Having Focus Operation Patents (Class 396/79)
  • Patent number: 8098983
    Abstract: A zoom lens system is provided that includes a compactly constructed focusing lens unit and that has a suppressed change in the image magnification at the time of movement of a focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises at least: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; a third lens unit having negative optical power; and an aperture diaphragm. At the time of zooming, the zoom lens system moves the first to third lens units so that intervals between these lens units vary. At the time of focusing from an infinity in-focus condition to a close-point object in-focus condition, the zoom lens system moves the third lens unit to the object side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kyoichi Miyazaki, Katsu Yamada, Takuya Imaoka, Masaki Sampei
  • Patent number: 8094999
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising: a light receiving element having a micro lens array provided with a plurality of micro lenses 111a arranged two-dimensionally, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 112a provided for the plurality of micro lenses, and outputting a light receiving signal obtained by receiving a light beam from an optical system via the micro lens array; a detector 152 that detects a shift amount of image plane by the optical system for a plurality of focus detecting positions set at a plurality of positions in the image plane by the optical system; and a controller 160 that determines a focus adjusting range for the optical system based on the shift amount detected for each of the plurality of focus detecting positions, and obtains the light receiving signal at each of different positions within the focus adjusting range with the light receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Naoyuki Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 8077252
    Abstract: An electronic camera includes an image sensor having an imaging surface for capturing an object scene through a focus lens. When the object scene captured by the imaging surface includes a face portion of a human, a CPU designates, as a focal-point search area a first imaging area for covering an outline of the face portion. The CPU also designates, as a frequency-component detection area, a second imaging area that is smaller than the first imaging area and is for capturing an inner side of the outline of the face portion. Subsequently, the CPU obtains a high-frequency AF evaluation value and a mid-frequency AF evaluation value detected corresponding to the frequency-component detection area, and designates, as a lens moving range, a range different depending upon a relative ratio between the high-frequency AF evaluation value and the mid-frequency AF evaluation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Fukugawa, Kazuhiro Tsujino
  • Patent number: 8068286
    Abstract: A variable focal lens which does not require a reduction of a zoom factor and eliminates an origin sensor is provided. A microcomputer 15 functions as a focus adjustment section which controls a stepper motor 13 to move a focusing ring 5 for a focus adjustment. The microcomputer 15 causes the focusing ring 5 to move by a first moving distance in a first moving direction toward one of a FAR side and a NEAR side, and then to move the focusing ring 5 by a second moving distance in a second moving direction opposite to the first moving direction, and set the point where the focusing ring reaches after the movement in the second moving direction as a reference point for adjustment, and the microcomputer 15 causes the focusing ring 5 to move from the reference point for adjustment in the first moving direction within a range equal to or less than the second moving distance to carry out the focus adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Horiguchi, Gentarou Irisawa, Yuichiro Mori, Masafumi Mizuno, Yasuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8064761
    Abstract: An image is focused onto an image sensor array by efficient movement of an adjustable focus lens by a lens focus motor. A minimum of three focus positions is required to determine an estimated best focus position of the lens focus motor. After which a sweep of the focus positions surrounding the estimated best focus position is performed to verify and determine the best actual focus position of the lens focus motor. A sharpness value of the image being focused comprising a Sobel edge detection or other detections means provide sharpness data to evaluate image sharpness at various lens focus motor positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Digital Imaging Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Muench
  • Publication number: 20110280557
    Abstract: An image taking system including: a lens apparatus; a first and a second operating apparatus, the first and the second operating apparatus configured to output a command information for an optical member movable in the lens apparatus, and the lens apparatus includes: a driving unit for the optical member; and a lens controller for driving the optical member based on a command from the first and the second operating apparatus, wherein the first operating apparatus includes: an operating unit; and a demand controller for outputting, to the lens controller, an information for driving the optical member, and wherein the demand controller outputs a position command information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit being operated, and outputs other information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit not being operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki KIKUCHI
  • Patent number: 8040426
