Patent applications have been uncovered that may shed light on Canon imaging products in the works.
1) Optical design patents for the following lenses:
* Note: this optical design did not include built-in stabilization.
2) Stacked sensor patent and organic sensor patent
3) EF 15mm f/4 and EF-M 9.5mm f/4 fisheye optical design patents
4) Optical viewfinder patent for mirrorless cameras
Source: CanonNews
Canon has submitted several patent applications lately pertaining to DSLR and mirrorless cameras, as uncovered by CanonNews. Here's a quick sampling below:
17-35 4.0-5.6 IS (Patent #2017-161568)
The zoom lens includes, successively arranged from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power and a rear group having at least one lens group and having a positive refractive power as a whole. The first lens group is composed of an 11th lens element having a negative refractive power, a 12th lens element having a negative refractive power, and a 13th lens element having a positive refractive power. A focal length fw of the whole system at a wide angle end, a back focus skw at the wide angle end, and a focal length of the 12th lens element are each appropriately set.Anti-reflection lens coating (Patent #2017-167271)
A manufacturing method for an optical member includes: a step of applying dispersion liquid containing particles and dispersant on a base material; a step of, after applying the dispersion liquid, applying a solution containing a binder forming component and causing the solution to enter the space between the particles included in the dispersion liquid applied previously, so as to form a single layer having the binder filling the space between the particles; and a step of drying the layer to form an anti-reflection film. The solution contains a silane alkoxy condensate with an average particle diameter of 8 nm or more and 60 nm or less. The solution contains 70 mass% or more of a solvent whose water solubility is 10 wt% or less.Improved dual ramp ADC sensor design (Patent #2017-175565)
The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus comprising: a pixel part; a signal generating part for generating a first ramp signal of which the signal value is changed by a first amount of change per unit time and a second ramp signal of which the signal value is changed by a second amount of charge greater than the first amount of change; and a conversion part which uses the ramp signal from the signal generation part to perform analog/digital conversion on a signal from the pixel part. The signal generation part includes a capacitor part, a current supply part and a charge emission part. The current supply part is connected to the capacitor part and charge is accumulated in the capacitor part, thereby generating the first ramp signal and the second ramp signal. The capacitor part and the charge emission part are connected, thereby emitting the charge accumulated in the capacitor part to the charge emission part. A resistance value of an electrical path between the capacitor part and the charge emission part in generating the second ramp signal is smaller in relative to that in generating the first ramp signal.Improved heat sinks for mirrorless cameras (Patent #2017-169176)
An imaging apparatus comprises: an imaging element; an element substrate on which the imaging element is mounted on a subject side becoming a front side and an electronic component is mounted on a back side; an element holder positioned and fixed to the imaging element; a base member to which the element holder is fixed by a spring member; and heat radiation members and which have heat absorption parts and, are brought into contact with at least a back of the element substrate and fixed to the base member by the spring member with the element holder. The heat absorption parts and are arranged so that they do not protrude to the back side in an optical axis direction from the electronic component.Hybrid SLR pellicle mirror (Patent #2017-161671)
An imaging device includes: a semi-transmissive mirror that can turn between a first position where subject light is separated to an image pick-up element and a finder and a second position retreating from an imaging optical axis; a light block member that is present at a position not blocking the semi-transmissive mirror when the semi-transmissive mirror (13) is present at the first position, and is configured so as to block the semi-transmissive mirror from an imaging optical axis side when the semi-transmissive mirror is present at the second position; and eyepiece detection means that detects whether a photographer looks into an eyepiece part of the finder. When it is detected by the eyepiece detection means that the photographer does not look into the eyepiece part, the imaging device is configured to move the semi-transmissive mirror and the light block member to the second position.To read more about these patent applications and view the relevant illustrations, click on this link and enter the patent number (without the "#" sign) in the "Publication of patent application" field.
Canon has filed a patent for a camera "...employing a viewfinder device allowing [for] switching between an optical viewfinder (OVF) and an electronic viewfinder (EVF)."
