Temperature Compensating Patents (Class 396/97)
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Patent number: 12143716Abstract: An imaging device includes an image sensor, a lens assembly, a temperature sensor, and a processor. The lens assembly includes a lens whose distance from the image sensor is adjustable from a minimum stroke distance to a maximum stroke distance. The temperature sensor determines a temperature of the imaging device. The processor instantiates auto focus tables that are each correlated to a temperature, receives at temperature from the temperature sensor, selects an auto focus table associated with the temperature, and provides an auto focus for the object based upon the auto focus table. Each auto focus table provides a temperature compensated correlation of a first stroke distance associated with the object at the maximum distance from the imaging device, and a second stroke distance associated with the object at the minimum distance from the imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Yi Hsien Lin, Chih Hao Kao, Chien Chih Liao
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Patent number: 12092663Abstract: Sensor part for installation in medium-voltage cable compartments, which sensor part comprises a voltage divider based on the capacitive divider principle, which voltage divider comprises: —a first capacitor, comprising an elongate primary conductor wrapped in a dielectric material and an elongate conducting shield arranged around the dielectric material, which first capacitor has a first capacitance rating; —a second capacitor, having a second capacitance rating, which second capacitor further comprises a first lead conductively connected with the conducting shield of the first capacitor and a second lead conductively connected to a common reference, such as earth; —a voltage output line, conductively connected with the conducting shield of the first capacitor; wherein the second capacitance rating is larger than the first capacitance rating, so that when during use the primary conductor is conductively connected with a live circuit carrying an alternating current, a measurement of a voltage between the commType: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Pradeep Bhutada, Wilhelmus Van Den Bogaard, Elisabeth Morskieft, Yogesh Rajwade, Tejaswini Shirsath Shirsath, Adri Lammers
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Patent number: 11878623Abstract: Illumination device, for a motor vehicle headlight, has an illuminant and an optical device associated therewith. The optical device has adjustment means to adjust operating states (OS) of the optical device. In a first OS, the optical device forms a first light function with light of the illuminant. In a second OS, the optical device forms a second light function different from the first light function with light of the illuminant. The illuminant includes light sources spaced apart from one another, and the optical device has scattering elements to scatter the light of the light sources. The adjustment means is configured to adjust the optical device such that in the first OS, the optical device has a first normal distance to the light sources and, in the second OS, has a second normal distance to the light sources, wherein the second normal distance is greater than the first normal distance.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: ZKW Group GmbHInventor: Manuel Stadler
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Patent number: 11877056Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor, and a memory connected to or built in the processor, in which the processor performs first distance measurement of measuring a distance to an imaging region based on an irradiation timing at which a light irradiator emits light to the imaging region and a light-receiving timing at which a light receiver receives reflected light of the light from the imaging region, performs second distance measurement of measuring the distance to the imaging region based on a first image obtained by imaging the imaging region by an imaging apparatus, and executes a specific process in a case in which a first distance measurement result obtained by performing the first distance measurement and a second distance measurement result obtained by performing the second distance measurement are different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Tomonori Masuda, Kenkichi Hayashi
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Patent number: 11678054Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for image signal processing. For example, method may include determining a sequence of orientation estimates based on sensor data from one or more motion sensors. The method may include receiving an image from the image sensor. The method may include filtering the sensor data with a pass band matching an operation bandwidth to the sequence of orientation estimates to obtain filtered data. The method may include invoking an electronic image stabilization module to correct the image based on the filtered data to obtain a stabilized image. The method may include storing, displaying, or transmitting an output image based on the stabilized image.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Enke, Stepan Moskovchenko, Benjamin P. Tankersley, Adam Fenn, Nenad Uzunovic
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Patent number: 11428581Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for predictive modeling in an imaging system. The methods and apparatus for predictive modeling may comprise various circuits and/or systems configured to measure a temperature and utilize the measured temperature in conjunction with a predictive model to predict a self-heating value, temperature changes, and an ambient temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Yoshihisa Tabuchi