    Abstract: An automatic focusing mechanism comprises a plurality of lenses and an image sensor disposed along an optical axis, an electromagnetic driving device for generating an electromagnetic force to drive the image sensor to move along the optical axis, and a position-limited device for limiting the movement of the image sensor along the optical axis. The image sensor is driven by the electromagnetic force and moved along the optical axis, and the distance between the lenses and the image sensor is properly adjusted, thereby realizing automatic focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: China Mobile Internet Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Chao-hui Zhou
  • Patent number: 8026973
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a focusing unit configured to focus an object to be shot by an imaging unit, a first shooting control unit configured to control the imaging unit in order to continuously shooting at first time intervals upon detecting a shooting instruction, a determining unit configured to determine whether the object moves in a distance direction during a control operation of the first shooting control unit, and a second shooting control unit configured to control the imaging unit in order to continuously shoot at second time intervals and to control the focusing unit in order to focus the object when the determining unit determines that the object moves in the distance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Onoda
  • Patent number: 8027106
    Abstract: An image capturing module is provided. The image capturing module includes: a lens assembly supporting at least one lens, moving along an optical axis of light indicating an image of a subject, and comprising guiding protrusions for guiding the moving the optical axis; a module supporting unit comprising guiding holes to which the guiding protrusions are inserted to guide the lens assembly; a lens driving unit comprising a winding vibration type piezoelectric motor and a piezoelectric motor supporting member, wherein the winding vibration type piezoelectric motor is disposed on the module supporting unit and moves the lens assembly along the optical axis and the piezoelectric motor supporting member supports the winding vibration type piezoelectric motor; a pressurizing member interposed between the piezoelectric motor supporting member and the module supporting unit; and a plurality of ball assemblies interposed between the module supporting unit and the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-kyung Kim, In-hwan Lee, Tae-hoon Jung
  • Patent number: 8023814
    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 includes, in order from object side to image side, 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 having positive optical power. An aperture diaphragm A is arranged on the object side adjacent to the fourth lens unit G4. Further, the fourth lens unit G4 includes, in order from object side to image side, a lens element L8 having positive optical power, a lens element L9 having positive optical power, and a lens element L10 having negative optical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneo Uchida, Nobuyuki Adachi
  • Patent number: 7995131
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a capturing module with at least one lens for capturing an image from a scene, a driving module for driving the at least one lens to different focusing positions using different driving steps, a flat-scene judging module, and a step-judging module. The flat-scene judging module divides the image into a central area and a plurality of peripheral areas, and determines whether the captured scene is a flat scene according to the divided image. The step-judging module determines whether the driving steps corresponding to a maximum focusing value of the central area of the image are same as driving steps corresponding to respective maximum focusing values of the peripheral areas of image, and changes the driving steps corresponding to the maximum focusing value of the central area to the driving steps corresponding to the greatest one of the maximum focusing values of the peripheral areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Nan Yeh
  • Patent number: 7986875
    Abstract: A sound-based focus system includes an imaging device and focus controller. The imaging device is configured for capturing an image. The focus controller includes a sound detecting module and a control module. The sound detecting module is configured for obtaining the position coordinates of a sound source. The control module is configured for controlling the imaging device to focus on the sound source according to the position coordinates thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Fan
  • Patent number: 7978967
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens includes an obtaining unit for obtaining first control information and second control information from the camera body, the first control information being an instruction to control the first drive unit (diaphragm), the second control information being an instruction to control the second drive unit (focus lens, etc), a storage unit for storing the obtained second control information, and a controller for controlling the first drive unit and the second drive unit based on the first and second control information obtained. The second control information (reservation control information) is an instruction to control the second drive unit when the obtaining unit receives the first control information after receiving the second control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Shibuno, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20110158622
