New Lens Formula Patents
A new 400 f/4L IS non-DO would probably be a very welcomed lens. However, it will probably depend on the price of the 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x ($8000+ I predict) as to whether or not it ever sees the light of day. The 200 f/5.6 is a strange one.

Patent Publication No. 2012-22105

• 2012.2.2 Release Date
• 2010.7.14 filing date

Example 1

• 392.00mm focal length
• Fno 4.12
• 3.15deg half angle of view.
• Image height 21.64mm
• Length 279.32mm lens
• BF 64.82mm
• 15 sheets of 12 group configuration
• An aspherical surface
• Inner focus
• Telephoto ratio 0.71

Example 3

• 200.00mm focal length
• Fno 5.77
• 6.18deg half angle of view.
• Image height 21.64mm
• Length 180.00mm lens
• BF 54.98mm
• 6 lenses in 5 groups configuration
• Telephoto ratio 0.90

Example 4

• 294.00mm focal length
• Fno 4.14
• 4.21deg half angle of view.
• Image height 21.64mm
• Length 239.85mm lens
• 14 images in 9 groups configuration
• An aspherical surface
• Inner Focus
• Telephoto ratio 0.815
• Telephoto lens
• Stretch the focal length, and miniaturized, on-axis chromatic aberration and lateral chromatic aberration occurs
• Tele photo lens type refers to the overall length is shorter than the focal length
• And telephoto ratio refers to the value obtained by dividing the focal length the total length
• Canon’s patent
• Using the lens refractive index distribution

 Source: [EG]

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Canon has filed a patent for RAW video
“The recording of successive frames of raw sensor data depicting a moving scene is provided. The raw sensor data comprises pixel data for an image sensor having pixels arranged in correspondence to a mosaic of plural different colors in a color filter array.”

EOSHD broke it down for people that like english.

• Designed for compatibility with CF cards
• Supports 4K and 2K video (4K is 4096×2048)
• Works with Bayer CMOS sensor (like the one in a DSLR)
• Sensor output is 12bit

Although current C300 camera has a 4K sensor, it cannot output a 4K image because most of the pixels are used to reconstruct colour without interpolation (made up pixels in-between).

Source: [P5D] via @Loricnet

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New Sensor Patent
Canon has published a back illuminated sensor patent for APS-C and Full Frame sensors. Back Illuminated Sensors allow for a more effective use of pixel area.

Patent Publication No. 2012-15275

• 2012.1.19 Release Date
• Filing date 2010.6.30

Back-illuminated imaging device

• The two bonded substrates photoelectric conversion unit and the peripheral circuit manufacturing to
• Photoelectric conversion unit and the peripheral circuit microprocessor which is connected by bump
• The incident light is changed and the current strong influence to adjacent pixels in the peripheral circuit, and noise (similar to a smear phenomenon).

Canon’s patented

• And a peripheral circuit connected to a DC power supply photoelectric conversion unit
• Resistance is lowered, reducing the voltage drop

Source: [NL] via [EG]

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Canon EF/EF-S 55-110 f/2
A new patent showing off a unique zoon range and speed from Canon. Would indoor sports be the target market with such a lens?

It’s noted that this may be for APS-C cameras, therefore an EF-S lens. (thanks Michael)

Patent Publication No. 2012-8344

• 2012.1.12 Release Date
• Filing date 2010.6.24

Example 1

• Focal length f = 55.5 – 112.2mm
• Fno. = 2.0
• 2.0 zoom ratio
• Half angle of 13.4181 – 6.712 deg.
• Each group 18 Configuration 15
• Inner Zoom
• Group of the formula before feeding
• Negative distortion that occurs in the front lens group and zooming to the telephoto side, causing a distortion in the positive side of the rear lens group is moved to the fifth group, the overall distortion suppressed .

Source: [EG]

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New Optical Formula Patents
A new patent showcasing 3 different focal lengths has come to light.

• Patent Publication No. 2012-8352
  • 2012.1.12 Release Date
  • Filing date 2010.6.25
• Example 1
  • Focal length f = 294.0mm
  • Fno = 4.14
  • = 8.42deg angle.
  • 15 sheets 11 groups configured
  • One element radial refractive index profile
  • Bowen ratio 0.78
  • Inner Focus (the second lens group for focusing)
• Example 3
  • Focal length f = 51.5mm
  • Fno = 1.25
  • = 45.6deg angle.
  • Configuration 6 each group 10
  • Two elements radial refractive index profile
  • One aspherical surface 1
• Example 4
  • Focal length f = 24.7mm
  • Fno = 2.86
  • = 82.4deg angle.
  • Configure each group 11 10
  • One element radial refractive index profile
  • Rear focus (the third lens group and the second lens for focusing)
• The principle cause chromatic aberration
  • Light is refracted at the interface of the lens
  • Within the lens are not refracted rays
  • The refractive index is different for each wavelength
• Element and the axial refractive-index distribution is
  • Refractive index change in the direction of optical axis
  • This patented technology is not used (as introduced)
• Element and the radial refractive index profile is
  • Refractive index change in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis
  • Rays are refracted at the boundary and both the lens in the lens (chromatic aberration occurs).
  • Chromatic aberration can be corrected if appropriate refractive index profile
  • Rather than spherical or aspherical, planar (flat glass), but I (easy processing)
• Canon’s patented
  • Elements to create a radial refractive index profile optimized for each wavelength the refractive index profile is difficult
  • Patented technology, the characteristics of chromatic dispersion (Abbe number, a partial dispersion ratio) to optimize, to compensate for chromatic aberration
  • Optimize the calculation, line d, line C, line F, to compensate for chromatic aberration of four wavelengths simultaneously in the g-line
  • Create a radial refractive index profile element as a mixture of resin

