Patents Examined by Linda B Smith
  • Patent number: 10425577
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image processor, a display unit, an operation unit, and a controller. The image processor combines data of a plurality of images to generate data of a still image deeper in depth of field, the plurality of the images that are generated by shooting an object image while changing a focus position. The display unit displays a range designation screen displaying an image together with a plurality of image areas. The operation unit receives a designation, performed by the user, of an image area in the range designation screen. When a first and a second image area in the range designation screen are designated by the user, the controller sets a combining range having a focus position located between the first and the second image area. The display unit performs a first display-highlighting on the image areas included in the combining range set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Abe, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10406994
    Abstract: An in-vehicle camera is provide which has a case and a lens, and which is attached in a vehicle interior so that the lens is exposed at a top face of the case and the top face is opposed to a windshield or another window. The top face has an angular shape bent at a ridge line passing through the top face. The lens is positioned in the vicinity of the ridge line. The in-vehicle camera includes a hood attached to a front portion of the case, the front portion being positioned at a front side of the case with respect to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syo Okuda, Toshikazu Murao, Kentarou Shiota, Naoki Sugiyama, Takayuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 10406645
    Abstract: Multiple cameras are used for tool positioning, as-built documentation, and/or personnel monitoring in construction site. A camera unit comprises one or more imaging devices, a processing computer, and a communication device. The camera units are placed at multiple locations in a construction site to cover an area. The camera units are self-positioned by detecting a calibration target that moves within a working volume. The camera units can detect and calculate positions of objects, including measurement sticks, tools, personnel, etc., in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Young Jin Lee, Kent Kahle
  • Patent number: 10401706
    Abstract: To provide a digital camera that allows an imaged image to be easily checked by peeking through an electronic view finder regardless of the vertical and horizontal orientation of the digital camera when taking a photograph from a low angle. A digital camera 1 includes a camera main body 2 with an imaging lens 2a, and an electronic view finder 3 that allows a user to observe the image imaged by the imaging lens 2a. The electronic view finder 3 includes an image display part 4 that displays the imaged image, a pivot bracket 5 that supports the image display part 4 so as to be rotatable about an axis A, and a fixed bracket 6 that couples the camera main body 2 and the pivot bracket 5, and that supports the pivot bracket 5 so as to be rotatable about an axis B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Minoru Inaba
  • Patent number: 10394104
    Abstract: A light amount adjustment apparatus includes an aperture unit including a plurality of blade members and a movable member, the movable member for changing a size of an aperture formed by the plurality of blade members, a driving unit including a driving shaft and configured to drive the movable member, and a detection unit including a detection target member and a detection sensor, and configured to detect a driving amount of the driving unit by detecting a driving amount of the detection target member with use of the detection sensor, wherein the aperture unit, the driving unit, and the detection unit overlap one another, as viewed in a direction along a central axis of the aperture, wherein the detection target member is engaged with the driving shaft, and wherein an outer diameter of the detection unit is smaller than an outer diameter of the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Nagao, Makoto Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 10386699
    Abstract: A shutter apparatus includes a shutter base plate having an opening, a light shield movable between a closed state for closing the opening and an open state for opening the opening, a cam member rotatable in a first angle range, a second angle range, and a third angle range between the first angle range and the second angle range, the cam member that rotates in the third angle range rotating the light shield, a motor configured to drive the cam member, a forcing member configured to force the cam member so as to rotate the cam member from the first angle range to the third angle range, and a restricting member configured to restrict the forcing member from forcing the cam member in at least part of the first angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Takayama, Kazuya Karibe, Jumpei Ishibiki
  • Patent number: 10377322
    Abstract: An in-vehicle camera is provide which has a case and a lens, and which is attached in a vehicle interior so that the lens is exposed at a top face of the case and the top face is opposed to a windshield or another window. The top face has an angular shape bent at a ridge line passing through the top face. The lens is positioned in the vicinity of the ridge line. The in-vehicle camera includes a hood attached to a front portion of the case, the front portion being positioned at a front side of the case with respect to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syo Okuda, Toshikazu Murao, Kentarou Shiota, Naoki Sugiyama, Takayuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 10379423
    Abstract: The image-capturing apparatus includes a light-emitting unit movable between a retracted position and a light-emitting position at which a light emitter faces a direction different from an image-capturing direction toward an object, and a moving mechanism to rotate the light-emitting unit about a rotation center axis not parallel to the image-capturing direction to move the light-emitting unit between the retracted and light-emitting positions. The moving mechanism is configured such that, at the retracted position, the light emitter is located on an object side further than the rotation center axis located at a first position, and such that, at the light-emitting position, the rotation center axis is located at a second position located on the object side further than the first position. The moving mechanism includes a stopper portion provided to stop the rotation center axis at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shoma Mizutani
  • Patent number: 10375307
    Abstract: A method for acquiring a panoramic image includes controlling a display screen of an electronic device to display a viewfinder frame and a direction indicator that indicates a movement direction for the electronic device, acquiring and processing a first image to obtain a first progress indicator, arranging the first progress indicator on a first side of and close to the viewfinder frame, acquiring and processing a second image to obtain a second progress indicator, arranging the second progress indicator on the first side of and close to the viewfinder frame and moving the first progress indicator away from the viewfinder frame, acquiring and processing a third image to obtain a third progress indicator, and arranging the third progress indicator on the first side of and close to the viewfinder frame and arranging the first progress indicator on a second side of and away from the viewfinder frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaoqing Liu