    Abstract: The lens apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a focus lens which is driven for bringing a desired subject into focus; a zoom lens which is driven for changing a focal length; and a diaphragm having an aperture diameter which is changed for adjusting an amount of photography light, and the lens apparatus is configured to adjust a position of the focus lens, to thereby perform flange back distance adjustment. In such a lens apparatus, the aperture diameter of the diaphragm is changed at a time of mode transition between a photography mode in which a normal photographing operation is possible and an adjustment mode in which the flange back distance adjustment is possible. Accordingly, the user can instantly know whether or not the lens apparatus is in the flange back distance adjustment mode, only by checking a video picture photographed by a television camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuo SAITO, Tadayoshi EDAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20110141339
    Abstract: A lens optical system includes a first optical system and a second optical system. The lens optical system includes at least one reflection member to selectively redirect optical paths of light representing objects from first and second directions toward a photographing device. The first optical system includes, in order from an object to the photographing device along the optical axis, a first lens group including a first reflection member, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power. The second optical system shares at least one optical element with the first optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-seon Seo
  • Patent number: 7957635
    Abstract: A method and system are described for providing background blurring when capturing an image using an image capture device. According to one aspect, input is received for initiating an image capture process for capturing an image of a subject at an image capture device. A depth of field for capturing the image of the subject in a half of the depth of field furthest from the image capture device is automatically determined. The image is captured using the automatically adjusted depth of field to provide background blurring in the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Scenera Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Sundstrom
  • Patent number: 7952821
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a holder, a lens frame, and an elastic member. The holder includes a first guide axis and a second guide axis. The lens frame includes a first guide section which is movably fitted around the first guide axis and a second guide section which is movably fitted around the second guide axis, and retains at least one lens. The elastic member exerts an energizing force on the second guide section and is disposed between the holder and the second guide section. The lens frame moves along the optical axis direction of the lens as the first guide section is guided by the first guide axis. The elastic member energizes the lens frame along the optical axis direction of the lens by exerting an energizing force on the second guide section. The distance from the holder to the second guide section is different from that from the holder to the first guide section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Hasegawa, Takumi Kuwahara, Manabu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7944490
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an element-including optical system, a variable aperture, a detector, and a converter. The element-including optical system has an optical system and an optical wavefront modulation element which modulates an optical transfer function. The detector picks up an object image that passes through the optical system, the variable aperture, and the optical wavefront modulation element. The converter generates an image signal with a smaller blur than that of a signal of a blurred object image output from the detector. Positions at which the element-including optical system and the detector are attached are adjusted by stopping down a variable aperture included in the element-including optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20110097064
    Abstract: A lens barrel which is capable of increasing the total length of the lens barrel in a shooting state even in a case where the collapsed lens barrel length is short, with a simple construction. A shooting optical system is disposed movably in an optical axis direction. A lens barrel driving member moves the shooting optical system in the optical axis direction while rotating around the optical axis. A lens barrel driving member moving unit moves the lens barrel driving member in the optical axis direction in a transition region during which the lens barrel moves between a shooting state and a non-shooting state while the driving member rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi TERADA
  • Patent number: 7933512
    Abstract: There is disclosed stereographic camera system including first and second cameras including respective first and second lenses. A convergence mechanism may set a convergence angle by rotating at least the first camera about a first pivot axis. A first pivot shift mechanism may adjust the position of the first camera such that the first pivot axis passes through a nodal point of the first lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick Campbell, Vincent Pace
  • Patent number: 7929044
    Abstract: An autofocus searching method includes the following procedures. First, focus values of images, which are acquired during the movement of the object lens, are calculated, in which the focus value includes at least the intensity value of the image derived from the intensities of the pixels of the image. Next, focus searching is based on a first focus-searching step constant and a first focus-searching direction, in which the first focus-searching step constant is a function, e.g., the multiplication, of the focus value and a focus-searching step size. If the focus searching position moves across a peak of the focus values, it is then amended to be based on a second focus-searching direction and a second focus-searching step constant, in which the second focus-searching step constant is smaller than the first focus-searching step constant, and the second focus-searching direction is opposite to the first focus-searching direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jin-Liang Chen, Chung Chu Chang, Chi Hong Tung
