Auto Focusing Patents (Class 359/698)
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Patent number: 11906894Abstract: A lens control device, comprising a first stepping motor that drives a zoom lens contained in the photographing lens, a second stepping motor that drives a focus lens contained in the photographing lens, and a processor that controls the first stepping motor and the second stepping motor, whereby, within a given section in which the zoom lens and the focus lens are driven, there is a period in which at least one of the first stepping motor and the second stepping motor is driven at a constant rate, and the processor makes a time, required to move the specified section with a specified number of pulses, a specified time.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Yasunori Kudo
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Patent number: 11794282Abstract: Methods include directing a laser beam to a target along a scan path at a variable scan velocity and adjusting a digital modulation during movement of the laser beam along the scan path and in relation to the variable scan velocity so as to provide a fluence at the target within a predetermined fluence range along the scan path. Some methods include adjusting a width of the laser beam with a zoom beam expander. Apparatus include a laser source situated to emit a laser beam, a 3D scanner situated to receive the laser beam and to direct the laser beam along a scan path in a scanning plane at the target, and a laser source digital modulator coupled to the laser source so as to produce a fluence at the scanning plane along the scan path that is in a predetermined fluence range as the laser beam scan speed changes along the scan path.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: nLIGHT, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Martinsen, Qi Wang
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Patent number: 11677921Abstract: A system for generating high-resolution de-warped omni-directional stereo image from captured omni-directional stereo image by correcting optical distortions using projection patterns is provided. The system includes a projection pattern capturing arrangement, a projector or a display, and a de-warping server. The projection pattern capturing arrangement includes one or more omnidirectional cameras to capture projection patterns from the captured omni-directional stereo image from each omni-directional stereo camera. The projector or the display displays the projection patterns. The de-warping server obtain the projection patterns and processes the projection patterns to generate high resolution de-warped omni-directional stereo image by correcting optical distortions in the captured omni-directional stereo image and mapping the captured omni-directional stereo image and the high resolution de-warped omni-directional stereo image.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: DREAMVU INC.Inventors: Rajat Aggarwal, Anoop M Namboodiri, Parikshit Sakurikar
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Patent number: 11648064Abstract: An optical imaging system for imaging a target during a medical procedure, the imaging system involving an optical assembly having moveable zoom optics and moveable focus optics, a zoom actuator and a focus actuator for positioning the zoom and focus optics, respectively, a controller for controlling the zoom and focus actuators independently in response to received control input, a camera for capturing an image of the target from the optical assembly, the system capable of performing autofocus during a medical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Inventors: Tammy Kee-Wai Lee, Michael Frank Gunter Wood, Cameron Anthony Piron, Brent Andrew Bailey, Sagar Saxena, Sean Adrian Conroy, Kamyar Abhari, Kai Michael Hynna, Gal Sela, Kelly Noel Dyer, Joshua Lee Richmond
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Patent number: 11376081Abstract: An optical imaging system for imaging a target during a medical procedure, the imaging system involving an optical assembly having moveable zoom optics and moveable focus optics, a zoom actuator and a focus actuator for positioning the zoom and focus optics, respectively, a controller for controlling the zoom and focus actuators independently in response to received control input, a camera for capturing an image of the target from the optical assembly, the system capable of performing autofocus during a medical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL INC.Inventors: Tammy Kee-Wai Lee, Michael Frank Gunter Wood, Cameron Anthony Piron, Brent Andrew Bailey, Sagar Saxena, Sean Adrian Conroy, Kamyar Abhari, Kai Michael Hynna, Gal Sela, Kelly Noel Dyer, Joshua Lee Richmond
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Patent number: 11202013Abstract: A control apparatus includes at least one processor configured to execute instructions to function as a first controller that automatically adjusts a focus lens to a focusing position, a second controller that adjusts the focus lens on the basis of a user operation quantity, and a third controller that drives the focus lens. The first controller and the second controller effectively work in a first drive area of the focus lens. The first controller is disabled in a second drive area of the focus lens. The third controller drives the focus lens on the basis of changes of the second drive area.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yumi Toyoda, Fuya Mizuochi
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Patent number: 11184524Abstract: A focus driving control unit 34 of a control unit 30 sets a ranging area to a ranging size at the time of a speed priority driving which is a region size set in advance, for example, in a case in which a defocus amount of a ranging area is greater than a ranging area determination threshold set in advance. In a case in which the defocus amount is equal to or less than the ranging area determination threshold, the focus driving control unit 34 sets the ranging area to a subject priority ranging size which is a region size different form the ranging size at the time of the speed priority driving. For example, in a case in which an imaging mode is a mode in which a moving subject is imaged or a case in which a subject is a moving subject, the subject priority ranging size is set to be greater than the ranging size at the time of the speed priority driving.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Sony Group CorporationInventors: Seiichi Inomata, Takahiro Kosugi
