Measuring Or Indicating Patents (Class 362/5)
  • Patent number: 11290660
    Abstract: A system and, related method, is disclosed for enabling Chroma key compositing using a smart device, wherein an image/video of a subject situated in front of a portable monochromatic background is captured, and simultaneously layered upon a different desired background replacement that will replace only the monochromatic background captured. The portable monochromatic background structure can be an inflatable structure affixed with a plurality of lighting modules configured to ensure a uniform light distribution across the monochromatic background and separately ensure a uniform light distribution on the subject during the image/video capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Rockwell L. Scharer, III
  • Patent number: 11287724
    Abstract: An automatic illumination control apparatus for adjusting an output of an illumination device depending upon a distance between a subject and the illumination device, includes: a distance measuring sensor installed at a position close to the illumination device to measure distance information between the illumination device and the subject; and an illumination managing unit configured to generate a management signal including an illumination intensity of illumination which is outputted from the illumination device according to the distance information, and send the management signal to the illumination device. With the present invention, even though the subject comes toward or away from the main illumination device and thus the distance between the subject and the illumination is changed, the illumination intensity indicative of the subject and the space around the subject and the color temperature can be constantly maintained, thereby obtaining the still picture or the motion picture with constant quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI FOMEX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae Kyun Yoo
  • Patent number: 10979649
    Abstract: An apparatus for a digital imaging device includes a housing, a controller within the housing, and at least one illumination element in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to control at least one of an intensity and/or volume of light emitted by the at least one illumination element in dependence upon a distance of the apparatus from a target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Don Atkinson, Samuel Joseph Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10939518
    Abstract: A component-mounting machine including an LED lighting device configured to illuminate an imaging target that is to be imaged by a camera loaded on the component-mounting machine; and an illumination light amount adjusting device configured to adjust in steps with a specified gradation quantity an illumination light amount of the LED lighting device. The LED lighting device uses two types of LED elements with different brightness levels, and the illumination light amount adjusting device is configured to adjust in steps with a specified gradation quantity a pulse width or a current value of a current flowing through low-brightness LED elements that are the LED elements with a lower brightness level out of the two types of LED elements so as to adjust in steps with a specified gradation quantity an emitted light amount of the low-brightness LED elements while maintaining a specified level of illumination light amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hisato Sawanami
  • Patent number: 10893592
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a light emission controller that controls emission of a plurality of types of light emission patterns from a plurality of light sources. The light emission controller emits respective light emission patterns corresponding to the operation. When among the plurality of types of light emission patterns, the preceding light emission pattern overlaps with the subsequent light emission pattern, the light emission controller preferentially emits the subsequent light emission pattern having a delay in the light emission start timing. The light emission controller also emits respective first light emission patterns corresponding to the operation, and emits the second light emission pattern expressing the predetermined operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki Furusawa, Kazushi Yamaneki, Kenta Konishi
  • Patent number: 10382706
    Abstract: A system and, related method, is disclosed for enabling Chroma key compositing using a smart device, wherein an image/video of a subject situated in front of a portable monochromatic background is captured, and simultaneously layered upon a different desired background replacement that will replace only the monochromatic background captured. The portable monochromatic background structure can be an inflatable structure affixed with a plurality of lighting modules configured to ensure a uniform light distribution across the monochromatic background and separately ensure a uniform light distribution on the subject during the image/video capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DROPKEY, INC.