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Patent number: 11381742Abstract: An optical apparatus attachable to an image pickup apparatus and switchable a power state between a first state and a second state that consumes a power less than the first state includes a driver that drives a driven member, a first detector configured to detect a driving amount of the driver or whether the driven member is located at a predetermined position, a memory that stores a signal value of the first detector when the power state of the optical apparatus is switched from the first state to the second state, and a determiner that determines that the driver is in an abnormal state when the signal value stored in the memory and the signal value of the first detector when the power state of the optical apparatus is switched from the second state to the first state are different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yutaka Watanabe
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Patent number: 11314153Abstract: An apparatus includes a first sensor configured to acquire a first temperature at a predetermined position, a second sensor configured to acquire a second temperature at a position different from the predetermined position, a controller configured to limit a predetermined function, and a prediction unit configured to obtain an environmental temperature based on a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, and information about temporal variation of the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature in a case where the predetermined function is performed.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoyuki Shiozaki, Hiroshi Toriumi, Yoichiro Imai, Daiyu Ueno
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Patent number: 11043914Abstract: A control device for actuating an electric motor has: a temperature sensor interface for connecting an external temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is provided to monitor the temperature of the electric motor, and a monitoring unit, which is configured to evaluate at least one temperature-dependent property of the temperature sensor in order to monitor the temperature of the electric motor and to exchange data with the electric motor via the temperature sensor interface independently of and in addition to the temperature monitoring.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Schmidhauser AGInventor: Andreas Burgermeister
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Patent number: 10868952Abstract: The image-capturing apparatus includes a camera communicator configured to provide, with the accessory apparatus, a first data communication channel used for transmitting accessory data from the accessory apparatus to the image-capturing apparatus, and a second data communication channel used for transmitting camera data from the image-capturing apparatus to the accessory apparatus; and a camera controller configured to perform communication with the accessory apparatus through the camera communicator. The camera controller and the accessory apparatus are configured to be capable of switching their communication modes between a first communication mode and a second communication mode. The camera controller is configured to cause the accessory apparatus to transmit the accessory data whose settings of parity bits are different between in the first and second communication modes.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsushi Sugita
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Patent number: 10802244Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for focus control in an imaging system. The methods and apparatus may comprise various circuits and/or systems configured to measure the ambient temperature of the lens module and compute a corrected target position based on known thermal characteristics of the lens and/or the lens barrel. Factors used to obtain the corrected target position may comprise the material the of the lens barrel, the thermal time constant of the lens barrel, the linear expansion coefficient of the lens barrel, the effective focal length (EFL) of the lens, the thermal response of the lens, and/or the temperature characteristic coefficient of the EFL.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Yoshihisa Tabuchi
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Patent number: 10788644Abstract: Provided are a lens device capable of preventing a focus shift of an imaging optical system due to heat without reducing a degree of freedom of design, an imaging device comprising the same, and a focus shift correction method of a lens device.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Tetsu Wada
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Patent number: 10598891Abstract: A control apparatus (13) includes a data acquirer (13a) that acquires correction data indicating a relationship between a temperature change amount and a focus movement amount and a focus controller (13b) that changes an operation mode of a temperature changer depending on the correction data.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toshiyuki Dobashi
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Patent number: 10447176Abstract: A vibration type actuator control apparatus is configured to control driving of a vibration type actuator configured to move a moving body that is one of the vibrator and a contact body that contacts a vibrator. The vibration type actuator includes the vibrator in which a vibration is excited when a two-phase drive signal having a phase difference is applied to an electro-mechanical energy conversion element. The vibration type actuator control apparatus includes a drive signal generator configured to generate the two-phase drive signal. The drive signal generator changes a phase difference of the two-phase drive signal from an initial phase difference when the moving body is moved from a stopped state. The initial phase difference is determined based on a phase difference shift indicative of a shift from a phase difference set so as to stop the moving body.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tomoaki Yamanaka
