includes a drive-current output unit that outputs a first drive current for driving a first correction mechanism for correcting image blur in a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis and a second drive current for driving a second correction mechanism for correcting image blur in a second direction orthogonal to the optical axis and the first direction; and a drive-current limiting unit that limits the first drive current to a first limit value, limits the second drive current to a second limit value, limits a total value of the first and second drive currents to a third limit value smaller than a total value of the first and second limit values, varies the first limit value by changing a power-supply time of the first drive current, and varies the second limit value by changing a power-supply time of the second drive current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Nakayama, Kousuke Tsuchihashi, Masahide Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8736968
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a zoom lens which can shift images using a movable optical system so as to have components orthogonal to the optical axis, and can correct hand motion blur, and minimizes the deterioration of performance while attempting higher variable power. This zoom lens has, in order from an object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having negative refractive power, and a fifth lens group G5 having positive refractive power, and at least a part of the fourth lens group G4 can move so as to have components orthogonal to the optical axis, and a distance between each lens group is changed upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, and the following conditional expression is satisfied, 0.01<f5/ft<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Sato, Takeshi Suzuki, Satoshi Miwa, Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8699136
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a position of an optical element is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a support; a movement unit for supporting an optical element and being movable relative to the support; a magnet unit; a coil unit for generating a magnetic force for moving the movement unit when an electrical signal is applied; a sensor unit disposed in a position corresponding to the magnet unit for detecting a relative position of the movement unit with respect to the support; a locking unit for limiting or allowing movement of the movement unit; and a controlling unit connected to the coil unit for controlling the coil unit and determining whether the movement unit is in a state where movement of the movement unit is limited by the locking unit based on a signal output from the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-jae Hwang, Jin-gi Lee, Kwang-seok Byon
  • Publication number: 20140098421
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuji UMEZU
  • Publication number: 20140099088
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an image stabilizer configured to drive a first optical member in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis and to stabilize an image, a light amount adjuster that includes a plurality of blades, and is configured to change a diameter of an aperture configured to transmit a light flux, by rotating the blades, a driver configured to drive the light amount adjuster in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and a controller configured to control a driving amount of the driver in accordance with a driving amount of the image stabilizer. The controller drives the image stabilizer and the light amount adjuster in equal directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Katano
  • Publication number: 20140099087
    Abstract: An image shake correction apparatus includes a fixed member; a movable member configured to hold a correcting member that corrects image shake and configured to have a first connecting unit and a second connecting unit; a first moving member connected to the first connecting unit, and configured to move the movable member in a first direction via the first connecting unit; a second moving member connected to the second connecting unit, and configured to move the movable member in a second direction different from the first direction via the second connecting unit; a first drive unit configured to drive the first moving member; and a second drive unit configured to drive the second moving member independently of driving of the first moving member. The first drive unit and the second drive unit share a constituent component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiromu Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20140092476
    Abstract: An image stabilizer applicable to a monocular or binocular optical system. The stabilizer includes an erecting prism placed between an objective lens and an eyepiece to compensate for deterioration in a quality of an observed image caused by hands movement. The image stabilizer includes a gimbal suspension system having pivot shafts respectively extending to left and right sides of the optical axis of the optical system. The pivot shafts have a common pivot axis perpendicular to the optical axis. The gimbal suspension system has an erecting-prism holder supported by the pivot shafts, an angular velocity detector for detecting an angular displacement of the erecting prism, and a voice coil motor for pivoting the erecting-prism holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicants: Al Systems, Ltd., Kamakura Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio ANDO, Masashi KATO, Haruo ITOH
  • Patent number: 8687276
    Abstract: An optical system with optical image stabilization of the present invention compensates the movement of the optical system occurring during imaging process using a Micro-Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) unit having an MEMS mirror to stabilize an image of an object formed on an image plane. A micro-actuator with the in-plane translation makes the MEMS mirror have a required rotation to change optical paths of light from the object to the image plane for optical image stabilization. The optical system with optical image stabilization or the present invention provides fast speed, light weight, simple operation, and high image quality image stabilization for the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Stereo Display, Inc, Angstrom, Inc
    Inventors: Gyoung Il Cho, Hye Young Kim, Cheong Soo Seo
  • Patent number: 8675278