    Inventors: Rockwell L. Scharer, III, Richard Mall
  • Patent number: 10356297
    Abstract: An illumination device capable of enhancing design thereof and facilitating removable mounting operation of optical accessories. A bounce adapter 10 and a color filter 20 are mountable to a strobe device 300 so that the bounce adapter 10 and color filter 20 are arranged in a front part of a light emitting unit 350. A top surface 350a of the light emitting unit 350 is provided with an attachment rib 355a to be engaged with the bounce adapter 10 and the color filter 20. A bottom cover 353 of the light emitting unit 350 is provided with holes 354a, 354d to be engaged with the bounce adapter 10 and holes 354b, 354c to be engaged with the color filter 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Miyakawa, Azusa Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9706098
    Abstract: An inspection system for obtaining an adjusted light intensity image includes a light source, an image capturing device and a controller. A field of view of the image capturing device is adjusted within an illumination area of the light source. A plurality of light emitting units of the light source are turned on in sequence. The image capturing device captures a calibration image when each of the light emitting units is turned on to obtain a plurality of the calibration images. The controller adjusts the light emitting intensities of the light emitting units respectively according to the light intensity distributions of the calibration images to obtain a specific intensity distribution of an inspection image in the field of view and compensate a vignette effect of the image capturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Yi-Lung Weng, Chien-Hsun Chu
  • Patent number: 9250125
    Abstract: An optical sensor is provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The optical sensor includes a first photodiode, a second photodiode having characteristics different from characteristics of the first photodiode, filters configured to block or transmit a specific wavelength range of the light, and an output circuit configured to correct a sensitivity deviation, which may be caused when one of the filters is used for the first photodiode, based on a sensitivity deviation, which may be caused when the other filter of the same kind as the one filter is used for the second photodiode, and output only the specific wavelength range of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kitade
  • Publication number: 20150131257
    Abstract: A strobe device according to the present invention includes: a strobe main body; a light-emitting unit rotatably connected to the strobe main body; a variable mechanism capable of changing an angle of the light-emitting unit; a drive unit for driving the variable mechanism; and a control unit for controlling the drive unit, wherein the control unit has a mode of changing an illumination direction angle of the light-emitting unit at each shot in a continuous shooting operation. This realizes a strobe device that makes it possible to immediately obtain a favorite image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectural Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minenori Kaimoto
  • Publication number: 20150062861
    Abstract: An illumination device selects any one of a first mode, in which, when a detection unit detects a rotation of a second casing even when a second casing is not rotated by a drive unit, a control unit causes the drive unit to rotate the second casing to a position of the second casing before the rotation of the second casing is detected by the detection unit or a second mode, in which, when the detection unit detects the rotation of the second casing even when the second casing is not rotated by the drive unit, the control unit does not cause the drive unit to rotate the second casing to the position of the second casing before the rotation of the second casing is detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Kenichiro Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20150037021
    Abstract: A strobe device of the present invention includes strobe main body, light emitting section, variable mechanism, driving section, first distance measuring section for acquiring information of the distance between strobe device and a subject, second distance measuring section for acquiring information of the distance between strobe device and a bounce surface, a distance measurement computing section for computing the bounce irradiation angle of light emitting section, and vertical angle detecting section for acquiring the angle information of light emitting section. The strobe device further includes a control device for controlling driving section so that the angle of light emitting section becomes equal to the bounce irradiation angle on the basis of the bounce irradiation angle and the angle information of light emitting section. The light emitting section can be accurately set at the bounce irradiation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Takashi Umehara
  • Patent number: 8622561
    Abstract: A luminaire (100) includes a lamp housing (2) having an outer surface (42), and a cover (14) extends a height (1) above the outer surface (42). A camera (12) is concealed within the cover (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Patrick Carmody
  • Patent number: 8459811
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a light source capable of illuminating a target scene and an adjustable light filter coupled with the light source, the adjustable light filter adapted to display a filter image, the filter image created to spatially filter the illumination based at least in part on at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Sakari Tapio Alenius, Markku Kalevi Vehvilainen, Radu Ciprian Bilcu
  • Publication number: 20120224351
    Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide a flash module and an electronic apparatus using the flash module. The electronic apparatus has a sensor and a processor. The sensor is used by the processor to detect an environmental brightness and issue a flash order. The flash module comprises a flash cartridge, a linkage lever set, a housing, an electromagnetic actuator, a mechanical linkage, and a latching mechanism. When necessary, the elements of the flash module perform a process to automatically move the flash to an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Pong Lin, Ting-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8193713
    Abstract: One aspect relates to combining an at least one primary general illumination lighting with an at least one LED-based secondary general illumination lighting. The aspect further comprises sensing an at least one sensed electric characteristics used to produce the at least one primary general illumination lighting. The aspect further comprises controlling an optical characteristic of the at least one LED-based secondary general illumination lighting at least partially responsive to the sensing the at least one sensed electric characteristics used to produce the at least one primary general illumination lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8079723
    Abstract: An adjustable lens with a self-illuminating scale for use in photography, cinematography, or videography has a housing surface with scale markings and an opaque member with a reference marking mounted over and movable relative to the surface. The movement of the member normally adjusts a parameter of the lens. The scale markings are visible through a window in the member. The edge of the member adjacent the scale has an opening. A light source is situated within a recess in the member adjacent the opening. Light is directed from the light source through the edge opening in a direction along the surface of the surface such that the visible scale markings are illuminated, while light from the light source is otherwise substantially prevented from escaping from the lens. The activation and intensity of the light source is controlled by movement of the member or an external illumination controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cooke Optics Limited
    Inventors: Mark Craig Gerchman, Alan Coleman, Nigel Antony Ayres
  • Patent number: 7948519
    Abstract: An intelligent light source for use with the test of a digital camera module provides a plurality of shapes of light. A fast light pulse is created with turn-on and turn-off transitions less than or equal to one microsecond. Other waveform shapes comprise a ramp and a sinusoid, and all shapes can be made to occur once or repetitively. The magnitude of the light has a range from 0.01 LUX to 1000 LUX, and the ramp has a ramp time that has a range from microseconds to 100 ms. The light comprises of a plurality of colors created by serial connected strings of LED devices, where the LED devices in a string emit the same color. The light emanating from the light source is calibrated using a photo diode and the control of a tester by adjusting offset voltages of a DAC controlling a current through the LED strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Digital Imaging Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Knoedgen, Dirk Huettmann
  • Patent number: 7929855
    Abstract: An image taking system includes an image taking circuit which photographs the object upon receipt of a photographing instruction and obtains an image representing the object, a light emitting circuit which emits stroboscopic light, a photographing control circuit which controls the image taking circuit to execute a continuous photographing where a plurality of images are continuously taken including a plurality of images with following stroboscopic light, a stroboscopic light control circuit which controls the light emitting circuit to emit the stroboscopic light when photographing the images with following stroboscopic light, and an estimating circuit which estimates, when photographing the images with following stroboscopic light, the remaining energy in the charging unit after the photographing, on the basis of each light emission and the remaining energy in the charging unit upon the light emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Tamura
  • Patent number: 7922346
    Abstract: An object of the preset invention is to provide a medical lighting apparatus capable of illuminating an affected part with proper illuminance while assuring a work space for an operator near the affected part. A medical lighting apparatus for irradiating an affected part with light includes: a light source (a light emitting element); a light condenser (a collimate lens and a condenser lens) for condensing light emitted from the light source; an image forming unit (an image lens) for forming an image on the affected part from the light condensed by the light condenser; and an aperture portion provided between the light condenser and the image forming unit and regulating passage of the light condensed by the light condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Katsuda, Shusuke Hashimoto, Kazunari Matoba, Shinichi Okawa, Hiroaki Kusakabe, Yuzo Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7604360
