Camera system and interchangeable lens to compensate for image blur when photographing at close range

• US 6,047,132 A
• Filed: 03/02/1999
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Maeda, Toshiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W. B.
• Application Number:
  US09/260,719
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 396/53, 396/55, 396/52, 348/208, 359/557
• US Class Current: 396/53
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/646 compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur in cameras, projectors or printers G03B2205/0007; image stabilisation in cameras peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor H04N23/68
• 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 2205/0053 Driving means for the movement of one or more optical element
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/663 for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/687 by shifting the lens or sensor position

Abstract

A camera system and interchangeable lens which can accurately compensate for motion causing image blur regardless of the subject range, by detecting motion having different properties. The camera system and interchangeable lens include a first motion detector having angular velocity sensors which detect blurring motion inclined to the optical axis, and a second motion detector having acceleration sensors to detect blurring motion which causes movement perpendicular to the optical axis. The second motion detector is located as close as possible to the film plane, between an aperture unit and a lens side mount unit. As a result, because the distance (radius of rotation) between an instantaneous rotation center, which exists close to the film plane, and the second motion detector becomes small, the effects of angular acceleration become small, and blurring motion can be accurately compensated.

Claims

1. A camera system, comprising:

a first motion detection unit to detect motion inclined to an optical axis of a photographic optical system; and

a second motion detection unit to detect motion not inclined to the optical axis,

wherein the second motion detection unit is located closer to an imaging surface than the first motion detection unit.

2. A camera system as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera system further comprises an aperture unit and the second motion detection unit is located between the aperture unit and the imaging surface.

3. A camera system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second motion detection unit is located in the neighborhood of the imaging surface.

4. A camera system as recited in claim 3, wherein the second motion detection unit is located closer to the imaging surface than the first motion detection unit.

5. A camera system as recited in claim 2, wherein the photographic optical system includes a first lens group and a second lens group, and the first motion detection unit is located between the first lens group and the second lens group.

6. A camera system as recited in claim 2, further comprising a motion compensation optical system, wherein the first motion detection unit is located between the aperture unit and the motion compensation optical system.

7. A camera system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a motion compensation optical system to compensate for motion causing image blur;

a drive unit to drive the motion compensation optical system; and

a control unit to control the drive unit to drive the motion compensation optical system based on output signals of at least one of the first motion detection unit and the second motion detection unit.

8. A camera system as recited in claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the drive of the motion compensation optical system based on a combination of output signals of the first motion detection unit and the second motion detection unit.

9. A camera system as recited in claim 4, wherein the second motion detection unit is located between the motion compensation optical system and the imaging surface.

10. A camera system as recited in claim 7, wherein the first motion detection unit and the second motion detection unit are mounted in a housing via a common fixed member.

11. A camera system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first motion detection unit is an angular velocity sensor to detect angular velocity, and

the second motion detection unit is an acceleration detector to detect acceleration.

12. An interchangeable lens installable on a camera body having a body side mount unit, comprising:

a first motion detection unit to detect motion inclined to an optical axis of a photographic optical system;

a second motion detection unit to detect motion not inclined to the optical axis;

a motion compensation optical system to compensate for motion causing image blur;

a drive unit to drive the motion compensation optical system;

a control unit to control the drive unit to drive the motion compensation optical system based on the output signal of at least one of the first motion detection unit and the second motion detection unit; and

a lens side mount unit coupled to the body side mount unit, wherein

the second motion detection unit is located between an aperture unit and an imaging surface.

13. An interchangeable lens as recited in claim 12, wherein the second motion detection unit is located between the aperture unit and the lens side mount unit.

14. An interchangeable lens as recited in claim 13, wherein the second motion detection unit is located closer to the lens side mount unit than the first motion detection unit.

15. An interchangeable lens as recited in claim 12, wherein the first motion detection unit and the second motion detection unit are mounted in a lens barrel via a common fixed member.

16. An interchangeable lens as recited in claim 12, wherein the first motion detection unit is an angular velocity detector to detect angular velocity, and the second motion detection unit is an acceleration detector to detect acceleration.

17. An interchangeable lens as recited in claim 12, wherein the control unit controls drive of the motion compensation optical system based on a combination of output signals of the first motion detection unit and the second motion detection unit.

18. An interchangeable lens as recited in claim 12, wherein the first motion detection unit is located between the aperture unit and the motion compensation optical system.

19. An interchangeable lens as recited in claim 12, wherein the photographic optical system includes a first lens group and a second lens group, and the first motion detection unit is located between the first lens group and the second lens group.