 Source: [EG]

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Short range wireless communication
Canon has applied for a patent that would allow short range wireless communication between the lens and camera body, as well as the flash to camera body and live view to computer. This sort of technology could also be used for an electronic view finder.

Patent Publication No. 2012-2984

• 2012.1.5 Release Date
• Filing date 2010.6.16

Electrical contact

• Increasing contact for additional functions and a loss of compatibility with legacy equipment
• Problems such as dirt and wear

Radio

• Not a problem unique to the electrical contact
• Might be intercepted

Canon’s patented

• Short-range wireless
• Reduce the output of the radio, about 30 ~ 50mm and the radius of the wave communications
• Communication from the reach of the waves inside of the equipment is not leaking
• In range because there is only one model, no pairing

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Patent literature, self-interpretation and summary
A lot of diffractive optics patents have come about over the years, and we have yet to see a new product to join the 400 f/4 DO or 70-300 DO. Canon obviously sees value in the technology as they continue to research it.

Patent Publication No. 2012-2999

• 2012.1.5 Release Date
• Filing date 2010.6.16

Benefits of diffractive optical elements

• Can simultaneously reduce the chromatic aberration correction and lens length
• Perform light lens design
• Canon’s patented
• Type Tele Photo
• The first lens group
• Aspherical surface having a diffraction
• Reduce the number of lighter
• Spherical aberration is corrected by using a non-
• The second lens group
• Inner Focus

Source: [EG]

cr

All at once!
Canon has filed patents for a bunch of fast aperture telephoto lenses.

We’ve heard a number of times that Canon will update a lot of current lenses in 2012 and beyond. I think the 50 f/1.4 is the one that is in the most dire need of an update. An 85 1.2L III with a faster AF would also be welcomed. I hope they don’t update the 200 f/2L IS, I already love it and I would be forced to love the next one too at $6K+.

• 50 f/1.4
• 85 f/1.8
• 85 f/1.2
• 100 f/2
• 135 f/2
• 200 f/2

Patent literature, self-interpretation and summary

• Patent Publication No. 2011-253050
• Published 2011.12.15
• Filing date 2010.6.2

Both the image height is 21.64mm (full size)

Read More at Egami (Japanese)

Source: [PR] via [EG]

Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS Patent
We’ve previously shown a 100-400 in a patent, and it appears a second patent for nearly the same optical formula has come about.

EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS Optical Formula Patent

Example 1

• Focal length f = 102.20 – 390.01mm
• Fno. 4.10 – 5.90
• Half angle of 11.95 – 3.18 °
• Image height 21.64mm
• Lens Length 228.18 – 288.12mm
• Back Focus 51.23 – 69.84mm
• 3.82x zoom ratio
• Lens Construction 14 group of 19 images

Source: NL, PR via EG

cr

Your future DSLRs to be touchscreen?
Photography bay is showing off a Canon patent showing a touchscreen DSLR. The DSLR is shaped like a Rebel just for diagram purposes. Although that would be the logical first camera to do it to.

They also makes a point of showing the Wifi logo on the screen of the camera. That could be a feature a lot of people would like to see built into a DSLR.

Read More at Photography Bay 

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65 f/2.8 Macro

Patent Publication No. 2011-191743

• 2011.9.29 Release Date
• Filing date 2010.2.16

Example 8

• Focal length f = 65.00mm
• Fno 2.90 – 3.05 – 3.96
• Half angle of 18.41 °
• Image height 21.64
• 145.08mm Length Lens
• Back Focus 38.20 – 47.63 – 37.80mm
• Positive and negative lens group of positive and negative 4
• Inner Focus + Rear Focus
• Group 2, Group 3, Group 4 to move the focus method

180 f/3.5 Macro / 150 f/2.8 Macro / 135 f/2.8 Macro

Patent Publication No. 2011-191743

• 2011.9.29 Release Date
• Filing date 2010.2.16

Example 1

• Focal length f = 180.00mm
• Fno 3.50 – 4.60 – 5.80
• 6.85 ° half angle
• Image height 21.64
• 225.02mm Length Lens
• Back Focus 64.01mm

