Photographing apparatus having the image blur preventing function

• US 6,486,910 B1
• Filed: 03/11/1998
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Noguchi, Kazuhiro, Okada, Tadanori, Kaneda, Naoya, Azusawa, Katsumi
• Primary Examiner(s): MOE, AUNG SOE
• Application Number:
  US09/037,999
• Time in Patent Office: 1,721 Days
• Field of Search: 348/208, 348/218, 348/219, 348/207, 348/335, 348/333.01, 348/208.99, 348/208.2, 348/208.5, 348/208.7, 348/208.9, 396/50, 396/52, 396/53, 396/34, 396/55, 359/554
• US Class Current: 348/208.99
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/005 Blur detection
• 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 23/686 with a variable apex prism

Abstract

An apparatus having an image blur correcting function comprises a first unit including an image blur correction apparatus, a second unit rotatable about a first axis differing from a photo-taking optical axis relative to the first unit, a vibration detector provided in the second unit for detecting rotational vibration about the first unit, and a controller for operating the image blur apparatus in conformity with the output of the vibration detector.

Claims

1. An apparatus having an image blur correcting function comprising:

image blur correction means for correcting image blur;

a first unit including said image blur correction means;

a second unit rotatable about a first axis differing from a photo-taking optical axis relative to said first unit;

vibration detection means provided in said second unit for detecting rotational vibration about said first axis; and

control means for operating said image blur correction means in conformity with the output of said vibration detection means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for responding in a similar manner to the output of said vibration detection means irrespective of the rotated state of said second unit relative to said first unit.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

second vibration detection means for detecting rotational vibration about a second axis differing from both of said photo-taking optical axis and said first axis;

said control means including means for operating said image blur correction means in conformity with the output of said second vibration detection means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second vibration detection means is provided in said second unit.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said control means includes means for correcting the output signal of said second vibration detection means in conformity with the rotated state of said second unit relative to said first unit, and operating said image blur correction means in conformity with said corrected signal.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control means includes means for finding a component corresponding to the rotational vibration of said first unit about said second axis, in conformity with the rotated state of said second unit relative to said first unit, and the output signal of said second vibration detection means.

7. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said photo-taking optical axis.

8. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first and second axes are perpendicular to each other.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first axis is perpendicular to said photo-taking optical axis.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first unit holds a photo-taking optical system and an image pickup element.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said second unit holds a monitor for displaying an image corresponding to an image formed by said image pickup element.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image blur correction means includes means for optically correcting image blur.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said image blur correction means includes means for deflecting a light beam to thereby correct image blur.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said image blur correction means includes a variable apex-angle prism.

15. An apparatus having an image blur correcting function comprising:

image blur correction means for correcting image blur;

a first unit including said image blur correction means;

a second unit rotatable about a first axis differing from a photo-taking optical axis relative to said first unit;

vibration detection means provided in said second unit for detecting rotational vibration about a second axis differing from both of said photo-taking optical axis and said first axis;

signal correction means for correcting the output signal of said vibration detection means in conformity with the rotated state of said second unit relative to said first unit; and

control means for operating said image blur correction means in conformity with a vibration signal obtained by said signal correction means.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said signal correction means includes means for effecting a calculation for finding a component corresponding to the rotational vibration of said first unit about said second axis, from the output signal of said vibration detection means in conformity with the rotated state of said second unit relative to said first unit.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:

second vibration detection means for detecting the vibration about said first axis, said second vibration detection means being provided in said second unit, said control means including means for responding in a similar manner to the output of said second vibration detection means, irrespective of the rotated state of said second unit relative to said first unit.

18. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said first unit holds a photo-taking optical system and an image pickup element.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said second unit holds a monitor for displaying an image corresponding to an image formed by said image pickup element.