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring the properties of light from a light source is disclosed. The sensor includes first and second photodetectors that are illuminated by the light. The first and second photodetectors generate first and second photodetector signals indicative of the first and second weighted averages of the intensity of light in a wavelength band between 400 nm and 700 nm. The first photodiode is more sensitive to light having wavelengths between 400 nm and 500 nm than the second photodetector. The sensor also includes a color temperature processing circuit that generates a first processed signal that is related to a ratio of the first and second signals. The color temperature processing circuit could include first and second logarithmic amplifiers that generate first and second logarithmic signals, respectively, from the first and second photodetector signals and a subtraction circuit that forms a signal indicative of the difference between the first and second logarithmic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Dengpeng chen, Chi Boon Ong, Chee Heng Wong
  • Publication number: 20090161337
    Abstract: An illuminating device for photographing includes: an illuminating unit having a plurality of current-controlled light emitting elements, which illuminates a subject with light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements; a storage unit in which light emission brightness information is stored in correspondence to each of the plurality of light emitting elements; and a light emission control unit that controls light emission at the plurality of light emitting elements based upon the light emission brightness information stored in the storage unit so that the plurality of light emitting elements achieve uniform brightness levels at the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7057705
    Abstract: A controller for a pulsed radiation source is a closed-loop controller of minimum order, preferably first, to effect dead beat control. Performance indicators for a pulsed radiation source in a lithographic apparatus are based on moving averages (MA) and moving standard deviations (MSD) of the error between target and actual pulse energies. The normalized indicators are given by: MA E , n ? ( x k ) = 1 ? i = k - ( N slit - e - 1 ) k ? ? Ep ref ? ( i ) · ? i = k - ( N slit - e - 1 ) k ? ? Ep err ? ( i ) ? ? ( k = N slit - e ? ? … ? ? N scan ) , wherein Epref(i) and Eperr(i) indicate reference energy per pulse and energy error per pulse for point i and MSD E , n ? ( x k ) = 1 N slit - e - 1 ? ? i = k - ( N slit - e - 1 ) k ? [ Ep err ? ( i ) Ep ref ? ( i ) - MA E , n ? ( x k ) ] 2 ? ? ( k = N slit - e ? ? … ? ? N scan ) .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Heintze
  • Patent number: 7044613
    Abstract: An illumination reproduction apparatus and process for illuminating a subject with the illumination at a location in a scene when the subject is not in the scene. Scene illumination data is generated that specifies the illumination at the location in the scene from a plurality of spatial directions. The subject is then illuminated with the illumination at the location in the scene by driving a plurality of light sources surrounding the subject with the scene illumination data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventor: Paul E. Debevec
  • Publication number: 20040141300
    Abstract: A silver thin film (with a thickness of 50 nm) and an SiO2 film (with a thickness of 10 nm) are deposited in this order on one side surface of a slide glass by ion beam sputtering deposition, so that a supporting substrate for sample solution is formed. A sample solution containing fluorescence molecules is placed on the SiO2 film of the supporting substrate and a cover glass is placed on the sample solution. When light is entered upon the interface between the slide glass and the SiO2 film at an incident angle of 59 to 60°, surface plasmon resonance is excited at the interface and thus an evanescent field is reinforced, so that fluorescence is generated efficiently from the fluorescence molecules contained in the sample solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Kenji Takubo, Shin Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6755555
    Abstract: An auxiliary illuminating device that has an adjustable color temperature. The color temperature is adjusted by varying the light throughput of independently adjustable color filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel M Bloom, Mark J Bianchi, Robert E. Sobol
  • Publication number: 20040052083
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp apparatus 10 comprising a headlamp 3 for illuminating ahead of a subject vehicle 1, an image capture means 2 for capturing an image 21 ahead of the subject vehicle, a road terminal end determining means 19 for determining a terminal end of a road ahead of the subject vehicle from the image captured by the image capture means, and a light distribution control means 12 for varying a light distribution of the head lamp so as to illuminate a location which is determined to be the terminal end of the road by the road terminal end determining means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshinao Daicho, Shigetoshi Kajiyama
  • Publication number: 20040047140
    Abstract: The field portion (40) of a workpiece (14) that an electro-optical system (28) can image is deflected by a field-of-view deflector (38) and an array of light sources (42, 44) illuminates the workpiece. As the field of view (40) moves about the workpiece surface, individual sources (42, 44) in the light-source array are so turned on and off that all sources that could be imaged into the field of view by specular reflection are turned off. In this way, proper dark-field illumination is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Kurt Pelsue, Jonathan S. Ehrmann
  • Patent number: 6685326
    Abstract: A lighting simulation process for simulating the lighting of a subject at a location in a scene. Scene illumination data is created that specifies the illumination that the scene provides at the location at which the subject is to be simulated from a plurality of spatial directions. Subject illumination data is created that specifies the appearance of the subject when illuminated from a plurality of different spatial directions. The subject is then illuminated as if at the location in the scene by combing the scene illumination data with the subject illumination data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Paul E. Debevec, Timothy S. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20030142493