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Patent number: 10362303Abstract: A mobile device includes a camera module, including a lens and an image sensor. An inertial sensor in the mobile device outputs a signal indicative of an orientation of the device. A controller corrects one or more focal properties of the camera module responsively to the orientation indicated by the inertial sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Daniel Kravitz, Niv Gilboa, Yohai Zmora, Zafrir Mor, Jonathan Pokrass
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Patent number: 9664877Abstract: To compensate for a focal plane shifting away from an image plane due to a temperature change, an integrated image sensor and lens assembly includes an optical component and an optics compensator including passively actuating elements. The passively actuating elements couple the optical component to the inner surface of the lens mount. The passively actuating elements and the optics component are configured such that the focal plane is maintained to coincide with or substantially coincide with the image plane. The passively actuating elements and the optics component adjust the distance an incident ray travels in the optics compensator when the temperature changes to thereby maintaining the focal plane to coincide with or substantially coincide with the image plane.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventor: Scott Patrick Campbell
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Patent number: 8837931Abstract: A method, performed by a monitoring device, may include detecting a temperature change, greater than a temperature change threshold, from a previous temperature to a current temperature; retrieving a trend-based motor position setting for a focus motor from a trend statistics memory based on the current temperature; and selecting a starting motor position setting for the focus motor based on the retrieved trend-based motor position setting or a current motor position setting. The method may further include performing a just noticeable difference modification on the focus motor using the selected starting motor position setting, wherein the just noticeable difference corresponds to a change in a motor position setting that results in a perceivable change in a focus level of the monitoring device, and selecting a temperature adjusted motor position setting for the focus motor based on a result of the just noticeable difference modification.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Axis ABInventors: Henning Gredegård, Björn Östby
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Patent number: 8781313Abstract: A lens apparatus detachable from an image pickup apparatus includes a focus lens, a driver configured to drive the focus lens, a first position detector configured to detect a position of the focus lens, and a controller configured to correct the position of the focus lens detected by the first position detector to a position of the focus lens in a predetermined optical characteristic, to transmit a corrected position of the focus lens to the image pickup apparatus, to correct driving information of the focus lens in the predetermined characteristic received from the image pickup apparatus to driving information of the focus lens in a current optical characteristic, and to instruct the driver to drive the focus lens in accordance with the position of the focus lens detected by the first position detector and corrected driving information of the focus lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Minoru Uchiyama
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Publication number: 20140093228Abstract: A method, performed by a monitoring device, may include detecting a temperature change, greater than a temperature change threshold, from a previous temperature to a current temperature; retrieving a trend-based motor position setting for a focus motor from a trend statistics memory based on the current temperature; and selecting a starting motor position setting for the focus motor based on the retrieved trend-based motor position setting or a current motor position setting. The method may further include performing a just noticeable difference modification on the focus motor using the selected starting motor position setting, wherein the just noticeable difference corresponds to a change in a motor position setting that results in a perceivable change in a focus level of the monitoring device, and selecting a temperature adjusted motor position setting for the focus motor based on a result of the just noticeable difference modification.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: AXIS ABInventors: Henning Gredegård, Björn Östby
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Patent number: 8687110Abstract: In one embodiment, a camera is provided that includes: an image sensor configured to provide an image signal; an automatic gain control (AGC) unit configured to determine an AGC control signal for controlling a gain applied to the image signal; a cooler configured to cool the image sensor; and a thermal control circuit configured to compare the AGC control signal to a threshold, wherein the thermal control circuit is further configured to turn on the cooler if the comparison indicates that the AGC control signal exceeds the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventor: David W. Gardner
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Patent number: 8509611Abstract: A lens controlling device disclosed herein includes: a servo calculation section which calculates a motor current setting value such that a lens position detection signal which is inputted from a photo reflector agrees with a predetermined target lens position setting signal; a motor driver which generates a motor current in accordance with the motor current setting value, and supplies the motor current to a lens drive motor; and a temperature correction calculation section which monitors the motor current setting value to generate the temperature correction signal, and corrects either one of the target lens position setting signal and the lens position detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Saito, Akihito Saito