    Abstract: A high zoom-ratio zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group and a positive fourth lens group, in that order from the object side. Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, at least the first through third lens groups move along the optical axis direction in a manner so that the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increases, the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases, and the distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group increases, wherein the amount of movement of the first lens group during zooming is larger than that of the third lens group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Eguchi
  • Patent number: 8659832
    Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first lens unit, a magnification-varying system including at least a second lens unit and a third lens unit, and a fourth lens unit. The fourth lens first unit has a first lens subunit having a negative refractive power, a second lens subunit having a negative refractive power, and a third lens subunit having a positive refractive power. The fourth lens unit satisfies the following conditional expression: 1.2<f41/f42<3.5, where f41 represents a focal length of the first lens subunit, and f42 represents a focal length of the second lens subunit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Takemoto, Yutaka Iriyama
  • Patent number: 8660416
    Abstract: An optical unit with a shake correcting function may include a fixed body, a movable body holding an optical element, a swing support point which supports the movable body so that the movable body is capable of swinging, a spring member formed in a plate shape for urging the movable body toward the swing support point, a shake correction drive mechanism structured to swing the movable body with the swing support point as a swing center, a first stopper part which is protruded in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction on a front side in the optical axis direction of the movable body with respect to the spring member for determining a moving range of the movable body, and a second stopper part which is structured to face the first stopper part in the optical axis direction through the spring member on the rear side in the optical axis direction of the fixed body with respect to the spring member for determining a moving range of the movable body in the optical axis direction by restricting move
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Shinroku Asakawa, Shinji Minamisawa, Tatsuki Wade
  • Patent number: 8619361
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing vibration compensation using position measurements are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of compensating for vibrations of an object includes obtaining a plurality of position measurements associated with the object. The method also includes processing the plurality of position measurements to determine a derivative acceleration, and determining a compensatory force to counteract the vibrations of the object. Determining the compensatory force includes using the derivative acceleration. Finally, the method includes applying the compensatory force to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Ping Hsin, Susumu Isago, Kazuo Masaki, Bausan Yuan
  • Patent number: 8587675
    Abstract: An actuator includes a stationary member defining a first receiving room and a center axis, a moveable member received in the first receiving room and being apart from the stationary member, a driving member, and a resilient spring assembly. The moveable member is coaxial with the stationary member. The driving member comprises a first magnetic assembly fixed to the stationary member and a second magnetic assembly fixed to the moveable member. The first magnetic assembly faces the second magnetic assembly. The driving member is configured for driving the moveable member to move along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to the central axis. The spring assembly is positioned between the stationary member and the moveable member and connects the moveable member to the stationary member. The spring assembly elastically deforms when the moveable member moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Fan Chiang
  • Publication number: 20130293956
    Abstract: An optical system for imaging an object is provided that is in particular embodied as binocular field glasses, as monocular field glasses, as a spotting scope or as a telescope. The optical system comprises at least one first objective, at least one first image stabilizing unit, and at least one first eyepiece. As seen from the first objective in the direction of the first eyepiece, the first objective is arranged first along a first optical axis in a first housing, followed by the first image stabilizing unit and then the first eyepiece. The first image stabilizing unit is mounted in a cardan-joint fashion in the first housing, rotatably about a first hinge point, wherein the first hinge point is arranged between the first objective and the first eyepiece. Furthermore, the optical system comprises at least one first drive unit for contactless driving of the first image stabilizing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Dirk Dobermann, Karsten Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8577214
    Abstract: A shake correction apparatus comprises a shake detection unit which detects a shake of an image capture apparatus, a calculation unit which calculates a shake correction amount for correcting an image blur based on an output from the shake detection unit, a shake correction unit which corrects the image blur based on the shake correction amount, a shake level determination unit which determines a shake level of the image capture apparatus based on an output from the shake detection unit, an offset determination unit which determines an offset value based on the shake correction amount and the shake level, and a subtraction unit which subtracts the offset value from the output from the shake detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobushige Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 8552350
    Abstract: The 6-axis position and attitude of an imaging vehicle's detector assembly is measured by mounting the detector assembly on a compliant isolator and separating the main 6-axis IMU on the vehicle from a secondary IMU comprising at least inertial rate sensors for pitch and yaw on the detector assembly. The compliant isolator couples low-frequency rigid body motion of the vehicle below a resonant frequency to the isolated detector assembly while isolating the detector assembly from high-frequency attitude noise above the resonant frequency. A computer processes measurements of the 6-axis rigid body motion and the angular rate of change in yaw and pitch of the isolated detector assembly to mitigate the drift and noise error effects of the secondary inertial rate sensors and estimate the 6-axis position and attitude of the detector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Bielas, Edward C. Schlatter, Andrew B. Facciano, Philip C. Theriault, James A. Ebel, Robert J. LaPorte