    Abstract: A lamp string includes a plurality of insulator bases, a plurality of conducting strips, and a plurality of illuminating devices. Each of the conducting strips is mounted fixedly on an adjacent pair of the insulator bases. Each of the illuminating devices bridges an adjacent pair of the conducting strips on a respective one of the insulator bases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Hsi-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 6522261
    Abstract: A multi-candela output device for indicating alarm conditions has an output section, visible after installation, and a mounting section not visible after installation. A candela output level can be set by positioning a manually adjustable member on the mounting section. An indicator of the setting is visible on the output section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Scheffler, Curtis R. Davidson, Joel D. Kwasny
  • Publication number: 20020186555
    Abstract: A lighting simulation process for simulating the lighting of a subject at a location in a scene. Scene illumination data is created that specifies the illumination that the scene provides at the location at which the subject is to be simulated from a plurality of spatial directions. Subject illumination data is created that specifies the appearance of the subject when illuminated from a plurality of different spatial directions. The subject is then illuminated as if at the location in the scene by combing the scene illumination data with the subject illumination data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Paul E. Debevec, Timothy S. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20020067603
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for determining a location of a coated region on a braided structure. The system includes at least one light source for illuminating the braided structure and at least one detector for detecting an optical contrast between the braided structure and the coated region. A data processor may be provided for determining the location of the coated region based on the detected optical contrast. The light source may be an ultraviolet light source, and the detector detects a fluorescent emission from at least one strand or filament, e.g. a monofilament, that forms a part of the braided structure. More specifically, the detector detects at least one of a reduction or an increase in a fluorescent emission from the least one filament, where the reduction and/or the increase is due to the presence of the coated region that overlies the at least one filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy Driscoll, John A. Moon, William Goltsos, Nabil M. Lawandy
  • Patent number: 5704702
    Abstract: An automatic lighting system simplifies reproduction of desired lighting conditions by use of a computer which compares characteristics of an actual subject to prestored data representing light locations for preferred lighting of a similar mimic subject, and orients mounted lighting fixtures accordingly. A plurality of light fixtures are mounted for movement on frame. Ideal locations of the light fixtures are determined for mimic subjects of various characteristics by a skilled photographer. The location and illumination data are then stored in computer memory. When an actual subject is placed in the same position as the mimic subject for photographing thereof, data for a mimic subject having characteristics closest to the actual subject are selected from the prestored data, and the light fixtures are automatically oriented accordingly in response to computer control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha S & T Studio
    Inventor: Teruki Goto
  • Patent number: 5564812
    Abstract: A device for backlighting a plastic panel associated with a control knob and carrying indicia thereon for illumination by an electroluminescent panel under the plastic panel containing the indicia with the electronic circuitry for illuminating the electroluminescent panel being contained within the hollow control knob. A light-responsive device may be used to maintain the circuit in the OFF position until the ambient light intensity fails below a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Philip N. Berardi
  • Patent number: 5481439
    Abstract: An automatic lighting system simplifies reproduction of desired lighting conditions by use of a computer which compares characteristics of an actual subject to prestored data representing light locations for preferred lighting of a similar mimic subject, and orients mounted lighting fixtures accordingly. A plurality of light fixtures are mounted for movement on frame. Ideal locations of the light fixtures are determined for mimic subjects of various characteristics by a skilled photographer. The location and illumination data are then stored in computer memory. When an actual subject is placed in the same position as the mimic subject for photographing thereof, data for a mimic subject having characteristics closest to the actual subject are selected from the prestored data, and the light fixtures are automatically oriented accordingly in response to computer control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha S & T Studio
    Inventor: Teruki Goto
  • Patent number: 5471370
    Abstract: A strobe control apparatus for a strobe-incorporated camera. A light emitter is supported in a camera body by a supporting mechanism so as to move between a retracted position and an operative position. A drive mechanism moves the light emitter between the retracted position and the operative position. A light emitter controller drives the drive mechanism to move the light emitter to the operative position, and an emission controller controls the strobe to emit strobe light when the light emitter is in the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Takami
