Patents Examined by Rochelle Ann J Blackman
  • Patent number: 9081336
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes process cartridges forming a toner image on a sheet by using a toner containing a parting agent, an exposure device, an intermediate transfer belt, primary transfer rollers, secondary transfer rollers, a fixing roller and a pressing rotating member which fix the toner image formed on the sheet, a blower fan configured to adjust the temperature of the sheet on which the toner image is fixed, a pair of discharge rollers which conveys the sheet, the temperature of which is adjusted, and a controller which controls the blower fan such that the temperature of the sheet S after contact with the pair of discharge rollers rises to a melting point of the parting agent or higher, or the temperature of the sheet S before contact with the pair of discharge rollers falls to below the melting point of the parting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamichi Matsuo, Hiroshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9075202
    Abstract: Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises four lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces and/or the refracting power of the lens elements and designing an equation, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Genius Electronics Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wang-Ting Ho, Feng Chen, Guanning Huang
  • Patent number: 9071738
    Abstract: An integrated broadcast/auxiliary camera system includes a broadcast camera and an auxiliary camera. The broadcast camera may capture a first image of a scene, wherein operational parameters of the broadcast camera including a broadcast focus distance, a broadcast focal length, a broadcast pan angle and a broadcast tilt angle are operator controlled. The auxiliary camera may capture a second image of the scene, the second image different from the first image. A controller may automatically control operational parameters of the auxiliary camera including an auxiliary focus distance, an auxiliary focal length, an auxiliary pan angle and an auxiliary tilt angle based on the operational parameters of the broadcast camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventors: Vincent Pace, Patrick Campbell
  • Patent number: 9069320
    Abstract: A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus includes a cleaning member that removes residual developer that remains on a image carrier, a rotary conveying member that conveys the removed residual developer toward a predetermined direction, and a housing that contains the rotary conveying member. The housing includes a support member that supports the cleaning member; and a protective member that has an inner wall which opposes outer periphery of the rotary conveying member and partially covers the rotary conveying member. The protective member is made of a resin molding material to which a filler is not added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Ushikubo
  • Patent number: 9063395
    Abstract: A camera includes a positioning member arranged to determine a mirror-down position of a mirror holder, a rotating member rotatably mounted to the positioning member, and an urging member arranged to urge the rotating member. The mirror holder includes a cam portion. The rotating member includes a follower portion arranged to be able to trace the cam portion. When the mirror holder is at the mirror-down position, the follower portion traces a first region of the cam portion to urge the mirror holder toward the mirror-down position by an urging force of the urging member. When the mirror holder is at the mirror-up position, the follower portion traces a second region of the cam portion to urge the mirror holder toward the mirror-up position by the urging force of the urging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuaki Yamana
  • Patent number: 9063391
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airborne reconnaissance system which comprises: (a) optical unit for acquiring light rays from a terrain portion, said optical unit comprises a plurality of optical components that are positioned along an optical path and designed to maneuver said light rays to produce at a focal plane an acquired image of a terrain portion, said acquired image having an area S which is several times larger than the area A of a focal plane array which is positioned at same focal plane; (b) gimbals unit for performing a continuous back and forth across-track scanning movement of a respective line of sight formed between said optical unit and the terrain below the aircraft; (c) a first back-scanning mirror along said optical path, for compensating for said continuous across track movement of the line of sight, said compensation is performed during a respective integration period for a section of said acquired image of area S which falls during said period on said focal plane array; and (d) a second,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: Zvi Yavin
  • Patent number: 9052573
    Abstract: A stabilizer apparatus for use with video devices that provides smooth video images. The stabilizer device comprises a gimbal system operably attached to a counterweighted pole. A video device operably attached to the top end of the pole can be balanced utilizing two or more opposing counter weights operably connected to the pole. The gimbal system is affixed to the pole and maintains the balance of the video device. A handle device attached to the gimbal system allows the stabilizer apparatus to be moved during video production, while maintaining the balance of the video device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: STEADBITZ, LLC
    Inventors: David Johnston, David Kaufman, Samuel William Johnston, IV
  • Patent number: 9052568
    Abstract: The apparatus includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate, each of which has an optical aperture, at least one light control unit, a spacer arranged between the upper substrate and the lower substrate to provide a space in which the light control unit can move, and a drive unit arranged on the upper substrate to drive the light control unit. The drive unit includes a magnet arranged at a center of rotation of the light control unit and an electromagnetic drive source including a coil core and a winding coil, the coil core being arranged in such a way as to be opposed to the magnet. A positioning member is provided on the upper substrate. The distance between the coil core and the magnet is kept constant by the positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kaoru Matsuki
  • Patent number: 9042715
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens attachable to a camera body includes an image pickup optical system configured to form an optical image of an object, and a controller configured to start initializing an optical element included in the image pickup optical system so as to move the optical element to a predetermined position when the controller receives a first signal that commands a start of an initialization from the camera body, and configured to start initializing the optical element after the controller receives identification information from the camera body and a period elapses for which the camera body consumes more than a predetermined amount of power when the controller does not receive the first signal from the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akihiro Kawanami
  • Patent number: 9042742
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus receives setting of an object to be adjusted, on an adjustment object selection screen when selecting an adjustment mode. After the object to be adjusted is set, camera(s) photograph(s) the object to be adjusted so that the image forming apparatus obtains photographed data of current object to be adjusted. Next, the apparatus searches photographed data of the object to be adjusted in the ideal state thereof from the database. Name of the object to be adjusted and related information in the photographed data agree with those of the photographed data of current object to be adjusted. The higher ranked related information is preferentially searched and it is determined whether or not pieces of the higher ranked related information thus preferentially searched agree with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Yoshimura, Katsunori Takahashi, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Kenichi Hayashi, Keigo Ogura, Takahiro Yokoya, Kenji Tamaki
