| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 396133000 | Lens drive circuit or motor structure | 86 |
| 20080310831 | AUTO-FOCUSING CAMERA - An auto-focusing camera includes a pair of drive units ( | 12-18-2008 |
| 20090003818 | APPARATUS FOR AUTO FOCUSING - There is provided an apparatus for auto-focusing including: a sensing unit sensing a current position of a lens moving within a predetermined range along a moving shaft; an A/D converter converting a lens position value from the sensing unit into a digital signal; a lens position control unit generating a signal for moving the lens to a target lens position determined by an auto-focusing algorithm; a driving signal generating unit generating a square wave signal according to the signal from the lens position control unit; and an operation unit connected to the A/D converter and controlling a time at which the A/D converter performs conversion according to the square wave signal from the driving signal generating unit. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090010635 | CAMERA AND METHOD FOR USE WITH CAMERA - A camera comprising a first imaging part for capturing IR image data of a first field of view, said first imaging part comprising IR optics, a second imaging part for capturing visible light data of a second field of view at least partially overlapping the first field of view, said second imaging part comprising visible light optics, and means for adjusting the first and second field of view relative to each other in dependence of the focusing distance of the first or second imaging part. One of the imaging parts comprises a motor for focusing of the optics, respectively, said camera further comprising sensing means arranged to sense the position of the motor and processing means arranged to determine the displacement needed to align the images based on the position of the focus motor. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090022487 | TWO-STEP AUTO FOCUS CAMERA AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME - A two-step auto focus camera with two focal points includes a lens unit ( | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090080877 | AUTO-FOCUSING CAMERA - An auto-focusing camera includes a stator ( | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090097837 | AUTO-FOCUSING CAMERA - An auto-focusing camera includes a lens mount ( | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090110384 | Inductorless Electroactive Lens Driver and System - An electroactive lens driver comprises a voltage generator generating a high alternating current voltage signal for application to an electroactive lens in response to a low direct current voltage signal. The voltage generator does not include an inductor or a transformer. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090175611 | FOCUS CONTROLLER, OPTICAL APPARATUS USING THE SAME, AND CONTROL METHOD - A focus controller configured to control focus of an optical system that has a focus lens includes a switching circuit configured to select a first driver for the electrization to a coil of a motor in performing focus control using a first focus detector, and to select a second driver in an electrization to the coil of the motor in performing focus control using a second focus detector. The first driver is configured to switch an electrization to the coil in the motor according to an output of the position sensor. The second driver is configured to switch an electrization to the coil of the motor according to a determined time interval. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090190910 | FOCUS CONTROLLER AND OPTICAL APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A focus controller configured to control focus of an optical element includes a focus state detector configured to detect a focus state based on a contrast value of an image formed by the optical element, and a driving mechanism that moves the optical element including a motor, a position sensor configured to detect a position of a rotor in the motor, and a driving controller configured to select, in accordance with the contrast value, first driving configured to switch an electrization to a coil in accordance with an output of the position senor, or second driving configured to switch the electrization to the coil in the motor in accordance with a determined time interval. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090285572 | CAMERA BODY, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - 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. When the obtaining unit obtains the first control information after obtaining the second control information, the controller drives the first drive unit and the second drive unit in parallel based on the obtained first control information and the stored second control information. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20100040357 | LENS DRIVE DEVICE - A lens drive device includes: a lens holder holding a lens; a drive source including a rotor rotatably supported; a gear rotated by a rotation of the rotor; and a driven gear rotated by the gear. The lens holder is moved in an optical axis direction by a rotation of the driven gear. The driven gear includes a teeth portion. The teeth portion includes: a meshed portion meshing the gear; and a non-meshed portion abutting the gear to stop the rotations of the gear and the driven gear. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100046935 | CAMERA MODULE - A camera module ( | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100074607 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATION APPARATUS - A miniature camera lens actuation apparatus provides an auto-macro function in which a camera lens element has two focus positions. In one type of apparatus, a shape memory alloy actuator arranged to drive movement of the camera lens element relative to a support structure against an end-stop arranged to limit the movement. The shape memory alloy actuator is connected to one of the movable element and the support structure by a compliant connector. This limits the stresses on the shape memory alloy actuator and therefore increases its lifetime. In another type of apparatus, the suspension system supporting the movable element on the support structure provides the movable element with two stable positions along the movement direction. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074608 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATION APPARATUS - A miniature camera lens actuation apparatus employs an SMA actuator comprising SMA wire to move a camera lens element. To provide autofocus, the SMA actuator is heated across its range of contraction and the resistance at which the focus is at an acceptable level is stored. To combat hysteresis, there is performed a flyback in which the SMA actuator is cooled, before heating the SMA actuator to the stored resistance. The stored resistance is adjusted to combat creep caused by non-linear heating of the SMA actuator. The SMA wire has conductive material extending along on a portion of the SMA wire which extends from a member connected to the SMA wire and being in electrical connection with the SMA wire in order to short out that portion of the SMA wire to reduce creep. Additional material is applied over the SMA wire and the member to reduce fatigue. