Image blur prevention apparatus

• US 5,608,703 A
• Filed: 12/21/1995
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Washisu, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): PERKEY, WILLIAM B
• Application Number:
  US08/576,134
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 354/430, 354/202, 348/208
• US Class Current: 348/208.7
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2205/0007 Movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur imaging systems in general using optical elements for stabilisation of the position of the image G02B27/64
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/005 Blur detection
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 5/00 Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing

Abstract

An apparatus includes a control unit for switching image blur prevention operations between a first image blur prevention operation and a second image blur prevention operation with respect to the same image blur state in accordance with a start of a photographing operation. For example, the control unit performs control to switch modes between a mode of performing a prevention operation by an operation amount required to attain correction, and a mode of performing a prevention operation by an operation amount smaller than the required operation amount to leave room for correction. This switching operation is performed independently of an image blur frequency. For example, a gain is evenly changed at all frequencies. With this arrangement, the operability of the apparatus can be improved.

Claims

1. An apparatus adapted to an image blur prevention apparatus, comprising:

a control unit for performing control to switch operations between a first image blur prevention operation and a second image blur prevention operation with respect to the same image blur state in accordance with a start of a photographing operation, said control unit switching the operations independently of an image blur frequency.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image blur prevention apparatus performs image blur prevention by correcting an image blur, and said control unit includes means for switching operations between a first image blur correction operation and a second image blur correction operation.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control unit includes means for changing an image blur correction amount with respect to the same image blur state depending on whether the first or second image blur correction operation is performed.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control unit includes means for switching modes between a first image blur correction mode of substantially performing correction by an operation amount required to correct an image blur, and a second image blur correction mode of performing correction by an operation amount smaller than the required operation amount.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said control apparatus includes means for performing the first image blur correction mode before a photographing operation is started, and performing the second image blur correction mode while a photographing operation is performed.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control unit includes means for performing the switching operation in accordance with an operational state of an operation portion for performing a photographing operation.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image blur prevention apparatus performs image blur prevention in accordance with a signal corresponding to an image blur state, and said control unit includes means for changing an operation of the image blur prevention apparatus by changing a manner of responding to a signal corresponding to the same image blur state.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image blur prevention apparatus performs image blur prevention in accordance with a signal amplified by amplification means for amplifying a signal corresponding to the image blur state, and said control unit includes means for changing an operation of the image blur prevention apparatus by changing a degree of amplification of the amplification means.

9. An image blur prevention apparatus comprising:

image blur prevention means for preventing an image blur; and

a control unit for performing control to switch operations between a first image blur prevention operation and a second image blur prevention operation with respect to the same image blur state in accordance with a start of a photographing operation, said control unit switching the operations independently of an image blur frequency.

10. An optical equipment to which an image blur prevention apparatus is applied, comprising:

a control unit for performing control to switch operations between a first image blur prevention operation and a second image blur prevention operation with respect to the same image blur state in accordance with a start of a photography operation, said control unit switching the operations independently of an image blur frequency.

11. A camera to which an image blur prevention apparatus is applied, comprising:

a control unit for performing control to switch operations between a first image blur prevention operation and a second image blur prevention operation with respect to the same image blur state in accordance with a start of a photographing operation, said control unit switching the operations independently of an image blur frequency.