Pop-up Flash Patents (Class 396/177)
  • Patent number: 11874586
    Abstract: An image-capturing device includes a camera and a rotating mechanism for orienting the camera in multiple directions. The rotating mechanism includes a motor; a driving gear; a first transmission module including a first input gear, which is selectively engaged with and transmitted to rotate by the driving gear at a first position, and transmitting the camera to rotate in a first direction with rotation of the first input gear; a second transmission module including a second input gear, which is selectively engaged with and transmitted to rotate by the driving gear at a second position, and transmitting the camera to rotate in a second direction with rotation of the second input gear; and a clutch mechanism including a clutch device for driving the driving gear to switch between the first position and the second position. The clutch device includes a solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ALPHA NETWORKS INC.
    Inventor: Tzu-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 10993342
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses an electronic device, and the electronic device includes: a housing, a waterproof structure, a functional module, and a driving member. The housing has an inner surface and an opening connected to each other. The waterproof structure has a first end surface, a second end surface, and a side wall connecting the first end surface and the second end surface. The first end surface tightly connected with the inner surface in a sealing manner. The functional module is disposed inside the waterproof structure. The driving member is located in the housing, and is configured to drive the functional module to move toward or away from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Chui-Hung Chen, Chia-Min Cheng, Ching-Yuan Yang, Cheng-Han Chung
  • Patent number: 10670945
    Abstract: A camera system with six faces and a front housing is configured to capture images and audio content from external the camera body. The camera system includes an interior audio assembly protected from external environments by a waterproof membrane. The camera system includes drainage ports on the bottom face and the left face of the camera system to encourage moisture to drain from the system. A first drainage channel couples the internal audio assembly to the first drainage port on left face of the camera system and a second drainage channel couples the drainage port on the left face of the camera system to the drainage port on the bottom face of the camera system. A third drainage channel exists between the front face of the camera system and the front housing, the third drainage channel coupling the first and second drainage channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Randall Clyne
  • Patent number: 10234748
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging device including an image sensor, and an outer case in which the image sensor is disposed. A shooting button configured to photograph a subject is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the outer case. When an intersection line between a horizontal surface including a center of the outer case in a vertical direction and the outer peripheral surface of the outer case is set as a horizontal line, the shooting button is positioned close to the horizontal line above the horizontal line. A zoom knob configured to change photographic magnification is positioned on a same side as the shooting button in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Tsuge
  • Patent number: 10057472
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus equipped with a flash unit that is capable of popping up a light emitting unit even if a display panel is directed to a photographing direction. The flash unit is provided on an upper face of a body of the image pickup apparatus and includes three parallel rotating shafts, a first support member that is rotatably connected with the light emitting unit through the first rotating shaft, and a second support member that is rotatably connected with the first support member through the second rotating shaft and is rotatably connected with the body through the third rotating shaft. The light emitting unit is movable between a light-emitting position projected and a retracted position inside the body even if the display unit is in a stand-up position that is rotated from a regular position opposite to a back face of the body by 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Furuta
  • Patent number: 9829769
    Abstract: A control unit driving a motor in a first direction based on output of a first signal, whereby a cam member charges a biasing member, and thereafter the control unit controls driving of the motor so as to stop the cam member in the state where the biasing member is charged, and the control unit drives the motor in a second direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction, whereby the cam member is driven by biasing force of the biasing member and driving force of the motor, an engaging portion follows through a first zone, and thereafter the cam member is driven by the driving force of the motor without using the biasing force of the biasing member, and the engaging portion follows through the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Nishio
  • Patent number: 9720303
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a strobe mechanism which has a compact constitution thus avoiding vignetting of strobe light rays by a lens barrel. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a strobe mechanism which brings a strobe into a use state by making the strobe pop up from a stored state. The strobe mechanism includes: a base member; a slide member held in a movable manner in one direction with respect to the base member; a strobe part which is mounted on the slide member; and a capacitor which supplies electricity to the strobe part; and the capacitor is arranged in a region defined by walls of the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Ikemizo
