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US6035133A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Image blur prevention device

Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-04-14
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Granted: 2000-03-07
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Expires: 2017-04-14
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Abstract

Abstract Proper image blur prevention is performed when a fluctuation of an optical apparatus (camera) is caused by the operation of a movable member (operation of the shutter of the camera). For this purpose, an image blur prevention apparatus is operated by using both an output signal from a detection device (e.g., a detection system including a vibration gyroscope and the like) and a predetermined signal (e.g., a signal having a predetermined waveform and stored in a memory) so that the image blur caused by a fluctuation due to an operation of the movable member can be properly prevented.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yasuhiko Shiomi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 13:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/68; H04N23/689; G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; H04N23/681; H04N23/6812; H04N23/682; H04N23/685; H04N23/687; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/005

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim 134 words
An apparatus for preventing image blur and adapted for use with a camera including a movable member and an operation portion that performs a predetermined operation for moving the movable member, said apparatus comprising: a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of the apparatus; a memory that stores a predetermined signal; signal forming means for forming a driving signal for driving an image blur correction means in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and a signal stored in said memory; timing means for measuring an elapsed time in response to the predetermined operation of the operation portion of the camera for moving the movable member; and control means for controlling a signal forming operation of said signal forming means in accordance with the elapsed time measured by said timing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 134 words
An apparatus for preventing image blur and adapted for use with a camera including a movable member and an operation portion that performs a predetermined operation for moving the movable member, said apparatus comprising: a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of the apparatus; a memory that stores a predetermined signal; signal forming means for forming a driving signal for driving an image blur correction means in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and a signal stored in said memory; timing means for measuring an elapsed time in response to the predetermined operation of the operation portion of the camera for moving the movable member; and control means for controlling a signal forming operation of said signal forming means in accordance with the elapsed time measured by said timing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable member includes a shutter, and the predetermined operation of said operation portion includes a release operation of the camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the movable member includes a focal plane shutter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal forming means includes means for forming said driving signal by adding the output from the fluctuation detection device to the predetermined signal stored in said memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 142 words
An image blur prevention apparatus adapted for use with a camera including a movable member and an operation portion that performs a predetermined operation for moving the movable member, said apparatus comprising: an image blur correction device that corrects image blur; a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of the apparatus; a memory that stores a predetermined signal; signal forming means for forming a driving signal for driving said image blur correction device in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and the predetermined signal stored in said memory; timing means for measuring an elapsed time in response to the predetermined operation of the operation portion of the camera for moving the movable member; and control means for controlling a signal forming operation of said signal forming means in accordance with the elapsed time measured by said timing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 142 words
An image blur prevention apparatus adapted for use with a camera including a movable member and an operation portion that performs a predetermined operation for moving the movable member, said apparatus comprising: an image blur correction device that corrects image blur; a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of the apparatus; a memory that stores a predetermined signal; signal forming means for forming a driving signal for driving said image blur correction device in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and the predetermined signal stored in said memory; timing means for measuring an elapsed time in response to the predetermined operation of the operation portion of the camera for moving the movable member; and control means for controlling a signal forming operation of said signal forming means in accordance with the elapsed time measured by said timing means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 137 words
An apparatus for preventing image blur and adapted for use with an optical equipment including a movable member and an operation portion that performs a predetermined operation for moving the movable member, said apparatus comprising: a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of the apparatus; a memory that stores a predetermined signal; signal forming means for forming a driving signal for driving an image blur correction means in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and the predetermined signal stored in said memory; timing means for measuring an elapsed time in response to the predetermined operation of the operation portion of the optical equipment for moving the movable member; and control means for controlling a signal forming operation of said signal forming means in accordance with the elapsed time measured by said timing means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 137 words
An apparatus for preventing image blur and adapted for use with an optical equipment including a movable member and an operation portion that performs a predetermined operation for moving the movable member, said apparatus comprising: a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of the apparatus; a memory that stores a predetermined signal; signal forming means for forming a driving signal for driving an image blur correction means in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and the predetermined signal stored in said memory; timing means for measuring an elapsed time in response to the predetermined operation of the operation portion of the optical equipment for moving the movable member; and control means for controlling a signal forming operation of said signal forming means in accordance with the elapsed time measured by said timing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for controlling a timing of said signal forming operation using the predetermined signal stored in said memory in accordance with the elapsed time measured by said timing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 61 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control means includes means for causing said signal forming means to start a signal forming operation by adding the output of said fluctuation detection device to the predetermined signal stored in said memory at a timing when said timing means measures a predetermined time from the start of operation of said operation portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 25 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said memory includes means for storing a predetermined signal having a value which varies at a predetermined rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 28 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said memory includes means for storing a predetermined signal having a value which increases monotonously in at least a predetermined period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 38 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said control means includes