  • Patent number: 10365543
    Abstract: A removably attachable handle accessory is disclosed for use with mobile electronic devices. A user may attach or otherwise install the removably attachable handle on a mobile electronic device. A pivot portion facilitates adjustment of the orientation of the mobile electronic device with respect to a grip portion of the handle. Additionally, the pivot portion includes an opening into which a user may insert a finger to aid in maintaining a secure grip, improving comfort, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Portero Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick D. O'Neill, Chong Pak, Jason Patrick, Joshua Cantor, Ryan Nguyen, Daniel Arato
  • Patent number: 10365541
    Abstract: Provided is a collapsible lens barrel including a base barrel, a drive device including a linear motion member reciprocating in an optical axis direction and a drive source for driving the linear motion member, a cam frame provided with a cam groove, a drive device frame that is engaged with the cam groove and causes the drive device to reciprocate in the optical axis direction, a focus lens group frame that holds a focus lens group, and a contact part and an arm that extend from the focus lens group frame toward an object side and are engaged with the linear motion member to cause the focus lens group frame to reciprocate in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hasegawa, Shuhei Ayukawa
  • Patent number: 10352417
    Abstract: A driving apparatus reduces degradation of driving performance and durability when a driven body is displaced using a lead screw. The lead screw has a lead groove that is formed over first and second members and has first and second surfaces that face to each other in a width direction. The lead screw is rotated by a driving source. A moving member engages with the lead groove, and moves parallel to the lead screw according to rotation of the lead screw. A driven body is displaced between first and second positions according to movement of the moving member. A first energization member energizes the moving member toward the second surface when the moving member passes across a first junction that occurs at a boundary between the first and second members in a stroke where the moving member contacts with a drive surface of the first surface to be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Sugihara
  • Patent number: 10353273
    Abstract: A screen is provided. The screen includes: a substrate; an adhesive affixed to the substrate; and a mixture of reflective beads and transparent beads affixed by the adhesive to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MAGIC MEMORIES INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Kevin Mark Jackson
  • Patent number: 10345682
    Abstract: A variable diameter mounting attachment joins an accessory, such as a matte box, to a lens of a camera, such as a video camera, digital camera or broadcast camera, while blocking undesired light from reaching the lens. The attachment incorporates two synchronized mechanisms activated together by rotation of an outer gear ring: (1) a series of jaws to clench an outer edge of the lens housing, and (2) a multiple blade iris diaphragm to block undesired light from entering the lens. A lock lever clamps the outer gear ring in fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Panavision International, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard L. Jamison, Jr., Trach Nguyen, Scott Macdonald
  • Patent number: 10349504
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flash generator for providing power supply to a flash tube so that the flash tube rapidly provides a light output adapted to FP-sync, Flat Peak. The flash generator comprises a capacitor bank, an output and a switch configured to switch a current flow from the capacitor bank via the output to provide a variable power via the output. The flash generator further comprises a controller for controlling the switch, whereby by controlling the on time of the switch, the generator is operative to provide, during a time period of 100 to 2000 ?s during a peak time period within the time period, an average power at least 4 times higher than the average power provided during the other time period within the time period, whereby the flash tube during the peak time period becomes fully ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: PROFOTO AB
    Inventors: Anton Falk, Michael Sundkvist
  • Patent number: 10339661
    Abstract: In order to provide movement-direction determination method and apparatus for appropriately informing a holder of a camera of a movement direction of the camera, a processor determines the movement direction of the camera that captures a polygonal recognition target in the movement-direction determination method and the movement-direction determination apparatus of the present disclosure. The processor acquires an orientation of the camera acquired by a sensor included in the camera, acquires an image of the recognition target captured by the camera, determines the number of corners of the recognition target included in the image, and determines the movement direction of the camera based on the orientation of the camera and the number of corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Saki Takakura, Mariko Takenouchi
  • Patent number: 10326921
    Abstract: A Light device having built-in Camera to operate desire digital data functions is powered by an power source for a lamp-holder, light source, flashlight or light device connected to power source by prongs or a bulb-base with conductive contacts to get power. The device may take the form of an IP cam, or Driving Cam, or webcam having but not limited add for auto tracking or one of plurality functions to make different products and functions with optional retractable prongs that plug directly into a wall outlet or insert into existing lamp base or incorporate conductive wire to make electric connection at least one of built-in camera, storage unit, wireless kits, Bluetooth kits, APP communication unit, motion sensor, light device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
  • Patent number: 10308329
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mount for attaching objects, like cameras and bindings to the surfaces of a surfboard. Further disclosed is related methods of fabricating or retrofitting a surfboard with said mount. The more specific details of the disclosed mount and related methods are described in connection with the figures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Byron Rohrer
  • Patent number: 10310555
    Abstract: A connector includes: a rear case, fixed on a rear side of a display; a first component, provided on the rear case; and a second component, adapted to the first component and connectable to the image capturing device. According to the present disclosure, the image capturing device is connectable to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Xu, Yongda Ma, Jianbo Xian
  • Patent number: 10302901
    Abstract: In a focus adjustment method for an imaging apparatus, that, in order to focus on a single or a plurality of point light sources, acquires plurality of image data while moving a focus lens in an optical axis direction and carries out focus adjustment based on the image data, brightness values of pixels within a given evaluation region are detected based on the image data, high brightness evaluation values are calculated based on the brightness values, symmetry of the high brightness evaluation values are calculated for movement of the focus lens, and focus adjustment is carried out based on an extreme value calculated based on the symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Koh Mohri