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Patent number: 11009719Abstract: This lens drive device is provided with an AF drive part and image stabilization drive part using the driving force of a VCM. a pair of power supply suspension wires and a pair of signal suspension wires couple an image stabilization fixed part with an AF fixed part. The AF fixed part includes an AF power supply line, a signal line, a coil power supply line, and an AF control part. The AF control part includes: a Hall element detecting the position of the AF movable part in the optical axis direction; a coil control part controlling the energizing current for an AF coil on the basis of a control signal supplied through the signal suspension wires and the detection results of the Hall element; and an autofocus circuit board whereon the Hall element and the coil control part are mounted.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoyuki Murakami
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Patent number: 11006037Abstract: A system for focusing an imaging device according to a focal distance setting and methods for making and using same. The focal distance setting can be an infinite focal distance setting for objects that are far away from the imaging device. Focusing of the imaging device can be triggered by activation of a button for “one-touch” rapid focusing. The focusing, for example, can be triggered at a terminal that is distal from the imaging device through an app and suitable user interface. The focal distance setting can be determined by interaction via the app, which can present a prompt to direct the imaging device to an object at a suitable distance. Once determined, the focal distance setting can be stored and later retrieved for rapid focusing. The present system and methods advantageously can be used aboard a mobile platform such as an unmanned aerial vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Lifu Yu, Jiaxiang Fang, Shunnian Li, Zisheng Cao
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Patent number: 10356308Abstract: A focusing state prompting method and a shooting device are described. The method includes detecting whether there is a clear picture region in a preview interface using an edge detection algorithm; and if so, prompting that focusing is completed.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Nubia Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yunze Zhao, Lei Miao, Xiaohui Cui
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Patent number: 10209482Abstract: A lens drive control device which drives a lens using a drive unit according to an operation of an operation member is provided that includes a detection unit configured to detect a drive speed of the drive unit; and at least one processor or one circuitry which functions as: a control unit configured to control a drive voltage to the drive unit by acquiring a detection signal of the operation amount of the operation member and a detection signal of the drive speed, wherein the control unit performs first control that a drive voltage output to the drive unit between a time at which the operation of the operation member starts and the time at which the operation ends is changed in a phased manner, and second control that a rise rate of the drive voltage is relatively increased as compared to the first control after the first control.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuhiro Ono
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Patent number: 10007083Abstract: A lens barrel of the invention is configured with a first barrel member, a second barrel member which rotates around an outer periphery of the first barrel member and which has a through hole between an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, and a moisture permeable member provided so as to cover the through hole of the second barrel member.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Naoki Matsumoto, Kyoji Murayama
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Patent number: 9927680Abstract: Actuators are used to move a variety of objects to desired positions. It is generally desirable that they can do this quickly without exhibiting overshoot or ringing. Some actuators are required to respond very quickly and examples of these are voice coil drivers used to move lenses in autofocus cameras provided in everyday devices such as smart phones and tablets. A rapid two step controller scheme had already been disclosed by Analog Devices Inc. While the scheme works well, it can only be used reliably if the resonant frequency of the actuator is known to within 2 or 3%. The inventors have discovered that the resonant frequency of an actuator unexpectedly changes as a function of position. This disclosure provides ways of modifying the control scheme to cope with changes in resonant frequency.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES GLOBALInventors: Javier Calpe Maravilla, Eoin E. English, Rafael Mahiques, Jose Carlos Canada, Maria Jose Martinez
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Patent number: 9906696Abstract: A first magnetic body is arranged between a coil and an image pickup element, and has an opening through which light directed from an imaging optical system toward the image pickup element passes. A second magnetic body is arranged at a position on the coil side with respect to the first magnetic body in an optical axis direction of the imaging optical system. The second magnetic body is arranged such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the first magnetic body when seen in the optical axis direction, at a position on the coil side with respect to the opening. The second magnetic body is made of a ferromagnetic material having higher relative permeability than that of the first magnetic body, and has a smaller area than that of the first magnetic body when seen in the optical axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichi Nishimura
