Latest Canon Patent Applications (fast EF lenses, RF lenses, wide angle zooms)

Canon Patent
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Here is a list of Canon patent applications.

Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066586 describes optical formulas for various fast prime lenses for the EOS M system.

  • 20mm 1.4
  • 14mm 1.8
  • 22mm 1.2
  • 24mm 1.2

Focal distance 20.50 20.45 20.26 
F number 1.45 1.45 1.45 
Half field angle 46.54 46.54 46.54 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 100.04 99.55 97.71 
BF 38.32 38.81 40.65 

Focal distance 18.52 18.46 18.25 
F number 1.31 1.31 1.31 
Half field angle 49.44 49.53 49.85 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 106.98 106.51 104.95 
BF 38.97 39.44 41.00 

Focal distance 14.69 14.68 14.64 
F number 1.85 1.85 1.85 
Half field angle 55.82 55.85 55.91 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 104.15 103.78 102.95 
BF 38.33 38.70 39.53 

Focal distance 22.69 22.60 22.20 
F number 1.24 1.24 1.25 
Half field angle 43.63 43.75 44.27 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 107.46 106.9 104.5 
BF 38.32 38.88 41.28 

Focal distance 24.10 24.03 23.69 
F number 1.24 1.24 1.24 
Half field angle 41.92 42.00 42.40 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 108.28 107.72 104.96 
BF 38.33 38.89 41.65 

Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066585 describes more optical formulas for fast primes lenses for the EOS M system.

  • 20mm 1.4
  • 16mm 1.4
  • 14mm 1.8
  • 17mm 1.8
  • 16mm 1.8
  • 18mm 1.8

Focal distance 20.50 20.45 20.26 
F number 1.45 1.45 1.45 
Half field angle 46.54 46.54 46.54 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 100.04 99.55 97.71 
BF 38.32 38.81 40.64 

Focal distance 16.40 16.36 16.21 
F number 1.45 1.45 1.45 
Half field angle 52.84 52.84 52.84 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 98.97 98.65 97.42 
BF 38.50 38.83 40.05 

Focal distance 14.40 14.38 14.29 
F number 1.83 1.83 1.83 
Half field angle 56.35 56.35 56.35 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 88.57 88.32 87.42 
BF 38.79 39.04 39.94 

Focal distance 17.16 17.14 17.06 
F number 1.83 1.83 1.83 
Half field angle 51.58 51.58 51.58 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 90.00 89.66 88.39 
BF 40.51 40.86 42.12 

Focal distance 16.04 16.00 15.86 
F number 1.83 1.83 1.83 
Half field angle 53.45 53.45 53.45 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 94.99 94.67 93.46 
BF 38.80 39.13 40.33 

Focal distance 18.81 18.75 18.52 
F number 1.83 1.83 1.83 
Half field angle 48.99 48.99 48.99 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 93.37 93.37 93.37 
BF 39.52 39.52 39.52

Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066653 describes optical formulas for 14-40mm f/4 and 16-40mm f/4 lenses for the EOS R system.

Focal distance 14.43 21.62 40.74 
F number 4.12 4.12 4.12 
Half field angle 56.30 45.01 27.97 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 138.31 128.15 129.29 
BF 12.84 12.84 12.84

Focal distance 16.41 23.12 38.80 
F number 4.12 4.12 4.12 
Half field angle 52.82 43.10 29.14 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 118.88 112.53 114.89 
BF 12.78 12.78 12.78 

Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066654 describes optical formulas for 15-35mm f/4 and 16-35mm F/4 lenses for the EOS R system.

Focal distance 15.45 24.00 34.00 
F number 4.12 4.12 4.12 
Half field angle 54.47 42.03 32.47 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 125.38 119.21 116.89 
BF 12.00 19.66 24.40 

Focal distance 16.48 24.00 34.00 
F number 4.12 4.12 4.12 
Half field angle 52.70 42.03 32.47 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 127.27 116.39 111.30 
BF 10.95 16.82 23.58 

And finally, Canon patent application in Japan 2019-066701 describes optical formulas for two more RF lenses:

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L

Focal distance 15.30 24.20 34.00 
F number 2.91 2.91 2.91 
Field angle 54.73 41.80 32.47 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 135.05 125.84 125.33 
BF 13.00 22.20 32.26 
 

Canon RF 17-70mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal distance 17.30 35.00 68.00 
F number 3.58 4.18 5.85 
Field angle 51.35 31.72 17.65 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Whole length of the lens 142.70 138.53 143.42 
BF 13.32 29.60 57.62 

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

Latest Canon Patent Applications (Pop-UP EVF, Resin Mount, Hybrid EVF, Lenses and Sensor)

Canon Patent Applications
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Here are the latest Canon patent applications.

