Patents Examined by Christ Mahoney
  • Patent number: 8170411
    Abstract: A system and method for connecting a global positioning system (GPS) device with a digital image processing device and inputting position information into an image file captured by the digital image processing device. A system and method for inputting position information into a captured image employ a digital image processing device which generates an image file by capturing an image, and stores the image file, a GPS device which receives position information from a GPS satellite at regular time intervals; when the digital image processing device is connected with the GPS device, a GPS information storage unit which receives position information from the GPS device and stores the position information, and a GPS information input control unit which inputs position information excluding a timestamp, into an image file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-tae Lee, Jae-ho Han
  • Patent number: 8150250
    Abstract: A camera body including image-blur correcting units capable of effectively correcting blur in captured images and a camera system including the camera body are provided. The camera body includes a vibration detecting unit configured to detect vibration of the camera body; a first image-blur correcting unit configured to correct blur in captured images, and a second image-blur correcting unit that is different from the first image-blur correcting unit; and a control unit configured to control the first image-blur correcting unit and the second image-blur correcting unit on the basis of detection results produced by the vibration detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Saito, Nobuyuki Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 8121473
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a photometry unit dividing a subject into a plurality of regions and performing a photometry, a first calculating unit calculating a first control value based on a photometry result of the photometry unit, a comparing unit comparing the first control value with a maximum value of photometry values in the plurality of regions, a second calculating unit correcting the first control value depending on a comparison result by the comparing unit to calculate a second control value, an image pickup unit picking up an image of the subject according to the second control value and generates an image data, and a third calculating unit calculating a lightness improvement amount for a correction of dark area gradation of the image data depending on the comparison result. Therefore, optimum exposure adjustment and correction of dark area gradation can be performed depending on the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8100592
    Abstract: The invention concerns A housing for a variable focus liquid lens (204) containing first and second immiscible liquids defining a liquid-liquid interface moveable by electrowetting by application of a voltage between first and second electrodes (206, 208) of the liquid lens, the housing comprising: a first portion (202) comprising a contact surface for contact with a circuit board (203); a second portion (211) for receiving the liquid lens, the second portion arranged to be moveable with respect to said first portion in a first direction parallel to an optical axis (?) of the liquid lens when said liquid lens is positioned in said housing; and first and second contacts (213, 216) for electrically coupling the circuit board to the first and second electrodes respectively of the liquid lens when said liquid lens is positioned in said housing, wherein each of the first and second contacts comprises a first conductive surface (215a, 218a) arranged to make contact with a second conductive surface (215b, 218b), sai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Varioptic, S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Craen, Nicolas Tallaron, David Perennez
  • Patent number: 8064761
    Abstract: An image is focused onto an image sensor array by efficient movement of an adjustable focus lens by a lens focus motor. A minimum of three focus positions is required to determine an estimated best focus position of the lens focus motor. After which a sweep of the focus positions surrounding the estimated best focus position is performed to verify and determine the best actual focus position of the lens focus motor. A sharpness value of the image being focused comprising a Sobel edge detection or other detections means provide sharpness data to evaluate image sharpness at various lens focus motor positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Digital Imaging Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Muench
  • Patent number: 8047733
    Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a board having a shutter opening; a blade for adjusting an amount of light entering the shutter opening; and a transmitting member for transmitting a drive force to the blade. The transmitting member includes a drive pin swinging about a given support point. The blade has a first cam slot engaged with the drive pin and swinging about a given support point in conjunction with a swinging of the drive pin. The first cam slot includes a first permitting area and a first restricting area. The blade is permitted to swing when the drive pin is located in the first permitting area. The blade is restricted from swinging when the drive pin is located in the first restricting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Phichet Numnual, Takashi Nakano, Prapas Charoensilputthakun, Noppadol Ngernping
  • Patent number: 8016495
    Abstract: A lens includes a light incident surface, a light emitting surface opposite to the light incident surface, and a side surface connected between the light incident surface and the light emitting surface. The side surface includes arc-shaped convex surfaces. Each arc-shaped convex surface protrudes in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Yi Lai