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Patent number: 9739973Abstract: A focusing system includes a first drive unit for driving a first focus lens along the optical axis, a second drive unit for driving a second focus lens along the optical axis, a determining unit for periodically detecting a focus state of a subject image formed via the optical system and determining a focus position of the optical system based on the detected result, and a control unit for controlling the first and second drive units according to a result of determining the focus position of the optical system by the determining unit. The control unit controls the second drive unit to drive the second focus lens independently of the first focus lens, in the focus operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Managemnet Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naotaka Kishida, Kenji Kawazoe
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Patent number: 9557629Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an interchangeable lens camera having a camera body and a lens unit that is freely attachable and detachable to the camera body. In the interchangeable lens camera, a communications unit in the camera body sends via communications terminals (MT_MOSI and MT_MISO) an INTR_BUSY control instruction that instructs whether to make notification with a busy signal (INTR_BUSY signal) for any operation out of a plurality of types of operations that can be executed, and the lens unit or camera body communications unit sets the busy signal (INTR_BUSY) to an ON state (low level) only during the period of operation of the type indicated by the INTR_BUSY control instruction.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Kenshi Imamura
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Patent number: 9494769Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an optical module that includes a plurality of lenses and an electromagnetic actuator to adjust a zoom level or focus of the optical module.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.Inventors: Kwok Sing Cheng, Kin Ming Fan
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Patent number: 9442348Abstract: A first magnetic body is arranged between a coil and an image pickup element, and has an opening through which light directed from an imaging optical system toward the image pickup element passes. A second magnetic body is arranged at a position on the coil side with respect to the first magnetic body in an optical axis direction of the imaging optical system. The second magnetic body is arranged such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the first magnetic body when seen in the optical axis direction, at a position on the coil side with respect to the opening. The second magnetic body is made of a ferromagnetic material having higher relative permeability than that of the first magnetic body, and has a smaller area than that of the first magnetic body when seen in the optical axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichi Nishimura
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Patent number: 9307164Abstract: An imaging lens barrel includes: a barrel body; a rotating body including a first magnetic scale and a second magnetic scale; a magnetic sensor device including a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor; a phase difference calculation section configured to calculate a phase difference between a first phase signal and a third phase signal; a correction table memory configured to store a correction table storing a correction value for correcting a difference between the phase difference and a design value in association with the phase difference; a phase difference correction section configured to read a correction value corresponding to the phase difference calculated by the phase difference calculation section and to correct the phase difference using the read correction value; and an absolute position calculation section configured to calculate an absolute position of the imaging lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Mamoru Miyashita
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Patent number: 9086541Abstract: An optical instrument of the present invention comprises a first ZM group drive section for moving a first lens group, a second ZM group drive section for moving a second lens group, a storage section for storing positional information on position of the first and second lens groups corresponding to focal length, and storing information relating to the movement speed of the first and second lens groups, and a control section for controlling position of the first and second lens groups based on positional information of the first and second lens groups, and controlling the first and second drive sections so as to move the first and second lens groups by synchronizing the movement speed of the first and second lens groups based on information relating to movement speed of the first and second lens groups.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.Inventor: Satoshi Okawa
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Patent number: 8988787Abstract: Described herein are methods, apparatus, and computer readable medium to autofocus a lens of an imaging device. Parameters are received indicating a lens position. Lens actuator characteristics are determined. Lens damping parameters may be determined based, at least in part, on the input parameters and the lens actuator characteristics. In some aspects, lens damping parameters include a lens movement step size and a time delay between each step. In some aspects, the lens damping parameters include damping parameters for a plurality of regions of lens movement. Lens movement parameters are determined based, at least in part, on the input parameters and the lens damping parameters. The lens is then autofocused by moving it according to the lens movement parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Hau Ling Hung, Haibo Zhong, Jeyaprakash Soundrapandian, Rajakumar Govindaram, Sreesudhan Ramakrish Ramkumar, Ruben M. Velarde
