Optical apparatus having dust off function

• US 20030214599A1
• Filed: 09/12/2002
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OM Digital Solutions Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Ide, Masataka, Ito, Junichi, Kawai, Sumio, Takizawa, Hiroyuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,215,372 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/335
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/02 by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned B08B7/0007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/52 Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/811 by dust removal, e.g. from surfaces of the image sensor or processing of the image signal output by the electronic image sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/802 Drive or control circuitry or methods for piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An optical apparatus (camera) having dust-off function comprises a dust-off glass (optical element) located between an image-pickup element and optical system (lens) for forming an image on the light receiving surface of the element. A camera includes a mechanism (piezoelectric element and drive circuit) that controls vibrating operation so that the frequency of vibration waves generated in the glass changes with the passage of time. A camera includes first vibrator (piezoelectric element) for successive vibration with frequencies, a circuit monitoring the state of vibration of the optical element during vibrating operation of the first vibrator, thereby detecting the resonance frequency of the element, and second vibrator (piezoelectric element) for vibration with the detected resonance frequency or a frequency approximate to it. A camera includes monitor (electrode) for monitoring the state of vibration of the glass and a circuit for detecting abnormal states in accordance with output signals from the electrode.

Claims

1. An optical apparatus having dust-off function, comprising:

a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system configured to focus the optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said photoelectric conversion element;

a dust-off glass located between said light receiving surface of said photoelectric conversion element and said image-pickup optical system; and

a vibrating mechanism configured to vibrate said dust-off glass, said vibrating mechanism controlling vibrating operation so that the frequency of vibration waves generated in said dust-off glass changes with the passage of time.

2. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating mechanism vibrates said dust-off glass with a frequency approximate to a resonance frequency of said dust-off glass.

3. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating mechanism vibrates said dust-off glass with a plurality of frequencies including a resonance frequency of said dust-off glass.

4. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating mechanism gradually changes the oscillation frequency of said dust-off glass within a given range including a resonance frequency of said dust-off glass.

5. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating mechanism generates standing-wave vibration in said dust-off glass.

6. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 5, wherein said vibrating controls said vibrating operation in a plurality of vibration modes with different numbers of nodes of said standing-wave vibration.

7. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 6, wherein said vibrating mechanism continuously executes said plurality of vibration modes.

8. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating operation is followed by an execution of operation for fetching conversion element.

9. An optical apparatus having dust-off function, comprising:

a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system configured to focus an optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said photoelectric conversion element;

a dust-off glass located between said photoelectric conversion element and said image-pickup optical system;

a piezoelectric element fixed to an outer peripheral portion of said dust-off glass; and

a control circuit vibrating said piezoelectric element by applying cyclic control signals to said piezoelectric element, thereby generating vibration waves in said dust-off glass,

said control circuit scanning a frequency of the control signals applied to the piezoelectric element within a given range.

10. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 9, wherein a scanning range for the frequency of the control signals applied to said piezoelectric element is set so that said dust-off glass vibrates in a frequency range including at least a specific resonance frequency of said dust-off glass.

11. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 9, which further comprises a temperature measuring circuit for measuring an ambient temperature such that a scanning range for the frequency of the control signals applied to said piezoelectric element can be shifted in accordance with a result of measurement of said temperature measuring circuit.

12. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 9, wherein said vibrating operation is followed by the execution of operation for fetching pixel defect information on said photoelectric conversion element.

13. An optical apparatus having dust-off function, comprising:

image-pickup means including an image-pickup element for converting an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system for focusing the optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said image-pickup element;

an optical element located between said image-pickup element and said image-pickup optical system; and

vibrating means for vibrating said optical element with a plurality of frequencies in succession.

14. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 13, wherein said optical element is vibrated in a range including a resonance frequency of said optical element.

15. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 13, wherein the operation of said vibrating means is followed by the execution of operation for fetching pixel defect information on said image-pickup element.

16. An optical apparatus having dust-off function, comprising:

a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system configured to focus the optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said photoelectric conversion element;

a dust-off glass located between said photoelectric conversion element and said image-pickup optical system;

a piezoelectric element fixed to an outer peripheral portion of said dust-off glass, said piezoelectric element being adapted to vibrate when supplied with cyclic control signals, thereby generating vibration waves in said dust-off glass; and

a control circuit configured to apply cyclic control signals to said piezoelectric element, said control circuit being capable of gradually changing a frequency of voltage signals applied to said piezoelectric element.

17. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 16, wherein said control circuit includes a frequency divider for dividing the frequency of basic clocks, a CPU for supplying said basic clocks to said frequency divider and setting a dividing ratio of the frequency divider, and a switching circuit for applying cyclic voltage signals to said piezoelectric element in accordance with a dividing output of said frequency divider, said CPU being capable of changing a dividing ratio set in said frequency divider with every given time.

18. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 17, wherein said CPU includes a memory stored with a plurality of dividing ratio data on said frequency divider, and data stored in said memory are successively read and set in said frequency divider with every given time.

19. An optical apparatus having dust-off function, comprising:

image-pickup means for converting an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system for focusing the optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said image-pickup means;

an optical element located between said image-pickup means and said image-pickup optical system;

first vibrating means for vibrating said optical element with a plurality of frequencies in succession;

detecting means capable of monitoring a state of vibration of said optical element during vibrating operation of said first vibrating means, thereby detecting a resonance frequency of said optical element; and

second vibrating means for vibrating said optical element with the resonance frequency detected by means of said detecting means or a frequency approximate to the resonance frequency.

20. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 19, wherein said first vibrating means includes storage means stored with a plurality of frequency data.

21. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 19, which further comprises abnormality detecting means for detecting something abnormal about said optical element or said first vibrating means in accordance with change of an output of said detecting means.

22. A camera having dust-off function, comprising:

a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system configured to focus the optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said photoelectric conversion element;

a dust-off glass located between said photoelectric conversion element and said image-pickup optical system;

a piezoelectric element fixed to a peripheral edge portion of said dust-off glass;

a control circuit vibrating said piezoelectric element, thereby generating vibration waves in said dust-off glass, and

a monitor circuit configured to monitor a state of vibration of said dust-off glass,

wherein said control circuit has a first mode in which said dust-off glass is vibrated with a plurality of oscillation frequencies and a resonance frequency of said dust-off glass is detected from an output signal then delivered from said monitor circuit and a second mode in which said dust-off glass is vibrated in accordance with the resonance frequency detected in the first mode, and alternatively executes either of the modes according to an operation timing of said optical apparatus.

23. A camera having dust-off function according to claim 22, wherein said control circuit executes said first mode with a first timing and executes said second mode with a second timing that follows said first timing.

24. A camera having dust-off function according to claim 23, wherein said first timing is a timing for booting the system of said optical apparatus.

25. A camera having dust-off function according to claim 23, wherein said first timing is a timing for an attachment of said photographing optical system to said optical apparatus.

26. A camera having dust-off function according to claim 23, wherein said second timing is a timing precedent to photographing operation.

27. A camera having dust-off function according to claim 23, wherein said second timing is a timing corresponding to the operation of a manual operating member.

28. An optical apparatus having dust-off function, comprising:

a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system configured to focus the optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said photoelectric conversion element;

an optical element located between said photoelectric conversion element and said image-pickup optical system;

a first piezoelectric element located on the outer peripheral portion of said optical element, said first piezoelectric element being adapted to vibrate when supplied with cyclic voltage signals, thereby generating vibration waves in said optical element;

a second piezoelectric element located on an outer peripheral portion of said optical element so as to output a signal corresponding to a state of vibration of said optical element; and

a control circuit configured to apply said cyclic voltage signals to said first piezoelectric element, said control circuit having a first mode in which a frequency of said voltage signals is changed as said first piezoelectric element is vibrated with a plurality of frequencies and a frequency for a resonant state is settled in accordance with an output of said second piezoelectric element and a second mode in which said optical element is driven with the resonance frequency settled in the first mode.

29. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 28, wherein said control circuit alternatively executes either of said first and second modes according to the operation timing of said optical apparatus.

30. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 28, wherein control circuit includes a memory stored with a plurality of frequency data, and the frequency of said voltage signals is gradually changed with reference to the data stored in said memory in said first mode.

31. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 28, wherein said control circuit includes a converter for smoothing the cyclic signals delivered from said second piezoelectric element and converting the signals into digital data.

32. A camera having dust-off function, comprising:

a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system configured to focus the optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said photoelectric conversion element;

a dust-off glass located between said photoelectric conversion element and said image-pickup optical system;

a piezoelectric element fixed to a peripheral edge portion of said dust-off glass;

a control circuit capable of vibrating said piezoelectric element, thereby generating vibration waves in said dust-off glass, and

a monitor circuit configured to monitor a state of vibration of said dust-off glass,

wherein said control circuit has a resonance point detection mode in which said dust-off glass is vibrated with a plurality of oscillation frequencies and the resonance frequency of said dust-off glass is detected from an output signal then delivered from said monitor circuit.

33. A camera having dust-off function according to claim 32, wherein said control circuit has a dusting mode in which said dust-off glass is vibrated in accordance with said detected resonance frequency.

34. An optical apparatus having dust-off function, comprising:

image-pickup means including a photoelectric conversion element for converting an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system for focusing the optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said photoelectric conversion element;

a dust-off glass located between said photoelectric conversion element and said image-pickup optical system;

vibrating means for vibrating said dust-off glass;

monitoring means for monitoring a state of vibration of said dust-off glass; and

abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormal state of said dust-off glass or said vibrating means in accordance with an output signal from said monitoring means.

35. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 34, wherein said vibrating means vibrates said dust-off glass with a plurality of different frequencies.

36. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 34, wherein said detecting means detects something abnormal about said dust-off glass or said vibrating means in accordance with change of an output of said monitoring means caused when said dust-off glass is vibrating.

37. An optical apparatus having dust-off function, comprising:

image-pickup means including a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical image of a subject into electric information;

an image-pickup optical system configured to focus the optical image of said subject on a light receiving surface of said photoelectric conversion element;

a dust-off glass located between said photoelectric conversion element and said image-pickup optical system;

a piezoelectric element located integrally on a part of said dust-off glass;

a control circuit capable of generating vibration waves in said dust-off glass by vibrating said piezoelectric element; and

a monitor circuit capable of monitoring a state of vibration of said dust-off glass and outputting monitor signals to said control circuit,

wherein said control circuit successively stores the monitor signals from said monitor circuit while modifying a driving signal for driving said piezoelectric element and comparatively evaluates stored values of monitor signals after a termination of the storage, thereby determining whether or not said dust-off glass has vibrated normally.

38. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 37, wherein said control circuit concludes that the vibration is abnormal if the stored values of the monitor signals from said monitor circuit monotonously increase or monotonously decrease.

39. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 37, wherein said control circuit detects a maximum value among the stored values of the monitor signals from said monitor circuit and detects an abnormal state depending on whether or not said maximum value is within a given range.

40. An optical apparatus having dust-off function according to claim 37, wherein said control circuit detects a maximum value among the stored values of the monitor signals from said monitor circuit and detects an abnormal state depending on whether or not the frequency of the driving signal for the delivery of said maximum value is within a given range.