Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.

Fujifilm Corporation

Kouichi Nagata

Kenichi Takahashi

Toshihisa Ishijima

Haruo Kakizawa

Kazuto Tanaka

Daisuke Ito

Akinori Hamana

Koshi Kuwakino

Tetsuo Udagawa

Shinichi Yamamoto

A diaphragm device includes a diaphragm mechanism, a connector, an identification unit for identifying a control mode of a signal communicated via the multiple terminals on the basis of voltage of the signal, and a control unit, wherein the switching unit switches the communication path so that a pulse signal capable of driving the pulse signal driven actuator is generated for generating the pulse signal on the basis of the signal, and output to the pulse signal driven actuator if the control mode of the signal is identified as one based on a control mode incapable of directly driving the pulse signal driven actuator; and the switching unit switches the communication path so that the signal is output to the pulse signal driven actuator if the control mode of the signal is identified as a first control mode based on a pulse signal directly driving the pulse signal driven actuator.

Diaphragm device for video camera lens and method for controlling diaphragm device

In an image stabilizing apparatus in which an actuator for a pivoting gimbal suspension is controlled by a feedback loop, the gain of feedback loop based on the angular position is enhanced when the angular velocity is at a first set value or higher until the angular velocity becomes a second set value or lower, whereby a panning mode is automatically attained when a pan/tilt operation is carried out. Also the gain of feedback loop based on the angular position is enhanced when the angular velocity is enhanced until a lapse of a predetermined time after starting the pivoting control of the gimbal suspension, whereby the behavior of gimbal suspension is stabilized.

Image stabilizing apparatus

In an image stabilizing apparatus in which an actuator for pivoting a gimbal suspension is driven under PWM control by way of a driving circuit, the pulse width of waveform outputted from a CPU to the driving circuit is enhanced when the power voltage V in the driving circuit drops. The CPU reads out the power voltage V and enhances the pulse width of output waveform from W to W as the power voltage V decreases from its rated voltage V to a lower voltage V . The correction rate (W /W ) is set to the reciprocal (V /V ) of the drop rate of power voltage V , so as to yield an appropriate actuator driving power in response to the drop in power voltage V .

In an image stabilizing apparatus in which inner and outer gimbals are pivoted about two pivotal axes so as to fix an erect prism with respect to an inertial system, a torsion coil spring is disposed to provide one-side stressing between the inner and outer gimbals so as to pivotally stress the inner gimbal with respect to the outer gimbal in one direction. When image stabilizing control is started, the elastic force of the torsion coil spring instantly changes the angular position of the inner gimbal so that a capacitor is charged earlier, thereby enhancing the response in PWM control.

In an image stabilizing apparatus employing a system in which the rotational position of gimbal suspension is controlled on the basis of an output value from an angular velocity sensor attached thereto, an actuator for pivotally moving an inner gimbal suspension member is incorporated in the gimbal suspension means, thereby making the apparatus to fully exhibit its functions and allowing the case of a binocular to which the apparatus is attached to have a compact configuration. A rotating motor (105) for pivotally moving the inner gimbal suspension member (107) comprises a magnet (156) and a coil (154) which are disposed close and opposite to each other. The magnet (156) is firmly supported by the inner gimbal suspension member (107), while the coil (154) is firmly supported by the outer gimbal suspension member (7).

It is judged whether or not the pivotal movement of gimbal suspension is in a locked state. When the gimbal suspension is judged to be in the locked state, an actuator is stopped, and an operator is informed of this state, whereby the actuator can be prevented from being damaged, and the operator can rapidly respond to the locked state. An angular velocity value detected by an angular velocity sensor is read out (S6); an angle value detected by a position sensor is read out (S7); the read-out value of detedted angular velocity is subracted from an amplified value of detected angle (S9); the value resulting from the subtraction is integrated with respect to time (S10); and it is judged whether or not the gimbal suspension is in a locked state (S11). If it is consequently judged that the gimbal suspension is in the locked state, the control system is stopped (S12), and an alarm LED is flickered (S13).

An image stabilized optical system includes a casing, an objective system, an eyepiece system, a gimbal connected to the casing via a shaft and capable of oscillating, an erect prism attached to the gimbal, a motor attached to the gimbal, an inertial rotor supported by a rotating rod of the motor, and a damper attached to the gimbal. The damper includes a viscoelastic member and has a first end attached to the gimbal and a second, free end spaced from the casing and the shaft. An image can be highly stabilized by efficiently suppressing in the damper vibrations (resonance) generated in the gimbal. Further, size, weight, and cost reductions, and easy manufacture of an image stabilized optical system are attained.

Image stabilized optical system

A cell box includes a casing and a cell-positioning holder. The casing has a cavity capable of receiving either a first cell or a second cell which are different in shape from each other. The holder is arranged in the cavity. The holder has a through hole capable of receiving a part of said second cell and holds said part in a direction substantially vertical to a longitudinal axis of said through hole. Further, the holder has a surface capable of holding said first cell with an inner surface of the casing in a direction of said longitudinal axis. The cell box is a compact and handy one which is capable of receiving either two types of cells, and it is particularly useful for an optical apparatus which consumes a relatively large electric power and is used outdoors.

Cell box and optical apparatus using the same

An image stabilized optical system includes a casing; an objective system and an eyepiece system; a gimbal which is connected to the casing via a shaft and is capable of oscillating; an erect prism attached to the gimbal; a motor attached to the gimbal; an inertial rotor supported by a rotating rod of the motor; an oscillating member attached to the gimbal; a caging member rotatably attached to the casing, the caging member being capable of moving between a caging position where the caging member prevents oscillation of the oscillating member and an uncaging position where the oscillating member is capable of oscillating; operating force-transmitting means for transmitting an operating force to the caging member; and an elastic member. The elastic member energizes the caging member at the caging position in a direction of pressing the caging member against the oscillating member, and energizes the caging member at the uncaging position in a direction of separating the caging member from the oscillating member. A caging mechanism is simplified and easily operated compared to a conventional one, and weight and cost reductions and easy handling of the image stabilized optical system can be attained.

An optical instrument such as a binoculars has an eyepiece lens unit detachably mounted on an eyepiece mount and comprising an eyepiece lens assembly including an eyepiece lens and an image intensifier tube assembly separably coupled to the eyepiece lens assembly. The image intensifier tube assembly includes an image intensifier tube having a light-sensitive surface lying at the focal plane of the objective lens and a phosphor screen lying at the focal point of the eyepiece lens. When the optical instrument is used to enable the user to see a dark object, the eyepiece lens unit with the eyepiece lens assembly and the image intensifier tube assembly coupled together is attached to the eyepiece mount. For the user to see a bright object, the image intensifier tube assembly is detached from the eyepiece lens assembly, and the eyepiece lens assembly is attached directly to the eyepiece mount.

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Omiya, Japan

Kouichi Nagata