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Patent number: 8891175Abstract: A lens-frame moving mechanism includes a lens frame guided to move between a ready-to-photograph position and a retracted position, the lens frame being biased forwardly by a biaser; an intermediate linearly movable member, wherein the lens frame contacts the intermediate linearly movable member; a leading screw formed on the drive shaft of a motor; a nut member screw-engaged onto the leading screw, wherein the nut member does not rotate relative to the lens frame and moves the intermediate linearly movable member in the optical axis direction; and a rearwardly-movable member which rearwardly moves the lens frame against the biasing force such that the lens frame moves away from the intermediate linearly movable member in the optical axis direction while the lens frame is moved from the ready-to-photograph position to the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Nomura
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Patent number: 8861949Abstract: An apparatus and method of adjusting an auto focus are provided. The apparatus includes: an imaging pickup device for generating an image signal by capturing light passing through an imaging lens; a shutter for controlling light exposure of the image pickup device; a focus detector that calculates a contrast value from the image signal and detecting a focus from the contrast value; and a release controller for controlling a release operation constituting a photographing operation of a still image, wherein the release controller includes, as driving modes, a first mode that directs a focus lens included in the imaging lens to be driven while driving the shutter, and a second mode that directs the focus lens not to be driven while driving the shutter. Accordingly, a photographing time is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Ishibashi, Masataka Hamada
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Publication number: 20140293440Abstract: An optical instrument of the present invention comprises a first ZM group drive section for moving a first lens group, a second ZM group drive section for moving a second lens group, a storage section for storing positional information on position of the first and second lens groups corresponding to focal length, and storing information relating to the movement speed of the first and second lens groups, and a control section for controlling position of the first and second lens groups based on positional information of the first and second lens groups, and controlling the first and second drive sections so as to move the first and second lens groups by synchronizing the movement speed of the first and second lens groups based on information relating to movement speed of the first and second lens groups.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventor: Satoshi OKAWA
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Patent number: 8842372Abstract: A flexible lens may be actuated to change its focal length by a deployable lens actuator. The lens actuator translates a rotational motion of an outer frame into a linear radial motion of a plurality of linear elements. The linear elements have fixed pins, which may be slidably coupled to cam pockets in the outer frame. The cam pockets have a gradually varying distance from the center of the outer frame. The rotation of the outer frame thus drives the cam pockets to slide about the pins, thereby causing radial motions of the linear elements. The linear elements stretch a flexible lens, thereby changing a curvature of the flexible lens.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: The University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Charles Fisher, Ian Harvey, Brian Baker
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Patent number: 8810919Abstract: An apparatus and method for auto focusing camera module includes a DFoV value measurer measuring a DFoV value of a lens; storage stored with a designed DFoV value of a lens, a controller comparing the DFoV value of a lens measured by the DFoV value measurer with the designed DFoV value of a lens stored in the storage to recognize an initial position of a lens, and a lens mover focusing the lens by winding the lens or by unwinding the lens in response to the initial position of the lens recognized by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jonghoon Kwon
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Patent number: 8804251Abstract: An auto focus method includes: assigning searching boundaries L=InitL, R=InitR, and acquiring the resolutions f(L), f(R); defining the focused positions X1, X2 by the golden section method, and acquiring the resolution f(X1), f(X2); determining whether or not f(X1) is greater than f(X2); moving L adjacent to R when f(x1) is less than f(x2); moving R adjacent to L when f(x1) is greater than f(x2); acquiring the focused positions L, x1, x2, and R, and the resolution of the focused positions when L?InitL and R?InitR; acquiring an optimal focus point according to the focused positions L, X1, X2, and R, and the resolution of the focused positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kuo-Hung Lin
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Publication number: 20140211323Abstract: A lens driving apparatus and a lens driving method are capable of quickly and precisely setting the position of a lens to a predetermined position, if the resolving power of the amount of lens moving according to drive pulses is not even in the lens driving apparatus. A count pulse signal detection unit detects a count pulse signal CP in accordance with a rotation of a manual focus (MF) ring. A lens driving control unit outputs a drive pulse MP for moving a focus lens in correspondence with the detected count pulse signal CP to a lens driving unit. The lens driving control unit performs a control so that: the number of the drive pulses MP for a count period T differs between a time period within an initial count detection time period for the detected count pulse signal CP and a time period after the initial count signal detection time period; and the number of pulses for the former period is minimum and the number of pulses for the latter period is larger than the minimum number.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Koichi SUGIURA
