Canon Patent: TS-R 180mm F3.5 And TS-R 100mm F2.8 Lenses

Tilt-shift

There must be a tilt-shift lens for the RF mount on Canon’s release radar, given all these pertinent patents we are seeing. I am pretty sure that soon the clickbaiters out there will break the news with rumors about…tilt-shift lenses for the RF mount.

Canon patent 2023162714 (Japan, published 11/9/2023) discusses optical formulas for two tilt-shift lenses for the RF mount:

  • TS-R 180mm F3.5
  • TS-R 100mm F2.8

From the patent literature:

  • [Problem] To obtain an optical system that can greatly tilt an in-focus object surface while reducing composition shift while the entire system is small.
  • BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY: Photography that focuses on an object surface that is tilted with respect to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis is called tilt photography. In tilt photography, it is necessary to greatly tilt the surface of the object in focus in order to expand the range of image expression.
  • As an optical system for realizing this photographing, an imaging optical system equipped with a tilt mechanism is known.
  • On the other hand, in an imaging optical system having a tilt mechanism, the composition shifts (hereinafter also referred to as “composition shift”) when the system is tilted, which may impair convenience.
  • On the other hand, an imaging optical system is known that includes a plurality of lens sections that move in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction (Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, during tilt photography, the lens section A moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the lens section B moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction so as to correct the shift effect generated in the lens section A. By moving the lens in the vertical direction, it is possible to take tilted shots with small composition shifts.
  • An imaging optical system that includes a plurality of lens units that move in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction as in Patent Document 1 moves the lens unit in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction during tilt photography. Aberrations occur due to optical eccentricity. The amount of aberration caused by this eccentricity increases as the amount of inclination of the object surface for tilt photography increases. In Patent Document 1, since the lens group A that moves in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction has negative refractive power, the height from the optical axis of off-axis light incident on the lens section B increases, and the lens The amount of eccentric aberration that occurs when portion B is decentered increases. Furthermore, since the height of the off-axis light from the optical axis increases, the diameter of the lens portion B increases. Therefore, it becomes difficult to increase the eccentricity of the lens portion B, and as a result, it is difficult to greatly tilt the object surface that is in focus.
  • Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical system that can greatly tilt the object surface in focus while reducing composition shift while the entire system is small, and an imaging apparatus having the same.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 179.88
  • F value: 3.60
  • Half angle of view: 6.86
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 198.10
  • Back focus: 27.03

Example 2

  • Focal length: 193.86
  • F value: 2.88
  • Half angle of view: 6.37
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 182.73
  • Back focus: 26.48

Example 3

  • Focal length: 97.23
  • F value: 2.88
  • Half angle of view: 12.54
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 176.52
  • Back focus: 14.71

Example 4

  • Focal length: 89.85
  • F value: 3.50
  • Half angle of view: 13.54
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 184.06
  • Back focus: 28.19

Example 5

  • Focal length: 134.80
  • F value: 3.50
  • Half angle of view: 9.12
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 135.33
  • Back focus: 37.11

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: On Camera Display Of Tilt-shift Information

Canon

Here is a new Canon patent, and it is another one referring to tilt-shift lenses.

Canon patent application 2023160385 (japan, published 11/2/2023) discusses methods and technology to display tilt-shift lens information on the camera display.

From the patent literature:

  • An object of the present invention is to provide a lens device that makes it possible to check the amount of tilting on a display screen provided in an imaging device.
  • BACKGROUND ART
    Conventionally, interchangeable lens cameras have been known that adjust the amount of tilt, such as the amount of shift and tilt amount, with respect to the imaging surface of the lens in order to perform tilted imaging. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the depth of field based on the amount of tilt is displayed on a screen provided in a camera.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a lens device that makes it possible to check the amount of fanning on a display screen provided in an imaging device.
  • Means for Solving the Problems
    A lens device according to one aspect of the present invention is a lens device that can be attached to an imaging device, and includes at least one optical member that is moved to perform tilted imaging. It is characterized by having an imaging optical system and a transmitter that transmits information regarding the movable range of at least one optical member to the imaging device.
  • Effects of the Invention
    According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lens device that allows the amount of tilting to be confirmed on a display screen provided in an imaging device.
  • The zoom lens 102 is movable along the optical axis of the imaging optical system, which is indicated by a broken line in the figure. When the user operates a zoom operation ring connected to a zoom mechanism (not shown), the zoom lens 102 moves along the optical axis. Thereby, zooming is performed in which the focal length of the photographing optical system is changed by moving the zoom lens 102. The zoom lens position detection unit 106 detects the position of the zoom lens 102 using a position detection sensor such as a variable resistor, and outputs position data to the lens microcomputer 111. The output position data is used by the lens microcomputer 111 to control zoom tracking operations and the like.
  • The aperture unit 103 includes sensors such as aperture blades and a Hall element. The state of the aperture blades is detected by the aforementioned sensor and output to the lens microcomputer 111. The aperture control unit 107 drives actuators such as a stepping motor and a voice coil motor in accordance with commands from the lens microcomputer 111. This allows the aperture unit 103 to adjust the amount of light.
  • The image blur correction lens 104 reduces image blur caused by hand shake and the like by moving in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging optical system. The image shake correction lens control unit 108 drives the shake prevention actuator in response to a shake detected by a shake sensor (not shown) such as a vibration gyro based on a command from the lens microcomputer 111. As a result, image stabilization processing for controlling the shift operation of the image shake correction lens 104 is performed.
  • The focus lens 105 is movable along the optical axis. Position data of the focus lens 105 detected using a position detection sensor such as a photo interrupter is output to the lens microcomputer 111. The focus lens control unit 109 adjusts the focus by driving an actuator such as a stepping motor and moving the focus lens 105 based on a command from the lens microcomputer 111. Further, the focus lens 105 corrects image plane fluctuations caused by zooming by the zoom lens 102.
  • The revolving drive unit (rotating member) 114 is configured to be rotatable around the optical axis of the imaging optical system, and rotates at least a portion of the imaging optical system around the optical axis by rotating. The revolving control unit 117 moves the revolving drive unit 114 according to a command from the lens microcomputer 111. The position of the revolving drive unit 114 may be detected by a position detection unit (not shown). By executing a revolving drive that moves the revolving drive unit 114, the moving directions of the tilt lens 112 and the shift lens 113 can be controlled.