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Patent number: 8189093Abstract: To provide a drive unit and a drive module which include a shape memory alloy as a drive source to move a driven member and are capable of the high-precision movement of the driven member to a reference position. A drive unit and a drive module can be provided by controlling, in the drive unit and the drive module which include the shape memory alloy as the drive source to move the driven member, the shape memory alloy so that the resistance of the shape memory alloy is equal to the resistance when the driven member is located at the reference position.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.Inventors: Yasutaka Tanimura, Takeshi Aoi, Yoshihiro Hara, Natsuko Shiota
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Patent number: 8190012Abstract: An optical system includes actuators in a coupling between a detector, such as a focal plane array, and a frame (mount) that supports the detector. The actuators may be actuated piezoelectric shims that can have their thickness adjusted by applying a voltage to them. The adjustment of the thickness of the actuators (shims) may be used to control tilt and focus (axial position) of the detector relative to the frame (and other parts of the optical system). The optical system may be part of a flying vehicle, such as a spacecraft or aircraft, for instance a missile. The system may include a temperature sensor, and a control system that adjusts the thickness the actuated shims based on temperature, for example using a lookup table.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Wetherell, Byron B. Taylor
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Patent number: 8169487Abstract: An image-shake correction apparatus includes a shake detection unit configured to detect a shake applied to the image-shake correction apparatus, a shake correction unit configured to correct the shake of an image caused by the shake, a drive unit configured to drive the shake correction unit, a filtering unit configured to remove a specific frequency component from the output of the shake detection unit, a characteristic change unit configured to change the frequency characteristic of the filtering unit, and a temperature detection unit configured to detect temperature of the shake detection unit or a vivinity thereof, wherein the characteristic change unit changes the frequency characteristic of the filtering unit according to the change rate in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masaaki Noguchi
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Publication number: 20120063760Abstract: An optical system includes actuators in a coupling between a detector, such as a focal plane array, and a frame (mount) that supports the detector. The actuators may be actuated piezoelectric shims that can have their thickness adjusted by applying a voltage to them. The adjustment of the thickness of the actuators (shims) may be used to control tilt and focus (axial position) of the detector relative to the frame (and other parts of the optical system). The optical system may be part of a flying vehicle, such as a spacecraft or aircraft, for instance a missile. The system may include a temperature sensor, and a control system that adjusts the thickness the actuated shims based on temperature, for example using a lookup table.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Thomas J. Wetherell, Byron B. Taylor
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Patent number: 8115814Abstract: An apparatus and method to track and to photograph a mobile object over a wide range, by a cooperative operation of multiple cameras. In addition, a mobile tracking system is provided for tracking the mobile object by the cooperation of multiple cameras, in which each camera includes a photographing device which photographs and recognizes the mobile object, a changing device which changes a view angle of the photographing device, a position deriving device which derives a position of the camera, a distance deriving device which derives the distance between the camera and the mobile object, and a communication device which transmits an identifier of the camera, a position of the camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and the distance between the camera and the mobile object to another camera and receives an identifier of the other camera, a position of the other camera, a moving direction of the mobile object and a distance between the other camera and the mobile object from the other camera.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiko Iwase, Masaaki Imaizumi
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Patent number: 8077411Abstract: A lens displacement mechanism using shaped memory alloy (SMA) applied to an auto-focusing lens module is disclosed. The lens displacement mechanism comprising at least one SMA wire. Two opposite ends of the SMA wire are fixed and a longitudinal mid-point of an intermediate movable portion between the two opposite ends is tightened and is fixed on a corresponding hook disposed on an outer edge of the lens so that the intermediate movable portion is tightened between the two opposite ends. When the SMA wire is heated, the intermediate movable portion contracts to pull the hook of the lens for driving the lens to move and slide along with an optical axis so as to achieve auto-focus control. The present lens displacement mechanism is simple in structure and reflow process. Therefore, the present displacement mechanism is suitable to be used in portable camera or mobile phone or PDA, which needs to be small and have easily mass production by SMT.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: E-Pin Optical Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: San-Woei Shyu, Shr-Bin Wu, Chih-Hsiung Huang
