Imaging device

• US 8,031,240 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yumiki, Naoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Sinh
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLOHRE, JASON A
• Application Number:
  US11/886,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20090027510A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,126 Days
• Field of Search: 348/208.1, 348/208.2, 348/208.12, 348/208.16
• US Class Current: 348/231.6
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 5/00 Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/675 comprising setting of focusing regions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/687 by shifting the lens or sensor position

Abstract

Whether a digital camera body (1) is in a horizontal shooting attitude (a) or in either of vertical shooting attitudes (b), (c) is detected by using drive means of an image blurring compensation device. In the case where a focus drive means detects that the digital camera body (1) is either in an upward attitude (d) or in a downward attitude (e), a shooting attitude thereof can be inputted. The inputted shooting attitude is recorded together with an image, whereby the image can be displayed in the same orientation as the image at the time of shooting thereof, even if the image is shot either in the upward attitude (e) or in the downward attitude (e).

Claims

1. An imaging device for outputting an optical image of an object as an electrical image signal, comprising:

an imaging optical system for generating the optical image of the object;

an imaging sensor for receiving the optical image generated by the imaging optical system and converting the optical image into the electrical image signal;

a first attitude detection section for detecting whether the imaging device is in a horizontal attitude or in a vertical attitude, and generating an attitude determination signal;

a second attitude detection section for detecting whether the imaging device is in an upward attitude or in a downward attitude at the time of shooting;

an image recording section for recording the attitude determination signal together with a shot image outputted from the imaging sensor; and

a display section for displaying the shot image, wherein

when it is determined, based on the detection result of the second attitude detection section, that the imaging device is either in the upward direction or in the downward direction, the first attitude detection section automatically detects, after shooting is performed by the imaging device and after the imaging device becomes in an attitude other than an upward attitude and a downward attitude and when the shot image is displayed on the display section for confirmation, whether the imaging device is either in the horizontal attitude or in the vertical attitude and generates the attitude determination signal, and

the attitude determination signal, which is generated by the first attitude detection section after shooting by the imaging device, is recorded in the image recording section together with the shot image.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising,

an image blurring compensation device for detecting vibration applied to the imaging device, and driving a compensation lens of the imaging optical system in two directions which are orthogonal to an optical axis, wherein

the first attitude detection section determines an attitude of the imaging device in accordance with a signal for driving the compensation lens.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein

the image blurring compensation device includes a first actuator and a second actuator for driving the compensation lens in the two directions which are orthogonal to the optical axis, and

the first attitude detection section determines the attitude of the imaging device in accordance with a value of a driving current of at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising,

a linear actuator for driving a focus lens unit, wherein

the second attitude detection section determines the attitude of the imaging device in accordance with a signal for driving the focus lens unit.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, when the imaging device is in the upward attitude, a focus lens unit is moved so as to focus on an infinite position.

6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, when the imaging device is in the downward attitude, a focus lens unit is moved to a position for a macro shooting.