More Canon patents are listed here.

Canon Patent: Three Camera System For Smartphones

Canon Patent

A Canon patent related to a camera system for smartphones is a rather unusual patent for Canon. I let it to your educated speculations what if means. Do not be surprised if suddenly everyone starts spreading rumors about Canon making a smartphone.

Canon patent application 2023160089 (Japan, published 11/2/2023) discusses technology and methods for a camera system for devices like smartphones, that allows to seamlessly zoom between cameras in multiple shooting modes.

From the patent literature:

  • When capturing images in parallel in a plurality of imaging modes, the angle of view can be seamlessly switched from wide-angle to telephoto without interrupting the imaging.
  • BACKGROUND ART
    Conventionally, a photographing method has been well known in which a subject is simultaneously recorded using both an imaging section for photographing a still image and an imaging section for photographing a moving image, which are included in an imaging device. Furthermore, in recent years, imaging devices such as smartphones are equipped with a plurality of imaging units having different focal lengths, and each imaging unit can simultaneously record a subject. Furthermore, when switching the angle of view, the smartphone uses an imaging unit with the desired focal length. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically moving the zoom position of an imaging device for capturing a moving image in conjunction with a zoom operation of an imaging device for capturing a still image.
  • In Patent Document 1, each imaging device can switch to an arbitrary angle of view by performing optical zoom by driving a lens. In contrast, smartphones use multiple imaging units (lenses) with different focal lengths to switch the angle of view. For example, when capturing images in parallel in two imaging modes, still image and video, with a smartphone, in order to switch the lens for video to the lens used for still images, you must first stop using the imaging unit for still images. After that, you will be able to switch the viewing angle for video recording. Therefore, it is difficult to seamlessly adjust the angle of view from wide-angle to telephoto without interrupting imaging.
  • Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to seamlessly switch the angle of view from wide-angle to telephoto without interrupting the imaging when images are taken in parallel in a plurality of imaging modes.
  • Means for Solving the Problem
    In order to achieve the above object, an imaging device according to the present invention is an imaging
    device having a plurality of lenses having different angles of view, and which has a
    first imaging mode and a first imaging mode. 2. A reception means that receives a switching operation to switch the lens used for imaging when images are captured in parallel in two imaging modes, and in response to receiving the switching operation of the lens used for imaging, a control unit configured to control switching of lenses used for imaging, the control unit controlling the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode so that different lenses are used in the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode. The present
    invention is characterized in that the lens used in the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode is controlled to be switched .
  • According to the present invention, when images are taken in parallel in a plurality of imaging modes, the angle of view can be seamlessly switched from wide-angle to telephoto without interrupting the imaging.

Is Canon about to license this to smartphone makers?

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: Camera Built-in Fan Stops When Removing Lens

Canon Patent

A rather interesting Canon patent application, but we doubt it will go into production soon.

Canon patent application 2023157248 (Japan, published 10/26/2023) discusses technology and methods to implement a heat dissipation fan into an interchangeable lens camera. From the patent literature:

  • An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can ensure heat dissipation performance while preventing dust from entering the device when a lens is attached or detached.