  • Patent number: 9706097
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that comprises a mechanism that causes a light emitting unit for illuminating to move from a storage position at which the light emitting unit is housed in the apparatus body to a light emission enabled position at which the light emitting unit protrudes outside of the apparatus body is provided. The image pickup apparatus comprises a holding member that holds the light emitting unit; a trigger coil that is provided at the light emitting unit; and a magnetic member that is held by the holding member. The magnetic member is arranged adjacent to the trigger coil so that a direction of a magnetic field of the magnetic member is not a direction opposite to a direction generated in the trigger coil by a first wave of a voltage input to the trigger coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kawahara
  • Patent number: 9395601
    Abstract: A mechanism capable of preventing a movable member from being lifted up from an apparatus body when it is in its retracted position within the apparatus body. The movable member having a light emission unit is moved between a retracted position and a light emission position. A link member has one end pivotally supported by the apparatus body and the other end pivotally supporting the movable member. The link member is urged toward the apparatus body by a torsion spring, and the movable member is urged toward the link member by a tensile spring. A lock lever locks an engaging pawl of the movable member against urging forces of the respective springs when the light emission unit is in the retracted position, and a lock plate locks a restriction portion of the movable member against the urging forces of the respective springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9392151
    Abstract: A device for preventing a camera from being stolen, which covers the lens module separation button of the camera body so as to prevent the lens module from being separated from the body without permission. If a thief attempts to steal the camera by separating the cover or a mounting unit, or cutting or separating a cable from an alarm, the theft-prevention device generates an alarm or a flickering light to deter thieves and to notify the owner of the camera. The device for preventing a camera from being stolen includes: a cover for covering a lens module separation button enabling a lens module to be separated from a camera body; a mounting unit for mounting the cover to the camera body; and a sensor provided in the mounting unit for sensing a separation of the mounting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KUM OH ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ki Sang Kim
  • Patent number: 9086449
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tester apparatus of the kind including a portable supporting structure for removably holding and testing a substrate carrying a microelectronic circuit. An interface on the stationary structure is connected to the first interface when the portable structure is held by the stationary structure and is disconnected from the first interface when the portable supporting structure is removed from the stationary structure. An electrical tester is connected through the interfaces so that signals may be transmitted between the electrical tester and the microelectronic circuit to test the microelectronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aehr Test Systems
    Inventors: Steven C. Steps, Scott E. Lindsey, Kenneth W. Deboe, Donald P. Richmond, II, Alberto Calderon
  • Publication number: 20150104163
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a strobe mechanism which has a compact constitution thus avoiding vignetting of strobe light rays by a lens barrel. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a strobe mechanism which brings a strobe into a use state by making the strobe pop up from a stored state. The strobe mechanism includes: a base member; a slide member held in a movable manner in one direction with respect to the base member; a strobe part which is mounted on the slide member; and a capacitor which supplies electricity to the strobe part; and the capacitor is arranged in a region defined by walls of the slide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Takahiro IKEMIZO
  • Patent number: 8886028
    Abstract: A flash module including a main body, a fixing base, a rotating structure, a switch and a linking structure is disclosed. The rotating structure is movably connected between the main body and the fixing base. The switch has a moving part. The linking structure is connected between the rotating structure and the moving part. The linking structure moves the moving part to an open position from a close position and rotates the rotating structure, so that the main body is moved relative to the fixing base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ability Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsien-Chang Lee
  • Publication number: 20140294372
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a camera body; and a flash device provided in the camera body and configured to be popped up from the camera body. The flash device includes a light emitter configured to emit light, a capacitor configured to store charge, an electric circuit configured to control the light emitter and the capacitor, a first electric wire configured to electrically connect the light emitter and the capacitor, and a second electric wire configured to electrically connect the capacitor and the electric circuit. The light emitter, the capacitor, the electric circuit, the first electric wire, and the second electric wire move integrally when the flash device is popped up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dai SHINTANI
  • Patent number: 8827471
