IP Library Granted Patent US 9,977,217
Granted Patent B2
US 9,977,217 · App. 15/455,331 · Granted May 22, 2018

Imaging device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,977,217
App. No.
15/455,331
Filed
Mar 10, 2017
Granted
May 22, 2018
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2661
USPC
348/222.1
Abstract

An imaging device comprises a lens barrel including an optical system that collects light from a predetermined viewing area and that defines an optical axis; an imaging unit that receives the light collected by the optical system and generates image data, the image data defining a main image that includes a determined sub area; a ring-shaped operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel and that is manually rotatable about the optical axis of the optical system; and an area change unit that changes at least one of (A) a size of the determined sub area, or (B) a position of the determined sub area, responsive to a manual operation of the operation ring.

Claims (25)

1. An imaging device comprising:

a lens barrel including an optical system;

an imaging unit that receives a light collected by the optical system and generates image data;

a display unit that displays image data;

an operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel and that rotates about an optical axis of the optical system;

a switch that switches between a first mode in which a repeated clicking sensation to rotation of the operation ring is provided and a second mode in which a repeated clicking sensation to rotation of the operation ring is not provided;

a controller that performs different controls of the imaging device depending on the modes switched by the switch; and

a display controller that superimposes, in accordance with the modes switched by the switch, an operation guide for rotation of the operation ring on a live view image display in which live view images corresponding to the image data successively generated by the imaging unit are displayed on the display unit in a time series.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressing unit that presses the operation ring.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein

the operation ring includes a recess, and

the pressing unit presses the recess to provide the repeated clicking sensation.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller changes a first parameter in accordance with rotation of the rotation ring in the first mode, and changes a second parameter which is different from the first parameter in accordance with rotation of the rotation ring in the second mode.

5. An imaging device comprising:

a lens barrel including an optical system;

an imaging unit that receives a light collected by the optical system and generates image data;

a display unit that displays image data;

an operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel and that rotates about an optical axis of the optical system, the operation ring being switchable between a first mode in which a repeated clicking sensation to rotation of the operation ring is provided and a second mode in which a repeated clicking sensation to rotation of the operation ring is not provided;

a controller that performs different controls of the imaging device depending on the modes of the operation ring;

a switch for switching the operation ring between the first mode and the second mode; and

a display controller that superimposes, in accordance with the modes switched by the switch, an operation guide for rotation of the operation ring on a live view image display in which live view images corresponding to the image data successively generated by the imaging unit are displayed on the display unit in a time series.

6. A method of operating an imaging device including a lens barrel including an optical system, and an imaging unit that receives a light collected by the optical system and generates image data, the method comprising:

switching between a first mode in which a repeated clicking sensation to rotation of an operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel is provided and a second mode in which a repeated clicking sensation to rotation of the operation ring is not provided;

performing different controls of the imaging device depending on the modes switched by the switching; and

superimposing, in accordance with the modes switched, an operation guide for rotation of the operation ring on a live view image display in which live view images corresponding to the image data successively generated by the imaging unit are displayed on the display unit in a time series.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2021
From: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
To: OM DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058294/0274 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2018
From: YUGE, KAZUNORI; TAKAGI, TETSUYA
To: OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
Reel/Frame 044548/0734 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 5, 2018
From: OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 045013/0183 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE Recorded Jan 5, 2018
From: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 045013/0243 →