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Patent number: 8040622Abstract: An imaging system (400) includes an imaging lens (116) prone to temperature changes which leads to changes in the imaging focus position of the imaging lens. A temperature sensor (404) configured to monitor the temperature of the imaging lens. An imaging lens adjustment element (120) attached to the imaging lens configured to adjust the setting of the imaging lens. A controller (104) configured to process temperature readings and adjust the position of the imaging lens by activating the imaging lens adjustment element.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Israel Schuster, Yehuda Solomon
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Patent number: 7961220Abstract: There is provided a camera-shake correction mechanism by which camera shaking is corrected for by moving an imaging device on a plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis and in directions that are mutually orthogonal. The mechanism includes a heat dissipating mechanism that diffuses heat from the imaging device into atmosphere from a rear surface of the imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Masaki Orihashi, Kazuhiko Suzuki, Ryuichi Yasuhara, Naoki Kamaya
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Patent number: 7925148Abstract: This document relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a camera according to temperature. The apparatus according to an embodiment of this document may comprise a camera comprising lenses comprising a focus lens, an iris, a lens barrel, a motor drive for controlling positions of the lenses and the iris, and a CCD, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the camera, memory for storing information about a relationship between temperatures and positions of the lenses, and a state of the camera, and a controller for controlling the camera to capture an image, measuring temperature variation between a current state and a previous state through the temperature sensor, calculating a position where the focus lens has been moved according to the temperature variation based on the relationship information of the temperatures and the positions of the lenses, and determining whether to compensate for the moved position.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hoseok Choi, Gihoon Lee, Jinsoo Park, Mansung Kim
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Patent number: 7782548Abstract: An interchangeable lens unit includes a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, a focus motor, and a photosensor. The zoom ring unit is arranged to mechanically transmit operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor is configured to electrically drive the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. The photosensor is configured to detect whether or not the focus lens unit is disposed at a starting point position with respect to the second lens group unit. The starting point position is disposed within the total movement range E of the focus lens unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Norikazu Katsuyama
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Patent number: 7663811Abstract: A driving mechanism, a driving device, and a lens driving device includes a lever member. The lever member includes an arm portion for surrounding a part of a driven member in a side direction. The arm portion has a plurality of displacement output portions to be engaged with the driven member. The lever member is constructed in such a manner that a displacement amount of the displacement output portions in a predetermined first axis direction is set larger than a displacement amount of a displacement input portion to be generated by input of a moving force to be applied by a shape memory alloy actuator. The driving mechanism, the driving device, and the lens driving device enable to obtain a large displacement amount with a reduced size and a reduced weight, and stably move the driven member.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiro Noda, Takashi Matsuo
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Patent number: 7574126Abstract: A lens position calculator is provided that determines a phase of a driving signal as a reference position of an imaging lens when an output value of a position detection sensor reaches a threshold value. The lens position calculator determines a position obtained by performing addition or subtraction on the reference position read out from a reference position storage as a judgment position, detects an output value of the position detection sensor at a timing in synchronization with the driving signal that drives a driver and at the judgment position, and judges whether the output value of the position detection sensor at the judgment position reaches the threshold value or not, so as to determine the reference position again.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kenichi Honjo, Kouji Shibuno, Takayuki Hayashi, Masato Murayama
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Patent number: 7567395Abstract: A lens module assembly and an imaging system are disclosed. The imaging system includes the lens module assembly and an image sensor received in the assembly. The lens module assembly includes a lens module, and a temperature regulator disposed on the lens module. The temperature regulator is configured for keeping temperature of the lens module within a predetermined range so as to ensure image quality of the lens module.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kun-I Yuan
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Patent number: 7466542Abstract: A laptop computer is disclosed. The laptop computer comprises a processor, a memory, a graphics controller, a display panel and a display housing. The display housing is for holding the display panel. The display housing has an opening for fixing a replaceable camera module or a replaceable cover module selectively. When the replaceable camera module is fixed to the opening, the replaceable camera module is electrically connected with the graphics controller and provides pixel data. The graphics controller then drives the display panel to display the pixel data.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Inventors: Yan-Lin Kuo, Tsan-Shenh Chen