[Background technology]

  • [0002] In recent years, with the demand for smaller electronic devices, the smaller size and higher density of components mounted inside the devices has become noticeable.
  • [0003] On the other hand, there is a growing demand for higher functionality in imaging devices, especially higher performance in video functions, and the amount of heat generated by the equipment is on the rise.
  • [0004] When shooting a video in a high-temperature environment, the temperature inside the imaging device increases, which is likely to cause malfunctions and performance degradation of mounted components, and eventually cause failure of the imaging device.
  • [0005] Furthermore, in recent years, in order to improve image quality, imaging devices that perform blur correction by moving an imaging element in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction have become popular.
  • [0006] Even in an imaging device that performs such shake correction, heat generated in the image sensor affects image quality when driving the shake correction mechanism, during continuous shooting, or when shooting a video, so sufficient heat dissipation is required. is required.
  • [0007] Therefore, when the amount of heat dissipated by natural heat dissipation is not sufficient for the amount of heat generated by the imaging device, a heat dissipation structure using forced air cooling using a fan is used.
  • [0008] Furthermore, in an imaging device using an image sensor, an optical low-pass filter or an infrared cut filter is arranged on the subject side of the image sensor. It is known that when foreign matter such as dust that enters when a lens is replaced adheres to the filter surface, the attached portion becomes a black dot that appears in the photographed image, degrading the quality of the photographed image.
  • [0009] Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for cooling an optical system and a heat generating element arranged in a closed space using a fan.
  • [0011] However, in the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, although a cooling effect can be obtained by the fan, it is necessary to maintain a closed space.
  • [0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one embodiment of the present invention provides an imaging device that can ensure heat dissipation performance while preventing dust from entering the device when a lens is attached or detached. The purpose is to provide

[Means to solve the problem]

  • [0013] An imaging device including an image sensor of the present invention includes a mount to which a lens can be attached and detached, a lens attachment/detachment detection means for detecting that the lens is attached to and detached from the mount, an image pickup element, and a cooling device for cooling the image pickup element. In the imaging device, the imaging device includes a heat dissipation fan that generates an air flow, and a control means that controls driving of the heat dissipation fan, wherein the control means detects whether the lens is attached to the mount by the lens attachment/detachment detection means while the heat dissipation fan is being driven. If it is detected that the heat dissipation fan is removed from the heat dissipation fan, the heat dissipation fan is stopped.
  • [0014] Further, an imaging device including an image sensor of the present invention includes a mount to which a lens can be attached and detached, a lens attachment/detachment detection means for detecting that the lens is attached to and detached from the mount, an image pickup element, and a lens attachment/detachment detection means for detecting that the lens is attached to and detached from the mount. In the imaging device, the imaging device includes a heat dissipation fan that generates a cooling air flow, a control means that controls the drive of the heat dissipation fan, and a mechanical
    shutter that is disposed closer to the subject than the image sensor. If the lens attachment/detachment detection means detects that the lens is removed from the mount while the fan is being driven, the drive of the heat dissipation fan is not stopped when the mechanical shutter is closed.

【Effect of the invention】

  • [0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently remove foreign matter such as dust attached to the imaging surface by the fan at a more effective timing.

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: Wearable Camera With Automatic Scene Recognition

Canon Patent

Here is an interesting Canon patent application: a wearable camera that automatically checks and adjusts the shooting position.

Canon patent application 2023152657 (Japan, published 10/17/2023) discusses methods and technology for a wearable camera that can recognize the scene to the degree to automatically adjust the framing of the picture (if I got it right).

From the patent literature:

  • An object of the present invention is to provide a wearable camera whose imaging direction can be adjusted by a user and whose imaging position can be easily specified.
  • BACKGROUND ART
    Wearable cameras have attracted attention in recent years. Various types of wearable cameras are known, such as glasses, neck type, wristwatch, and ring type.
  • Applications of wearable cameras include, for example, equipment maintenance and remote work support at manufacturing sites. A worker wearing a wearable camera can broadcast video and audio from the site in real time to a remote supporter, and the supporter can give instructions and information to the worker based on the video.
  • However, since the wearable camera described in Patent Document 1 is worn around the user’s neck, it is difficult for the user to specify the shooting position. In particular, when the angle of the lens is adjusted, it is considered difficult to specify the photographing position after the adjustment.
  • The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wearable camera in which the user can adjust the imaging direction, and in which the shooting position can be easily specified. .
  • Means for Solving the Problems
    The wearable camera of the present invention includes an imaging section, a fixed section worn by a user, and an irradiation section that irradiates light substantially parallel to the optical axis of the imaging section. A movable part that is movable with respect to the fixed part is provided, and the imaging part and the irradiation part are arranged in the movable part.

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: Keep High-precision Autofocus During Tilt-shift Operations

Canon Patent

Here is a new Canon patent application, another one that deals with tilt-shift lenses.

The Canon patent application, published on October 18, 2023, discusses methods and technology to make sure autofocus is kept during tilt-shift operations with the lens.

From the patent literature:

  • An object of the present invention is to provide a control device that can maintain focus with high accuracy even when obtaining a tilt effect or a shift effect.
  • Background Art
    Conventionally, a tilt effect that tilts the focusing surface and a shift effect that moves the shooting range have been used to achieve good overall focus on an object surface that is tilted with respect to the optical axis of an imaging optical system. A resulting optical system has been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses an optical system that can obtain a tilt effect and a shift effect by moving two optical elements in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
  • However, the optical system of Patent Document 1 does not take into account that the amount of defocus changes by moving the optical element in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, so it does not take into account that the tilt effect or shift effect is applied after focusing. If the optical element is moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis in order to obtain an image, the focus will shift.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a control device that can maintain focus with high precision even when obtaining a tilt effect or a shift effect.

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet.com]