  • Patent number: 5448502
    Abstract: An image judging device provided with a sampling unit for obtaining image data suitable for judging quality of an image by sampling image signals obtained by color separation, a calculation unit for calculating a statistic representing characteristics of a distribution of the sampled image data and a judgement unit for judging the quality of the image according to the calculated statistic. Thus, a statistical processing of the image data can be performed correctly. Further, an error rate, at which a wrong light source is deduced, can be decreased in comparison with a conventional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiki Kindo, Shin Yamada, Toshikazu Fujioka
  • Patent number: 4959755
    Abstract: An automatic battery powered video light (10) is supplied power by a d.c. battery (16). A light (20) is connected between a first terminal of the battery (16) and a MOSFET switch (46), which is connected to a second terminal of the battery (16). A control circuit (24) controls the opening and closing of the MOSFET (46) to supply power to the light (20) and disconnect power from the light (20). The control circuit (24) includes a light sensor (36) for sensing ambient light and reflected radiant light from a scene (14) and a pulse width modulator (40) for controlling the MOSFET switch (46). The modulator (40) increases pulse width and therefore closing time of the switch (46) when the sensor (36) senses time low light levels, and vice versa. Also provided is a dual filament light (20') wherein each filament (52, 54) is independently controlled to enhance color balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Peter A. Hochstein
  • Patent number: 4841455
    Abstract: A mensuration apparatus for converting film images and paper drawings into digital photogrammetric arrays to be computer processed, displayed, mensurated and analyzed. This mensuration apparatus includes a table on which a translatable camera and a reseau assembly are mounted. The reseau assembly includes an object mounting plate for mounting an object such as a photograph, map, or the like, and a grid mark system for superimposing grid marks on the object. The translatable camera includes a solid state camera having a two-dimensional array of light sensor elements mounted over the reseau assembly in a translatable mounting apparatus. Said translation camera can be moved as any desired position over the reseau assembly, as well as toward and away from the reseau assembly, forming three coordinate systems, which are correlated together for precise mensuration of an object image digitized by the solid state camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Vexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Franz W. Leberl, Sean Curry, Denis Henrot, Milan Karspeck, Scott Lee
  • Patent number: 4751617
    Abstract: A photo-optic collector assembly for use with an automobile headlamp assembly or the like comprises a collector member for receiving and redirecting light outwardly of the automobile headlamp assembly, a mounting member for engaging the collector member and for removably mounting the collector member to extend through a mounting aperture in the headlamp assembly, and a gasket member engageable intermediate a portion of the mounting member and the headlamp assembly for forming a substantially watertight seal about the mounting aperture. The collector member and the mounting member include cooperating assembly portions for initially engaging the collector member and mounting member in a preassembled condition for shipping and handling thereof and for thereafter mounting the collector member to the mounting member and assembling the mounting member to the headlamp assembly, respectively, in a fully assembled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignees: Textron Inc., Ryder International Corporation
    Inventors: Francis E. Ryder, Stephen P. Lisak
  • Patent number: 4743929
    Abstract: A flash device for use in association with a camera is disclosed. The camera provides focal length data representing a focal length of a lens mounted on the camera to the flash device. The flash device comprises a body portion, a flash head pivotally mounted on the body portion, a xenon tube provided in the flash head for emitting a flash light, and a lens is provided in front of the light emitting means movably to change the angle of the cone of the flash light. A driving circuit, controlled by a microcomputer, is provided for driving the lens in response to the focal length data to set the angle of the cone of the flash light correspondingly to the focal length. A pivot detector is provided for detecting the pivotal movement of the flash head. When the pivotal movement is detected, the microcomputer controls the driving circuit so as not to drive the lens but to maintain the lens, during and after the pivotal movement, in the same position as it was before the pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Keiji Yamazaki, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Makoto Kamiya, Kenji Tsuji
  • Patent number: 4717336
    Abstract: An improved flashed-lamp indicator composition comprising a volatile dye, a nonvolatile particulate heat-absorbing material; a binding agent; and inert platelet-shaped particles having an average particle size within the range of from about 0.5 to about 1.5 micron is provided. Also provided is a multilamp photoflash array in which each flash lamp of the array has at least one spot of the improved flashed-lamp indicator composition of the present invention in heat-receiving relationship therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 4555170