    Abstract: A storage structure for a light-emitting device is included in a camera body, which also includes a lens mount formed on its front side for attaching a lens barrel and an imaging element arranged on its back side with a center thereof aligned with the center of the lens mount. The storage structure is a concave storage compartment arranged to correspond with an upper part of the lens mount. The light-emitting device is attached to the storage compartment and capable of popping up and down therefrom, the floor of the concave storage compartment is located between a lower edge of an engaging pawl, which is arranged at an upper edge portion of the lens mount, and the upper side of the imaging area of the imaging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohei Mitani
  • Patent number: 8744259
    Abstract: A pop-up flash assembly including a main body comprising an opening; a moving unit linearly movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the moving unit is received in the opening at the first position and protrudes from the opening at the second position; a flash installed on the moving unit and generates light; a first link that has an end that is rotatably coupled to the main body; a second link that has an end that is rotatably coupled to another end of the first link, and another end of the second link being rotatably coupled to the moving unit; and a driver for rotating the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-jin Yoon
  • Patent number: 8588603
    Abstract: When an automatic pop-up is selected in an imaging apparatus, during startup, a light emission unit is moved to a pop-up position by a spring force in operably conjugate with a lens barrel together with the retraction of a cam follower. When a manual pop-up is selected, during startup, a lock lever is engaged with the light emission unit, and the light emission unit remains in a storage position. When a user places the operation unit of the lock lever to a first position and places the camera power source in the ON position, a strobe can be automatically subjected to a pop-up operation. Furthermore, when a user places the operation unit to a second position and places the camera power source in the ON position, the strobe can be automatically subjected to a pop-up operation as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenya Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 8559811
    Abstract: A flashlight module adapted to be disposed on an image capturing device is provided. The image capturing device has a main body, a lens disposed on the main body and a lens ring disposed around the lens. The flashlight module includes a body and a flashlight. The body has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the body is pivoted to the lens ring through the first end. The flashlight is disposed in the body. When the body is in a first status, the first end and the second end are adapted to be attached to the lens ring. When the body is in a second status, the second end is popped up to a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventor: Tzu-Chih Lin
  • Publication number: 20130259461
    Abstract: A pop-up flash assembly including a main body comprising an opening; a moving unit linearly movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the moving unit is received in the opening at the first position and protrudes from the opening at the second position; a flash installed on the moving unit and generates light; a first link that has an end that is rotatably coupled to the main body; a second link that has an end that is rotatably coupled to another end of the first link, and another end of the second link being rotatably coupled to the moving unit; and a driver for rotating the first link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae-jin Yoon
  • Patent number: 8521018
    Abstract: A built-in flash pop-out mechanism comprises a shaft member movable along a first axis; an arm member where one end is pivotally fixed at an end of the shaft member about a second axis; a flash-support member pivotally fixed at the other end of the arm member about a third axis; a first biasing member biasing the shaft member along the first axis; a second biasing member biasing the arm member about the second axis; a third biasing member biasing the flash-support member about the third axis. The built-in flash is extended from a camera body with coplanar motions that pop out the built-in flash to increase its distance from an optical axis. The motions include a translation of the shaft member along the first axis and rotations of the arm member and flash-support member about the second and third axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8494356
    Abstract: Example pop-up camera flashes are disclosed. A disclosed example pop-up flash of a camera includes a supporting unit; a rotating unit, which is rotatably connected to the supporting unit and is able to rotate between a first position, at which the rotating unit is adjacent to the supporting unit, and a second position, at which the rotating unit is apart from the supporting unit; a sliding unit, which is slidably combined with the rotating unit; a light emitting unit, which is arranged at the sliding unit; a connecting unit, of which a first end is rotatably connected to the sliding unit and a second end is rotatably connected to the supporting unit; and a driving unit, which is connected to the connecting unit and provides a driving force for rotation of the connecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-hun Kim, Seung-tack Noh
  • Patent number: 8472799
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an optical system, a camera housing defining an opening with an interior storage space, and a flash mechanism connected to the housing. The flash mechanism is movable between an exposed state and an unexposed state. The flash mechanism has a first arm, a second arm, and a light emitting component attached to the second arm. The first arm is located at a first rotational position in the exposed state and is configured to rotate around a first axis located within the interior space. The second arm is located at a third rotational position in the exposed state and is configured to rotate with respect to the first arm around a second axis located closer to the subject than the first axis in the exposed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu Kaneda, Dai Shintani