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Patent number: 8792006Abstract: Provided is a method and a system for detecting an error focus calibration, wherein a first DFOV value is measured in a state before the collimator lens is interposed between the resolution chart and the camera module, and a second DFOV value is measured in a state after the collimator lens is interposed between the resolution chart and the camera module, a determination is made whether a value obtained by subtracting the second DFOV value from the first DFOV value is smaller than a threshold value, and detecting as an error of auto calibration, in a case the subtracted value is greater than the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventor: In Jae Lee
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Patent number: 8786959Abstract: An auto-focus camera module includes an lens module, an image sensor, a color separation unit, a main processor unit and an image processing unit. The lens module captures an image of object. The image sensor receives the image captured by the lens module. The color separation unit separates the image into red, green and blue colors. The main processor unit calculates MTF values of the sensed image and determines a shooting mode of the AF camera. The image processing unit processes the image according to the MTF values to compensate for any blurring of the image caused by being out of focus. The driving unit drives the lens module to the point of optimal focus on the object according to MTF values.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sung-Ching Wu, Ting-Yuan Wu
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Publication number: 20140198247Abstract: A lens apparatus includes zoom and focus units, zoom, and focus position detectors, a focus driver, an in-focus distance unit, used to input a command, a memory storing a table representing a focus position associated with the zoom position and the in-focus distance, and a controller controlling the focus driver based on the command and performing periodically first operation of determining a zoom number based on the zoom position, second operation of determining an in-focus-distance number based on the command, third operation of calculating a provisional target for the command based on data extracted from the table with reference to the zoom and in-focus-distance numbers, fourth operation of calculating a target associated with the zoom position from the provisional target, fifth operation of driving the focus unit to the target. Between the first and fifth operations, the fourth operation is performed but the second and third operations are not.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takurou ASANO
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Patent number: 8780455Abstract: The lens driving apparatus moves a magnification-varying lens and moves a focus lens to compensate for image plane variation caused by movement of the magnification-varying lens. The apparatus includes a zoom operating member, a stepping motor, a zoom controller controlling drive of the stepping motor, a focus actuator moving the focus lens, a focus controller controlling drive of the focus actuator, a memory storing cam data to compensate for the image plane variation, and a zoom position detector. During a magnification variation operation, the zoom controller performs open-loop control of the drive of the stepping motor based on an operation amount of the zoom operating member, and the focus controller controls the drive of the focus actuator based on the actual position of the magnification-varying lens detected by the zoom position detector, and the cam data.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Daisuke Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8759732Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to autofocus subsystems within optical instruments that continuously monitor the focus of the optical instruments and adjust distances within the optical instrument along the optical axis in order to maintain a precise and stable optical-instrument focus at a particular point or surface on, within, or near a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention operate asynchronously with respect to operation of other components and subsystems of the optical instrument in which they are embedded.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.Inventors: Jeremy R. Cooper, Paul C. Goodwin
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Patent number: 8743473Abstract: A miniature lens auto-focusing structure includes a housing having a top plate; a base plate connectable to the housing to define an inner space between them; a lens module wound around by a coil; and at least one spring member holding and suspending the lens module in the inner space without causing the lens module to contact with the top plate and the base plate. With these arrangements, the spring member is not in a pre-tensioning state when the miniature lens auto-focusing structure is in a non-actuated state. Therefore, the miniature lens auto-focusing structure requires less actuating current and has smaller lens tilt angle than the conventional VCM auto-focusing structure, and can be manufactured at further reduced component cost.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: TDK Taiwan CorporationInventors: Fu-Yuan Wu, Ying-Chien Hsueh
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Patent number: 8743245Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of obtaining an input image that is an image in which information of an object space is obtained from a plurality of points of view using an image pickup apparatus that includes an image pickup element having a plurality of pixels and an imaging optical system, calculating a first position of a virtual imaging plane that corresponds to a specified focus position, setting the virtual imaging plane to a second position that is in a range of a depth of focus of the imaging optical system with reference to the first position so that a maximum value of an apparent pixel pitch that is formed by reconstructing the input image is decreased, and generating an output image in a state where the virtual imaging plane is set to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norihito Hiasa, Koshi Hatakeyama