  • Patent number: 8554066
    Abstract: To provide a driving mechanism with which a reduction in size is possible. A driving mechanism comprising: an optical component that is provided to be movable; a first driving member that is movable in a first direction; a second driving member that is movable in the first direction independently of the first driving member; and an abutting portion that is provided at the optical component and abuts against the first driving member and the second driving member, wherein, the optical component is moved by driving force of the first driving member and the second driving member abutting against the abutting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Owashi
  • Publication number: 20130258475
    Abstract: An optical image anti-shake device, defined with an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis, includes a casing, a movable member and a base. A suspension mechanism furnished inside the optical image anti-shake device includes a movable-member support and a suspension module. A first surface of the movable-member support is connected to the movable member. The suspension module suspends the movable-member support together with the movable member inside an inner compartment formed between the casing and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventor: Jin Yu Lee
  • Publication number: 20130215511
    Abstract: An elastic supporting structure for an optical image stabilizer is provided. The optical image stabilizer includes a movable portion, a compensation module, and a plurality of suspension wires. The movable portion is provided therein with a lens. The compensation module corresponds to the movable portion, and both are located on the same image-capturing optical axis. Each suspension wire has two ends respectively connected to the movable portion and the compensation module. The movable portion is provided with an upper spring plate. One end of each suspension wire is connected to a length-increased outer line element and at least one additional auxiliary line element of the upper spring plate, and the other end of each suspension wire is connected to the compensation module, such that the movable portion corresponds to the compensation module and is spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance. Also, anti-shake function performs well with suspension wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Fu-Yuan Wu, Shih-Ting Huang, Jyun-Jie Lin
  • Publication number: 20130193315
    Abstract: An optical system (20) is presented, which is configured to enable the line of sight stabilization. The system comprises a light module (230), an optical module (210) defining an optical axis (0X) and an optical path of light propagation therethrough, and a stabilizer (220) configured and operable for providing optical coupling between said optical module (210) and said light module (230). The stabilizer (2209 comprises: a gimbal assembly defining a first rotation axis (FRX) orthogonal to said optical axis (0X), and an internal deflector (222) located in the optical path of light propagating through said optical module (210). The internal deflector (222) is mounted for rotation about said first rotation axis (FRX) and is configured and operable to provide optical coupling between at least a section of the optical path of said optical module (210) and an optical path of light passing through said light module (230).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Shimon Shemesh
  • Publication number: 20130194666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a long-range optical device having at least one tube which contains an optical system, having at least one image stabilization device which is designed to move at least one optical assembly of the optical system relative to the at least one tube, having at least one signal processing unit which is designed such that it actuates the at least one image stabilization device in one mode from a plurality of modes, wherein each mode has an associated respective movement situation for the long-range optical device, and having a mode detection unit which is designed such that it determines the mode from the plurality of modes. Furthermore, the mode detection unit is designed such that it determines the mode by ascertaining a probability of presence of a first movement situation which has an associated first mode, and takes a comparison of the ascertained probability with a random number as a basis for making a decision about actuation in the first mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH
    Inventor: Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH
  • Patent number: 8494353
    Abstract: An image stabilizer that compensates for external vibrations by moving an imaging unit. The image stabilizer includes a first frame on which an imaging unit is installed, a second frame that is connected to the first frame using three points and guides movement of the first frame in a first direction and second direction, and a third frame that is connected to the second frame using three points and guides the first frame and the second frame to move in a third direction and fourth direction, which are perpendicular to the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hae-in Chung, Jin-won Lee, Min-jae Lee, Jeong-hyun Shim, Sung-hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20130182325
    Abstract: Provided is an optical unit with shake correction function wherein it is possible to accurately swing the movable module even when a flexible wiring substrate is connected to the fixing element and movable module. In an optical unit with shake correction function (100), folding portions (415, 425), the extending direction of which is reversed towards the vicinity of the swinging support point (180) of a movable module (300), are provided at the midway portion of a flexible wiring substrate (400) that is connected to the movable module (300) and to a fixing element (200). In the folding portions (415, 425), the overlapping portions of the flexible wiring substrate (400) are fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Minamisawa, Hisahiro Ishihara, Tatsuki Wade, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Shinroku Asakawa, Yoshihiro Hamada, Toshiyuki Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20130177301