  • Publication number: 20110052166
    Abstract: A mid infrared spectral band continuous zoom system is described herein that can provide a continuous zoom range with a focal length change greater than 25X when thermally imaging a distant object. In addition, a method is described herein for using the mid infrared spectral band continuous zoom system to thermally image the distant object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Jim D. Cornell, Mark C. Sanson
  • Publication number: 20110052167
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an imaging optical system; a display unit; a detecting unit performing focus detection in phase difference detection; a focusing unit performing focus control of a lens in the imaging optical system on the basis of the focus detection result; an imaging unit generating an image signal concerning an optical image of a subject; an electronic zoom unit zooming in or out the image of the subject displayed in the display unit on the basis of the image signal by performing signal processing; and a switching unit switching between an electronic zoom active state and an electronic zoom inactive state. The detecting unit includes a sensor unit including a first licensor and a second licensor; a setting unit that sets detection sections having the same section length in the first and second licensors; a focus detecting unit; and a section length controlling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kishimoto, Hisamo Sogawa, Norihiko Akamatsu
  • Publication number: 20110044674
    Abstract: Disclosed are a lens barrel capable of preventing a reduction in strength while maintaining a small size and a small thickness and an imaging apparatus including the lens barrel. A first moving cylinder in which a cam groove to which a second cam follower pin is fitted is provided in an inner surface is arranged outside a cam cylinder having the second cam follower pin provided on an outer surface thereof. In addition, a third lens group frame in which a cam follower pin fitted to one of the cam grooves is provided on an outer surface and a second lens group frame in which a cam follower pin fitted to the other groove is provided on an outer surface are arranged inside the cam cylinder having the cam grooves provided in the inner surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Yuichi KAWANABE
  • Patent number: 7885525
    Abstract: A lens barrel which is capable of increasing the total length of the lens barrel in a shooting state even in a case where the collapsed lens barrel length is short, with a simple construction. A shooting optical system is disposed movably in an optical axis direction. A lens barrel driving member moves the shooting optical system in the optical axis direction while rotating around the optical axis. A lens barrel driving member moving unit moves the lens barrel driving member in the optical axis direction in a transition region during which the lens barrel moves between a shooting state and a non-shooting state while the driving member rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Terada
  • Patent number: 7877006
    Abstract: A focus information display system is provided in which focus state detection that is performed during automatic focusing (AF) and the like is also performed during manual focusing (MF) and the like to display focus information indicating a focus state. By arranging a focus position range at which a correct focus state is determined when a correct focus display is being performed to be wider than a focus position range at which a correct focus state is determined when an out-of-focus display is being performed, stabilization of a state of correct focus display is achieved without jeopardizing correct focusing accuracy when performing focusing according to a focus information display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Chikatsu Moriya
  • Patent number: 7859588
    Abstract: An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output and a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, and a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output and a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor. The sensor output from the first imaging stage is used as a primary output image for forming the captured image signal and the sensor output from the second imaging stage is used as a secondary output image for modifying the primary output image, thereby generating an enhanced, captured image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Parulski, Wilbert F. Janson, Jr., John N. Border, John R. Fredlund, Joseph A. Manico, Robert J. Parada, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100296803
    Abstract: A barrier apparatus of the present invention includes: a support section having an opening portion; a pair of support shaft sections provided around the opening portion; a pair of shielding members having a proximal end portion supported rotatably by the support shaft section, and a distal end movable into and out of the opening portion by the rotation; a pair of engaging sections provided on the pair of shielding members, respectively, each extending from the proximal end portion of the shielding member to a side closer to the center of the opening portion than the support shaft section, and spaced a predetermined distance apart from the distal end of the other shielding member in an optical axis direction of the optical path; and a driving section that engages the pair of engaging sections, and rotates the pair of shielding members by the rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Koji Nagaoka, Takeshi Hiroshima