Example 4

• Focal length f = 150.00mm
• Fno 2.80 – 4.00 – 5.00
• 8.21 ° half angle
• Image height 21.64
• 206.53mm Length Lens
• Back Focus 49.00mm

Example 5

• Focal length f = 135.00mm
• Fno 2.80 – 3.80 – 4.80
• 9.20 ° half angle
• Image height 21.64
• 205.00mm Length Lens
• Back Focus 46.50mm

Four groups of positive and negative lenses accurately

Inner Focus

The combination of convex and concave lens, low dispersion and high dispersion in the most object side lens, chromatic aberration correction

Source [EG]

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New 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS Optical Design

New 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS in the pipeline?
A pending patent has shown up showing a new 100-400 optical design. This new design seems to suggest better optical performance as well as starting at f/4.

Current 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS Optical Design

Patent Publication No. 2011-180218

• 2011.9.15 Release Date
• Filing date 2010.2.26

Example 1

• Focal length f = 72.20 – 135.00 – 290.00mm
• Fno = 4.20 – 4.67 – 5.86
• Half angle of 16.68 – 9.10 – 4.27 °
• Image height 21.64mm
• Lens length 185.20 – 214.53 – 239.20mm
• Back Focus 46.74 – 47.82 – 57.41mm
• 4.02x zoom ratio
• Group 6 for each group
• Positive and negative polarity positive or negative group configuration

Example 2

• Focal length f = 102.20 – 200.00 – 390.01mm
• Fno = 4.10 – 4.55 – 5.90
• Half angle of 11.95 – 6.17 – 3.18 °
• Image height 21.64mm
• Lens length 228.18 – 258.83 – 288.12mm
• Back Focus 51.23 – 54.42 – 69.84mm
• 3.82x zoom ratio
• Group 6 for each group
• Positive and negative polarity positive or negative group configuration

Example 3

• Focal length f = 100.20 – 135.10 – 290.19mm
• Fno = 4.36 – 4.47 – 5.81
• Half angle of 12.18 – 9.10 – 4.26 °
• Image height 21.64mm
• Lens length 184.66 – 198.82 – 244.82mm
• Back Focus 42.53 – 46.68 – 63.07mm
• 2.90x zoom ratio
• 5 groups, each group
• Positive and negative group of negative polarity configuration
• Positive-lead type zoom lens
• High zoom ratio can be easily realized
• Rear Focus
• Can be miniaturized
• Easy full-time manual
• Suppressing the fluctuation of spherical aberration
• Upon zooming, if you move from behind the eyes, counting the two groups, the greater the variation of spherical aberration in the focusing
• On-axis beam angle θ the following equation:
• θ = AISN (1 / 2 * Fno)
• Spherical aberration is proportional to the fourth power of the high on-axis ray
• In focusing heavily on the object side to move first, counting from one group behind, which varies significantly higher on-axis ray
• Canon’s patents, and by fixing the first two groups, counting from the back of the eye movement to limit the amount counted from the first team back, suppressing the fluctuation of spherical aberration

A patent for a software IS solution
Is it possible to add the hybrid image stabilization technology found in the new 100L macro to all Canon macros, as well as other Canon IS lenses?

Apparently it could be with some software solutions built into firmware.

Patent Publication No. 2011-139169

• 2011.7.14 Release Date
• 2009.12.25 filing date

In-lens image stabilization mechanism

• Angular rate sensor detects camera shake
• Compensate by moving the shift lens

The angular rate sensor

• To detect the rotational swing
• Fluctuations that occur in parallel can not detect macro
• Other techniques for image stabilization
• Using the imaging device to detect the motion vector
• Must be provided separately dedicated imaging device

Synthesis to reduce the blurring by shooting

• Long processing time
• Not correspond to the movement

Canon patent

• To calculate the amount of image blur from the calculation of the Live View
• Corrected by moving the shift lens

More over at [EG]

cr

More lens patents
This is an interesting DO patent from Canon. There seems to be a lot of them showing up, but no new DO products in a long while.

I’ve been told the lack of an A+ filterable wide angle from Canon for a full frame camera will be addressed sooner than later. Yes, there’s Zeiss, but most want AF.

Patent Publication No. 2011-145518

• Release Date 2011.7.28
• Filing date 2010.1.15

Example 1

• Focal length f = 16.48 – 24.00 – 33.95 mm
• Fno = 2.91
• Half angle of 52.70 – 42.04 – 32.51 °
• 4 aspherical surfaces
• Zoom Ratio 2.06
• Four-group zoom lens plus a negative sign
• Second lens focusing is performed by Inner Focus
• Solve various problems using the diffractive optical element
• The astigmatism of the telephoto kept in order, to increase the refractive index of the positive lens
• A high refractive index, chromatic aberration occurs
• Aberration and astigmatism in the center of the telephoto image has a correlation, it is difficult to simultaneously correct
• Made achromatic diffractive optical element, a positive lens astigmatism correcting high refractive index

Source [EG]

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