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Publication number: 20080285966Abstract: An optical system of a focus detection apparatus includes a condenser lens positioned behind an expected focal plane of a photographing lens; an auxiliary lens group positioned behind the condenser lens to be coaxial therewith; and a pair of separator lenses positioned behind the auxiliary lens group in close vicinity thereof and integrally molded from resin. An object image formed on the expected focal plane is divided into two images by the pair of separator lenses to be reformed on a pair of areas on a sensor, respectively, and the auxiliary lens group includes a negative lens element made of resin, and a positive lens element made of glass.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: HOYA CORPORATIONInventor: Moriyasu KANAI
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Publication number: 20080152334Abstract: This document relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a camera according to temperature. The apparatus according to an embodiment of this document may comprise a camera comprising lenses comprising a focus lens, an iris, a lens barrel, a motor drive for controlling positions of the lenses and the iris, and a CCD, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the camera, memory for storing information about a relationship between temperatures and positions of the lenses, and a state of the camera, and a controller for controlling the camera to capture an image, measuring temperature variation between a current state and a previous state through the temperature sensor, calculating a position where the focus lens has been moved according to the temperature variation based on the relationship information of the temperatures and the positions of the lenses, and determining whether to compensate for the moved position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Hoseok Choi, Gihoon Lee, Jinsoo Park, Mansung Kim
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Patent number: 7110667Abstract: An auto focus apparatus of the present invention comprises a first temperature detection device, a second temperature detection device, a reference driving range storage device, a correction information storage device, a reference driving range acquisition device, a correction information acquisition device, a driving range setting device, and a driving control device.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Michitaka Nakazawa
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Patent number: 7042503Abstract: An image sensing apparatus of this invention includes a signal generator adapted to generate a signal upon reception of input light, a transfer unit adapted to transfer the signal generated by the signal generator, a temperature measuring unit adapted to measure a temperature, an amplification unit adapted to amplify the signal transferred from the transfer unit, and a control unit adapted to control the gain of the amplification unit at a first temperature to be lower that the gain of the amplification unit at a second temperature measuring unit, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 7035019Abstract: A lens barrel extending and retracting mechanism. A photographic optical axis and a central axis of a lens barrel are eccentric such that a first lens group and a second lens group are housed in a side of a CCD separated from the optical axis. The lens barrel is rotatably extended around the central axis thereof, and a picture is taken when lens optical axes of the first lens group and the second lens group coincide with the optical axis. The lens barrel extending and retracting mechanism prevents displacement and tilt of the lens optical axes of the first lens group and the second lens group, maintaining optical performance and reducing the size of the lens barrel in the housed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignees: Asia Optical Co., Inc., Optek CorporationInventor: Takamasa Sakamoto
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Patent number: 6826361Abstract: A system and method for estimating lens temperature is disclosed. In one embodiment, a camera comprises a body and a lens assembly. The lens assembly comprises a focus mechanism. The body comprises a heat generating element, a sensor proximally located to the heat generating element, and a processor. The sensor is configured to provide a signal responsive to temperature. The processor is configured to apply an input responsive to the signal to a heat transfer model to determine a temperature of the lens assembly. The processor further determines a focus error correction responsive to the temperature of said lens assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Jason E. Yost
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Patent number: 6822688Abstract: An optical apparatus having an image-forming optical system comprising a movable lens, comprises a lens drive mechanism for moving the movable lens, a focus adjusting device for automatically adjusting an imaging position by moving the movable lens or another optical element, based on detection of a focus detecting-device, a detecting device for detecting a temperature change or a humidity change, and a control device for actuating the lens drive mechanism upon stop of operation of the focus adjusting device, based on detection in the detecting device, to move the movable lens for correction.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1999Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Seiya Ohta