  • Publication number: 20100290772
    Abstract: An electronic camera includes an imager. The imager includes an imaging surface capturing an object scene image through a zoom lens and a focus lens. When accepting a zoom instruction, a first changer changes a distance from the zoom lens to the imaging surface. With reference to a tracking curve, a second changer executes a process for changing the distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface, in parallel with the change process executed by the first changer. A limiter limits the change process of the second changer when a change manner by the first changer satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kentaro Ito
  • Patent number: 7808543
    Abstract: To provide an automatic focusing system which has an AF pickup device dedicated to an AF operation and which can perform the AF operation with high following ability to a moving subject. At the time of performing an AF control operation, a CPU of a lens unit sets a focusing state of a photographing optical system to an in-focus state by controlling a focus lens group FL of the photographing optical system so that an estimated focus value representing the magnitude of a contrast of a subject image is the maximum. The CPU adjusts an electronic shutter speed of the AF pickup device based on a brightness level of an image signal acquired by the AF pickup device and enhances the frame rate of the AF pickup device as high as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7801431
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes a lens unit, an image sensor, a face recognition unit, a selecting unit, an auto-focusing (AF) unit and a driving unit. The lens unit focuses images onto the image sensor. The image sensor converts the images into electronic signals. The face recognition unit locates any faces in a current image. If faces are detected, the selecting unit indicates to a user where the faces are located in the image, and selects one of the locations as a main focus area in response to a user input. The driving unit is configured for moving the lens unit. The AF unit controls the driving unit to focus the lens unit according to the selected location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Jen Wang, Shih-Pao Cheng
  • Patent number: 7801432
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an object information holding unit to hold a size of a predetermined object included in a subject; an imaging unit to convert incident light from the subject to a captured image; an object detecting unit to detect the object included in the captured image and a size of an object image; an object-autofocus-range calculating unit to calculate an object-autofocus-range that is a limited movement range of a focus lens; a use determination range calculating unit to calculate a use determination range that is a range to determine whether detection of an in-focus position of the detected object is to be performed in the object-autofocus-range and that includes the object-autofocus-range; and an autofocus control unit to detect the in-focus position by setting the object-autofocus-range and moving the focus lens in the object-autofocus-range if a current position of the focus lens is within the use determination range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Fumihiro Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7801430
    Abstract: Cameras are adjusted by setting magnifications of two or more cameras to be substantially equal, focusing the two or more cameras, and setting the two or more cameras so that portions of an object captured thereby when displayed are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark E Gorzynski, Scott Grasley, David R Ingalls
  • Patent number: 7796182
    Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which can record a still image in sharp focus during moving-image recording without a large change in the focus state of the recorded moving image. The image-taking apparatus includes a signal generator which generates a focus evaluation signal representing a focus state based on an output signal from an image-pickup device, and a controller which drives the focus lens such that an in-focus position is searched for based on the focus evaluation signal in performing moving-image recording, and drives the focus lens in a predetermined scan area to detect an in-focus position based on the focus evaluation signal and drives the focus lens to the detected in-focus position in performing still-image recording. The focus lens is driven in a first scan area in performing still-image recording in a still-image recording mode and the focus lens is driven in a second scan area smaller than the first scan area in performing still-image recording in a moving-image recording mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuki Konishi
  • Patent number: 7792420
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device includes an image sensor that includes imaging pixels for capturing an image formed via an imaging optical system and focus detection pixels for detecting a focus adjustment state at the imaging optical system, a focus detector that detects a focus adjustment state at the imaging optical system, and a focus adjustment controller that executes focus adjustment for the imaging optical system based upon the focus adjustment states detected with the image sensor and the focus detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Kusaka
  • Patent number: 7787199