  • Patent number: 8405764
    Abstract: On a drive ring, a first cam and a second cam are formed. The first cam engages with a slider when a light emitting unit is in a stored state. The second cam releases engagement between the slider and the first cam to engage with the slider when the light emitting unit in the stored state is brought into the in-use state by a manual operation. When the light emitting unit is moved from the stored state to the in-use state by the manual operation, a gap is formed between the light emitting unit that becomes the stored state and the slider so that the light emitting unit moves from the stored state to the first state with a state in which the slider is in engagement with the first cam without moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisakazu Hazama
  • Patent number: 8400559
    Abstract: On a drive ring, a first flash lamp cam and a second flash lamp cam are formed. The first flash lamp cam engages with a flash unit to bring the flash unit into an in-use state when an imaging apparatus becomes a imaging state, and to bring the flash unit into a stored state when the imaging apparatus becomes a non-imaging state. If the flash unit is moved from the in-use state to the stored state by a manual operation, when the imaging apparatus is in the imaging state, the second flash lamp cam releases engagement between the flash unit and the first flash lamp cam to engage with the flash unit, and brings the imaging apparatus into the non-imaging state from the imaging state while maintaining the flash unit in the stored state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisakazu Hazama
  • Patent number: 8350959
    Abstract: A camera lens actuation apparatus for driving motion of a camera lens supported on a support structure by a suspension system. The apparatus incorporates a subassembly comprising SMA wire connected to at least one mounting member which is mounted to the support structure. At least one pair of lengths of SMA wire are held in tension between the camera lens element and the support structure at respective acute angles to the optical axis applying a tensional force having a component along the optical axis. The lengths of SMA wire in the pair are held at angle as viewed along the optical axis. There may be plural pairs with a balanced arrangement in which the forces generated have no net component perpendicular to the optical axis and generate no net torque around any axis perpendicular to the optical axis. A control circuit controls heating of the SMA wire in response to a measure of its resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: 1 . . . Limited
    Inventors: Richard Topliss, David Livingstone, Robert John Leedham
  • Patent number: 8326138
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an apparatus body having an outer casing, at least a shutter mechanism and an imaging device placed inside the outer casing, an opening formed in the outer casing, and a storage space and a placement space defined inside the outer casing and communicating with the opening and the storage space, respectively, a strobe unit having a lid part and a light-emitting part and connected to the apparatus body so as to be movable between close and open positions, a sensor unit placed in the placement space and having an autofocus sensor and a sensor adjusting part having plural adjusting screws, and a mirror placed inside the outer casing to reflect part of incident light toward the autofocus sensor. When the strobe unit is moved to the open position, the storage space is defined as an adjustment space into which an adjustment jig can be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Yoshii, Takuya Hara, Nobuhisa Koike
  • Publication number: 20120294601
    Abstract: A built-in flash pop-out mechanism comprises a shaft member movable along a first axis; an arm member where one end is pivotally fixed at an end of the shaft member about a second axis; a flash-support member pivotally fixed at the other end of the arm member about a third axis; a first biasing member biasing the shaft member along the first axis; a second biasing member biasing the arm member about the second axis; a third biasing member biasing the flash-support member about the third axis. The built-in flash is extended from a camera body with coplanar motions that pop out the built-in flash to increase its distance from an optical axis. The motions include a translation of the shaft member along the first axis and rotations of the arm member and flash-support member about the second and third axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro AKIYAMA
  • Patent number: 8306416
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a mount to which a lens unit is mountable, an imager operable to generate an image signal from light incident through the lens unit, a light-emitter operable to emit light, and an electric storage device operable to supply electric power to the light-emitter. The electric storage device is disposed behind the mount and below the imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8280240
    Abstract: An electronic flash device that is capable of preventing an electric leak from a secondary electrode section or a circuit board pattern that is electrically connected with the secondary electrode section to conductive materials such as a surrounding metal exterior and a metallic frame in a downsized electronic flash device. An electronic component has a high voltage section for emitting an emission section. A circuit board contains the electronic component. An insulating member covers the high voltage section of the electronic component. The insulating member is extended to a side of the circuit board that is opposite to the side on which the electronic component is contained at an outer edge section of the circuit board close to the high voltage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeaki Sotsu
