Patents by Inventor Nicholas D. Woodman

Nicholas D. Woodman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220086369
    Abstract: A camera system captures an image in a source aspect ratio and applies a transformation to the input image to scale and warp the input image to generate an output image having a target aspect ratio different than the source aspect ratio. The output image has the same field of view as the input image, maintains image resolution, and limits distortion to levels that do not substantially affect the viewing experience. In one embodiment, the output image is non-linearly warped relative to the input image such that a distortion in the output image relative to the input image is greater in a corner region of the output image than a center region of the output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Sumit Chawla, Loic Segapelli, Scott Patrick Campbell
  • Patent number: 11269237
    Abstract: An image capture system includes an image capture device and an integrated sensor-optical component accessory. The integrated sensor-optical component accessory is releasably connectable to the image capture device and includes identification data. A processor in the image capture device configures itself and the image capture device based on the identification data. Image data from the integrated sensor-optical component accessory is processed and image data from the image capture data is either processed or ignored depending on the configuration. In an implementation, attachment information may also be used for configuration. In an implementation, multiple integrated sensor-optical component accessories may be connected to the image capture device. In an implementation, the center axis of the fields of view of the image capture device and the integrated sensor-optical component accessory may be in different directions or the same direction, and the fields of view may be overlapping or non-overlapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Ingrid A. Cotoros
  • Patent number: 11259009
    Abstract: A system and a process configuration generates a unitary rendered image for a video from at least two cameras. The configuration detects a communication coupling of at least two cameras and determines a master camera and a slave camera. The configuration determines an orientation of camera sensor of the master camera and the slave camera and determines a first frame of a video for a synchronization point for a start of a video capture. The configuration captures and reads images from the master camera sensor and the slave camera sensor in response to the start of the video capture and orientation of the camera sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, David A. Newman, Stephen B. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220019083
    Abstract: A device including a frame that has first and second openings and a pair of temple arms that pivot relative to the frame. The device includes an imaging unit connected to the frame at a location adjacent to the first opening and capture images through the first opening. The device includes a mechanical switch disposed on the frame or the imaging unit adjacent to the first opening. The device includes lenses fitted within the first and second openings, and the lens that fits within the first opening includes a key interfaceable with the mechanical switch and configured to adjust firmware of the imaging unit based on physical features of the lenses upon interface with the mechanical switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Daniel J. Coster, Joshua T. Druker
  • Publication number: 20220006924
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a system including an imaging device. The imaging device includes an imaging unit with a lens that focuses light onto an image sensor that produces image data, wherein the image data is only stored by the imaging device for transfer to and processing by an external device. The imaging device includes a control interface that provides commands to the imaging unit. The system also includes a mount with a wall that releasably secures the imaging device and provides access to the control interface and a securing structure that secures the mount to a variety of locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Daniel J. Coster, Joshua T. Druker
  • Publication number: 20210405512
    Abstract: A mounting system for an image capture device that includes three pivotably connected arms is disclosed. The first arm includes a first fastener that is lockable and unlockable to allow for connection and disconnection of the image capture device, and a second fastener that is lockable and unlockable to regulate the position of the image capture device relative to the first arm. The mounting system further includes a third fastener that is lockable and unlockable to regulate the relative positioning between the first arm and the second arm, and a fourth fastener that is lockable and unlockable to regulate the relative positioning between the second arm and the third arm. Whereas the first fastener is removable, each of the second, third, and fourth fasteners is captive to (nonremovable from) the mounting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Huy Phuong Nguyen, Bessy Liang, John George Muhlenkamp, IV, Scott Alberstein, Joshua T. Druker, Daniel J. Coster, Nicholas D. Woodman, Jesse Patterson
  • Patent number: 11190709
    Abstract: A camera system captures an image in a source aspect ratio and applies a transformation to the input image to scale and warp the input image to generate an output image having a target aspect ratio different than the source aspect ratio. The output image has the same field of view as the input image, maintains image resolution, and limits distortion to levels that do not substantially affect the viewing experience. In one embodiment, the output image is non-linearly warped relative to the input image such that a distortion in the output image relative to the input image is greater in a corner region of the output image than a center region of the output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Sumit Chawla, Loic Segapelli, Scott Patrick Campbell
  • Patent number: 11163161
    Abstract: A wearable imaging device is disclosed. The wearable imaging device includes a frame defining openings aligned to a user's field of view when in a wearable position and a pair of temple arms each extending from one end of the frame and moveable between the wearable position and a folded position. The wearable imaging device includes lenses within the openings of the frame, an imaging unit coupled to the frame and comprising an imaging lens that captures light through at least one of the lenses, an electronics unit coupled to the frame and in communication with the imaging unit, a power source coupled to the frame and providing power to the imaging unit and to the electronics unit, and an input/output module coupled to at least one of the imaging unit, the electronics unit, or the power source that includes a communications interface for communicating with external devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Daniel J. Coster, Joshua T. Druker
  • Patent number: 11134181
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a system including an imaging device. The imaging device includes an imaging unit with a lens that focuses light onto an image sensor that produces image data, wherein the image data is only stored by the imaging device for transfer to and processing by an external device. The imaging device includes a control interface that provides commands to the imaging unit. The system also includes a mount with a wall that releasably secures the imaging device and provides access to the control interface and a securing structure that secures the mount to a variety of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Daniel J. Coster, Joshua T. Druker
  • Publication number: 20210281719
