Patents Examined by Diana Hancock
  • Patent number: 11977321
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to an imaging device. In some embodiments the imaging device has a support plate defining an object plane. A housing surrounds the object plane across the support plate. A first reflector plane is within the housing and in reflective communication with the object plane. The first reflector plane is 68.0° to 70.0° from the object plane. A second reflector plane within the housing and in reflective communication with the object plane. The second reflector plane is 68.0° to 70.0° from the object plane. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventors: Thanh Q. Tran, Hugh E. Watson, Jitesh N. Joshi
  • Patent number: 11967129
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with multi-camera devices are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a multi-camera device may include 3 or more camera sensors disposed on a world facing side of the multi-camera device. Further, the multi-camera device may be configured to provide a soft shutter button at a location on an opposite side to the world facing side, coordinated with locations of the 3 or more camera sensors that reduces likelihood of blocking of one or more of the 3 or more camera sensors. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Russell S. Love, Peter W. Winer, James Granger, Gerald A. Pham, Ka-Kei Wong, Varun Nasery, Kabeer R. Manchanda, Yu-Tseh Chi, Ali Mehdizadeh
  • Patent number: 11949427
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a compensation circuit for compensating for an offset voltage that is present in an output signal output by a force sensor. The compensation circuit comprises: voltage divider circuitry, the voltage divider circuitry configured to receive a bias voltage that is also supplied to the force sensor and to output a control voltage derived from the bias voltage, wherein a component mismatch ratio of the voltage divider circuitry is adjustable to correspond to a component mismatch ratio of the force sensor; current generator circuitry configured to receive the control voltage and to generate a compensating current based on the received control voltage; and amplifier circuitry configured to receive the differential signal output by the force sensor and the compensating current and to output a compensated differential output signal in which the offset voltage is at least partially cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin McVeigh
  • Patent number: 11947247
    Abstract: Folded Tele cameras comprising an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding a first optical path OP1 to a second optical path OP2, a lens including N=8 lens elements, the lens being divided into three lens groups numbered, in order from an object side of the lens, G1, G2 and G3, and an image sensor, wherein G1 and G3 are included in a single G13 carrier, wherein G2 is included in a G2 carrier, wherein both the G13 carrier and the G2 carrier include rails for defining the position of G2 relative to G13, wherein the Tele camera is configured to change a zoom factor continuously between a minimum zoom factor ZFMIN and a maximum zoom factor ZFMAX by moving the G2 carrier relative to the G13 carrier and by moving the G13 carrier relative to the image sensor, and wherein an effective focal length (EFL) is 7.5 mm<EFL<50 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Rami Boltanski, Ephraim Goldenberg, Roy Rudnick
  • Patent number: 11940718
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes a lens unit capable of being moved along an optical axis of the optical assembly. The lens unit includes a lens mount for holding at least one lens. The optical assembly further includes a sleeve for receiving the lens mount. The lens mount is in sliding contact with and movable in relation to the sleeve as the lens unit is moved along the optical axis. The lens mount is formed of or comprises at its outer surface a self-lubricating material, and/or the sleeve is formed of or comprises at its inner surface a self-lubricating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Hitzler, Christian Schulz, Martin Kubek, Benjamin Deissler
  • Patent number: 11913756
    Abstract: A ball head based lever clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Really Right Stuff, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Johnson, Sr., Brandon Bray
  • Patent number: 11899340
    Abstract: A camera blocks light outside a lens barrel entering an optical path in a lens barrel. A camera includes a frame and a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The lens barrel includes a stationary cylinder including a cylindrical wall having a through-cam groove extending with its circumferential position changing in X-direction, a drive cylinder rotatable relative to the stationary cylinder without moving in X-direction, a rotary cylinder rotatable relative to the stationary cylinder and movable in X-direction, a key cylinder movable in X-direction together with the rotary cylinder, a linearly movable cylinder rotatable relative to the rotary cylinder together with the key cylinder. The camera further includes a connecting frame attached to a rear end of the key cylinder in the lens barrel and a rear light shield including a bellows connecting the connecting frame and the frame in an expandable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 11899355