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a 135mm f/2 optical design containing two apodization filters.
From Wikipedia:
Apodization is an optical filtering technique, and its literal translation is "removing the foot". It is the technical term for changing the shape of a mathematical function, an electrical signal, an optical transmission or a mechanical structure. In optics, it is primarily used to remove Airy disks caused by diffraction around an intensity peak, improving the focus.Patent Details (Google Translated)
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has submitted a patent for an RGBW 12 sensor array.
Patent Details
Want more information regarding this patent filing? Check out Canon's full US Patent below.
US 20160309130 A1: Apparatus, system, and signal processing method for image pickup using resolution data and color data
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for the design of an electronically curved sensor.
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed the optical formula patent for a EF 600mm f/4 DO IS USM.
This would be an awesome addition to Canon's super telephoto lens lineup. I think professional sports and wildlife photographers will be lining up for this lens. [Sean]
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has submitted a patent for a curved sensor designed to reduce peripheral darkening of the image (vignetting).
According to the Egami Blog, Nikon has submitted a patent for a Cross-type AF system using a two-layer sensor.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog Canon has filed a patent for an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM Extender Lens.
If I'm reading the patent details correctly, this lens would feature user selectable extender settings of 1.4x and 1.7x. This could be a really interesting addition to Canon's super telephoto lens lineup. [Sean]
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has patented a camera design that allows for the mount to be exchanged.
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a display that can automatically switch between an optical viewfinder and an electronic one.
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a focus peaking patent.
Focus peaking is one of the benefits I thoroughly enjoy with Magic Lantern installed on my IR-converted EOS 7D. [Sean]
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a variable optical low-pass filter (OLPF) which uses the auto exposure (AE) sensor for determining the strength of the effect.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has submitted a patent for a sensor featuring magnetic variable curvature.
Only time will tell when (or if) we'll see this technology in future Canon camera systems.
Patent Details
According to the Egami blog, Canon has filed a patent for a CN-E 60-800mm f/4-5.6 optical formula.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Nikon has patented the optical formula for the 300mm f/2.8E FL ED VR lens.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Tamron has filed a patent for a 115mm f/1.4 VC lens.
This would be a very interesting portrait lens if it ever came to fruition.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed the patent for an EF 28-560mm f/2.8-5.6L USM optical formula. Considering the specs of the lens, "IS" would likely be included (though not precisely specified).
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Nikon has patented the optical formula for a PC-E 19mm f/4 Tilt-Shift lens.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Tamron has patented a 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 VC optical design.
Patent Details
B&H carries the current, non-VC version of this lens.
According to the Egami Blog, Tamron has patented the optical forumla for a 20mm f/2 VC.
This lens would make a very interesting addition to Tamron's recent releases, notably the 35, 45 & 85mm f/1.8 VC primes. A 20mm f/2 prime with VC would compete strongly against the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art (and Nikon 20mm f/1.8G ED, for that matter) as many will gladly give up a 1-stop aperture advantage to gain built-in stabilization.
Description of Patent*
* Some specifications have been omitted here due to translation concerns.
According to the Egami Blog, Tamron has patented the optical formula for a 70-200mm f/4 VC lens.
Description of Patent
According to the Egami Blog, Tamron has patented the optical design for an SP 60mm f/2.8 Di VC USD.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Tamron has patented the optical formula for a 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 VC.
Description of Patent
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has submitted a patent for an EF-M 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed an optical design patent for an EF 24-105mm f/4 lens. While the patent does not specifically mention the "L" branding or "IS," the current 24-105L is more than a decade old and may be due for a refresh in the not-so-distant future.
That said, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a lens I use very frequently, and right now you can get a Canon USA refurbished model for only $599.99 + tax & shipping.