  • Publication number: 20120195581
    Abstract: Example pop-up camera flashes are disclosed. A disclosed example pop-up flash of a camera includes a supporting unit; a rotating unit, which is rotatably connected to the supporting unit and is able to rotate between a first position, at which the rotating unit is adjacent to the supporting unit, and a second poison, at which the rotating unit is apart from the supporting unit; a sliding unit, which is slidably combined with the rotating unit; a light emitting unit, which is arranged at the sliding unit; a connecting unit, of which a first end is rotatably connected to the sliding unit and a second end is rotatably connected to the supporting unit; and a driving unit, which is connected to the connecting unit and provides a driving force for rotation of the connecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-hun Kim, Seung-tack Noh
  • Patent number: 8204373
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a motor, a shutter charge mechanism which rotates the motor in a first direction to perform a charge operation of a shutter, a flash pop-up mechanism which rotates the motor in a second direction to move a flash to an up state, a state detector which detects the up state of the flash, a clutch mechanism which cuts off a transmission between the motor and the flash pop-up mechanism when the motor rotates in the first direction, and cuts off a transmission between the motor and the shutter charge mechanism when the motor rotates in the second direction, and a controller which controls the motor to rotate in the first direction to drive the shutter charge mechanism when the state detector detects the up state of the flash after the motor rotates in the second direction to drive the flash pop-up mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20120148226
    Abstract: When an automatic pop-up is selected in an imaging apparatus, during startup, a light emission unit is moveed to a pop-up position by a spring force in operably conjugate with a lens barrel together with the retraction of a cam follower. When a manual pop-up is selected, during startup, a lock lever is engaged with the light emission unit, and the light emission unit remains in a storage position. When a user places the operation unit of the lock lever to a first position and places the camera power source in the ON position, a strobe can be automatically subjected to a pop-up operation. Furthermore, when a user places the operation unit to a second position and places the camera power source in the ON position, the strobe can be automatically subjected to a pop-up operation as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenya Nishiwaki
  • Publication number: 20120106940
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an optical system, a camera housing defining an opening with an interior storage space, and a flash mechanism connected to the housing. The flash mechanism is movable between an exposed state and an unexposed state. The flash mechanism has a first arm, a second arm, and a light emitting component attached to the second arm. The first arm is located at a first rotational position in the exposed state and is configured to rotate around a first axis located within the interior space. The second arm is located at a third rotational position in the exposed state and is configured to rotate with respect to the first arm around a second axis located closer to the subject than the first axis in the exposed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu KANEDA, Dai Shintani
  • Patent number: 8170410
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a strobo assembly capable of controlling a light emitting angle of a strobo. The imaging apparatus includes a case and a strobo assembly mated to the case and that revolves with respect to the case. The strobo assembly includes a light source that emits light; a strobo housing that accommodates the light source; a bush embedded in the strobo housing and that provides a revolution shaft of the strobo assembly; and an elastic member accommodated in the bush and that provides a predetermined elastic force so that the strobo assembly revolves with respect to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-tack Noh, Tae-hun Kim
  • Patent number: 8160438
    Abstract: An imaging device disclosed herein is a device for acquiring image data about a subject, comprising an image acquisition section, a housing, a flash device, and a flash controller. The image acquisition section is configured to continuously acquire a plurality of image data from an optical image of a subject. The housing holds the image acquisition section. The flash device is configured to emit a flash of light, with which the emission angle of the flash light with respect to the housing can be varied. The flash controller is configured to control the flash device so that the emission angle of the flash light when the plurality of image data are being continuously acquired will differ for at least two image data out of the plurality of image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo, Yoshihiro Kanda
  • Patent number: 8131147
    Abstract: A movement mechanism of a mover includes a base body disposed in an inner part of an outer case of an imaging device; a mover that is movable in a first movement direction with respect to the base body between a receiving position and a projecting position, and has a locked portion; a pressing spring that presses the mover from the receiving position toward the projecting position; a moving base capable of moving in a second movement direction between a lockable position to the base body and a lock release position; a lock lever that is supported by the moving base rotatably between a lock position and an unlock position; and a driver that is connected to the moving base and is a drive source for moving the moving base in the second movement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kusatsugu