    Abstract: An optical unit includes an optical element, a holder, a first support portion, a second support portion, a first swing mechanism, and a second swing mechanism. The holder holds the optical element. The first support portion supports the holder so as to be swingable about a first swing axis. The second support portion supports the first support portion so as to be swingable about the second swing axis. The second swing mechanism includes a second magnet and a second coil. The second magnet is arranged on the first support portion. The second coil is arranged on the second support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Iwase, Tomohiro Egawa, Keishi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 11898844
    Abstract: A rotation sensor, including: (i) a substrate having a top surface and an interior bottom surface; (ii) an electrode module positioned on the top surface of the substrate and including a first set of electrodes configured to generate a bulk acoustic wave directly into the substrate, wherein at least a portion of the bulk acoustic wave is transduced into a shear wave upon reflection on the interior bottom surface of the substrate without use of a reflector, and a second set of electrodes configured to detect the shear wave; and (iii) a controller in communication with the first set and second set of electrodes and configured to determine, based on the detected shear wave, an effect of Coriolis force on the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Amit Lal, Benyamin Davaji, Visarute Pinrod
  • Patent number: 11892752
    Abstract: A camera has a more integrated appearance and higher dustproof and light-shielding performance. A camera includes a frame accommodated in a housing having a front surface with an opening, and a lens barrel accommodating at least one lens. The lens barrel includes a stationary cylinder including a cylindrical wall extending in X-direction from a base, and a drive cylinder that causes an extendable unit located radially inward front the cylindrical wall of the stationary cylinder and extendable in X-direction through the opening to extend and retract. The drive cylinder includes a cylindrical portion rotatable between the cylindrical wall of the stationary cylinder and an inner circumferential edge of the opening in a front cover. The lens barrel further includes a cover cylinder covering the inner circumferential edge of the opening in the front cover and the cylindrical portion of the drive cylinder and rotatable relative to the stationary cylinder together with the drive cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 11892748
    Abstract: A control method for an occlusion component and an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes: in a first status of the electronic device, controlling the occlusion component to be located at a first position on the electronic device to occlude a lens of the electronic device; in a second status of the electronic device, detecting a trigger signal and a target object in front of the lens, wherein the trigger signal is generated by triggering a physical button of the electronic device, and the first status is different from the second status; and in a situation where the trigger signal is detected and the target object exists, controlling the occlusion component to move to a second position on the electronic device to expose the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Jia-Ling Jhang, Wei-Kuo Shih
  • Patent number: 11879751
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a portable housing and at least one handle structure integrally formed with the portable housing. The inspection apparatus further includes a vision data system, a lighting system, a user interface system, a wireless communication system, and a controller. The vision data system includes one or more cameras provided on the first face of the portable housing. The vision data system is operable to capture component data. The lighting system is arranged with the vision data system at the first face. The lighting system includes diffused light emitting diode (LED) ring arranged around at least one of the one or more cameras. The manufacturing inspection apparatus is a stand-alone and all-in-one computing device. The manufacturing inspection apparatus processes and stores inspection data locally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Scott Mayberry, Vikas Rajendra, Sam Hoff
  • Patent number: 11867969
    Abstract: An optical element driving mechanism has an optical axis and includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a driving assembly. The movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion. The driving assembly drives the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion. The driving assembly moves in a first direction to move the movable portion in a second direction, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Jungsuck Ryoo, Chieh-An Chang, Min-Hsiu Tsai, Chao-Chang Hu, Shu-Shan Chen, Pai-Jui Cheng, Chao-Hsi Wang
  • Patent number: 11860442
    Abstract: An optical driving device includes: a movable portion to which an optical element is attachable; a drive portion which movably holds the movable portion; and a fixing portion which holds the drive portion, in which each end portion of a first shaft provided in the drive portion and slidably holding the movable portion and each end portion of a second shaft provided separately from the drive portion and slidably supporting the movable portion are fixed to the fixing portion. A diameter of the first shaft is larger than a diameter of the second shaft and a distance between fixing positions of the fixing portion to which each end portion of the first shaft is fixed is smaller than a distance between fixing positions of the fixing portion to which each end portion of the second shaft is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Hosokawa, Naoki Yusa