    Abstract: A device for controlling a light source in a viewfinder of a camera, such as may be used for illuminating a liquid crystal display unit, having a simple operation and which is saving of power. An operating switch is provided for operating the light source. A timer is initiated when the operating switch is turned off. The light source is maintained turned on while the operating switch is turned on and while the timer is operating, and the light source is turned off when the operating switch is turned on during the operation of the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Wakui, Kiyoshi Negishi, Eiichi Tano
  • Patent number: 4479169
    Abstract: An apparatus for macrophotograph comprising a camera, an electronic flash unit having a variable power output, a bracket for connecting the electronic flash unit to the camera in such manner that an angle formed between an axis passing through a lens of the camera and an axis passing through the flash unit is adjustable, and a calculator device for calculating an appropriate power setting for the flash unit. The calculator device has a first set of indicia for determining the reproduction ratio between the size of the object being photographed and the size of an image of the object on film, a first set of cooperating scales for adjusting actual film sensitivity to obtain an effective film sensitivity based on the reproduction ratio, a second set of cooperating scales correlating the effective film sensitivity with the f-stop or lens opening, and a third set of cooperating scales correlating the flash to subject distance with different power outputs of the flash unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Inventor: Ralph Holmes
  • Patent number: 4450506
    Abstract: An automatic light-quantity-control speed light which is capable of operating in a direct or an indirect illumination mode incorporates a device for indicating, prior to an exposure, whether or not light quantity control is possible in the direct illumination mode, and for indicating, subsequent to an exposure, whether or not a light quantity control operation occurred during an exposure in the indirect illumination mode. The device includes a first detecting circuit for determining whether or not the guide member determined by preset exposure factors is outside of the guide number range in which light quantity control can be effected and a second detecting circuit for detecting whether or not a light quantity control operation occurs during an exposure. A display circuit is connected to the first detecting circuit in the direct illumination mode, and is connected to the second detecting circuit in the indirect illumination mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Nippon Kogaku K.K.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 4392182
    Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed, in form of various embodiments, for more rapid scanning of an addressed point in space with programmable angular relationships, using either merely rotary motion for angle and reduced motion for position in two or three dimensions, or simply rotary motion for displacement with a consistent angular relationship in two or three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Solid Photography, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Di Matteo
  • Patent number: 4384315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photographic flash device used with a common still camera in order to photograph a patient's operation under a shadowless lamp. Specifically, the present invention is characterized in that the flash from a stroboscopic unit positioned with the still camera indirectly actuates a flash device housed in the shadowless lamp, thereby causing substantially simultaneous action of a light-emitter of the flash device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: Yamada Iryo Shomei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshito Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 4382666
    Abstract: An indicating device of computer type electronic flash apparatus has a plurality of display members representing respective limited distance ranges for correct exposure of an object to be photographed. Each of the display members corresponds to a respective set diaphragm value. The indicating device further includes a plurality of indicating marks provided on the same plane of said display members and corresponding to respective set diaphragm values. With this device, it is possible to be aware of the proper distance range satisfactorily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shohei Ohtaki, Zenzo Nakamura, Naoki Nagase
  • Patent number: 4366529
    Abstract: An illumination device for photographing a portion of the body cavity to be examined with an endoscope having a light source using a discharge tube circuit for illuminating the portion to be examined and a mechanical shutter arranged in the optical path of illuminating light from the light source. A light quantity detecting circuit detects information on the brightness of illumination of the light source and a correct exposure time setting circuit together a correct exposure time estimating circuit receive the output from the light quantity detecting circuit. The closure of the mechanical shutter is controlled by the control operations of the correct exposure time setting circuit and correct exposure time estimating circuit. The discharge tube circuit comprises a time constant circuit, a relay circuit and a high voltage circuit. The high voltage circuit is controlled by the relay circuit to intermittently apply a voltage to start discharge until ignition takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Medos Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Nagashige Takahashi, Shinichi Harada