  • Patent number: 9033596
    Abstract: A vibration dampener for a camera mount is structured to reduce the movement of a first mount component relative to a second mount component. An upper camera mount component securing a camera couples to a lower camera mount component, which in turn couples to a base mount component configured to couple to a user, a sports board, a helmet, a vehicle, and the like. The vibration dampener is compressibly inserted between the lower mount component and the base mount component, causing the vibration dampener to exert an outward force on the lower mount component, and securing the lower mount component against a portion of the base mount component. The movement of the lower mount component relative to the base mount component is accordingly reduced by the vibration dampener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Rudy Lucas Samuels
  • Patent number: 9025944
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a position detection unit detecting a position of the camera apparatus, a controller outputting a control signal, in a case the position of the camera apparatus detected by the detection unit is a condition for dropping the camera apparatus, and an OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) driving unit receiving the control signal outputted by the controller and being driven to cushion an inner structure of the camera apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9025948
    Abstract: A mobile device case defining an aperture and a camera protection module within the aperture. The camera protection module may be a separate element from the case shell or may be formed as an integral part of shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: A.G. Findings & Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Tages, Daniel Acero
  • Patent number: 9025946
    Abstract: A camera system according to the present invention, comprising: an interchangeable lens comprising: a zoom position detecting section configured to detect a zoom position corresponding to a focal length of the photographing optical system; and a lens control section configured to input the zoom position and transmit it to the camera body, and a camera body comprising: a body control section configured to communicate with the lens control section, a focus detecting section configured to detect an in-focus position of a focus lens included in the photographing optical system, and a zoom position memory section configured to memorize the zoom position which is transmitted from the lens control section and received by the body control section, wherein when transmitting the in-focus position to the lens control section, the body control section transmits the memory zoom position memorized in the zoom position memory section to the lens control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9025976
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a first toner image to be transferred to a recording medium through secondary transfer is formed on an intermediate transfer member and a second toner image not to be transferred to the recording medium through secondary transfer is formed on the intermediate transfer member after the first toner image has been formed. When the first toner image and the second toner image are formed, a position on the intermediate transfer member at which the second toner image is formed is controlled in accordance with a conveying direction length of the recording medium, to which the first toner image is transferred through secondary transfer, measured by using a detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosuke Ogino
  • Patent number: 9016963
    Abstract: The present invention provides a color film developing apparatus, which is used to uniformly develop photoresist on the surface of a substrate as manufacturing a liquid crystal panel, comprising a developing chamber. The developing chamber comprises a first developing chamber and a second developing chamber respectively set inclined to a horizontal plane; the inclined directions of the first developing chamber and the second developing chamber inclined to the horizontal plane are contrary to each other. The color film developing apparatus according to the present invention can avoid the secondary development of the photoresist on the inclined substrate caused by the developer flowing from top to bottom when the substrate passes the developing chamber and proceeds to develop; enhance the uniformity of the development of the substrate; improve the uniformity of the in-plane process; narrow the differences; improve the quality of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Liwei Hu
  • Patent number: 9011027
    Abstract: A camera supporting device includes a jib arm supporting a camera mount for panning and tilting movement relative to a base structure. A parallel linkage couples the camera mount at one end of the jib arm to the base structure pivotally supporting the jib arm thereon at an intermediate location. The jib arm is readily separable into two portions for storage with the parallel linkage being wholly contained within a hollow tubular member forming one of the two portions while an adjustable trim weight and counterweight support are supported on the other portion. Interchangeable indexing rings permit indexing of the panning or tilting movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis Wood, Tyler J. F. Bragnalo
  • Patent number: 9008497
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of generating a strobe emission signal in a proper timing even when an electronic front curtain shutter is used in strobe photographing. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device having pixels arranged in matrix and configured to store charges generated according to a received amount of light. A vertical scanning circuit controls travel of the electronic front curtain shutter such that the image pickup device sequentially receives light on a per line basis, starting from a first scan line. When it is detected that the electronic front curtain shutter reaches a predetermined scan line, a NOR gate outputs a light emission timing signal, whereby light is emitted from a light emission unit such as a strobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Ariga
  • Patent number: 9008498
    Abstract: A viewfinder fixing device comprises a holder, a ring, a washer, a dowel, and a plurality of inner peripheral concave-convex portions. The holder has a male thread portion. The ring has a female thread portion that meshes with the male thread portion. The washer is provided between the holder and the ring. The dowel is provided to the washer. The inner peripheral concave-convex portions are provided in the peripheral direction to the ring, and when the ring is turned, the male thread portion and the inner peripheral concave-convex portions cause the holder and the ring to move closer together, which is accompanied by the washer and the ring moving closer together, and the inner peripheral concave-convex portions come into contact with the dowel when the washer and the ring have moved closer together up to a specific distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naritoshi Kagaya
  • Patent number: 8998513
    Abstract: A unipod rotating apparatus includes a main rod, an adapting platform fixing photographic equipment, and a rotating device connecting the adapting platform to the main rod in a rotatable manner, in which the rotating device includes a rotating tube, a first connecting structure, a second connecting structure and a rotation connecting structure, in which the rotating tube is sleeved around the main rod; the first connecting structure fixedly connects the adapting platform to the upper end of the rotating tube; the second connecting structure is fixedly connected to the upper end of the main rod; and the rotation connecting structure is arranged between the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure, such that the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are connected with each other in a relatively rotatable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Zhongshan Sirui Photographic Equipment Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jie Li