Canon patent application 2019-023685 describes a pop-up EVF (Electronic ViewFinder). From the patent literature:

Since a display-device part and the eyepiece for magnifying it are needed EVF, when mounting on a compact camera, the place to arrange serves as problem. Since the large-sized external display device serves as a form which covers a camera back substantially, in order to look into EVF from the back face of a camera, an external display device must be avoided and arranged. A camera will enlarge only the part of EVF then. When it is going to avoid enlargement, an external display device must be made small and usability becomes less good. In order to correspond to these problems, there are some on which pop-up type EVF like the description to a Patent document 1 is mounted. 

EVF loading is realized without [ when using this inside a camera, being stored at the time of EVF non-use, without it functions as a finder by making it jump out to camera outside and miniaturizes an external display device, and ] enlarging a camera. 

Canon patent application 2019-023688 describes a resin (plastics) made lens mount:

Conventionally, although the camera mount of the camera with interchangeable lenses comprised a metallic material in consideration of durability, reliability and accuracy, etc., the camera mount which comprises a metallic material had the problem that things and component cost with heavy weight became high. 

The camera body which has the camera mount which comprised resin materials, such as a plastic, by improvement in the durability of engineering plastics or reliability and progress of forming technique is produced commercially these days. A weight saving and component cost reduction are attained because camera mount becomes a resin material.

Canon patent application 2019-020538 describes a hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder:

The present invention relates to the single-lens reflex camera which has an optical finder and an electronic finder, and relates to the change of the finder to which seeds responded as for the electronic device with which the especially single-lens reflex camera was equipped, or the optical element. 

In recent years, the single-lens reflex camera which has a finder which has arranged the optical-path dividing prism in the optical path of an optical finder in a single-lens reflex camera, and has arranged the display device which becomes the equivalent position from a liquid crystal panel etc. optically with a focus detecting plate is known. 

Canon patent application 2019-020679 describes the optical formula for a RF 100-400mm lens (for EOS R systems):

Focal distance 102.21 195.97 389.86 ​
F number 3.83 4.93 5.85 
Half angle of view (degree) 11.95 6.30 3.18 
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 
Lens total length 204.85 250.29 291.30 
BF 4.31 31.68 97.49

Canon patent application 2019-017065 describes a photon counting image sensor.

Canon patent application 2019-0052781 discusses how to improve the reliability of tilt-shift lenses.

That’s all for now; patent round-up source: Canon News

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production in the next few years are these:

Canon Ranked Among Top Five In U.S. Patent Rankings For 33 Years Running

Top 10 Cameras Canon Rumors Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Canon Eos R Pro Eos R Canon Lens Explorers Of Light
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We cover Canon patent applications, listed here.

Press release:

Canon places top five in U.S. patent rankings for 33 years running and first among Japanese companies for fourteen years running

TOKYO, January 8, 2019—Canon Inc. ranked third for the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2018, becoming the only company in the world to have ranked in the top five for 33 years running, according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. What’s more, Canon once again ranked first among Japanese companies.

Canon actively promotes the globalization of its business and places great value on obtaining patents overseas, carefully adhering to a patent-filing strategy that pursues patents in essential countries and regions while taking into consideration the business strategies and technology and product trends unique to each location. Among these, the United States, with its many high-tech companies and large market scale, represents a particularly important region in terms of business expansion and technology alliances.

Canon U.S. patent rankings 2005–2018

YearOverall 
ranking		Ranking among 
Japanese companies		No. of patents
20183rd1st3,056
20173rd1st3,285
20163rd1st3,665
20153rd1st4,127
20143rd1st4,048
20133rd1st3,820
20123rd1st3,173
20113rd1st2,818
20104th1st2,551
20094th1st2,200
20083rd1st2,107
20073rd1st1,983
20063rd1st2,366
20052nd1st1,829
  • Note:Number of patents for 2016 to 2018 are based on figures released by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. Figures for 2005 to 2015 are based on information issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Canon promotes the acquisition and application of intellectual property rights, not only for fundamental technologies required for next-generation products, but also such technologies as the wireless communication and image compression technologies shared by next-generation social infrastructure. Canon contributes to the realization of technology that serves society by continuing to provide even better products, greater convenience and by contributing to the development of manufacturing.