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens barrel, a lens, a sensing element, and an electromagnetic shield. The lens barrel defines a receiving space. The lens is mounted in the receiving space. The sensing element is covered by the lens barrel, is disposed below the lens, and is spaced apart from the lens. The sensing element includes a top face, a bottom face, a side face extending between the top and bottom faces, a plurality of first conductors mounted on the bottom face, at least one second conductor mounted on one of the top, bottom, and side faces, and a grounding element having one end connected to one of the first conductors and the other end connected to the second conductor. The electromagnetic shield is coupled to the lens barrel and includes a grounding portion electrically connected to the second conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignees: Silitek Electronic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chia-Hsi Tsai, Tzu-Kan Chen, Meng-Hsin Kuo, Cheng-Te Tseng, Yi-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 7773876
    Abstract: A novel digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit, a housing including an opening for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a boot coupled the lens unit and the housing. In a particular embodiment, the boot includes an upper end and a lower end, each of which has a different outer perimeter. In another particular embodiment, a portion of the inner surface of the boot remains free of contact from the outer surface of the lens unit. In another particular embodiment, the lower end of the boot extends beyond the lower end of the lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Flextronics AP LLC
    Inventors: Lothar R. Westerweck, Albert John Y. Chua, Bahram Afshari
  • Publication number: 20100195995
    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, 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 including an aspherical surface, and a fourth lens unit G4. The second lens unit G2 includes at least a lens element having a negative optical power and a lens element having a positive optical power. At the time of zooming, the third lens unit G3 moves in a direction along the optical axis such that an interval between the second lens unit G2 and the third lens unit G3 is made longer at a telephoto limit than the interval at a wide-angle limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneo Uchida, Nobuyuki Adachi
  • Patent number: 7764321
    Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus and method in which a target subject is detected from image data obtained through imaging, the distance to the object is calculated based on the size of the target subject, and the distance to the target subject is further measured using a distance measuring sensor. Then, a subject distance is determined according to the size of the detected target subject, and based on the distance to the target subject calculated based on the size of the target subject and/or the distance to the target subject obtained by the distance measuring sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7755695
    Abstract: A camera system is disclosed which allows different types of lens apparatuses to be used in combination with a single image-taking apparatus without requiring changes of focus control signals on the side of the image-taking apparatus depending on the type of a lens apparatus mounted on the image-taking apparatus. The camera system includes an image-taking apparatus which outputs a focus control signal and a lens apparatus which includes a focus lens and is mounted on the image-taking apparatus. The lens apparatus includes a controller which produces a drive signal according to a type of focus of the lens apparatus based on the focus control signal and controls drive of the focus lens based on the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Natsume, Kazumasa Yoshikawa, Yasuyuki Tomita, Katsumi Karasawa, Takashi Kameyama, Seiji Sato, Hidekazu Suto, Hirotsugu Terada
  • Patent number: 7751700
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device includes an image sensor that includes imaging pixels for capturing an image formed via an imaging optical system and focus detection pixels for detecting a focus adjustment state at the imaging optical system through a first pupil division-type image shift detection method, a focus detector that detects a focus adjustment state at the imaging optical system through a second pupil division-type image shift detection method different from the first pupil division-type image shift detection method, and a focus adjustment controller that executes focus adjustment for the imaging optical system based upon the focus adjustment states detected by the image sensor and the focus detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Kusaka
  • Publication number: 20100166403
    Abstract: A camera assembly, preferably a cinematographic camera assembly, comprises a camera housing and a plurality of interchangeable lenses which can be attached to the camera housing for capturing an image. Each lens has a body and a lens system comprising at least one lens element that is movable relative to the lens body to alter the focus distance of the lens, the lens having a focal length that differs from the focal length of the each other lenses. Each lens has a focus scale on one of the lens system and the lens body that comprises a plurality of focus distance marks, and a focus index mark on the other of the lens system and the lens body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Iain A. Neil
  • Patent number: 7725016
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid zoom lens. The liquid zoom lens comprises a cylindrical body including glass lenses respectively coupled at upper and lower openings to the body, an auto-focus lens part including a first liquid insulating layer and a first electrolyte layer stacked at a lower portion of the body to form an interface therebetween, and an optical zoom lens part including a second liquid insulating layer and a second electrolyte layer stacked on the first electrolyte layer to form an interface therebetween and a lens positioned in the second liquid insulating layer and fixed to the body with an outer peripheral surface of the lens closely contacting an inner peripheral surface of the body. The liquid zoom lens enables an auto-focus function and an optical zoom function to be performed simultaneously by means of a single liquid lens having a variable curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Ho Lee, Jae Young Bae, Sung Chan Kim, Jin Hyuck Yang, Ha Yong Jung