    Abstract: An image blur correction device includes a lens unit which has at least one lens, and can be pivoted in two directions, which are orthogonal to each other, with respect to an outer housing, and a first driving motor and second driving motor which pivot the lens unit in the directions, in which a coil body having a plurality of coil sections, and a magnet placed to face the plurality of coil sections, are provided in the first driving motor and the second driving motor, a placement area, in which the plurality of coil sections are placed and a non-placement area, in which there are no coil sections, are formed, and the outer circumference of the non-placement area is positioned to the inside of a virtual circle that links the outer circumferences of each coil section in each plurality of coil section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Sony Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130170039
    Abstract: An image stabilization unit includes a lens holder that holds a correction lens and is relatively movably provided with respect to a base member, first and second drive devices or a drive device group that drive the lens holder, and three supports that support the lens holder relative to the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8477427
    Abstract: A zoom lens system ZL mounted in an electronic still camera 1 etc is constructed to include, in order from an object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power and a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, in which the second lens group G2 has two cemented lenses. A distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 changes when a lens position state changes from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, thereby providing the zoom lens system exhibiting preferable optical performance, an optical apparatus including the zoom lens system and a magnification varying method using the zoom lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Mami Muratani, Haruo Sato
  • Publication number: 20130163084
    Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus includes an image stabilization unit that compensates image blurring by moving a compensation member, a first shake detection unit that detects an angular velocity of the shake, a second shake detection unit that detects shake by a different method, an orientation detection unit that detects an inclination status of an optical apparatus, a calculation unit that calculates a compensation value from signals of the first and second shake detection units, and an output unit that compensates the output of the first shake detection unit using the compensation value, with the calculation unit performing weighting on the compensation value of a drive axis of an image stabilization mechanism, based on a correlation between the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8471946
    Abstract: Provided is a zoom lens system including a compact focusing lens unit and having a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system of the present invention, in order from an object side to an image side, includes, a first lens unit G1 having positive optical power, a second lens unit G2 having negative optical power, a third lens unit G3 having negative optical power, and a fourth lens unit G4. Further, condition: 1.88<nd2 is satisfied (where, nd2 is an average refractive index of a lens element (a portion excluding a resin layer in the case of a hybrid lens) included in the second lens unit G2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneo Uchida, Nobuyuki Adachi
  • Publication number: 20130156411
    Abstract: An optical image stabilizer includes a magnetic element, a moving platform, at least one first sensor and at least one second sensor. The magnetic element is fixed on a main body. The moving platform is movably disposed on the main body. The first and the second sensors are fixed on the moving platform. When the moving platform moves relatively to the main body, the first sensor senses a variation of a magnetic force applied to the first sensor by the magnetic element for calculating a displacement of the moving platform along a first direction, and the second sensor senses a variation of a magnetic force applied to the second sensor by the magnetic element for calculating a displacement of the moving platform along a second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. In addition, an image capturing device having the optical image stabilizer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ASIA OPTICAL CO., INC.
    Inventor: Ya-Ling Wang
  • Publication number: 20130128360
    Abstract: An optical unit may include a fixed body, a movable module w rich holds an optical element, a swing support point which swingably supports the movable module, and a shake correction drive mechanism structured to swing the movable module with the swing support point as a swing center. The swing support point may be structured of an abutte d portion of two members in an optical axis direction between a bottom part of the movable module and a bottom part of the fixed body. At least one of the two members may be made of elastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Minamisawa, Shinroku Asakawa, Tatsuki Wade, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Hisahiro Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8446672
    Abstract: A vibration reduction apparatus to stably control the driving of a vibration reduction optical system. A vibration reduction apparatus 30 has a fixed portion 31, a moving portion 25, 32, 34-1, 35-1 having a vibration reduction optical system 25 and moves in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis, relatively with respect to the fixed portion, a first detection portion 35 detects relative movement in a first direction D1 of the moving portion and the fixed portion, a second detection portion detects relative movement in a second direction D2 of the moving portion and the fixed portion, and a center of gravity adjusting member 36 disposed at the moving portion such that a center of gravity position G1 of the moving portion can be brought close to a crossing point C of each detection direction of the first detection portion and the second detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Omi
  • Patent number: 8441725
    Abstract: The optical image stabilizer includes a shift member holding an image stabilizing element and being movable with respect to a center axis, a lock member disposed around the shift member and rotatable about the center axis between a lock position to limit movement of the shift member and an unlock position to release the limit of the movement of the shift member, and a base member including a supporting portion to rotatably support the lock member. The shift member includes protrusions at its plural circumferential places. The lock member includes, in its inner circumferential part, locking portions to receive contact of the protrusions at the lock position so as to limit the movement of the shift member. The supporting portion is formed so as to include plural openings allowing contact of the protrusions with the lock portions and so as to support the inner circumferential part of the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromu Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20130088609