Canon working on weather sealed lens adapter, patent application suggests

Canon Patent
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A few days ago we learned how well the EOS 5D Mark IV can cope with water. It’s just natural we found a Canon patent application for what appears to be a weather sealed lens adapter (EF/EF-S to EF-M, is my guess).

Canon patent application EP20170178735 describes a lens adapter which is protected against dust, water, whatever.

The present invention provides a technique that ensures reliability of an electric connection between a lens adapter and an apparatus body with a simple configuration even when a spacer is inserted between the lens adapter that has an electrical communication unit and the apparatus body of an image pickup apparatus. Moreover, the present invention provides a technique that ensures a dustproof performance between the lens adapter and the apparatus body of the mage pickup apparatus even when the lens adapter has the electrical communication unit.

According to the present invention, the reliability of the electric connection between the lens adapter and the apparatus body is ensured with the simple configuration even when the spacer is inserted between the lens adapter that has the electrical communication unit and the apparatus body of the image pickup apparatus. Moreover, according to the present invention, the dustproof performance between the lens adapter and the apparatus body of the mage pickup apparatus is ensured even when the lens adapter has the electrical communication unit.

I’d love to know what exactly this lens adapter is for. Is it the next iteration of the already existing EF/EF-S to EF-M adapter (), or has it something to do with Canon’s upcoming full frame mirrorless camera which is rumored since a while? Any help is welcome, patent literature is difficult to read.

canon patentPatent applications filed by a company do not necessarily mean the described technology will hit the market any time soon. Patents are a way companies have to protect their intellectual property and research. Some Canon patent applications that in our opinion might indeed go into production are these:

All Canon patent applications featured on Canon Watch.

Canon filed more patents than Google, Apple, Sony, Intel, and many other big names in 2016

canon rumors

Last week I reported that Canon again ranked first among Japanese companies and third overall for the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2016. We knew that Canon files an impressing number of patents. Well, it seems Canon is really into filing patents on their technology, more patents than Google, Microsoft, Apple, Intel, Sony (!), Fujitsu, Ricoh, and other big names, according to the annual IFI Claims report.

Canon is ranked third among the top 50 USPTO Patent Assignees in 2016, following IBM and Samsung. Seymour Liebman, executive vice president, chief administrative officer, and general counsel for Canon USA Inc., states:

“The first critical element towards developing remarkable solutions that move the needle for consumers and business industries alike is research and development […] This strong showing of patents granted year after year allow us to build intelligent products and solutions for the future, turning great ideas into reality.”

While it is likely that the patents refer not only to cameras (printers, calculators, medical equipment, etc), it never the less shows clearly how committed Canon is to innovation, and how hard Canon’s labs are working. Canon, go on turning great ideas into reality!

Oh, and btw, it is the 31st consecutive year that Canon ranks among the top five patent filers in the USA.

[via Digital Trends]

Canon tops among Japanese companies in U.S. patent rankings for twelve years running

canon rumors

Well, for sure Canon files an impressing number of patents.

Press release:

Canon tops among Japanese companies in U.S. patent rankings for twelve years running

TOKYO, January 12, 2017—Canon Inc. again ranked first among Japanese companies and third overall for the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2016, according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services.

Canon actively promotes the globalization of its business and places great value on obtaining patents overseas, carefully adhering to a patent-filing strategy that pursues patents in essential countries and regions while taking into consideration the business strategies and technology and product trends unique to each location. Among these, the United States, with its many high-tech companies and large market scale, represents a particularly important region in terms of business expansion and technology alliances.

Canon U.S. patent rankings among Japanese companies 2005–2016

Year Ranking* No. of patents
2016 1st (3rd) 3,665
2015 1st (3rd) 4,127
2014 1st (3rd) 4,048
2013 1st (3rd) 3,820
2012 1st (3rd) 3,173
2011 1st (3rd) 2,818
2010 1st (4th) 2,551
2009 1st (4th) 2,200
2008 1st (3rd) 2,107
2007 1st (3rd) 1,983
2006 1st (3rd) 2,366
2005 1st (2nd) 1,829
* Number in parenthesis represents Canon’s ranking among all companies
Note: Number of patents for 2016 based on preliminary figures released by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. Figures for 2005 to 2015 are based on information issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

 

Canon prizes its corporate DNA of placing a high priority on technology. And with regard to research and development results, the Company actively promotes the acquisition of patent rights in accordance with the management direction of the Canon Group and technology trends while conducting thorough pre-application searches to raise the quality of applications. Through close cooperation between Canon’s technology and intellectual property divisions, the Company aims to improve its technological capabilities while further enhancing its intellectual property rights.