  • Patent number: 7719602
    Abstract: An electronic device can perform photographing by an AF (Auto-Focusing) function and a PF (Pan-Focus) function, and can give improvement of quickness of the taking of an image by automatically selecting an image, which is taken into the device, from a relation between the AF function and a shutter operation. The electronic device has an imaging part which catches an image obtained through an optical system, and also has a focusing mechanism which moves the optical system to an auto-focusing position or a fixed focus position. The electronic device further comprises a switch and a control part. The switch functions as a focusing switch ordering the focusing mechanism a focusing action, and also functions as a shutter switch ordering taking of an image caught by the imaging part. By this, the switch orders the focusing action or the taking of the caught image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Susumu Aoyama, Ken Hayashida, Toshikazu Houmura, Kiyoshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7720370
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens barrel in which operability for a user is increased and a reduction in parts is achieved while provided with a manual operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Takushi Terasaka, Toshio Yoshimatu
  • Patent number: 7715703
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: image capturing pixels and focus detection pixels disposed together on a single substrate; and adjacent pixels that are not equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit and are disposed adjacent to the focus detection pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Utagawa, Yosuke Kusaka
  • Patent number: 7711253
    Abstract: A blur correction camera system includes a blur correction lens driven based upon the vibration detection signal detected by an angular velocity sensor, that corrects an image blur, a point-image function computing unit that computes a point spread function, and an image restoration computing unit that corrects an image blur by executing image restoration through image processing on a captured image by using the point spread function. The image blur that cannot be completely corrected by the blur correction lens is further corrected through image restoration so as to obtain a high quality image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tomita, Kazutoshi Usui, Kenichi Kitano, Yoshiko Ono
  • Patent number: 7702230
    Abstract: To provide a digital camera capable of causing a focus sensor to detect a focus while outputting to an image sensor image data for providing appropriate exposure after having adjusted an aperture ratio of an aperture in an image capture optical system such that appropriate exposure is achieved. A digital camera divides light from a subject having passed through an aperture into two beams of light; causes one of the beams to enter the image sensor to thus cause the image sensor to capture a subject image; and causes the other beam to enter the focus sensor to thus cause the focus sensor to detect a focus from the other beam of light. The digital camera adjusts an aperture ratio of the aperture such that the quantity of the other beam reaches the minimum quantity of light at or above which the focus sensor can detect a focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Takayuki Kijima
  • Patent number: 7697830
    Abstract: A digital camera includes a phase difference AF sensor unit, phase difference AF detection unit, contrast AF detection unit, lens driving unit which focuses a taking lens, shading determination unit which determines based on lens information of the taking lens whether focus detection by the phase difference AF sensor unit is possible, and an AF control unit. The AF control unit cause the lens driving unit to focus the taking lens based on a focus detection result of the phase difference AF detection unit when the shading determination unit determines that the focus detection by the phase difference AF sensor unit is possible, and causes the lens driving unit to focus the taking lens based on a focus detection result of the contrast AF detection unit when the shading determination unit determines that the focus detection by the phase difference AF sensor unit is not possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Masataka Ide, Koichi Nakata
  • Patent number: 7697828
    Abstract: An integrated optical auto focus and zooming system is provided, which includes a first optical lens, a first hollow casing, a second hollow casing, a plurality of piezoelectric elements. The first optical lens is placed in the first hollow casing, the first hollow casing and the second hollow casing are screwed with each other, and the plurality of piezoelectric elements are attached either on the first hollow casing or the second hollow casing. Upon the excitation of mechanical vibrations by the plurality of piezoelectric elements, a traveling wave is generated on the attached casing, so as to drive the other casing to rotate and then to move axially. Additional lens groups and casings can be added in the same way so to achieve multiple relative motions between lens groups and image sensor, and thus achieving the objectives of focusing and zooming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: Boly Media Communications (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Xiaoping Hu, Bin Tian, Yi Li, Tieying Zhou, Cunyue Lu, Yu Chen