| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 396133000 |
Lens drive circuit or motor structure
| 86 |
| 396125000 |
Processing circuit
| 58 |
| 396104000 |
Reliability of focus/distance signal
| 38 |
| 396111000 |
Optical detail with photoelement system
| 25 |
| 396121000 |
Plural focusing or rangefinding areas
| 23 |
| 396144000 |
Mechanical mechanism for displacement of exposure objective
| 18 |
| 396095000 |
Having pursuit mode
| 18 |
| 396106000 |
Having auxiliary illumination
| 15 |
| 396124000 |
Single focus area with variable size or location
| 13 |
| 396091000 |
Lens characteristic compensating
| 11 |
| 396096000 |
Having accumulation photoarray and time control means
| 8 |
| 396090000 |
Lens resetting
| 7 |
| 396098000 |
Ambient light compensating | 4 |
| 20080240700 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND FOCUSING METHOD - Unless a release button is pressed halfway to input a command to prepare for capturing a still image, a focus lens is moved at predetermined intervals to focus roughly on a subject. When the release button is pressed halfway, the present position of the focus lens is detected. If the position of the focus lens is closer to a lens terminal on a short shooting distance side, the focus lens is moved from the lens terminal on the short shooting distance side toward a lens terminal on a long shooting distance side. If the position of the focus lens is closer to the lens terminal on the long shooting distance side, the focus lens is moved from the lens terminal on the long shooting distance side toward the opposite lens terminal. When an in-focus position is detected while the focus lens is being moved, the focus lens is immediately set at the in-focus position. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20100054722 | FOCUSING POSITION DETERMINING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS AND FOCUSING POSITION DETERMINING METHOD - Provided are a focusing position determining apparatus, an imaging apparatus, and a focusing position determining method, the method including setting an aperture to a first aperture value; driving a focus lens through a first range of positions as a first drive; during the first drive, obtaining images periodically, and calculating a first sampling of contrast values from the obtained images; calculating a first focus position from the first sampling of contrast values; setting the aperture to a second aperture value; driving a focus lens through a second range of positions as a second drive, the second range of positions being based on the first focus position; during the second drive, obtaining images periodically, and calculating a second sampling of contrast values from the obtained images; calculating a focusing position from the second sampling of contrast values; and driving the focus lens to the calculated focusing position. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100209091 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS AND FOCUS ADJUSTING METHOD - There is provided an apparatus that includes a receiving unit configured to receive instructions for focus adjustment; an image-pickup unit configured to perform image-pickup of an object image input through a focus lens; a setting unit configured to set a focus detecting area to be used at a time of detection of a focus state of the focus lens; a light control unit configured to control an amount of light incident on the image-pickup unit; and a focus adjusting unit configured to detect a focus signal representing the focus state in the focus detecting area to move the focus lens based on the focus signal and a position of the focus lens corresponding to the focus signal. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20120243857 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS AND FOCUS ADJUSTING METHOD - There is provided an apparatus that includes a receving unit configured to receive instructions for focus adjustment; an image-pickup unit configured to perform image-pickup of an object image input through a focus lens; a setting unit configured to set a focus detecting area to be used at a time of detection of a focus state of the focus lens; a light control unit configured to control an amount of light incident on the image-pickup unit; and a focus adjusting unit configured to detect a focus signal representing the focus state in the focus detecting area to move the focus lens based on the focus signal and a position of the focus lens corresponding to the focus signal. | 09-27-2012 |
| 396102000 |
Having in-focus threshold adjustable | 4 |
| 20090116829 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DETERMINING THE BEST FOCUS POSITION OF A LENS - A method and apparatus for accurately auto focusing a lens of an imaging device. An imaged scene is split into an array of zones. The minimum and maximum sharpness score for each zone is determined over a plurality of lens positions. A histogram of the lens positions of the corresponding maximum weighted sharpness score for each zone is created. The peak of the histogram is determined to be the best focus position for a given scene. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20110158623 | CAMERA DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TAKING PHOTOS - A method and a camera device that includes a proximity sensor that senses a current distance between a user and the camera device. The method and camera device acquires the current distance sensed by the proximity sensor, and triggers the camera device to take a photo of an object when the current distance is less than a preset distance of the camera device. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20120027393 | ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT - An electronic equipment includes a digital focus portion that adjusts an in-focus state of a target image by image processing, and a unit adjustment amount setting portion that sets a unit adjustment amount in adjustment of the in-focus state based on distance information of the target image. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20140099090 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTELLIGENT DYNAMIC AUTOFOCUS SEARCH - Embodiments of the present invention initially calculate a confidence score for the image environment surrounding the subject matter in order to determine the initial number of lens positions. Once the initial lens positions are determined, a sharpness score is calculated for each determined initial lens position. Using these sharpness scores, embodiments of the present invention generate a projection used to locate an estimated optimum focus position as well as to determine an estimated sharpness score at this lens position. Embodiments of the present invention then position the lens of the camera to calculate the actual sharpness score at the estimated optimum focus position, which is then compared to the estimated optimum sharpness score previously calculated. Based on this comparison, embodiments of the present invention dynamically determine whether it has a sufficient number of lens positions to determine the optimum focus position or if additional sample lens positions are needed. | 04-10-2014 |
| 396131000 |
Manually actuated power focus | 4 |
| 20090034956 | CONTROL APPARATUS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A control apparatus configured to control a control target in response to an operation by a user includes a first operation member configured to control the control target at a speed corresponding to an operation amount given by a user per unit time, a second operation member that is disposed in a position simultaneously operable by one and the same finger as the first operation member configured to control the control target at a predetermined speed in response to the operation by the user, and a control member configured to prioritize the operation of the first operation member over that of the second operation member when the first operation member and the second operation member are simultaneously operated. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20100119220 | Focus Adjustment Mechanism and Photo Device Having the same - A focus adjustment mechanism is used for a photo device for adjusting a focus of a lens assembly of the photo device. The focus adjustment mechanism comprises a focus adjustment button connected to a casing of the photo device and comprising a contact portion, and a pressure detection module disposed in the photo device in a position corresponding to the focus adjustment button to contact the contact portion, and the pressure detection module is electrically coupled with the lens assembly. When the focus adjustment button is pressed, the pressure detection module can generate a signal value according to a displacement value of the focus adjustment button so that a focus of the lens assembly is determined according to each signal value. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a photo device having the focus adjustment mechanism. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20110200316 | LENS DRIVER - A lens driver having a manually operated ring, rotation detection means for detecting rotation direction and rotating speed of the manually operated ring on the basis of rotation the manually operated ring, a switching means for switching a control mode, on the basis of detection result of the rotation detection means, between a normal control mode in which a lens is driven at normal driving speed depending on rotating speed of the manually operated ring and a high-speed control mode in which the lens is driven at high driving speed which is faster than the normal driving speed, and a driving control means for controlling a driving means so that the lens is driven at the normal driving speed when the normal control mode is set and controlling the driving means so that the lens is driven at the high driving speed when the high-speed control mode is set. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20120328277 | OPTICAL INSTRUMENT, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR OPTICAL INSTRUMENT - An optical instrument comprising a focusing lens provided inside a lens barrel, a ring member that is arranged to rotate with respect to a lens barrel, and to slide to a first position and a second position, a focusing mode setting section, provided on a camera body, for setting focusing mode, and a control section for, when the ring member has been slid to the first position, carrying out focusing in a focusing mode that was set in the focusing mode setting section, and when the ring member has been slid to the second position, stopping focusing the focusing mode that was set in the focusing mode setting section, and performing focusing of the focusing lens to a distance corresponding to an absolute position of the ring member. | 12-27-2012 |
| 396097000 |
Temperature compensating | 3 |
| 20080285966 | OPTICAL SYSTEM OF A FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS - 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. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20120063760 | OPTICAL SYSTEM WITH ADJUSTABLE SHIMS - 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. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20140093228 | TREND-BASED TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION FOR A MONITORING DEVICE - 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. | 04-03-2014 |
| 396148000 |
Having viewfinder | 2 |