means for varying a maximum amount of variation of the predetermined signal stored in said memory in accordance with the elapsed time measured by said timing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 44 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control means includes means for holding the variable, predetermined signal stored in said memory substantially at a constant value when said timing means measures a predetermined time from the start of operation of said operation portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 41 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control means includes means for varying a timing of performing said signal forming operation using the predetermined signal stored in said memory in accordance with the elapsed time measured by said timing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 45 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control means includes means for varying a timing for performing said signal forming operation in accordance with a shutter speed of the camera, zooming information, focusing information, a diaphragm value or a signal transmitted from the camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 60 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said memory includes means for outputting a predetermined wave-formed signal as a memory signal and said control means includes means for varying a wave form of said predetermined wave-form signal in accordance with a shutter speed of the camera, zooming information, focusing information, a diaphragm value or a signal transmitted from the camera.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 124 words
An apparatus for preventing image blur and adapted for use with a camera including a movable member, said apparatus comprising: a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of said apparatus; a memory that stores a signal, the value of which increases or decreases substantially monotonously; and signal forming means for forming a driving signal for driving image blur correction means for correcting image blur in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and a signal stored in said memory, the signal stored in said memory being used for a signal forming operation performed at a timing corresponding to a movement of said movable member, and including substantially no element reverse to a monotonous increasing or decreasing variation of the signal value.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 124 words
An apparatus for preventing image blur and adapted for use with a camera including a movable member, said apparatus comprising: a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of said apparatus; a memory that stores a signal, the value of which increases or decreases substantially monotonously; and signal forming means for forming a driving signal for driving image blur correction means for correcting image blur in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and a signal stored in said memory, the signal stored in said memory being used for a signal forming operation performed at a timing corresponding to a movement of said movable member, and including substantially no element reverse to a monotonous increasing or decreasing variation of the signal value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 25 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said memory includes means for storing two parameters such as a time and an amplitude of the signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 27 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said memory includes means for outputting a stored signal in accordance with a timing operation of a predetermined timing device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 33 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said predetermined timing device includes means for performing a timing operation in accordance with a predetermined operation of an operation portion for moving said movable member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 44 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said memory includes means for starting an output of the stored signal, the value of which is in a predetermined range of monotonous variation, to said signal forming means when said timing device measures a predetermined time.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 58 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said memory includes means for stopping the output of the signal, the value of which is in the predetermined range of monotonous variation, and for starting an output of a signal having a value that is substantial constant when said timing means measures a second time, longer than said predetermined time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 13 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said movable member includes a shutter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said movable member includes a focal plane shutter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 46 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said focal plane shutter includes a leading curtain and a trailing curtain and said memory includes means for outputting the signal, the value of which is in said predetermined range of variation when said leading curtain is being driven.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 35 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said signal forming means includes means for forming said driving signal by adding the output of said fluctuation detection device to a predetermined signal stored in said memory.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 20 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said memory includes means for varying an output timing of said stored signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 43 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said memory includes means for varying the output timing of said stored signal in accordance with a shutter speed of the camera, zooming information, focusing information, a diaphragm value or a signal transmitted from the camera.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 43 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said memory includes means for varying a wave form of an output signal in accordance with a shutter speed of the camera, zooming information, focusing information, a diaphragm value or a signal transmitted from the camera.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 116 words
An image blur prevention apparatus adaptable to a plurality of kinds of cameras, said apparatus comprising: a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of said apparatus; signal output means for outputting a signal having a predetermined wave form; driving signal forming means for outputting a driving signal for driving an image blur correction means in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and an output signal of said signal output means; signal receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted from a camera; and varying means for varying a wave form or a timing of a signal output from said signal output means in accordance with the signal received by said signal receiving means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 116 words
An image blur prevention apparatus adaptable to a plurality of kinds of cameras, said apparatus comprising: a fluctuation detection device that detects a fluctuation of said apparatus; signal output means for outputting a signal having a predetermined wave form; driving signal forming means for outputting a driving signal for driving an image blur correction means in accordance with an output of said fluctuation detection device and an output signal of said signal output means; signal receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted from a camera; and varying means for varying a wave form or a timing of a signal output from said signal output means in accordance with the signal received by said signal receiving means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 32 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said varying means includes means for varying a timing at which said signal output means starts to output the signal having said predetermined wave form.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 85 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said driving signal forming means includes means for causing an operation state thereof to be selectable between a first state in which the driving signal responsive to the output of said fluctuation detection device but unresponsive to the output signal of said signal output means is output and a second state in which the driving signal responsive to both of the output of said fluctuation detection device and the output signal of said signal output means is output.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 47 words