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Patent number: 8736988Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an imaging device including an epoxy reservoir and a number of features to facilitate alignment of components during assembly of the imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.Inventors: Kwok Sing Cheng, Chuen Kuen Yeung
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Patent number: 8724233Abstract: It is provided an imaging apparatus including a plurality of motors configured to be driven to move lenses in synchronous with a drive pulse, a position detection unit configured to detect one of positions of the lenses moved by the driving of the plurality of motors, an operation unit configured to perform an output corresponding to an operation in response to the operation by a user, and a controller configured to receive the output from the position detection unit and control the plurality of motors. The controller supplies the number of drive pulses calculated based on a target position for moving the lens calculated based on the output from the operation unit and a lens position detected by the position detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yosuke Morimoto
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Patent number: 8711490Abstract: A lens system includes: a lens unit; a drive unit driving the lens unit in an optical axis direction; a detector detecting a position of the lens unit; a lens operation unit that operates driving of the lens unit; and a computing unit that computes a positional command value for controlling driving of the lens unit based on a signal input from the lens operation unit and controls driving of the lens unit; a time setting unit; and a threshold setting unit setting a positional difference threshold for switching the first and second current values set in the drive unit. When the difference between the positional command value and the lens position is larger than the positional difference threshold and duration after the second current value is set has not exceeded the high-current maximum time, the second current value is set. In other cases, the first current value is set.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Junichi Kasuya
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Patent number: 8687284Abstract: A lens apparatus has an image pickup optical system including a focus lens and a zoom lens, a focus detector, a defocus amount calculating unit, and a controller. The focus detector detects a focus state of the image pickup optical system. The defocus amount calculation unit calculates a defocus amount based on the detected focus state. The controller calculates a driving amount necessary to drive the focus lens to a focus position based on the calculated defocus amount. The controller controls the driving of the focus lens. In particular, the controller controls a driving speed of the focus lens depending on the calculated defocus amount and the calculated driving amount.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Katsumi Karasawa
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Patent number: 8687285Abstract: An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, and a focus motor. The zoom ring unit mechanically transmits operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor electrically drives the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. When the zoom ring is operated in a state in which no power is being supplied to the focus motor, a gap is always ensured in the Z axis direction between the focus lens unit and the second lens group unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
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Patent number: 8660418Abstract: An apparatus and method of adjusting an auto focus are provided. The apparatus includes: an imaging pickup device for generating an image signal by capturing light passing through an imaging lens; a shutter for controlling light exposure of the image pickup device; a focus detector that calculates a contrast value from the image signal and detecting a focus from the contrast value; and a release controller for controlling a release operation constituting a photographing operation of a still image, wherein the release controller includes, as driving modes, a first mode that directs a focus lens included in the imaging lens to be driven while driving the shutter, and a second mode that directs the focus lens not to be driven while driving the shutter. Accordingly, a photographing time is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Ishibashi, Masataka Hamada
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Patent number: 8619374Abstract: A lens control apparatus, and an interchangeable lens including the lens control apparatus, are provided which can obtain, in zoom tracking operation, excellent optical images at subject distances in a wider range. A lens control apparatus controls drive of an optical system including a first and a second focus lens for adjusting a focus state and a zoom lens for adjusting an angle of view. The lens control apparatus includes: a first driver that drives the first focus lens; a second driver that drives the second focus lens; a controller that controls the first and second drivers; and a storage unit that stores first and second tracking data, the first and second tracking data each being information that associates a position of the first and second focus lenses respectively with a position of the zoom lens for focusing on a subject.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takashi Abe, Hiroyuki Kawahara