    Abstract: A camera expansion device includes a housing and a power supply within the housing. The power supply is configured to power an imaging device. The camera expansion device includes a securing structure extending from the housing for securing the housing to a separate mounting device and an interface configured to facilitate power transfer between the camera expansion device and the imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventor: Nicholas D. Woodman
  • Publication number: 20210218872
    Abstract: An image capture device includes an image capture module and a base module. The image capture module is releasably connectable to the base module. The image capture module includes an integrated image sensor and optical component for capturing image data. The base module includes a processor. The processor is configured and the base module is calibrated based on identification data provided by the image capture module when releasably connected to the base module. The image information and identification data may be wirelessly transferred from the image capture module to the base module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Ingrid A. Cotoros, Nicholas D. Woodman, Sandor Lee Barna, Jonathan Stern
  • Publication number: 20210185227
    Abstract: A camera system includes a lens assembly and image processing electronics internal to the camera housing and thermally coupled to the battery assembly. The battery assembly is sensitive to low ambient temperatures and may become damaged if the temperature of the assembly becomes sufficiently low. The camera system comprises a thermal management system that dissipates heat from electronic components of the camera to increase or maintain the temperature of the battery assembly. The thermal management configures the electronic components in different modes to create a step-wise increase of the resistive heat generated in the camera system and thereby increase the temperature of the components in the camera system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Ihab A. Ali, Todd Gotham
  • Publication number: 20210173288
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a body, electronic components contained in the body, and two finger members. The two finger members movable relative to the body between an extended state and a collapsed state. In the extended state, the two finger members extend outward from the body for receipt by a mount of an external support. In the collapsed state, the two finger members are collapsed toward the body. In the extended state, the two finger members may extend parallel with each other for receipt in parallel slots of the mount of the external support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas Vitale, John George Muhlenkamp, IV, Huy Phuong Nguyen, Marco Marroquin, Nicholas D. Woodman, Kielan C. Crow
  • Patent number: 11025802
    Abstract: A camera housing includes a first housing portion having a cavity to receive a camera and a second housing portion comprising a removable door to secure the camera in the cavity. The first housing portion includes a first fastening structure and a first hinge structure. The second housing portion includes a second fastening structure and a second hinge structure. The second hinge structure couples to the first hinge structure to form a hinge about which the removable door rotates. The second housing portion and the first housing portion enclose the cavity to secure the camera when the removable door is rotated into a closed position and the first fastening structure is coupled to the second fastening structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas D. Woodman
  • Patent number: 10999528
    Abstract: An image capture device includes an image capture module and a base module. The image capture module is releasably connectable to the base module. The image capture module includes an integrated image sensor and optical component for capturing image data. The base module includes a processor. The processor is configured and the base module is calibrated based on identification data provided by the image capture module when releasably connected to the base module. The image information and identification data may be wirelessly transferred from the image capture module to the base module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingrid A. Cotoros, Nicholas D. Woodman, Sandor Lee Barna, Jonathan Stern
  • Publication number: 20210127064
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for image capture. For example, systems may include an image capture module including an image sensor configured to capture images, a connector, and an integrated mechanical stabilization system configured to control an orientation of the image sensor relative to the connector; an aerial vehicle configured to be removably attached to the image capture module by the connector and to fly while carrying the image capture module; and a handheld module configured to be removably attached to the image capture module by the connector, wherein the handheld module includes a battery and an integrated display configured to display images received from the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Sean Flanigan, Joseph A. Enke, Pablo Lema, Nicholas D. Woodman, Michael Paterson
  • Patent number: 10986253
    Abstract: A camera housing includes an integrated expansion module for providing expanded functionality to a camera (e.g., a display screen, a microphone, a battery, etc.). Different embodiments of the housing include different expansion modules for adding a variety of features to the camera when the camera is placed in the housing. Thus, a user may modify features of a camera by swapping the housing. Furthermore, a user may add a feature to an existing camera without needing to purchase a new camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas D. Woodman
  • Patent number: 10944906
    Abstract: A camera system includes a lens assembly and image processing electronics internal to the camera housing and thermally coupled to the battery assembly. The battery assembly is sensitive to low ambient temperatures and may become damaged if the temperature of the assembly becomes sufficiently low. The camera system comprises a thermal management system that dissipates heat from electronic components of the camera to increase or maintain the temperature of the battery assembly. The thermal management configures the electronic components in different modes to create a step-wise increase of the resistive heat generated in the camera system and thereby increase the temperature of the components in the camera system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Ihab A. Ali, Todd Gotham
  • Patent number: 10928711
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a body, electronic components contained in the body, and two finger members. The two finger members movable relative to the body between an extended state and a collapsed state. In the extended state, the two finger members extend outward from the body for receipt by a mount of an external support. In the collapsed state, the two finger members are collapsed toward the body. In the extended state, the two finger members may extend parallel with each other for receipt in parallel slots of the mount of the external support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Vitale, John George Muhlenkamp, IV, Huy Phuong Nguyen, Marco Marroquin, Nicholas D. Woodman, Kielan C. Crow
  • Publication number: 20210037194
    Abstract: A camera system captures an image in a source aspect ratio and applies a transformation to the input image to scale and warp the input image to generate an output image having a target aspect ratio different than the source aspect ratio. The output image has the same field of view as the input image, maintains image resolution, and limits distortion to levels that do not substantially affect the viewing experience. In one embodiment, the output image is non-linearly warped relative to the input image such that a distortion in the output image relative to the input image is greater in a corner region of the output image than a center region of the output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Woodman, Sumit Chawla, Loic Segapelli, Scott Patrick Campbell