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Patent number: 6707994Abstract: A device for determining an amount of focus adjustment for an image-forming optical system which forms an image on a predetermined image plane includes a sensor, an image-re-forming optical system which re-forms the image on the sensor, and a reference member disposed at a position close to the predetermined image plane of the image-forming optical system. The projection image of the reference member is detected by the sensor, and a correction calculation is performed on the basis of the displacement of the projection image of the reference member from a preset position, so that errors in detection results caused by temperature variation, etc., are corrected.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuyuki Nakagawa
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Patent number: 6584282Abstract: A finder optical system for observing an object therethrough, includes a variable-power objective optical system, an eyepiece optical system for guiding light from the object via the objective optical system to an observer, and an adjustor for changing the optical characteristics of an image of the object observed by the observer through the eyepiece optical system based on information about the temperature of the finder optical system, the distance from the finder optical system to the object, and the zoom position of the objective optical system.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1999Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Saito
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Patent number: 6487371Abstract: A range finder device includes a light projecting section for projecting range finding light onto an object and a light receiving section for monitoring the image pattern of the object. An integrating circuit integrates an output signal from the light receiving section. A steady light component removing section prevents an output signal accompanying steady light irradiated steadily onto the light receiving section from being fed to the integrating circuit. A control section sets a first mode in which the steady light component removing section is operated during range finding or a second mode in which the steady light component removing section is not operated based on an output signal from the light receiving section.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Osamu Nonaka
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Patent number: 6465769Abstract: A focus detecting device includes a focus detecting sensor having a glass plate affixed to a surface thereof, and a holding member which holds the focus detecting sensor. The holding member is provided with a first abutting surface on which the glass plate of the focus detecting sensor abuts, a second abutting surface on which a side surface of the focus detecting sensor abuts, and a groove, disposed between the first and second abutting surfaces, in which an adhesive for fixing the focus detecting sensor flows.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Sakurai
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Publication number: 20020136548Abstract: A lens displacing mechanism for an objective lens comprising an actuator movable to displace the objective lens, and a shaped memory alloy (abbreviated to SMA) wire which when heated contracts to a memorized shape to move the actuator to displace the objective lens, is characterized in that the SMA wire has opposite ends that are fixed in place and an intermediate movable portion between the opposite ends that directly contacts the actuator to move the actuator when the SMA wire is heated to contract.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Timothy J. Fuss
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Patent number: 6449434Abstract: A lens displacing mechanism for an objective lens comprising an actuator movable to displace the objective lens, and a shaped memory alloy (abbreviated to SMA) wire which when heated contracts to a memorized shape to move the actuator to displace the objective lens, is characterized in that the SMA wire has opposite ends that are fixed in place and an intermediate movable portion between the opposite ends that directly contacts the actuator to move the actuator when the SMA wire is heated to contract.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Timothy J. Fuss
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Patent number: 6337736Abstract: The range finder measures the distance to the object based on the principle of triangulation, and includes a pair of lenses; a lens supporting frame; a CCD supporting plate; CCD packages supported by the plate; and temperature sensors. One sensor is positioned on the frame between the lenses, and the other is positioned on the plate between the CCD packages. Each CCD package includes a CCD chip located at a focal plane of the lens, a casing and a transparent plate. The lenses, frame, casing and transparent plates are made of the same plastic material so that the thermal expansion of the entire range finder caused by the temperature change may not affect to the distance measurement. Bonding ribs connected to the transparent plate are located near an image ray hole to face each other and on the line perpendicular to the optical axis of the CCD chip and the plane containing the optical axes of the CCD chips.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Sugiyama, Akio Izumi, Nobuo Hirata, Hajime Fukamura
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Patent number: 6298199Abstract: An electric circuit for a camera of this invention performs stable camera control with a simple structure and does not depend on a change in environment, such as temperature. The electric circuit for a camera has an IFIC capable of outputting signals with a plurality of temperature characteristics, and a CPU. The CPU selectively receives the output signals with the plurality of temperature characteristics. An output signal is formed based on this selected input signal and a digital signal computed by the CPU.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsumasa Okubo, Osamu Nonaka