# US 11,451,690 B2 · Cleaning apparatus and cleaning method for an image sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,451,690 B2 - Document ID: US11451690B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/569,400 - Filed: 2019-09-12 - Published: 2020-03-26 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-20 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Yohei Sato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11451690B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/811: {by dust removal, e.g. from surfaces of the image sensor or processing of the image signal output by the electronic image sensor} - B08B 1/143: {Wipes} - B08B 1/30: by movement of cleaning members over a surface - B08B 5/02: Cleaning by the force of jets, e.g. blowing-out cavities {(airguns or nozzles per se B05B1/005)} - G05B 11/00: Automatic controllers (G05B13/00 takes precedence) - G05B 19/00: Program-control systems - H04N 1/00909: {Cleaning arrangements or preventing or counter-acting contamination from dust or the like (cleaning in general, prevention of fouling in general B08B)} - H04N 23/52: Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A cleaning apparatus that includes a cleaning member and cleans a detection surface of a detection element included in a detection device includes a fixing unit configured to fix the detection device attached to the cleaning apparatus, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the detection device with respect to the cleaning apparatus and a measurement unit configured to measure a position and an inclination of the detection element of the detection device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cleaning apparatus that includes a cleaning member and cleans a detection surface of a detection element included in a detection device, the cleaning apparatus comprising: a fixing unit configured to fix the detection device attached to the cleaning apparatus; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the detection device with respect to the cleaning apparatus, and including a plurality of stages, each stage having at least two axes and an opening portion for enabling the detection element to face the cleaning member; and a measurement unit configured to measure a position and an inclination of the detection element of the detection device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to notify adjustment information based on the position and the inclination of the detection element measured by the measurement unit, wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts the position based on a user operation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit consecutively notifies the inclination that is consecutively measured by the measurement unit, as the adjustment information. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit calculates a shift from a position and an inclination suitable for cleaning by the cleaning member based on a type of the detection element and the position and the inclination measured by the measurement unit, and notifies shift information based on the shift, as the adjustment information. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit notifies an adjustment procedure by the adjustment mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive unit configured to automatically adjust the adjustment mechanism, based on a result of measurement of the position and the inclination by the measurement unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust an axis of each of a plurality of layers between a main body of the cleaning apparatus and the fixing unit, and wherein a layer for adjusting an angle is provided on the detection element side relative to a layer for adjusting a position. ### Claim 8 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a program executable by a computer for serving as units of a cleaning apparatus that includes a cleaning member and cleans a detection surface of a detection element included in a detection device, the cleaning apparatus comprising: a fixing unit configured to fix the detection device attached to the cleaning apparatus; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the detection device with respect to the cleaning apparatus, and including a plurality of stages, each stage having at least two axes and an opening portion for enabling the detection element to face the cleaning member; and a measurement unit configured to measure a position and an inclination of the detection element of the detection device.