Patent Details
Acording to the Egami Blog, Canon has patented the optical formula for a 30mm f/2.8 DO lens. However, the blog mentions that the lens has been designed for "Fullsize-Mirrorless," indicating that Canon may be working on a camera system to directly compete with Sony.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed an optical formula patent for an EF 1000mm f/5.6 DO lens.
Incorporating diffractive optics into a 1000mm lens sounds like a match made in heaven. The patent details mention Tokyo's Oympic Games in 2020 which seems to indicate Canon's anticipated launch window for the lens.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has patented an EF-M 9-17mm f/3.5-5 STM optical design.
Patent Description
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed an optical design patent for an EF-M 15-50mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM.
Patent Description
According to the Egami Blog, Sigma has patented an optical formula for the 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports lens.
Patent Description
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a CN-E 30-160mm f/2.8 LS lens designed for Super 35 sensors.
Description of the patent literature
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has patented an EF 50-300mm f/4.5-5.6 STM with diffractive optics and a similar EF-M version.
Description of Patent
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent associated with the EF-M 9-18mm f/3.5-4.5 STM.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Sigma has patented a 200mm f/2 DG OS HSM Sports lens and what seems to be a new, specifically designed 1.4x teleconverter.
Patent Details:
Patent Publication No. 2016-45314
The master lens
Complex lens
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has submitted a patent for an optical design with two image stabilization control groups which work together to better reduce camera shake.
Patent Details
According to the Egami Blog, Sigma has patented the optical formula and technology for a 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | Art lens.
Patent Details
Patent Publication No. 2016-38502
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a hybrid viewfinder.
Description of Patent
Patent Publication No. 2016-35525
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a design and optical formula patent for an EF 28mm f/1.4L USM.
Patent Details
Patent Publication No. 2016-31414
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a CN-E 24-70mm f/2.8 L S lens.
The curious thing about this patent is that Canon already makes a CN-E 30-105 T2.8 L S lens. With so little to differentiate the lenses, one wonders whether the extra 5mm on the short end will be a huge selling point compared to the 30-105's extra 30mm of focal length range on the long end. [Sean]
Patent Details
Patent Publication No. 2016-14816
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for an EF-S 18-100mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM optical design.
Description of Patent
Patent Publication No. 2016-1224
According to the Egami Blog, Sigma has filed a patent for a 20mm f/1.8 optical design earmarked for their Contemporary lineup.
If / when this lens is released, it will likely be the first prime lens in Sigma's Contemporary series of lenses.
Description of Patent
Patent Publication No. 2016-12034
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a potential successor to the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II.
If I'm understanding the garbled Google Translation correctly, there seems to be an emphasis on reduced vignetting in the lens. [Sean]
Description of Patent
Patent Publication No. 2016-14800
According to the Egami Blog, Tamron has filed a patent for an 85mm f/1.4 VC optical design. This patent filing makes a lot of sense considering Tamron's newest trend of putting Vibration Control in high quality, wide-aperture primes.
Description of Patent
Patent Publication No. 2016-12082
Example 1
According to the Egami Blog, Sigma has filed a patent for a 120-600mm f/5-6.3 optical design which could indicate that the current 150-600mm Sports and/or Contemporary models may receive an even larger focal range when replaced.
Description of Patent
Patent Publication No. 2015-203827
Example:
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for an EF-M 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 DO IS STM.
Patent Description
Patent Publication No. 2015-232674
Example 1
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a 24-300mm f/3.5-5.6 USM lens.
Description of Patent
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a CN-E 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for APS-C and Super 35mm sensor format cameras. Note that the lens will likely be marketed as a T2.8 lens to match their CN-E 15.5-47mm and 30-105mm lenses with the same image circle.
Description of the patent literature
Patent Publication No. 2015-230449
Example 1
According to the Egami Blog, Canon has filed a patent for a 16-40mm f/4 lens design.
Might the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM's successor be in the works with an even wider focal length? Only time will tell.
From the Egami Blog (Google translated):
Description of the patent literature
Patent Publication No. 2015-206976
Example
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