  • Patent number: 11852956
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera system, comprising: a camera operative to capture an image, said camera comprising a power input port for coupling to a power supply assembly; a housing for supporting said camera, said housing comprising an opening, wherein said opening is arranged to provide access to said power input port; a removable panel engageable to said housing to cover said opening by a security fastener to secure said removable panel to said housing in a cover configuration, said removable panel comprising a formation for engaging with at least one portion of said power supply assembly in said cover configuration to restrain movement of said power supply assembly to maintain a coupled arrangement of said power supply assembly and said power input port in said cover configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Robert George Grant, Graham Keith Lambert
  • Patent number: 11846874
    Abstract: A camera apparatus includes a disk-shaped base portion having a hook portion and fixed to a fixed surface and, an apparatus main body mounting a camera portion and a connector, having a base hinge to be locked to the hook portion, and suspended from the base portion by locking the base hinge to the hook portion, an engagement mechanism engaging the apparatus main body and the base portion such that the apparatus main body and the base portion are not able to be separated from each other in a state that the apparatus main body is rotated in a direction approaching the base portion with the hook portion locking the base hinge as a fulcrum and the apparatus main body is parallel to the base portion, and a dome cover assembly watertightly covering the camera portion and the connector and attached to the apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: I-PRO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akito Omata, Hirokazu Tasaka, Satoshi Kataoka
  • Patent number: 11846872
    Abstract: A case for use in association with an electronic device having a camera system with a flash that can serve as a flashlight, including: (a) a case body, wherein the case body is adapted to releasably retain the electronic device; and (b) a cover member, wherein the cover member is adapted to enable a person to use the flash of the camera system as a flashlight while simultaneously preserving his/her night vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Bos
  • Patent number: 11841608
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus which prevents occurrence of a malfunction even when multiple accessories are attached to the electronic apparatus directly or via an accessory connector. The electronic apparatus includes an attachment part to which an accessory connector is attachable or to which multiple accessories are attachable. On the accessory connector, multiple accessories are attachable. When multiple accessories have been attached to the attachment part or on the accessory connector attached to the attachment part, accessory information is obtained via the attachment part from each of the attached accessories. In a case where overlapping accessories with overlapping functions are found based on the accessory information, the overlapping function of at least one of the overlapping accessories is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuko Izaki, Hiromichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11841609
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus that is capable of reducing occurrence of malfunction when an accessory is attached without enlarging an accessory shoe device. The electronic apparatus includes an accessory shoe device and a controller. The accessory shoe device is electrically connectable with an accessory and has terminals that are arranged in a line in a first direction that intersects perpendicularly with an attaching direction of the accessory. The controller is electrically connected to the terminals. At least one of the terminals differs from the other terminals in a length of an externally exposed part in a second direction that intersects perpendicularly with both the attaching direction and the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Okano, Kenji Ishii, Yuichi Ariga
  • Patent number: 11841485
    Abstract: A tethered imaging camera encapsulated in a shell lens element of such camera enables viewing from inside and imaging of a biological organ in/from a variety of directions. A portion of camera's optical system together with light source(s) and optical detector mutually cooperated by housing structure inside the shell are moveable/re-orientable within the shell to vary a desired view of the object space without interruption of imaging process. A tether carries electrical but not optical signals to and from the camera and controllable traction cords to move the camera, and a hand-control unit and/or electronic circuitry configured to operate the camera and power its movements. Method(s) of using optical, optoelectronic, and optoelectromechanical sub-systems of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: OMNISCIENT IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Banerjee, Richard Pfisterer, John Jameson, Chih-Chiang Chang, Haiyong Zhang