Patent ID: 6078440
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image pickup apparatus comprising:an image pickup unit containing an image pickup optical lens system and an image pickup device, a portion of an outer surface of said image pickup unit being convex spherical;a holder for rotatably holding said image pickup unit around an optional axis passing a center of a sphere constituting said convex spherical surface;a first driving mechanism provided on a first axis passing said center of said sphere and including a friction member pressed on said convex spherical surface and a one-dimensional piezoelectric actuator moving said friction member for applying a revolution force to said image pickup unit in a first direction; anda second driving mechanism provided on a second axis crossing said first axis substantially at right angle and passing said center of said sphere and including a friction member pressed on said convex spherical surface and a one-dimensional piezoelectric actuator moving said friction member for applying a revolution force to said image pickup unit in a second direction.