Motion compensation device which immediately resumes motion compensation after completion or interruption of a motion compensation process

• US 5,812,886 A
• Filed: 07/29/1997
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Imura, Yoshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W. B.
• Application Number:
  US08/901,953
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 396/55, 348/208, 359/554
• US Class Current: 396/55
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2205/0015 by displacing one or more optical elements normal to the optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2205/0069 using electromagnetic actuators, e.g. voice coils
• 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

A motion compensation device, suitable for use in a camera, which can immediately resume a motion compensation process after the interruption of the motion compensation process or the completion of a previous motion compensation process. The motion compensation device includes a motion compensation optical system which is driven by a drive member to compensate for detected motion. A motion compensation control device controls a drive device to drive the motion compensation optical system to compensate for detected motion in response to a motion compensation start signal generated by a motion compensation start signal generation device. The motion compensation control device controls a fastening member to fasten the motion compensation optical system in response to a motion compensation stop signal generated by the motion compensation stop signal generation device. The motion compensation control device controls the drive device to hold at a stand-by position for a specified period of time until the fastening of the motion compensation optical system begins.

Claims

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

a motion detection device to detect motion and to output motion detection information;

a motion compensation optical system to compensate for the detected motion;

a drive member to drive the motion compensation optical system;

a fastening member to fasten the motion compensation optical system;

a motion compensation start signal generation device to generate a motion compensation start signal;

a motion compensation stop signal generation device to generate a motion compensation stop signal; and

a motion compensation control device to control the drive member to drive the motion compensation optical system according to the motion detection information in response to the motion compensation start signal, and to control the fastening member to fasten the motion compensation optical system in response to the motion compensation stop signal, wherein the motion compensation control device controls the drive member to sustain a stand-by position for a specified period of time until the fastening of the motion compensation optical system begins.

2. A motion compensation device as recited in claim 1, wherein the motion compensation control device controls the drive member to drive the motion compensation optical system from the stand-by position based on the motion detection information when the motion compensation start signal is re-entered within the specified period of time.

3. A motion compensation device as recited in claim 1, wherein the motion compensation control device sets an approximate center of a drive range of the motion compensation optical system as the stand-by position.

4. A motion compensation device as recited in claim 1, wherein the motion compensation control device sets the specified period of time as a mean time between the time when the motion compensation stop signal is entered and the time when the motion compensation start signal is re-entered.

5. A motion compensation device as recited in claim 1, wherein the motion compensation control device sets the specified period of time as an optional time.

6. A motion compensation device as recited in claim 1, wherein the motion compensation start signal generation device generates the motion compensation start signal based on at least one of an ON signal of a photographing ready switch and an ON signal of a photographic operation switch.

7. A motion compensation device as recited in claim 1, wherein the motion compensation stop signal generation device generates the motion compensation stop signal based on at least one of an OFF signal of the photographing ready switch, an OFF signal of the photographic operation switch, and an exposure completion signal.

8. A camera, comprising:

a motion compensation system movable to compensate for camera motion;

a fastening device to fasten the motion compensation system; and

a control device to control the motion compensation system to stop a motion compensation operation and to remain at a specified position for a specified period of time after the motion compensation operation is stopped, and to control the fastening device to fasten the motion compensation system when the specified period of time has elapsed.

9. A camera as recited in claim 8, wherein the control device controls the motion compensation system to remain at an approximate center of the range of motion for the specified period of time.

10. A camera as recited in claim 8, wherein the control device sets the specified period of time as an optional time.

11. A camera as recited in claim 8, wherein the motion compensation system comprises:

a motion compensation optical system which is movable to compensate for motion of the camera;

a motion detection device to detect camera motion and to output motion detection information indicative of the detected motion; and

a drive member to drive the motion compensation optical system according to the motion detection information,

wherein the control device controls the drive device to hold the motion compensation optical system at the specified position for the specified period of time.

12. A camera as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

a motion compensation start signal generation device to generate a motion compensation start signal to start a motion compensation operation;

a motion compensation stop signal generation device to generate a motion compensation stop signal to stop a motion compensation operation,

wherein the control device controls the motion compensation system to start motion compensation in response to the motion compensation start signal and to stop motion compensation in response to the motion compensation stop signal, and controls the fastening device to fasten the motion compensation system in response to the motion compensation stop signal after the specified period of time has elapsed, and controls the motion compensation system to resume motion compensation from the specified position in response to a motion compensation start signal received during the specified period of time.

13. A camera as recited in claim 12, wherein the control device sets the specified period of time as a mean time between the time when the motion compensation stop signal is received and the time when a motion compensation start signal is received thereafter.

14. A camera as recited in claim 12, wherein the motion compensation start signal generation device generates the motion compensation start signal based on at least one of an ON signal of a release button half-depression switch and an ON signal of a release button full-depression switch.

15. A camera as recited in claim 12, wherein the motion compensation stop signal generation device generates the motion compensation stop signal based on at least one of an OFF signal of the release button half-depression switch, an OFF signal of the release button full-depression switch, and an exposure completion signal.

16. A method of performing motion compensation in a camera by moving a motion compensation system comprising the steps of:

starting a motion compensation operation in response to a motion compensation start signal;

stopping the motion compensation operation in response to a motion compensation stop signal;

holding the motion compensation system at a specified position for a specified period of time in response to the motion compensation stop signal; and

fastening the motion compensation system when the specified period of time elapses.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of holding the motion compensation system comprises:

centering the motion compensation system; and

holding the motion compensation system at the centered position for the specified period of time.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether a motion compensation start signal is received during the specified period of time during which the motion compensation system is held; and

starting a motion compensation operation from the centered position when a motion compensation start signal is received during the specified period of time.