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Patent number: 8605366Abstract: A driver includes: a first member that holds a lens; a second member to which the first member is fixed; and drive means for driving the second member, wherein a portion in which at least part of the drive means is accommodated is provided in the side surface of the second member.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yoshiteru Kamatani, Kazuhiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 8582222Abstract: The present invention provides an autofocus module including: a supporting base, an electrical focusing element and an conductive element, wherein the supporting base at least accommodates one lens element, the electrical focusing element is disposed at one end of the supporting base so that the electrical focusing element and the lens element are positioned along a common optical lens, and the conductive element is embedded in the supporting base and connected to the electrical focusing element and an external power source respectively. The electrical focusing element obtains power through the conductive element, and by controlling the power magnitude supplied to the electrical focusing element, the focal length thereof can be changed accordingly, thereby carrying out the autofocus operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Largan Precision Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chen-Yi Huang, Te-Sheng Tseng, Wen-Hung Hsu
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Publication number: 20130293969Abstract: A miniature lens auto-focusing structure includes a housing having a top plate; a base plate connectable to the housing to define an inner space between them; a lens module wound around by a coil; and at least one spring member holding and suspending the lens module in the inner space without causing the lens module to contact with the top plate and the base plate. With these arrangements, the spring member is not in a pre-tensioning state when the miniature lens auto-focusing structure is in a non-actuated state. Therefore, the miniature lens auto-focusing structure requires less actuating current and has smaller lens tilt angle than the conventional VCM auto-focusing structure, and can be manufactured at further reduced component cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Fu-Yuan WU, Ying-Chien Hsueh
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Patent number: 8556434Abstract: An image projection apparatus 500 includes an optical modulation element 206R, 206G, 206B, a projection lens 100 configured to project light modulated by the optical modulation element onto a projection surface, an optical unit 201 configured to guide light from a light source 209 to the optical modulation element and to guide the light from the optical modulation element to the projection lens, a shutter mechanism 300 disposed between the optical unit and the projection lens and configured to operate so as to be in an open state and a closed state, and a focus corrector 501 configured to correct a focus variation generated by temperature changes of the optical unit and the projection lens by operating the projection lens based on a focus correction function. The focus corrector changes the focus correction function in accordance with information relating to an operation of the shutter mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Sawahata
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Patent number: 8531788Abstract: A lens device includes a main body unit, a guiding shaft unit, a lens unit, a focus adjusting unit and a resilient component. The guiding shaft unit includes three parallel guiding shafts disposed in the main body unit. The lens unit includes a lens frame disposed in the main body unit and having three guiding portions that receive slidably and respectively the guiding shafts, and a lens mounted co-movably in the lens frame. The focus adjusting unit is disposed in the main body unit and includes a driven member abutting against the lens frame and driven by a driving member for driving the lens unit to slide along the guiding shafts. The resilient component is disposed for biasing resiliently the lens frame toward the driven member.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.Inventor: Chiao-Sen Hsu
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Patent number: 8491127Abstract: A method for automatically focusing a projector includes a projection lens, a driver device and an image capturing device. The method sets an interval step according to a focusing range of the projection lens, reads a predefined picture from a storage system of the projector, and controls the projection lens to project the picture to a projection area. The method controls the image capturing device to capture an image of the picture from the projection area when the projection lens moves at every interval step, and analyzes a contrast of each of the images to determine an optimal image from the images. The method determines a current focus of the projection lens having the optimal image as an optimal focus of the projection lens, and drives the driver device to control the projection lens to move at the optimal focus.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Guang-Jian Wang
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Publication number: 20130163095Abstract: An auto-focus camera module includes an lens module, an image sensor, a color separation unit, a main processor unit and an image processing unit. The lens module captures an image of object. The image sensor receives the image captured by the lens module. The color separation unit separates the image into red, green and blue colors. The main processor unit calculates MTF values of the sensed image and determines a shooting mode of the AF camera. The image processing unit processes the image according to the MTF values to compensate for any blurring of the image caused by being out of focus. The driving unit drives the lens module to the point of optimal focus on the object according to MTF values.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: SUNG-CHING WU, TING-YUAN WU
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Patent number: 8456752Abstract: An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, and a focus motor. The zoom ring unit mechanically transmits operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor electrically drives the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. When the zoom ring is operated in a state in which no power is being supplied to the focus motor, a gap is always ensured in the Z axis direction between the focus lens unit and the second lens group unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu, Masato Murayama