Motion compensation device having stabilizing motion detection unit that does not inhibit imaging operations in an imaging unit

• US 5,737,643 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Imura, Yoshio, Kitagawa, Yoshihisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W. B.
• Application Number:
  US08/479,399
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 396/55, 396/52, 396/53
• US Class Current: 396/55
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2205/0007 Movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2207/005 involving control of motion blur
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/005 Blur detection
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/007 Details of energy supply or management
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 5/00 Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing

Abstract

A motion compensation device includes a detection unit detecting an amount of motion about a camera, a photographic preparatory operation commencement instruction unit generating a first instruction to commence photographic preparatory operations including the commencement of the detection unit, and a photographic operation commencement instruction unit generating a second instruction to commence photographic operations, a motion compensation unit to drive a photographic optical system of the camera to inhibit image blurring on a focal plane based on the amount of motion detected by the detection unit, and a stabilization time determination unit determining whether the photographic preparatory time from when the photographic preparatory operation instruction unit generates the first instruction until the photographic operation commencement instruction unit generates the second instruction is longer or shorter than a predetermined amount of time. The predetermined amount of time is long enough to allow the operation of the detection unit to become stable. Also provided is a control unit that controls the motion compensation unit so as to inhibit operation thereof when the stabilization time judgment unit judges that photographic preparatory time is shorter than the predetermined time. Finally, the motion compensation device inhibits motion compensation after commencement of an exposure period in order to conserve power in an imaging unit that embodies the invention.

Claims

1. A motion compensation device suitable for a camera comprising:

a detection unit detecting an amount of motion about a camera;

a photographic preparatory operation commencement instruction unit generating a first instruction to commence photographic preparatory operations including the commencement of the detection unit;

an exposure commencement instruction unit generating a second instruction to commence an exposure operation;

a motion compensation unit to drive an optical system of the camera to inhibit image blurring on a focal plane based on the amount of motion detected by the detection unit;

a stabilization time judgment unit judging whether a photographic preparatory time from when the photographic preparatory operation instruction unit generates the first instruction until the exposure commencement instruction unit generates the second instruction is longer or shorter than a predetermined amount of time, the predetermined time being long enough to allow the operation of the detection unit to become stable; and

a control unit controlling the motion compensation unit so as to inhibit operation of the motion compensation unit after the exposure operation commences when the stabilization time judgment unit judges that photographic preparatory time is shorter than the predetermined time.

2. The motion compensation device according to claim 1, wherein the stabilization time judgment unit has a stabilization time setting unit for setting the predetermined time.

3. A motion compensation device adapted for use in a camera, the motion compensation device comprising:

an exposure time setting unit setting a camera shutter speed;

a motion detection unit detecting an amount of motion about the camera;

a photographic preparatory action commencement instruction unit generating an instruction to commence photographic preparatory action including starting the motion detection unit;

a photographic operation commencement instruction unit generating an instruction to commence photographic operations in accordance with the shutter speed set by the exposure time setting unit;

a motion compensation unit driving an optical system of the camera in a direction so as to reduce image blurring on a focal plane based on the amount of motion detected by the motion detection unit;

a stabilization time judgment unit judging whether a photographic preparatory time is longer or shorter than a predetermined time, the predetermined time being an amount of time necessary for the motion detection unit to become stable; and

a control unit controlling the motion compensation unit so as to permit operation thereof when the stabilization time judgment unit judges that photographic preparatory time is longer than the predetermined time and when the control unit judges that a motion tolerance time has terminated.

4. The motion compensation device according to claim 3, wherein the stabilization time determination unit has a stabilization time setting unit for setting the predetermined time.

5. The motion compensation device of claim 3, wherein the control unit has a motion tolerance time setting unit for setting a tolerance time in which motion will be tolerated.

6. A camera, comprising:

a motion detection device to detect motion of the camera, the motion detection device having a predetermined stabilization time;

a motion compensation unit to inhibit image blurring on a focal plane based on an amount of motion detected by the motion detection device;

a release button having a first state and a second state, to initiate operation of the motion detection device in response to the release button being placed in the first state, and to initiate an exposure operation in response to the release button being placed in the second state;

a control unit to determine a first time between the release button being placed in the first state and the release button being placed in the second state, to compare the first time with the predetermined stabilization time, to initiate operation of the motion compensation unit prior to initiating exposure when the first time is greater than or equal to the predetermined stabilization time, and to initiate exposure and inhibit operation of the motion compensation unit until after exposure is initiated when the first time is less than the predetermined time.

7. A camera as recited in claim 6, wherein, when the first time is less than the predetermined time, the control unit initiates the motion compensation operation, at a time equal to the difference between the predetermined time and the first time after exposure is initiated.

8. A camera as recited in claim 6, wherein, when the first time is greater than or equal to the predetermined time, the control unit inhibits motion compensation prior to an end of exposure when the remaining exposure time is equal to a time interval at which movement of the image on the image plane is not perceptible to the human eye.

9. A camera, comprising:

a motion detection device to detect motion of the camera, the motion detection device having a predetermined stabilization time;

a motion compensation unit to inhibit image blurring on a focal plane based on an amount of motion detected by the motion detection device;

a release button to initiate operation of the motion detection device when in a first state, and to initiate an exposure operation when in a second state; and

a control unit to determine whether the motion detection device has stabilized at the time the exposure operation is initiated and to initiate a motion compensation operation after exposure is initiated when the motion detection device has not stabilized at the time exposure is initiated.