An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said varying means includes means for varying a timing at which said driving signal forming means changes the operation state from said first state to said second state by varying said signal output start timing of said signal output means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 31 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said varying means includes means for varying a varying ratio of the signal having said predetermined wave form output from said signal output means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 37 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said varying means includes means for varying a timing at which the varying ratio of the signal having said predetermined wave form output from said signal output means is varied.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 30 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said signal output means includes means for outputting a signal having a wave form or a timing in accordance with a predetermined parameter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 27 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said varying means includes means for varying said parameter in accordance with the signal received by said signal receiving means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 33 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said signal output means includes timing means and means for outputting a signal in accordance with said parameter and a measured time of said timing means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 45 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said signal receiving means includes means for receiving plural kinds of signals transmitted from the camera, and said varying means includes means for varying said wave form or said timing in accordance with said plural kinds of signals.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 48 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said driving signal forming means includes means for starting to form a driving signal in accordance with the outputs of said fluctuation detection device and said signal output means, both signals being responsive to a predetermined signal transmitted from the camera.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 34 words
An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said signal output means includes means for starting to output the signal having said predetermined wave form in accordance with said predetermined signal transmitted from the camera.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 33 words
An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said varying means includes means for determining said wave form or said timing in accordance with a signal transmitted from the camera before said predetermined signal.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 58 words
An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said driving signal forming means includes means for starting to form a driving signal in accordance with the outputs of said fluctuation detection device and said signal output means, both signals being responsive to a predetermined signal transmitted from the camera in accordance with a shutter release operation of the camera.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 62 words
An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said driving signal forming means includes means for starting to form a driving signal in accordance with the outputs of said fluctuation detection device and said signal output means, both signals being responsive to a predetermined signal transmitted from the camera in accordance with a start of an actual shutter release sequence of the camera.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 67 words
An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said driving signal forming means includes means for starting to form a driving signal in accordance with the outputs of said fluctuation detection device and said signal output means, both signals being responsive to a predetermined signal transmitted from the camera in accordance with a predetermined operation of a release operation portion for causing the camera to release a shutter.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 39 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said varying means includes means for determining said wave form or said timing in accordance with a signal transmitted from the camera, corresponding to a mounted state of accessories of the camera.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 47 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said varying means includes means for determining said wave form or said timing in accordance with a signal transmitted from the camera, corresponding to a mounted state of an external power supply or a stroboscopic lamp apparatus of the camera.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 38 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said driving signal forming means includes means for forming the driving signal by adding the output signals of said fluctuation detection device to the output signal of said signal output means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said timing means includes means for measuring a time in accordance with a start of a sequence for moving the movable member responsive to said predetermined operation.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 54 words
An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said movable member includes a shutter member and said timing means includes means for measuring a time in accordance with a start of an actual shutter release sequence of the camera, the start corresponding to an operation for performing a shutter release of a release operation portion.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 69 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: image blur correction control means for starting a driving of said image blur correction means in response to the predetermined operation of the operation portion of the camera, the driving of said image blur correction means being in response to the driving signal formed in accordance with the output of said fluctuation detection device and the signal stored in said memory.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 91 words
An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said image blur correction control means includes changing means for changing a first state in which said image blur correction means is driven in response to the output of said fluctuation detection device but unresponsive to the signal stored in said memory to a second state in which said image blur correction means is driven in response to the driving signal formed by said signal forming means in accordance with the output of said fluctuation detection device and the signal stored in said memory.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 56 words
An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said image blur correction control means includes means for starting a driving of said image blur correction means in response to the driving signal formed by said signal forming means, in accordance with a start of a sequence for moving said movable member in response to the predetermined operation.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 73 words
An apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said movable member includes a shutter member and said image blur correction control means includes means for starting a driving of said image blur correction means in response to the driving signal formed by said signal forming means, in accordance with a start of an actual shutter release sequence of the camera in response to operation for performing a shutter release of a release operation portion.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5231445A Cited
US5229603A Cited
US5175580A Cited
US5615397A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-03-07 2003-09-06 2004-03-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-03-07 2007-09-06 2008-03-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-03-07 2011-09-06 2012-03-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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