Image sensing apparatus

• US 6,147,701 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 11/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Tamura, Junichi, Fujiki, Masakazu
• Primary Examiner(s): BRITTON, HOWARD W
• Application Number:
  US08/892,678
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 348/36, 348/143-159, 348/211, 348/373
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence

Abstract

An image sensing apparatus includes a spherical supporting unit, a Y-shape supporting unit and a pedestal supporting unit. The spherical supporting unit includes: a lens unit, a photoreceptor and electrical circuits, is supported on X axis by the Y-shape supporting unit, and is rotated about the X axis by driving force of a motor. The Y-shape supporting unit is rotatably supported on Y axis by the pedestal supporting unit. In the spherical supporting unit, a fixed portion which is stably connected with the X axis of the spherical supporting unit, and a rotation portion which rotates along with rotation of the spherical supporting unit, are provided. The image sensing apparatus comprises a conductive bearing in which the rotation portion is electrically connected with the fixed portion. The rotation portion and the electrical circuits are connected with signals; and signal wires from the Y-shape supporting unit are connected with the fixed portion. With respect to the Y-shape supporting unit and the pedestal supporting unit, a conductive bearing is similarly provided at the rotating portion, so that electrical connection is achieved between the Y-shape supporting unit and the pedestal supporting unit. Accordingly, electrical connection between the electrical circuits of the spherical supporting unit and an external unit is achieved without limiting rotation of the spherical supporting unit or the rotation of the Y-shape supporting unit.

Claims

1. An image sensing apparatus comprising:

a lens unit;

converting unit converting an image, focused by said lens unit, into an electrical signal;

a spherical supporting unit supporting therein at least said lens unit and said converting unit;

a first supporting unit rotatably supporting said spherical supporting unit about a first axis through a substantial center of the spherical supporting unit, on which an image is focused by said lens unit;

a second supporting unit rotatably supporting said first supporting unit about a second axis being orthogonal to the first axis;

first driving unit, provided in the spherical supporting unit, that rotates said spherical supporting unit about the first axis;

second driving unit rotating said first supporting unit about the second axis;

first connecting unit rotatably connecting said spherical supporting unit with said first supporting unit to transmit a signal between said spherical supporting unit and said first supporting unit along the first axis; and

second connecting unit rotatably connecting said first supporting unit with said second supporting unit to transmit a signal between said first supporting unit and said second supporting unit alone the second axis.

2. The image sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first connecting unit comprises:

a plurality of first conductive bearings having a rotation portion which rotates along with rotation of said spherical supporting unit, and a fixed portion which is fixed on a shaft which supports said spherical supporting unit at the first axis;

a first conductive member which electrically connects the fixed portion with signal wires from said first supporting unit; and

a second conductive member which electrically connects the rotation portion with the converting unit in said spherical supporting unit.

3. The image sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second connecting unit comprises:

a plurality of second conductive bearings having a rotation portion which rotates along with rotation of said first supporting unit, and a fixed portion which is fixed to the second axis;

a third conductive member which electrically connects the fixed portion with signal wires from said first supporting unit; and

a fourth conductive member which electrically connects the rotation portion with a circuit of said second supporting unit.

4. The image sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a substantial center of the spherical supporting unit, at which an image is focused by said lens unit, is located on a line which orthogonally intersects both the first axis and the second axis.

5. The image sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a motor serving as a driving source of said first driving unit is provided inside said spherical supporting unit.

6. The image sensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first connecting unit comprises an axis member which is provided along the first axis, and which includes signal wires from said first supporting unit;

wherein the fixed portion of said first conductive bearing is slideably connected with a periphery of the axis member, thereby being electrically connected with the signal wires.

7. The image sensing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising pressing means for press-fitting said first conductive bearing toward the axis member.

8. An image sensing apparatus having a spherical supporting unit which is supported rotatably about a first axis through a substantial center of the spherical supporting unit, comprising:

a lens unit provided in the spherical supporting unit;

a photoreceptor provided at the substantial center of the spherical supporting unit, outputting an image signal in accordance with an image focused by the lens unit;

first driving unit, provided in the spherical supporting unit, rotating said spherical supporting unit about the first axis;

a first supporting unit, rotatable about a second axis which is orthogonal to the first axis, that supports said spherical supporting unit;

second driving means for rotating said first supporting unit about the second axis;

a first connecting unit, having a rotation portion which rotates along with rotation of said spherical supporting unit, and a fixed portion which is fixed along the first axis, for electrically connecting the fixed portion with the rotation portion;

a second connecting unit, having a rotation portion which rotates along with rotation of said first supporting unit, and a fixed portion which is fixed along the second axis, for electrically connecting the fixed portion and the rotation portion,

wherein an electrical contact is made between an inside of the spherical supporting unit and the fixed portion of the second connecting unit.

9. The image sensing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first and second connecting units include a conductive bearing.

10. The image sensing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising detecting means for detecting a rotation angle between said spherical supporting unit and said first supporting unit.