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100142937 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AUTO MICRO FUNCTION OF LENS MODULE - A method for controlling an auto macro function of a lens module is provided. Firstly, a control switching module is provided. The both terminals of the coil of the lens module are connected to a power source and the control switching module, respectively. In response to a first signal state of a control signal, a constant current is transmitted from the power source to the coil. The magnets attached on the magnet yoke provide a permanent magnetic field, and the constant current passing through the coil causes a magnetic force to be generated on the coil while moving the lens holder toward the magnet yoke by a constant distance. In response to a second signal state of the control signal, the power source stops transmitting the constant current to the coil, wherein a restoring force generated by the deformed spring causes the lens holder to return to its original position. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100220987 | IMAGING DEVICE AND PORTABLE TERMINAL WITH THIS - It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device that can be reduced in production cost in comparison with the conventional imaging device, and a portable terminal provided with the imaging device. The imaging device | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100226637 | DRIVE UNIT, LENS BARREL, AND CAMERA - A drive unit includes an ultrasonic actuator, which has an actuator body formed using a piezoelectric element and outputs a driving force by vibration of the actuator body, and a control section which induces vibration in the actuator body by supplying a plurality of AC voltages to the piezoelectric element. The control section provides, in combination, phase control, which controls the driving force by adjusting a phase difference between a first and a second AC voltages, and wave-number control, which controls the driving force by adjusting the wave number included in a predetermined burst period in each AC voltage. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100232777 | PHOTOGRAPHING MODULE - This invention provides a photographing module that at least includes a lens unit, an electrically controlled focusing mechanism, an elastic unit, a supporting base and a photosensitive device. A movable member of the electrically controlled focusing mechanism is electrically driven to move the lens unit attached therewith along an optical axis so as to perform a focusing function. The elastic unit is disposed with the electrically controlled focusing mechanism and has a plurality of bridge regions. Each bridge region has a plurality of radial segments which are connected together, so that they can evenly absorb accumulated stress coming from a distortion, a plane shift along the optical axis and a certain amount of tilt of the lens unit while it is being rotated to be disposed in the photographing module or during its other movements. The elastic unit effectively utilizes available space to lengthen the bridge regions so its spring constant can be effectively reduced. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100247086 | HOUSING FOR VARIABLE LENS - The invention concerns A housing for a variable focus liquid lens ( | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100247087 | Actuator and imaging device - Provided is a vibration actuator comprising an elastic body; an electromechanical transducer that causes the elastic body to vibrate; and a rotating body that rotates in response to a drive force received from contact with the elastic body at a vibrational antinode thereof, wherein the rotating body contacts the elastic body at a prescribed position along a direction in which an axis of the rotation extends. In the vibration actuator, the elastic body includes an elastic body contact member that is arranged in a region that includes the vibrational antinode of the elastic body, the rotating body includes a rotating body contact member that receives a drive force by contacting the elastic body contact member, and one of the elastic body contact member and the rotating body contact member has a contact surface that is oriented diagonally to the axis of rotation and contacts the other of the elastic body contact member and the rotating body contact member. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100322612 | FOCUS CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR ADJUSTING THE FOCUS BY MOVING A LENS - A focus control circuit is installed in an image pickup apparatus including a lens, a driver element for adjusting the position of the lens, and a position detecting element for detecting the position of the lens. A feedback equalizer included in the focus control circuit generates a drive signal used to adjust the position of the lens to a target position, based on a difference between the position of the lens identified by the output signal of the position detecting element and the target position of the lens set externally, and controls the driver element. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110002681 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes a holder which holds a lens, a supporting unit which supports the holder so as to be displaced, a magnet which is arranged on any one of the holder and the supporting member, a coil which generates an electromagnetic driving force on the holder, a magnetic member which holds the holder at a position after the current supply is stopped with a magnetic force generated between the magnet and the magnetic member, when the current supply to the coil is stopped, and a control unit which driving-controls the holder by applying a current signal to the coil. When the holder is displaced to the reference position, the control unit applies a first pulse current signal to the coil, then applies a second pulse current signal of which application time is shorter than that of the first pulse current signal to the coil a plurality of times. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110008034 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes: a first member that holds a lens; a second member to which the first member is fixed; and drive means for driving the second member in the vertical direction relative to an imaging plane of an imaging device, wherein the first member has diameters different from each other and a portion having a small diameter has a portion that engages the second member, and the drive means is disposed in a space created by the difference between the different diameters. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110013899 | FOCUS CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR ADJUSTING THE FOCUS BY MOVING A LENS - A focus control circuit is installed in an image pickup apparatus including a lens, a driver element for adjusting the position of the lens, and a position detecting element for detecting the position of the lens. An equalizer included in the focus control circuit generates a drive signal used to adjust the position of the lens to a position to be set, based on a difference between the position of the lens identified by the position detecting element and the set position. When an instruction to vary a target position of the lens is received externally, a position setting unit included in the focus control circuit sets sequentially a plurality of positions in a range covering a new target position and a previous target position, to the equalizer before the new target position is reached from the previous target position. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110019990 | IMAGING APPARATUS - A small imaging apparatus ( | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110038625 | ELECTROMECHANICAL POLYMER ACTUATORS - An adaptive lens comprises an actuator and a lens, the lens being mechanically coupled to the actuator so that energization of the actuator adjusts a focal point of the lens. The actuator may comprise a multilayer stack of electromechanical polymer (EMP) layers, having electrodes configured to apply an electric field across each EMP layer. The actuator may be operable to move and/or deform a lens, so as to adjust the focus properties of the lens. In some examples, the actuator has an annular shape, supporting a lens within the inner radius of the annulus. The lens position may be adjusted in an axial direction. In other examples, the actuator may be mechanically coupled a surface of a deformable lens, either directly or through another element of a lens structure. A strain applied to the lens modifies a curved surface of the lens, hence modifying the focal length of the lens. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110044679 | Lens barrel, camera module, and imaging apparatus - A lens barrel includes: a lens holding member that holds a lens; a drive coil attached to an outer peripheral portion of the lens holding member; a magnet attached to face the drive coil; a barrel member in which the lens holding member is disposed; and a cover member attached to the barrel member with the lens on a light incident side of the lens holding member facing to an outside. The cover member is magnetic, and the magnet is directly attached to the cover member at a position acing the drive coil. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110052170 | DRIVING CIRCUIT FOR A PHOTOGRAPHING MODULE - The present invention provides a driving circuit for a photographing module comprising: a load comprising three coils and four signal input ends; a power source configured to drive the coils and capable of providing an intermediate level between a supply voltage level and a ground level; and a set of electronic switch elements; wherein the driving circuit controls the magnitudes and directions of the electric currents flowing through the coils by switching the set of electronic switch elements, thereby enabling the photographing module to perform auto-focusing and compensate for an angle of inclination. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110064397 | CAMERA SYSTEM - A camera system ( | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110091193 | LENS ACTUATING MODULE - A lens actuating module. The module includes a housing and a lens barrel. received in an accommodating space of the housing and having a lens therein. A driving unit applies a driving force to the lens barrel such that the barrel can be moved up in an optical axis direction by a pulling force of contraction of an SMA (shape memory alloy) wire fixed to the housing. A rotary member is interposed between the housing and the lens barrel. A preload unit pulls the lens barrel in the optical axis direction such that the lens barrel can move down to an original position, and pulls the lens barrel in a direction to perpendicular to the optical axis to maintain a contact of the lens barrel with the rotary member. The lens barrel is moved by the contracted or extended amount of the SMA wire, thus realizing a simple structure and miniaturization. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110091194 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, CAMERA BODY, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An interchangeable lens ( | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110097066 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING LENS BARREL, DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A method of driving a lens barrel includes detecting a movement detection signal that indicates an operation of the lens barrel which operates using a stepping motor; determining a limit time during which movement of a lens barrel component is detected based on the movement detection signal; detecting the movement from the movement detection signal; and changing a driving level of the stepping motor from a first driving level to a second driving level when movement of the lens barrel component is not detected from the movement detection signal within the limit time, wherein torque of the second driving level is greater than torque of the first driving level. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110103784 | IMAGING DEVICE - A metal pin is inserted into a hole cylindrically formed in a camera casing so as to be in contact with a shape-memory actuator. The metal pin and the shape-memory actuator are fixed by pressurization. The metal pin is further bonded to a printed circuit board via a solder to electrically and thermally contact the shape-memory actuator and the printed circuit board so as to form the camera module by reducing the wiring size and improving the cooling efficiency. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110110656 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A camera system includes a replaceable lens and a body unit in which the replaceable lens is installed, and an image forming apparatus, in which a timer included in a lens controller is reset according to an instruction from a camera controller so that the replaceable lens is synchronized with the body unit, and focus is adjusted using location information detected by the replaceable lens and a focus estimation value calculated by the body unit. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110158625 | IMAGE CAPTURING UNIT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING SAME - An exemplary image capturing unit includes a housing, a moveable support, and a driving assembly. The moveable support is moveably mounted in the housing. The moveable support includes a rotating axis and is configured for receiving a camera module. The driving assembly includes a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The first magnetic member is positioned on the housing. The second magnetic member is positioned on the moveable support and faces the first magnetic member. The driving assembly is configured for driving the moveable support to rotate about the rotating axis relative to the housing through magnetical interaction between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110158626 | DRIVE CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND DRIVE CONTROL METHOD WHICH PERFORM MICRO STEP DRIVE OF STEPPING MOTOR - A drive control apparatus | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110176795 | DIGITAL IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A digital imaging apparatus and method by which an auto-focus (AF) operation may be effectively performed during capture of a moving image. The apparatus performs the AF operation during the capture of the moving image when it is determined that a lens is appropriate for capturing the moving image based on received lens information and stops the AF operation during the capture of the moving image when it is determined that the lens is inappropriate for capturing the moving image. When the lens inappropriate for capturing the moving image is mounted, the AF operation may be performed using an additional switch or a manual-focus (MF) operation may be performed. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110217031 | Method And Apparatus For Shape Memory Alloy Bender Actuator - In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a retention end, a free end, a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire, and a conductive wire. The retention end is configured to be connected to a first member. The free end is configured to be connected to a second member. The SMA wire has a first length. The SMA wire extends between the retention end and the free end. The conductive wire is spaced from the SMA wire. The conductive wire includes a second length substantially equal to the first length when the SMA wire is at a first temperature. The conductive wire extends between the retention end and the free end. The SMA wire is configured to contract when the first temperature is increased. The free end is configured to move in response to the contraction of the SMA wire. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110229116 | Method And System For Providing Background Blurring When Capturing An Image Using An Image Capture Device - Background blurring is provided when capturing an image using an image capture device. Input is received for initiating an image capture process for capturing an image at an image capture device. A background is automatically blurred based on a depth of field automatically adjusted towards the image capture device for capturing the image with background blurring in response to receiving the input for initiating the image capture process. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110236008 | CAMERA MODULE - Disclosed herein is a camera module. The camera module includes: a lens barrel with a built-in lens collecting external images; a housing that has a receiving space in which the lens barrel is received; a driving part that is configured to include a magnet and a coil and provides a first driving force that drives the lens barrel upward and a second driving force that drives the lens barrel downward by an electromagnetic force that is generated from the magnet and the coil; a guide ball that is provided between the lens barrel and the housing and guides the motion of the lens barrel; and a position detection part that senses the position of the lens barrel, wherein the driving part drives the lens barrel upward and downward so that a preload part that provides preload returning the lens barrel to its initial position is not required. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110236009 | Camera module and imaging apparatus - A camera module includes: a barrel; a movable lens provided to be movable in the barrel in an optical axis direction; an imaging device that captures an image of a subject viewed through the movable lens; and an actuator that changes the distance between the movable lens and the imaging device, wherein the actuator has a first power feed terminal provided at one end thereof and a second power feed terminal provided at the other end thereof, the first terminal attached on the side where the movable lens is present, the second terminal attached on the side where the barrel is present, the actuator bends when electric power is fed to each of the first and second terminals and changes the distance between the movable lens and the imaging device, and each of the first and second terminals, when electric power is fed thereto, bends and changes the distance between the movable lens and the imaging device. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110280559 | VIBRATIONAL WAVE MOTOR, LENS BARREL AND CAMERA - A vibrational wave motor which can realize a suitable drive performance and can be driven quietly. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110317990 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, CAMERA BODY, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An interchangeable lens that is detachably fitted to a camera body includes: a photographic optical system including a plurality of driven members whose driven state changes; a driven position information transmission unit that transmits driven position information to the camera body via a first transmission unit according to a clock signal input from the camera body, the driven position information being relates to a position of at least one driven member among the plurality of driven members; and a type information transmission unit that transmits type information to the camera body via a second transmission unit that is different from the first transmission unit, the type information specifying a type of driven position information that can be transmitted from the driven position information transmission unit. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120014682 | HALL-EFFECT BASED LINEAR MOTOR CONTROLLER - A linear motion control device for use in a linear control system is presented. The linear motion control device includes a coil driver to drive a coil that, when driven, effects a linear movement by a motion device having a magnet. The linear motion control device also includes a magnetic field sensor to detect a magnetic field associated with the linear movement and an interface to connect an output of the magnetic field sensor and an input of the coil driver to an external controller. The interface includes a feedback loop to relate the magnetic field sensor output signal to the coil driver input. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120027394 | LENS APPARATUS INCLUDING FOCUS OPERATION DEVICE AND FOCUS OPERATION DEVICE - A lens apparatus includes: an optical member; a driving unit; a position detector; a rotary operation portion; a projection portion to be rotated interlockingly with the operation portion; an operation portion rotation detector; a driving controller for controlling the driving unit based on an amount of an operation of the operation portion; rotatable first (second) pins; first (second) side locking units; and a lock controller for controlling both the locking units based on a position of the optical member and a rotating direction of the operation portion. The projection portion is provided between the first regulation pin and the second regulation pin. The first regulation pin and the second regulation pin are elastically connected to each other. The lock controller locks the first (second) side locking unit when the focus unit reaches a first (second) end while the operation portion is operated toward the first (second) end. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120039590 | Single actuator configuration for a camera module - Systems and methods for camera modules having a movable lens barrel, allowing a maximum lens diameter with minimal outside dimensions are disclosed. At least one single linear actuator is moving the lens barrel. Each actuator is deployed in an own corner of the camera module. The moving lens barrel is guided by rolling elements bearings. The actuator comprises a stator, comprising one or more coils wrapped around a rod of magnetic metal and an anchor comprising one or more permanent magnets, which are tightly attached to the lens barrel. An offset between the longitudinal center line of magnets of the anchor and the center of the stator generates a permanent force pushing the lens barrel in direction of the stator of the motor and consequently pushes protrusions on the lens barrel onto the rolling elements bearings, thus preventing the bearings to fall apart in case of a mechanical shock. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120039591 | LENS APPARATUS - Provided is a lens apparatus including: an optical member; and an operation member, which is connected to the optical member and is operated to drive the optical member, in which: the lens apparatus is capable of working in a checking mode for checking a specified set value of the lens apparatus; and in the checking mode, the operation member moves to a position corresponding to the specified set value so as to display the specified set value. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120063761 | LENS BARREL ASSEMBLY FOR A CAMERA - A lens barrel assembly for a camera is disclosed. The lens barrel assembly comprises a lens barrel, at least one optical element disposed within the lens barrel, and an actuator configured to move the optical element. The actuator can be disposed entirely or partially within the lens barrel. The actuator can be a MEMS actuator, such as a MEMS actuator that is formed at least partially of silicon. The optical element can be a lens. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120070139 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, a driver configured to drive the focus lens, a controller configured to control a supply of power to the driver, and a setting unit configured to set a power supply mode for specifying a method of supplying power to the driver. When a predetermined power supply mode is set, the controller determines according to a magnitude of a depth of field of the optical system during whether holding power for holding the state of the focus lens is supplied to the driver when the focus lens is stopped, and controls the supply of the holding power to the driver according to the result of the determination. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120082445 | DRIVING MECHANISM, LENS BARREL, AND CAMERA - A driving mechanism includes plural driving members arranged in a circumferential shape around a reference shaft, a base member holding the plural driving members with each interposed in the circumferential direction, first piezoelectric elements vibrating in a thickness-shear vibration mode in a first direction, and second piezoelectric elements vibrating in the thickness-shear vibration mode in a second direction. Each driving member includes a first member and a second member. The base member supports one driving member of two driving members adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction on a first support face and supports the other driving member on a second support face. The base member is formed so that the angle formed by the first support face and the second support face is equal to or greater than 60°. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120114322 | LENS CONTROLLING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - 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. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120121242 | LENS BARREL WITH MEMS ACTUATORS - A lens barrel for, e.g., a miniature camera or another device, includes an annular barrel, a plurality of first optical elements disposed coaxially within the barrel, an actuator device disposed coaxially within the barrel in front of the first optical elements, a front cover attached coaxially to a front surface of the actuator device, and a second optical element mounted coaxially in a central opening of a moving platform of the actuator device such that rotational movement of actuators in the actuator device causes the moving platform and second optical element to move conjointly with a purely translation movement along the optical axis of the second optical element and relative to the first optical elements. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121243 | MEMS ACTUATOR ALIGNMENT - A method for aligning an actuator device relative to an adjacent component, such as a rear cover of an actuator module or a stationary lens, includes disposing a plurality of radially extending tabs around an outer periphery of the actuator device, disposing a corresponding plurality of pairs of raised mounting features on a front surface of the adjacent component, each pair defining a slot having sidewalls that are complementary in configuration to respective sidewalls of corresponding ones of the tabs, and inserting respective ones of the tabs into corresponding ones of the slots. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120148222 | VOICE COIL MOTOR, CAMERA MODULE AND PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING SAME - A voice coil motor includes a shell and a driving module in the shell. The shell includes a top plate. The driving module includes many magnets attached on the shell and defining a first receiving cavity, a movable unit movably received in the first receiving cavity, a bottom base, and a guiding post. The movable unit includes a movable barrel for receiving a lens module and a coil on the movable barrel. A central axis of the movable barrel is coaxial with an optical axis of the lens module. The movable barrel includes a first receiving portion. A central axis of the first receiving portion is parallel with the optical axis. The bottom base includes a second receiving portion. One end of the guiding post is received in the first receiving portion, and the other end of the guiding post is received in the second receiving portion. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148223 | ACTUATOR AND CAMERA MODULE HAVING SAME - An actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a moveable frame received in the stationary frame and supported on the base, a shaft mounted on a side surface of the moveable frame, a magnet, a flexible printed circuit, a piezoelectric motor, and a position sensor. The magnet is mounted on the side surface of the moveable frame and apart from the shaft. The flexible printed circuit is mounted on a sidewall of the stationary frame in an unfolded state. The piezoelectric motor is mounted on the flexible printed circuit and matches with the shaft. The position sensor is mounted on the flexible printed circuit and apart from the piezoelectric motor. The position sensor is configured for detecting the location of the magnet. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120163787 | DRIVING MECHANISM, LENS BARREL, AND CAMERA - A driving mechanism driving a first member and a second member relative to each other which includes a piezoelectric element that drives the first member, a base member that movably supports the first member with the piezoelectric element interposed therebetween, and an electrode portion that is supplied with a driving voltage of the piezoelectric element. The electrode portion includes an exposed portion exposed from the base member. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120170923 | Camera module and method for manufacturing the same - There are a camera module and a method for manufacturing the same. There is provided a camera module, including: a lens unit including at least one lens stacked along an optical axis; an autofocusing unit disposed on an object side of the lens unit and automatically controlling a focus of the lens unit; an image sensor unit receiving light incident through the lens unit; and at least one via formed in the lens unit to be penetrated in a thickness direction thereof for an electrical connection of the autofocusing unit. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120177354 | DRIVING DEVICE, LENS BARREL, AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - Provided is a lens barrel includes a vibration actuator that drives a focusing lens which brings a subject image into focus; an amplifying section that applies a pair of driving signals amplified to the vibration actuator; a phase shifting section that changes a phase difference between the pair of the driving signals; and a control section that, when a signal for giving an instruction to drive the vibration actuator is input, executes a first processing of causing the phase shifting section to perform an operation which periodically changes the phase difference of the pair of the driving signals. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177355 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING DEVICE - A lens barrel is a lens barrel that can be mounted to a camera body, including a lens element, a lens support frame, an actuator, an electrical contact, and an electrical substrate. The lens support frame supports the lens element. The actuator is arranged to drive the lens support frame in an optical direction of the lens element, and includes a drive shaft and a detector configured to detect rotation of the drive shaft. The electrical contact is disposed on the opposite side from the actuator with respect to the lens element when viewed in the optical axis direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens element, and is configured to be electrically connected with the camera body. The electrical substrate is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the lens element and cut out at a portion corresponding to the actuator when viewed in the optical axis direction. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120183285 | CAMERA SYSTEM, CAMERA BODY, AND INTERCHANGEABLE LENS - A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. A body controller in the camera body performs control to transmit a timing signal and a drive information signal to the interchangeable lens. A lens controller in the interchangeable lens controls drive of a focus lens based on the drive information signal and the timing signal which are received from the camera body. The drive information signal includes information of a driving time which is a period from a start of driving the focus lens until an end of driving the focus lens. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120230665 | DRIVE DEVICE - A drive mechanism and a drive device which have an SMA actuator applied thereto, wherein the drive mechanism is configured in such a manner that the size of a constituent component contained within a driven part can be increased to enable the driven part to be moved stably and wherein the drive device is configured in such a manner that the diameter of a lens mounted to a lens unit can be increased to enable the lens unit to be smoothly displaced in the optical axis direction. The drive mechanism and the drive device are configured in such a manner that a drive support point for a lever member is provided at a corner of an affixed section, a guide body is provided to a second corner, which faces said corner, so as to protrude from the body section of the driven part, the guide body is supported slidably, and the drive mechanism and the drive device are provided with a drive guide section provided with a pressing spring for pressing the guide body. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120315026 | Method And System For Providing Background Blurring When Capturing An Image Using An Image Capture Device - Background blurring is provided when capturing an image using an image capture device. Input is received for initiating an image capture process for capturing an image at an image capture device, the image including at least a subject and a background. The image capture device is automatically focused closer than the subject for capturing the image with the background blurred responsive to receiving the input for initiating the image capture process. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130016962 | ACTUATOR AND CAMERA MODULE HAVING SAMEAANM WU; SUNG-CHINGAACI Tu-ChengAACO TWAAGP WU; SUNG-CHING Tu-Cheng TW - An actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a moveable frame received in the stationary frame and supported on the base, a shaft mounted on a side surface of the moveable frame, a flexible printed circuit, a piezoelectric motor, a first guide pole and a second guide pole. The flexible printed circuit is mounted on a sidewall of the stationary frame facing the shaft. The piezoelectric motor is mounted on the flexible printed circuit and engages with the shaft, and the first and second guide poles prevent any misalignment of the movable frame at any time and allow only axial movement of the movable frame. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130028583 | OPTICAL EQUIPMENT - Optical equipment which can prevent image blurring and enable a lens to be stopped in a position requiring low power consumption is provided. The optical equipment includes a lens driving unit supplied with electric power from a camera body to drive a focusing lens. The equipment further includes an aperture driving unit for driving an aperture and a drive control unit that positions s the focusing lens to minimize low power consumption and controls the aperture driving unit during opening of the aperture so that the focal position of the focusing lens falls within a focal depth. In this way, a lens position-control unit for controlling an AF motor can stop the lens in a position that does not cause image blur and reduces power consumption. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130051781 | VIBRATION ACTUATOR, AND LENS BARREL AND CAMERA PROVIDED WITH SAME - A vibration actuator that is easy to manufacture and has good driving performance, and a lens-barrel and a camera provided with the same. The vibration actuator is provided with an oscillator that generates oscillations; and a relative movement member that is pressure contacts the oscillator, and moves relative to the oscillator due to the oscillation. Either a contact face of the oscillator with respect to the relative movement member or a contact face of the relative movement member with respect to the oscillator is a thermosetting resin film that is formed of polyamide-imide resin and fluororesin, and the other contact face is an anodic oxide film. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130064535 | Tilt preventing structure for electromagnetic driving device - A tilt preventing structure for electromagnetic driving device comprises: a casing, a driven object (such as lens module), a guiding mechanism and an electromagnetic driving module. The driven object is received within the casing and is movable alone an axle direction. The guiding mechanism is furnished inside the casing and is sleeved with the driven object, so as to guide the driven object to move along the axle direction. The electromagnetic driving module comprises a plurality of magnetic elements mounted on the driven object. The guiding mechanism is made of magnetically susceptible material and is nearby one of the magnetic elements. By means of the magnetic pulling force generated by the nearby magnetic elements, the guiding mechanism is pulled by the force and leans against the driven object, so as to minimize the tilts when the driven object is moving relative to the guiding mechanism. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130077947 | ROTATIONALLY DEPLOYED ACTUATOR DEVICES - A method for making an actuator device includes forming a substantially planar structure, including an outer frame with a latch foot, a fixed frame coupled to the outer frame, a latch mass coupled to the fixed frame, a latch block coupled to the latch mass by a latch block flexure, a moveable frame coupled to the outer frame, and an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth alternately attached to the fixed and moving frames. For operation, the latch mass is rotated downward until an upper surface of the latch block is disposed below and held in latching contact with a lower surface of the latch foot by the latch block flexure. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130077948 | SURFACE MOUNT ACTUATOR - A silicon MEMS device can have at least one solder contact formed thereupon. The silicon MEMS device can be configured to be mounted to a circuit board via the solder contact(s). The silicon MEMS device can be configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board via the solder contact(s). | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130136438 | VOICE COIL MOTOR AND DRIVING MEHOD THEREOF - A VCM is disclosed, the VCM including a stator including a first driving unit fixed to a base to generate a first magnetic field, a rotor including a bobbin mounted with a lens to vertically move relative to the base and a second driving unit generating a second magnetic field reacting to the first magnetic field, an elastic member connected to the stator and the rotor to elastically support the rotor, and a position sensor arranged to any one of the first and second driving units to sense a position of the rotor relative to the stator. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130216214 | LENS APPARATUS INCLUDING FOCUS OPERATION DEVICE AND FOCUS OPERATION DEVICE - A lens apparatus includes: an optical member; a driving unit; a position detector; a rotary operation portion; a projection portion to be rotated interlockingly with the operation portion; an operation portion rotation detector; a driving controller for controlling the driving unit based on an amount of an operation of the operation portion; rotatable first (second) pins; first (second) side locking units; and a lock controller for controlling both the locking units based on a position of the optical member and a rotating direction of the operation portion. The projection portion is provided between the first regulation pin and the second regulation pin. The first regulation pin and the second regulation pin are elastically connected to each other. The lock controller locks the first (second) side locking unit when the focus unit reaches a first (second) end while the operation portion is operated toward the first (second) end. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130287383 | CAMERA MODULE - In a camera module, a lens for forming an image on an imaging element having a rectangular light receiving surface is formed in a shape obtained by removing a peripheral portion of a circular lens, such as a generally oval shape, and a cylindrical lens barrel coaxially holding the lens is formed in a shape conforming to that of the lens. A part of a focal adjustment actuator is disposed in a space created on a side of the lens barrel in correspondence with the removed portion of the lens, whereby reduction in size of the entirety of the camera module is promoted. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130308934 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CONTROL METHOD, CAMERA AND CAMERA CONTROL METHOD - The interchangeable lens detachably attachable to a camera includes a lens communicator configured to perform communication with the camera, a motor to move or actuate a driven member included in the interchangeable lens, and a lens controller. The lens controller is configured to perform, in response to receipt, from the camera through the communication, of a drive instruction to drive the motor and a driving power supply instruction to supply a driving electric power to the motor, supply of the driving electric power to the motor. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130343740 | MEMS Actuator Alignment - A method for aligning an actuator device relative to an adjacent component, such as a rear cover of an actuator module or a stationary lens, includes disposing a plurality of radially extending tabs around an outer periphery of the actuator device, disposing a corresponding plurality of pairs of raised mounting features on a front surface of the adjacent component, each pair defining a slot having sidewalls that are complementary in configuration to respective sidewalls of corresponding ones of the tabs, and inserting respective ones of the tabs into corresponding ones of the slots. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140205275 | CAMERA MODULE HAVING GUIDING ROD AND LENS HOLDER SLEEVE MOVING ALONG GUIDING ROD - A camera module includes a guiding rod made of metal, a lens holder, a guiding sleeve made of metal, and a lens unit. The guiding sleeve is connected to the lens holder, and is sleeved on the guiding rod. The lens unit is received in the lens holder. The material of the guiding rod and the guiding sleeve permits a more controlled and precise movement of the guiding sleeve on the guiding rod in obtaining focus, friction force between the guiding rod and the guiding sleeve is decreased, and the degree of precision achieved will endure for a significantly longer time. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140212119 | ELECTRICAL DRIVE DEVICE FOR BENDING PHOTOGRAPHING OPTICAL SYSTEM - An electrical drive device for a bending photographing optical system, the bending photographing optical system including a movable optical element that is movable in an optical axis direction and a reflection optical element positioned on the optical axis, the electrical drive device includes a motor provided with a leadscrew which extends therefrom in a direction parallel to the optical axis and drives the movable optical element to move in a direction of the optical axis. The leadscrew includes a threaded portion which screw-engages with a nut member provided on the movable optical element, and a small-diameter portion having a smaller diameter than that of the threaded portion, the small-diameter portion being positioned beside a side surface of the reflection optical element. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140294371 | OPTICAL VIEWFINDER - An optical viewfinder is configured to be attached to a camera body with an interchangeable lens. The optical viewfinder includes: a viewfinder optical system | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140341554 | DRIVE CONTROLLER, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, DRIVE CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A drive controller includes a stepping motor capable of performing micro-step drive of a predetermined number of divisions by using an excitation current having a sine waveform, and a control unit configured to calculate a first drive pulse of the stepping motor to perform the micro-step drive, and the control unit is configured to change the first drive pulse to a second drive pulse depending on a ratio of a step phase of a predetermined phase region included in a range of the micro-step drive when performing the micro-step drive with the first drive pulse in a wobbling operation. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140355973 | System and Method for Controlling a Motor - A system for controlling a motor may include a motor driver circuit for driving a camera motor. A memory capable of storing a plurality of parameters for controlling the camera motor may also be included. A set of parameters from the memory may be chosen to be applied to driving the motor. A motor control module may receive a signal from the control logic module, apply the chosen set of parameters to driving the camera motor, and command the motor driver circuit to drive the motor in accordance with the applied set of parameters. The parameters may be chosen based on desired behavior of the system and various other stimuli. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20150050013 | Method And Apparatus For Determining Linear Position Using Multiple Magnetic Field Sensors - The linear position of an object is estimated using multiple magnetic field sensors and a magnet. The multiple magnetic field sensors are held in fixed relation to one another and in moving relation with respect to the magnet. Readings of the first and second magnetic field sensors and the fixed distance between the first and second magnetic field sensors may be used to estimate the linear position. In some embodiments, an estimated frequency of an approximately sinusoidal field versus position characteristic is also used as part of the estimation. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150316834 | Auto-Focus Camera Module with MEMS Capacitance Estimator - A MEMS actuator for a compact auto-focus camera module is configured to measure physical values and to estimated values each indicative of position or motion or both of a MEMS component. A smart logic component determines a set of MEMS driver control values based on analyzing the measured physical values and substituting estimated values to more accurately position the MEMS component. A MEMS driver component receives the set of MEMS driver control values and controls the position or motion, or both, of the MEMS component based on the MEMS driver control values. | 11-05-2015 |
| 396135000 | Speed control | 6 |
| 20090067829 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DAMPING LENS VIBRATION - In a method for reducing lens vibration in an image capture device, a lens movement requirement is broken up into N smaller lens move steps, and the lens is moved a first of the N smaller steps. A wait time is inserted after completing the first of the N smaller steps, and then the moving and inserting steps are repeated until the remaining N smaller move steps have been completed. The image capture device includes a voice coil motor for moving the lens under control of a controller in accordance with the lens movement requirement, which reflects a determined lens position. The voice coil motor includes springs which impart vibration to the lens during lens movement. The vibration imparted by the springs to the lens is thus actively dampened during the lens movement to the determined lens position. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090245778 | Camera System, Camera Body, And Interchangeable Lens - A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. A body controller in the camera body performs control to transmit a timing signal and a drive information signal to the interchangeable lens. A lens controller in the interchangeable lens controls drive of a focus lens based on the drive information signal and the timing signal which are received from the camera body. The drive information signal includes information of a driving time which is a period from a start of driving the focus lens until an end of driving the focus lens. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20110069946 | FOCUS ADJUSTING APPARATUS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A focus adjusting apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, a driver configured to move the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, an obtaining unit configured to periodically obtain an evaluation value of a subject image formed via the focus lens, a determining unit configured to determine a target position to which the focus lens is moved based on the evaluation value, and a controller configured to control an operation of the driver based on the determined target position. The controller controls the driver to move the focus lens at a first speed for a first period including a backlash period which is defined from start of the operation of the driver to start of an actual movement of the focus lens, and controls the driver to move the focus lens at a second speed faster than the first speed for a second period after the end of the first period. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20120230666 | SYSTEM FOR REDUCING LENS VIBRATION - Described herein is a system for reducing vibration of a lens. One way to reduce vibration is through a programmable processor configured to divide a lens movement requirement into smaller lens movements and then insert a wait time after completing the smaller lens movements. The smaller lens movements can be repeated for subsequent smaller lens movements until all the remaining smaller lens movements have been completed. The system may include an actuator configured to move the lens; and wherein the lens movements are completed within a processing time of one image frame. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20130028584 | OPTICAL EQUIPMENT - Optical equipment capable of stopping a lens in a position producing no image blur and requiring low power consumption is provided. The optical equipment includes a lens driving unit for driving a focusing lens. The equipment further includes a drive-setting unit configured to set an optimal drive amount for positioning the focusing lens at an appropriate focal depth while minimizing the amount of power consumed in the process. The optical equipment includes a lens position-control unit that controls the lens driving unit based on the drive amount set by the drive-setting unit controlling the movement of the focusing lens. The lens position-control unit can stop the lens in a position producing no image blur and requiring low power consumption. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20150301430 | CAMERA APPARATUS, CAMERA BODY, INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING OPERATION OF CAMERA BODY - The invention speeds up operation of an interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens, which is removably mounted on a camera body, includes a communication control microcomputer, a lens driving circuit and a lens driving actuator. A body-side microcomputer and the communication control microcomputer of the interchangeable lens are connected and are capable of communicating with each other. Lines are provided in such a manner that the lens driving circuit and body-side microcomputer can communicate directly. A command from the body-side microcomputer is input to the lens driving circuit. This allows the lens driving circuit to be controlled directly and makes it possible to control the interchangeable lens at high speed. | 10-22-2015 |
