Canon Patent: Variable Apodization Using Electrochromic Elements (Defocus Smoothing technology)

Devocus Smoothing
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This Canon patent application might point to the next generation of Canon’s Defocus Smoothing technology.

Canon patent application 2022124678 (Japan) discusses technology and optical formulas to obtain Defocus Smoothing by the mean of electrochromic elements (EC). Defocus Smoothing is Canon’s technology to improve bokeh (see short video below for an explanation).

From the patent literature:

BACKGROUND ART

An electrochromic (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “EC”) element is an element having a pair of electrodes and an EC layer disposed between the electrodes. It is an optical element that adjusts the hue and amount of light in the visible light band by applying a voltage between them to oxidize or reduce the compounds in the EC layer.

EC elements have already been applied to products such as variable transmittance windows for aircraft and anti-glare mirrors for automobiles. Attempts have been made to apply it to The apodization filter is an optical element that smoothes the outline of a blurred image, and has a transmittance distribution in which the transmittance decreases with increasing distance from the optical axis.

In the conventional EC device described above, a desirable transmittance distribution is achieved by defining the resistance range of the electrodes, but the setting of the constituent requirements was not sufficient. That is, the transmittance distribution of the solution-type EC element depends on the resistance ratio between the electrode resistance and the solution resistance per unit width. , depending on the resistivity of the electrochromic layer (solution). Therefore, it was necessary to define these in order to achieve a desirable transmittance distribution.

An object of the present invention is to provide an EC element capable of realizing a suitable transmittance distribution in a solution-type EC element in which power is supplied from the outer periphery of the dimming area, and furthermore, a suitable transmittance by following the aperture diameter of the mechanical aperture of the lens. It is an object of the present invention to provide an EC device capable of forming an index distribution. Another object of the present invention is to provide a lens unit and an image pickup apparatus having excellent optical characteristics using such an EC element.

To me it appears this might be the next generation of the Defocus Smoothing technology.

More patents are listed here.

Canon Patent: Converter Lens For EF-S 24mm F2.8 STM (increases focal length)

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I am not 100% sure I got this Canon patent application right. It seems to be about a magnifying optical system that increases the focal length.

The converter discussed in the patent literature appears to refer to the EF-S 24mm F2.8 STM lens (the master lens). From the patent literature:

BACKGROUND ART

A rear converter lens (hereinafter referred to as a converter lens) capable of enlarging the focal length of the entire system (increasing the focal length) by being placed between an interchangeable lens and an imaging device. It has been known.

In general, a converter lens has a negative refractive power, and the negative refractive power tends to increase as the magnification of the focal length increases. It is also known that if the curvature of the negative lens in the converter lens is increased in order to increase the negative refractive power, various aberrations such as coma due to the off-axis light flux are likely to occur.

In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a converter lens capable of obtaining high optical characteristics in the entire system when arranged on the image side of the master lens.

Master lens

  • Focal length: 24.50
  • F-value: 2.88
  • Half angle of view: 29.14
  • Image height: 13.66
  • Overall length: 64.83
  • Back focus: 35.68

Example 1

  • Focal Length: 39.54
  • F-value: 4.65
  • Half angle of view: 28.68
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 89.59
  • Back focus: 13.96

Example 2

  • Focal length: 49.27
  • F-value: 5.79
  • Half angle of view: 23.71
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 97.18
  • Back focus: 11.00

More Canon patent applications are listed here.

Canon Patent: Extension Grip With Easy To Change Batteries

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A potentially rather useful Canon patent was spotted: an extension grip that allows for uncomplicated change of the batteries.

Canon patent 2022125113 (Japan) discusses methods and technology for an extension grip where batteries can be changed easily. According to the patent drawings, it seems for a compact mirrorless camera, more or less in EOS RP style.

From the patent literature:

A camera accessory is provided in which a battery can be easily inserted into and removed from the camera while being attached to the bottom surface of the camera.

Description of the Related Art

Along with the miniaturization of cameras, an auxiliary grip attached to a camera has been provided as an imaging accessory for improving the holdability of the camera for users with large hands. Patent Document 1 discloses an auxiliary grip detachably attached to a grip portion of a camera. In addition, an auxiliary grip ( hereinafter referred to as an extended grip) is also provided.

However, if the extended grip is attached to the camera when attempting to insert or remove the battery from the bottom side of the camera, first the extended grip is removed from the camera, and then the cover member on the bottom of the camera is removed. It has to be opened, which is annoying for the user.

The present invention provides a camera accessory that allows the battery to be easily inserted and removed from the camera while attached to the bottom surface of the camera.

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: Foldable Screen For A Compact Mirrorless Camera

Canon Patent
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Well, that’s an interesting Canon patent: a foldable screen on the back of your future mirrorless camera.

Canon patent application 20220269152 and 20220272266 (both USA) discuss technology and methods to bring a foldable screen on the back of a mirrorless camera. The abstracts:

Pretty cool, I think. we have foldable screens on smartphones, and we will have them on other devices too, cameras included. The camera in the patent drawings looks like a very compact mirrorless camera.

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

[via Northlight Images]

Canon Patent: 20mm f/1.8, 28mm f/1.8 And 24mm f/1.8 With Backlight Control

Canon Patent
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A new Canon patent for RF mount lenses: 20mm f/1.8, 28mm f/1.8 and 24mm f/1.8.

Canon patent application 2022122047 (Japan) discusses optical formulas for three RF mount lenses with backlight control. From the patent literature:

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical system that is less affected by unnecessary light and has high optical performance.

Description of the Related Art

There is a demand for further improvement in performance and miniaturization of photographing optical systems. [0005]When trying to improve the performance of an optical system, the number of lenses constituting the optical system increases. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to reduce the size of the optical system by shortening its overall length, the distance between the lenses constituting the optical system and the distance between the optical system and the imaging surface will be shortened. As a result, unnecessary light (ghost) caused by reflection of light on each lens surface easily reaches the imaging surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical system that is less affected by unnecessary light and has high optical performance.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 28.60
  • F-value: 1.85
  • Half angle of view: 37,1
  • Image height: 20.15
  • Total length: 81.00
  • Back focus: 13.20

Example 2

  • Focal length: 20.60
  • F-value: 1.85
  • Half angle of view: 46.4
  • Image height: 18.71
  • Overall length: 84.87
  • Back focus: 11.00

Example 3

  • Focal length: 24,72
  • F-value: 1.85
  • Half angle of view: 41.2
  • Image height: 19.34
  • Total length: 81.00
  • Back focus: 11.00

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: Internal Liquid Cooling Device For Mirrorless Cameras

Canon Patent
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Remember the Canon EOS R5 overheating soap opera? Maybe this Canon patent application comes from this hysteria.

Canon patent application 20220264767 (USA) discusses technology and methods for an active cooling system with magnetic fluid. The patent abstract:

This is pretty cool, me thinks: magnetic cooling fluid pumped by use of a magnetic field. The magnetic fluid is pumped through the camera body using magnets. Will we see it soon on a new Canon mirrorless camera?

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

[via NL]