Image apparatus with motion control

• US 9,106,822 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2009
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Takita, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): MOE, AUNG SOE
• Application Number:
  US13/376,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20120075487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,238 Days
• Field of Search: 3482081-2087, 382/255
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control 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 23/6845 by combination of a plurality of images sequentially taken
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/88 for colour balance, e.g. white-balance circuits or colour temperature control

Abstract

An image apparatus (10) includes an apparatus frame (224), a capturing system (228), a control feature, an inertial sensor assembly (218), and a control system (216). The control feature influences the image (258) captured by the capturing system (228). The inertial sensor assembly senses motion of the image apparatus. The control system adjusts the control feature based on the sensed motion from the sensor assembly. Thus, the control feature can be easily controlled by the controlled movement of the image apparatus. For example, the inertial sensor assembly can include one or more angular inertial sensors; one or more gyroscopes; and/or one or more accelerometers.

Claims

1. An image apparatus for capturing an image of a scene, the image apparatus comprising:

a capturing system that captures an image;

an image display that displays the captured image;

a control feature that influences the image captured by the capturing system or the image displayed on the image display;

a sensor assembly that senses motion; and

a control system that adjusts one of a white balance and a red eye reduction when the sensor assembly senses motion in a first direction, and adjusts the other of the white balance and the red eye reduction when the sensor assembly senses a motion in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

2. The image apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly includes an inertia sensor.

3. The image apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly includes a gyroscope.

4. The image apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly monitors acceleration.

5. An image apparatus for capturing an image of a scene, the image apparatus comprising:

a capturing system that captures an image and a plurality of through images;

an image display that displays the captured image;

a control feature that influences the image captured by the capturing system or the image displayed on the image display; and

a control system that evaluates at least one of the images to determine if there is motion, and the control system adjusting one of a white balance and a red eye reduction when the control system determines that there is motion in a first direction, and the control system adjusting the other of the white balance and the red eye reduction when the sensor assembly senses a motion in a second direction that is different from the first direction.