| 20090041446 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus is provided that can switch between an optical viewfinder mode for identifying an object using an optical viewfinder and a live view mode for identifying an image of an object using a monitor. The apparatus includes an auto-focus unit able to be configured in the optical viewfinder mode; and a control unit configured to switch, in a case where a mode for performing exposure control in association with an auto-focus result obtained by the auto-focus unit is set, when the optical viewfinder mode is switched to the live view mode, to a mode for performing exposure control not in association with the auto-focus result. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20110170848 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus is provided that can switch between an optical viewfinder mode for identifying an object using an optical viewfinder and a live view mode for identifying an image of an object using a monitor. The apparatus includes an auto-focus unit able to be configured in the optical viewfinder mode; and a control unit configured to switch, in a case where a mode for performing exposure control in association with an auto-focus result obtained by the auto-focus unit is set, when the optical viewfinder mode is switched to the live view mode, to a mode for performing exposure control not in association with the auto-focus result. | 07-14-2011 |
| 396100000 |
Dual purpose photoelement | 2 |
| 20110008031 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE AND FOCUS ADJUSTMENT METHOD - 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. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110164866 | AUTOFOCUS CONTROL METHOD - A ring-like region excluding a central region and a peripheral region from an image pickup area is preset as a focus area. An image signal is acquired through a lens and a CCD circuit. Based on the image signal thus acquired, a contrast value indicating the degree of in-focus of the preset focus area is calculated. A lens position corresponding to a maximum contrast value of the preset focus area is determined as an in-focus lens position. In autofocus processing, face detection is carried out first. Then, if the result of face detection is successful, a face region is set up as a focus area, and focus adjustment is performed based thereon. Alternatively, if the result of face detection is unsuccessful, focus adjustment is performed based on the preset focus area. | 07-07-2011 |
| 396147000 |
Having indicator | 2 |
| 20100067893 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An imaging apparatus determines the appropriateness of a continuous focusing operation when performing shooting using autofocus. When the continuous focusing operation is determined to be appropriate, the imaging apparatus performs a display indicating that the imaging apparatus is in a continuous focusing operation state. The display indicating the continuous focusing operation state differs from a display indicating a focusing state determined by a focusing operation performed when the imaging apparatus is not in the continuous focusing operation state. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100074609 | DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE AND DISTANCE MEASURING METHOD - A distance measuring device includes a display processor that acquires an image which includes a distance measuring object from a camera, and generates display information indicating the image, an acceleration sensor that is provided with a device housing having the display processor and outputs a gravity acceleration component corresponding to an inclination angle of the device housing, and a distance measuring processor that calculates an inclination angle from the gravity acceleration component that is obtained from the acceleration sensor in a state that an image indicating the measuring object is complemented in the display information generated by the display processor. | 03-25-2010 |
| 396099000 |
With amplification control | 2 |
| 20090162045 | Image stabilization device and method - An imaging device and processes to provide image stabilization by controlling analog gain and integration time. Analog gain and integration time for images are determined by comparing an image in various frames, whether full frames or hidden frames, where the image is provided with differently set analog gain and integration time settings to determine settings for stabilized image capture. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20110243540 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS - A focus adjusting apparatus comprises a focus operating unit for generating a focus command signal for driving a focus lens according to an operating amount of the focus operating unit; a focus driving unit for driving the focus lens in response to the focus command signal from the focus operating unit; a focus position detecting unit for detecting a position of the focus lens; a focus detecting unit for detecting whether or not in-focus is achieved or detecting deviation amount from in-focus position; and an operation sensitivity determining unit for determining a focus operating sensitivity of the focus operating unit, wherein the operation sensitivity determining unit determines the focus operating sensitivity and the position of the focus lens, and wherein the focus driving unit drives the focus lens according to the focus operating sensitivity. | 10-06-2011 |
| 396105000 |
Using sound | 2 |
| 20100166406 | SOUND-BASED FOCUS SYSTEM AND FOCUS METHOD THEREOF - 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. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20180027164 | IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING FILL LIGHT, AND MOVABLE OBJECT | 01-25-2018 |
| 396103000 |
Manually selected preset focus position or range | 1 |
| 20090196592 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE STORAGE APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD, STORAGE METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING IMAGING PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING STORAGE PROGRAM - A still image focused on a desired subject is captured and stored in a more reliable manner without particularly increasing in size and complicating an apparatus and circuits. There are provided a photographing system including a lens optical system which has an autofocus function and captures a subject image, a motor and a CCD, a key input section including a shutter key to instruct photography, and a control unit which causes the photographing system to sequentially capture a still image by actuating the autofocus function and a still image with a fixed focus allowing a fixed depth of field to be obtained, in accordance with the operation of the shutter key. | 08-06-2009 |