    Abstract: A blur correction device includes: a base body; a holder that holds an optical element; a drive section that moves the holder with respect to the base body in two directions that are orthogonal to a direction of an optical axis of the optical element and that are orthogonal to each other; and a plate spring that couples the base body and the holder to each other and that urges the holder in the optical axis direction to position the optical element with respect to the base body, the plate spring being elastically deformed when the holder is moved with respect to the base body in the two directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hironori Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20130076919
    Abstract: In one example, an actuator device useful in, e.g., a camera for, e.g., optical image stabilization (OIS), includes a stage resiliently supported for movement within a plane, three or more actuators, each coupled to an outer periphery of the stage and operable to apply a force acting in the plane and tangentially to the stage when actuated, and an outer frame surrounding and supporting the stage and the actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMS
    Inventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Robert J. Calvet
  • Publication number: 20130077168
    Abstract: A multiple degree of freedom actuator can have at least one first MEMS actuator configured to move a platform in translation and at least one second MEMS actuator configured to move the platform in a different direction, e.g., tangentially. The first MEMS actuator(s) can facilitate autofocus and/or zoom, for example. The second MEMS actuator(s) can facilitate optical image stabilization (OIS), for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMS
    Inventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Robert J. Calvet, Ankur Jain
  • Patent number: 8390689
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can prevent displacement of subject images due to an 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 in response to mounting of the optical apparatus on another optical apparatus, the specific operation being a different operation from an image stabilization operation of the image-stabilizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Inoue, Masanori Ishikawa, Jun Sugita, Hiroshi Akada, Sawako Ito
  • Publication number: 20130050515
    Abstract: A method and a structure for suppressing resonance in an anti-shake lens focusing module are disclosed. The resonance suppressing method includes the steps of providing a lens focusing structure having a first movable part and a first immovable part; providing an anti-shake structure having a second movable part and a second immovable part; providing at least one shock-absorbing material between the first movable and immovable parts as well as between the second movable and immovable parts; and using the shock-absorbing material to absorb any vibration caused by movements of the first and the second movable part, so as to suppress any resonance possibly generated due to the movements of the first and the second movable part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Fu-Yuan WU, Ming-Hang Huang, Ying-Chien Hsueh, Kun-I Lee
  • Publication number: 20130050563
    Abstract: A zoom lens barrel capable, even if it has an image shake correction mechanism and a diaphragm mechanism, of decreasing a distance between lens groups of a photographing optical system of the lens barrel, whereby the lens barrel size can be reduced and the magnification can be increased, and capable of preventing a collision between diaphragm blades of the diaphragm mechanism and the lens groups from occurring when vibration, impact, or the like is applied to the lens barrel. When apart of an image shake correction lens intrudes into an aperture of diaphragm blades, a restricted portion of a lens holding member and a restricting portion of a diaphragm restrict a maximum movement of the lens holding member in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, thereby restricting a maximum amount of movement of the image shake correction lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoyuki KUDOH
  • Publication number: 20130027775
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to image stabilization. Image stabilization includes techniques used to reduce jitter associated with the motion of a camera. Image stabilization can compensate for pan and tilt (angular movement, equivalent to yaw and pitch) of a camera or other imaging device. Image stabilization can be used in still and video cameras, including those found in mobile devices such as cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Oscar Zuniga, Shane D. Voss, Jason Yost
  • Patent number: 8363321
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adjusting an angle of a scene viewed by a viewing optical system through an optical device by adjusting an angle of a light beam passing through the optical device. The angle of the scene is adjusted relative to an optical axis of a viewing optical system, in accordance with a signal. A mounting device may be adapted to mount the optical device to a support and adjust a position of the optical device relative to the viewing optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Omnitech Partners, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene J. Pochapsky
  • Patent number: 8351771
    Abstract: An optical element driving device is provided with at least one optical element, a moving member, a fixed member, a first actuator, a first detection element, a second actuator, and a second detection element. The first actuator has a first coil and a first magnet. The first detection element is substantially aligned in a first direction relative to the first coil to detect the position of the moving member in the first direction. The second actuator has a second coil and a second magnet. The second detection element is substantially aligned in the first direction relative to the second coil to detect the position of the moving member in a second direction. The optical element, the first actuator, and the second actuator are substantially aligned in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Ito