  • Publication number: 20110182567
    Abstract: A strobe device according to the present invention includes a support portion connected to an apparatus body, and a movable portion having a strobe light emitter and rotatably supported on the support portion, wherein the movable portion includes a rotating member rotatably supported on the support portion, and a frame member fixed to the rotating member, and a shaft portion is provided in the support portion at a position apart from a center of rotation of the rotating member, one end of a spring being engaged with the shaft portion and the other end of the spring being engaged with the frame member, and a stopper wall is integrally formed in the frame member to receive and thereby engage the other end of the spring, and to prevent the spring from coming off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryutoku ARAKAWA, Hiromu KAWAMURA
  • Patent number: 7957638
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of achieving excellent moving image shooting even when strobe popup is not successfully performed during moving image shooting. A camera implementing the image pickup apparatus has a strobe that shifts between a retracted position and a service position. When a motor for operating the camera performs reverse rotation, the strobe is driven to the service position. An MPU instructs the motor to drive the strobe to the service position, and determines, based on a signal from a popup position-detecting switch, whether or not the strobe has been normally driven to the service position. When the strobe has not been normally driven to the service position, the MPU performs error handling. The error handling is carried out differently between a case where moving image shooting is being performed and a case where the moving image shooting is not being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Noda
  • Patent number: 7907840
    Abstract: A device includes a housing capable of forming an internal space during operation of the device. The device also includes a camera having an optical zoom portion provided within the housing. The optical zoom portion is capable of expanding into the internal space when the camera is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Goran Schack, Olof Simonsson, Stjepan Begic, Gustav Fagrenius
  • Publication number: 20110052172
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a motor, a shutter charge mechanism which rotates the motor in a first direction to perform a charge operation of a shutter, a flash pop-up mechanism which rotates the motor in a second direction to move a flash to an up state, a state detector which detects the up state of the flash, a clutch mechanism which cuts off a transmission between the motor and the flash pop-up mechanism when the motor rotates in the first direction, and cuts off a transmission between the motor and the shutter charge mechanism when the motor rotates in the second direction, and a controller which controls the motor to rotate in the first direction to drive the shutter charge mechanism when the state detector detects the up state of the flash after the motor rotates in the second direction to drive the flash pop-up mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akira Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20110044681
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a mount to which a lens unit is mountable, an imager operable to generate an image signal from light incident through the lens unit, a light-emitter operable to emit light, and an electric storage device operable to supply electric power to the light-emitter. The electric storage device is disposed behind the mount and below the imager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: KOJI YASUDA
  • Patent number: 7868944
    Abstract: There is provided a control unit of an optical apparatus and an image pickup apparatus, which can prevent a shift of an already controlled position of a member when an impact, etc. apply to the optical apparatus. A control unit for an optical apparatus that includes a first member that is movable, an actuator, and a drive mechanism that transmits a driving force of the actuator to the first member, includes a determination part for determining whether the optical apparatus or a second member provided to an apparatus attached to the optical apparatus is to move, and a controller for controlling, prior to a movement of the second member, the actuator from a first state at which the drive mechanism can transmit the driving force to a second state at which the drive mechanism cannot transmit the driving force, when the determination part determines that the second member is to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Tanaka, Jun Nozaki
  • Patent number: 7778541
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a flash light emitting portion moving between a housed position and a light emitting position, a biasing means for biasing the flash light emitting portion toward the light emitting position, a member to be locked moving with a movement of the flash light emitting portion, a locking means for locking the member to be locked in a state in which the flash light emitting portion exists at the housed position and suppressing change of the position of the flash light emitting portion, opposing a biasing force by the biasing means and a lock releasing means having an electromagnet and a moving portion, for releasing a locked state of the member to be locked by moving the moving portion in a direction apart from the electromagnet by applying electric current to the electromagnet and by allowing the locking means to pivot about an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Munetaka Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7756414