| 396137000 |
Auto/manual mode selection | 1 |
| 20110158627 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING FOCUS OPERATING APPARATUS AND FOCUS CONTROL METHOD - Provided is an image pickup apparatus including a lens apparatus and a focus operating apparatus. The lens apparatus includes a focus lens unit, a focus driving unit for driving the focus lens unit, and a drive control unit controlling to drive the focus driving unit and having a autofocus function. The focus operating apparatus includes a manual focus (MF) operating unit for manual focus adjustment and an MF command unit for outputting a command value based on an operation amount of the MF operating unit. When the MF operating unit is in operation, the drive control unit controls the focus driving unit based on the command value from the MF command unit. When the MF operating unit is not in operation, the drive control unit controls the focus driving unit to perform autofocus adjustment. | 06-30-2011 |
| 396101000 |
With electronic filtering | 1 |
| 20100080547 | FOCAL POINT DETECTION DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A focal point detection device includes: a rate conversion section which converts a transmission rate of an image signal, which is associated with a subject image imaged via an imaging lens on a part of a receiving surface of an imaging device, such that the image signal input to the rate conversion section at a first transmission rate is output from the rate conversion section at a second transmission rate that is slower than the first transmission rate; a filter which extracts a frequency component from the image signal output at the second transmission rate from the rate conversion section; and an evaluation value calculation section which calculates an evaluation value of a focus state of the imaging lens, based on a signal of the frequency component that is extracted by the filter. | 04-01-2010 |
| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080219654 | CAMERA USING MULTIPLE LENSES AND IMAGE SENSORS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED FOCUSING CAPABILITY - An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes: (a) a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output; a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor; and a first lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the first lens responsive to a first focus detection signal; and (b) a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output; a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor; and a second lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the second lens responsive to a second focus detection signal. A processing stage either (a) selects the sensor output from the first imaging stage as the captured image signal and uses the sensor output from the second imaging stage to generate the first focus detection signal for the selected imaging stage, or (b) selects the sensor output from the second imaging stage as the captured image signal and uses the sensor output from the first imaging stage to generate the second focus detection signal for the selected imaging stage. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080285965 | METHOD OF FORMING THIN CAMERA - A thin camera having sub-pixel resolution includes an array of micro-cameras. Each micro-camera includes a lens, a plurality of sensors of size p, and a plurality of macro-pixels of size d having a feature of size q. The feature size q smaller than p and provides a resolution for the micro-camera greater than p. The smallest feature in the micro-cameras determines the resolution of the thin camera. Each macro-pixel may have any array of m features of size q, where q=d/m. Additional micro-cameras may be included to increase power. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090123142 | METHOD FOR MEASURING SUBJECT DISTANCE - An exemplary method for measuring a distance from a subject to a camera includes the following operations: focusing on the subject using the imaging system; illuminating an area on the subject using auxiliary light; capturing an image of the subject, the image having an illumination portion corresponding to the illuminated area; measuring the area of the illumination portion of the image; and calculating the subject distance based on the measured area. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090148146 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS, CAMERA INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING FOCUS OF OPTICAL SYSTEM - A focus adjusting apparatus includes an imaging unit, a calculation unit, a detection unit, and a control unit. The imaging unit is configured to generate an imaging signal of an image formed by an optical system. The calculation unit is configured to calculate based on the imaging signal a focus evaluation value in accordance with a focus adjustment position of the optical system. The detection unit is configured to detect a state with respect to a size of the image. The control unit is configured to control focus adjustment of the optical system based on a rate of change in the focus evaluation value and the state with respect to the size of the image. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090162044 | METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING THE DEPTH OF FIELD - A method of automatically adjusting a depth of field, suitable for adjusting settings relevant to the depth of field when pre-shooting an image to be shot through a digital camera, includes capturing an image to be shot; dividing the image into a plurality of detected blocks; performing a statistic process for an object distance on each detected block, and recording an object distance value of each detected block; generating an object-distance cumulative curve according to the object distance value of each detected block; performing a smoothing process to eliminate peak curves generated in the object-distance cumulative curve; looking up a mode of all the object distance values and a corresponding detected block according to the object-distance cumulative curve; adjusting corresponding aperture and focal length of the digital camera according to the corresponding detected block. The user shoots images at different sites without adjusting the digital camera into corresponding shoot mode. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090202234 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE-PICKUP SYSTEM - An image-pickup apparatus ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20100166404 | Device and Method Using a Touch-Detecting Surface - An image capture device and related method are described. The image capture device includes one or more touch-detecting surfaces for detecting both a first and a second touch. The touch-detecting surfaces can be a touch screen, a touch pad, or a combination of the two. A processor in communication with the one or more touch detecting surfaces controls the execution of an auto-focus operation in response to the first touch and an image capture operation in response to the second touch. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100209090 | SURVEYING APPARATUS FOR TRACKING AND SURVEYING AN OBJECT - A surveying apparatus and method for surveying and tracking a moving object is disclosed to improve the tracking so that a moving object may be tracked reliably and automatically. The surveying apparatus comprises an optical arrangement to sight an object, and a tracking unit to track the sighted object. The tracking unit obtains an object parameter of the object, wherein the object parameter is associated with a movement of the object. Further, the tracking unit issues an instruction to the optical arrangement to change between a close range setting and a long range setting according to the obtained object parameter, the close range setting corresponding to a wide field of view and the long range setting to a narrow field of view. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100220986 | Image-Taking Apparatus and Control Unit for Focus Control - The method of manufacturing a photograph comprises, in the following order, the steps: a) focussing, so as to reach a first focussing state (A), which is a desired in-focus state with respect to an image plane ( | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100310246 | Method for using a variable aperture to tune image quality parameters in a camera system - In a camera system with a variable aperture, variations can be used to tune a variety of optical parameters otherwise incapable of being tuned within the structural limitations of the camera system or to optimize tradeoffs between competing factors such as diffraction limits and lens aberrations. For example, the variable aperture can be used to avoid overexposure or underexposure of an image due to improper illumination of an object. The variable aperture can be used to tune hyperfocal distance, enabling an accurate focus of an object to be obtained even if the camera lens is incapable of auto-focusing. In a camera with a lens having a focal length that varies with radial position from the lens center, the variable aperture can achieve the effect of auto-focus. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100322610 | IMAGING DEVICE WITH FOCUS OFFSET COMPENSATION - An imaging device comprises a lens barrel having a lens opening, and a lens positioned in the lens opening of the lens barrel, the lens having an optical center, a focal length F, an aperture diameter D, and an aperture number F | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110013897 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A lens barrel includes a drive ring having a hollow cylindrical shape and a gear by which the drive ring is configured to rotate around an optical axis, and a lens holder configured to move in an optical axis direction relative to the drive ring and to hold a lens and located inside of the drive ring, the lens holder including an arm extending to outside of the drive ring. The drive ring has a notch that extends in a circumferential direction of the drive ring so that the notch cannot overlap the gear. The arm of the lens holder is configured to enter and retreat from the notch of the drive ring. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110123182 | EXPOSURE AND WHITE BALANCE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC DIGITAL CAMERAS - A target is provided for setting the exposure and white balance of a photographic digital camera. The target comprises a target surface that has a pre-determined reflectance for all wavelengths of visible light, and the target surface is provided with a target feature upon which the camera is able to focus while the target surface entirely fills a viewfinder of the camera. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110150444 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS WITH AF SENSOR UNIT - An image pickup apparatus with an AF sensor unit fixed thereto promptly with high precision by a parallax adjustment method. The image pickup apparatus with the AF sensor has a stationary cylinder. The stationary cylinder constitutes an image pickup lens barrel with a first axis and a second axis that are perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens barrel and are perpendicular to each other. An AF sensor holder is configured to hold said AF sensor. An AF sensor holder-mounting unit is mounted on the stationary cylinder through a first axis rotation-adjusting mechanism rotatably with respect to the first axis, and configured to support said AF sensor holder through a second axis rotation-adjusting mechanism rotatably with respect to the second axis. The first axis rotation-adjusting mechanism and the second axis rotation-adjusting mechanism are directed in the same direction at operation sides thereof, respectively. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150445 | CAMERA AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING AUTO-FOCUSING - A camera and a method for performing auto-focusing applying thereto are provided. The camera adjusts a focus using two auto-focusing methods if specific photographing conditions are satisfied. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20120033956 | BACK FOCUS ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS - A back focus adjustment apparatus of a camera includes a casing, an adjusting module and an image capturing device. The adjusting module includes a fixed support, a movable support and a drive module. The drive module includes an adjustment wheel and two drive wheels. The lens module is mounted on a bottom surface of the casing. The fixed support is fixed in the casing and opposite to the bottom surface thereof. The image capturing device is mounted on the movable support. The drive module is defined on the fixed support. The drive module is connected to the movable support through worm gears defined on drive wheels. The drive wheels and the adjustment wheel are gearingly engaged. The image capturing device moves back and forth according to the adjustment of the adjusting wheel of the adjusting module. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120045194 | Imaging apparatus - An imaging apparatus includes an apparatus body having an outer casing, at least a shutter mechanism and an imaging device placed inside the outer casing, an opening formed in the outer casing, and a storage space and a placement space defined inside the outer casing and communicating with the opening and the storage space, respectively, a strobe unit having a lid part and a light-emitting part and connected to the apparatus body so as to be movable between close and open positions, a sensor unit placed in the placement space and having an autofocus sensor and a sensor adjusting part having plural adjusting screws, and a mirror placed inside the outer casing to reflect part of incident light toward the autofocus sensor. When the strobe unit is moved to the open position, the storage space is defined as an adjustment space into which an adjustment jig can be inserted. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120114320 | Image apparatus, imaging method and program - An imaging apparatus includes: a supplying section configured to supply a driving command for driving at least a portion of a lens in a specific direction to a focal-point adjustment device for changing or adjusting a focal-point distance in accordance with power supplied to the focal-point adjustment device; and an inference section configured to infer a position, at which the lens is located after being driven in accordance with the driving command in the specific direction, on the basis of the driving command supplied to the focal-point adjustment device and on the basis of error information serving as information on an error of a driving quantity by which the lens driven by the focal-point adjustment device is moved. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120121240 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging sensor, a reticle, a focus detection unit, a spectroscopic member, and a diffusion coefficient controller. The imaging sensor is configured to receive light from a lens unit. The reticle is capable of changing a diffusion coefficient. The focus detection unit is configured to detect a focus state of an imaging surface based on a signal from the imaging sensor. The spectroscopic member is configured to split the light from the lens unit to the reticle and the focus detection unit. The diffusion coefficient controller is configured to change the diffusion coefficient of the reticle. The diffusion coefficient controller controls a diffusion coefficient of a portion of the reticle corresponding to a defocus range to be higher than a diffusion coefficient of a portion of the reticle corresponding to a focusing range according to the focus state detected by the focus detection unit. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120230664 | AUTO FOCUS-ZOOM ACTUATOR OR CAMERA MODULE CONTAMINATION REDUCTION FEATURE WITH INTEGRATED PROTECTIVE MEMBRANE - A camera module includes a lens system, an image sensor, and an actuator. The actuator is fixed relative to the image sensor, and the actuator moves the lens system relative to the image sensor to achieve focus. Components that move relative to each other result in gaps or spaces between the components, an in particular there is a gap between the lens system and the actuator. Such a gap provides a traveling path for foreign material, or particulates, to enter the camera module and reach the image sensor, or other intermediate optical components between the lens system and the image sensor. A camera contamination reduction apparatus is implemented as a protective membrane that prevents foreign material from reaching the internal optical components through the traveling path. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20130034346 | Position Detecting Unit, Lens Unit and Camera Furnished with Same, Lens Unit Manufacturing Method, and Position Detecting Method - Position detection unit detecting absolute positions without moving an object to be detected. The detection unit having a first sensor for outputting a monotone signal, that changes in response to displacement of an object to be detected; a second sensor for outputting two sinusoidal signals in response to displacement of the object to be detected; a first memory for storing a monotone signal relative to the position of the object to; a second memory for storing max and min values for each sinusoidal signal; and a position calculator for identifying the cycle of the sinusoidal signal in which the object to be detected is positioned based on the detected monotone signal and stored monotone signal data, and for calculating the position of the object to be detected within the identified cycle and obtaining an absolute position, based on the detected sinusoidal signal and the stored max/min data. | 02-07-2013 |