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a pop-up flash. Pop-up flash includes a flash housing configured for receiving a flash therein, a drive lever and a locking lever. Flash housing is pivoted on image capturing apparatus, and moves between a first position and a second position relative to image capturing apparatus. Flash housing includes at least one positioning hole. Drive lever moves between a third position and a fourth position relative to image capturing apparatus. Locking lever abuts against drive lever. At least one locking protrusion perpendicularly extends upward from a longitudinal side thereof. When drive lever is at third position, at least one locking protrusion engages with at least one positioning hole to lock flash housing at first position; while when drive lever moves from third position to fourth position, flash housing is released to second position after at least one positioning hole separated from at least one locking protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignees: Premier Image Technology (China) Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hai-Tao Deng
  • Patent number: 7747162
    Abstract: A pop-up module for an electronic device. The pop-up module includes a pop-up member, a base where the pop-up member is rotatably installed, a first elastic member, a projection unit disposed in the pop-up member, a moving member, a second elastic member, a first rotating lever unit, a operating unit including a movement portion and a driving portion, a second rotating lever unit including a contacting portion and a hanging portion, and a third elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-oog Kim
  • Publication number: 20100086290
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of achieving excellent moving image shooting even when strobe popup is not successfully performed during moving image shooting. A camera implementing the image pickup apparatus has a strobe that shifts between a retracted position and a service position. When a motor for operating the camera performs reverse rotation, the strobe is driven to the service position. An MPU instructs the motor to drive the strobe to the service position, and determines, based on a signal from a popup position-detecting switch, whether or not the strobe has been normally driven to the service position. When the strobe has not been normally driven to the service position, the MPU performs error handling. The error handling is carried out differently between a case where moving image shooting is being performed and a case where the moving image shooting is not being performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Noda
  • Patent number: 7646975
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an exterior ease to which a lens device is attached, a base plate supported in the vicinity of an objective lens of the lens device, a flashlight device pivotally connected to the base plate and capable of moving between a pop-up position and a storage position through a turning arm, a spring device that makes the flashlight device pop up to be urged to the pop-up position with the spring device in contact with the base plate and the flashlight device and a holding device for holding the flashlight device in the storage position with the holding device fixedly connected to the base plate and releasably connected to the flashlight device in the storage position. The pop-up angle of the flashlight device is set at 20 degrees or less and a light emitting portion faces the front of a subject in the pop-up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kensaku Ishikawa, Yukiko Ichisawa, legal representative, Hidenori Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 7634192
    Abstract: A power connection device for connecting a flash tube and a camera module includes a wire, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector. One end of the wire is connected with the flash tube, and the first electrical connector is electrically connected with the other end of the wire. The second electrical connector is located at a power supply terminal of the camera module and the second electrical connector is electrically plugged with the first electrical connector. Thereby, the flash tube is connected with the camera module via the power connection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventors: Feng Chang, Chih-Shen Lin
  • Patent number: 7625143
    Abstract: A camera system includes a lens unit and a camera body to which the lens unit is detachably attached. The lens unit has a photographing lens, an imaging device which receives light transmitted through the photographing lens, and a lens-side connecting terminal for electric connection. The camera body has a camera-side connecting terminal which is connectable to the lens-side connecting terminal, and a movable member which is movable between a first position that is close to the camera-side connecting terminal and a second position that is far from the camera-side connecting terminal. The camera-side connecting terminal is shut in the camera body when the movable member is in the first position, and the lens unit can be attached when the movable member is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsushita, Toshihiro Hamamura, Masahiro Koinuma, Takashi Enomoto, Masakazu Saori
  • Patent number: 7606481
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having a flash unit locating at a storing position or a projecting position, in which either an automatic mode to automatically move the flash unit from the storing position to the projecting position or a manual mode to manually execute the operation can be set. The apparatus includes a first operating unit which selects either the automatic mode or the manual mode and a second operating unit which moves the flash unit from the storing position to the projecting position when the manual mode is selected by the first operating unit. The first and second operating units are provided in close positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Kuruma