Having Adapter Unit Patents (Class 396/198)
  • Patent number: 11888254
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes at least a first module and a second module. Each one of the first and second modules are attached together. The first module includes first terminal position assurance device for ensuring that an electrical coupling element, such as an HMTD coupler accommodated in the second module is completely inserted in its cavity formed in the second module. The first module can be replaced by another having a different number of channels, whereas the second module remains the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
    Inventors: Romain Savina, Sylvain Loas, Manoharan Srinivasan, Laurent Delescluse
  • Patent number: 11686455
    Abstract: A receiver speed ring configured to facilitate a safe way of mounting an associated light modifier to both a Balcar-type light source and a Bowens-type light source via a tube with outwardly protruding tabs as well as holes and slots that are punched into the tube, instead of the flared flange, which allows for a quick change between different light mounting systems (e.g., Balcar-type, Bowens-type) without obscuring or impeding a flash tube. The receiver speed ring includes a cylindrical hollow tube having a constant diameter and provided with a circumferential outer surface having a centrally registered longitudinal axis. The speed ring also includes a non-flared outer edge, a plurality of juxtaposed holes, a plurality of juxtaposed slots, and a plurality of juxtaposed outwardly protruding tabs are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: William Doug Howell
  • Patent number: 11526066
    Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a plurality of light sources arranged in an annular shape, and a prism plate that is formed in an annular shape about an optical axis of illumination light from the light sources. The prism plate includes a prism surface, upon which the illumination light falls incident and on which prism a plurality of prisms arranged in an annular shape along a circumferential direction of the prism plate, are formed, a flat section upon which the illumination light falls incident and which is formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the prism plate, and an emission plane that emits the illumination light. The prism surface is formed on an outer peripheral side outward from a radius of the prism plate that is centered on the optical axis, and the flat section is formed on an inner peripheral side inward from the radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: FUJITSU FRONTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Isao Iwaguchi, Yuki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10948150
    Abstract: A vehicle light includes a lighting unit (300) with multiple light-emitting elements (LEEs) (310), one or more couplers (320A,320B,320C), a light guide (300A,300B,300C) and an extractor (340A,340B,340C). The lighting unit has a curved elongate extension. Each of the couplers has an input aperture coupled with one or more of the LEEs and an exit aperture coupled with a first edge of the light guide and is configured to couple light from the LEEs into the light guide. The light guide is configured to propagate light via total internal reflection to a second edge of the light guide. The extractor has an input aperture coupled with the second edge of the light guide and an exit aperture configured to emit light into an ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Hans Peter Stormberg, Victor E. Isbrucker, Ferdinand Schinagl
  • Patent number: 10901306
    Abstract: An optical element unit is insertable into and removable from an opening portion provided in an optical apparatus and a first portion with a first inner diameter and a second portion with a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter are disposed inside of the opening portion. The optical element unit has a third portion with a first outer diameter and a fourth portion with a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter, wherein the first outer diameter is greater than the second inner diameter. Therefore, when the optical element unit is inserted into the opening portion in a reverse way, the third portion contacts with the second portion so that the optical element cannot be fully inserted into the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshinori Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10571778
    Abstract: There are provided an adapter for an electronic view finder, a camera, and an electronic view finder of which user's imaging operability can be improved, a space can be saved during carry, and the size of the camera can be reduced for a user who does not need the function of a retrofit electronic view finder. An adapter 16 for an electronic view finder includes a base member 102 that includes an accessory shoe-mounting portion 54 to be attachably and detachably mounted on an accessory shoe 20, a first connector 64 that is to be attachably and detachably connected to an output-side connector 56 provided on the accessory shoe 20, a tilting member 104, an accessory shoe 106 that is provided on the tilting member 104, and a second connector 108 that is to be attachably and detachably connected to an input-side connector 110 for an image signal for a finder provided on an electronic view finder 14 and is electrically connected to the first connector 64.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Fujimura
  • Patent number: 10523018
    Abstract: A modular energy storage system has: a battery module with a battery and internal circuitry; a control module with a power outlet, internal charge-and-discharge electrical components, and a power inlet for connection to a power source in use; the battery module defining a top seat that has an associated electrical connector; and the battery module being mounted to the control module below the control module by the top seat, whose respective associated electrical connector connects to the internal charge-and-discharge electrical components to permit the control module to: charge the battery module with power from the power source; and discharge the battery module by transferring power from the battery module to the power outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Constance Susan Stacey
  • Patent number: 10508955
    Abstract: A sensor device for measuring an interior temperature of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes an inner trim which includes an aperture and latching springs. The sensor device includes a housing which is inserted in an insertion direction into the aperture of the inner trim of the motor vehicle, a circuit board arranged in the housing, at least one electrical temperature sensor element arranged on the circuit board, and latching lugs arranged on the housing which form an engagement with the latching springs formed on the inner trim. The engagement of the latching lugs with the latching springs forms a latching arrangement which fixes the housing when inserted into the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: PREH GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Weigand, Melitta Bott
  • Patent number: 10351056
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a light-guide member having an annular shape provided with an incidence portion of a light in one portion, and illuminating the entirety by propagating an incident light; and a diffusion cover disposed on a side opposite to a light source relative to the incidence portion by interposing the light-guide member therebetween, and diffusing a light generated from the light-guide member. The diffusion cover includes a plate-shaped base portion covering the incidence portion side in the light-guide member, and a circular portion covering the remaining portions of the light-guide member by integrating an outer peripheral portion into the plate-shaped base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Sachiko Koyama, Taeko Ueno
  • Patent number: 10268105
    Abstract: A soft box is provided. The soft box includes a collapsible frame that supports a fabric shell, a backplate, a support spindle, support rods extending from the back plate and operatively attached to the support spindle. The soft box may include a deflector plate that is removably attached to the support spindle by magnetic force. The soft box may also include a locking knob pivotally attached to the back plate and configured to removably attach an adapter ring to the back plate and tilt radially outwardly relative to the back plate while remaining attached to the back plate to enable removal of the adapter ring. The soft box may also include a mount that is configured to attach to a light fixture that does not use an adapter ring to attach the light fixture to the soft box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Inventor: Aidi Zhu
  • Patent number: 10264167
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus of the present disclosure includes an imaging element that sequentially resets accumulated electric charges in a first direction to start exposure, and captures, during the exposure, a subject image entered via an optical system to generate an image signal an image processor that performs predetermined processing on the image signal generated by the imaging element to generate image data, a focal plane shutter including a rear curtain for covering the imaging element to end the exposure, and a controller that sets, when photographing, an electric charge resetting time, for the imaging element, from start of resetting of the electric charges to end of the resetting, and a covering time, for the focal plane shutter, from start of covering of the imaging element by the rear curtain to end of the covering, so that an exposure value (EV) for the imaging element has a predetermined inclination in the first direction, and that outputs an instruction on a flash start timing at which a flash devic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dai Shintani
  • Patent number: 10004150
    Abstract: An electronic device system is provided that comprises: a vertically oriented set top box having an outer casing that includes a wall; and an electronic modular component connected to the wall. The wall comprises: at least one connector aperture; latch catch; and an electronic jack between the at least one connector aperture and the latch catch. The modular component comprises: at least one connector that engages the at least one connector aperture; a latch engages the latch catch to connect the electronic modular component to the wall of the electronic device; and an electronic connector that engages the electronic jack when the latch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: THOMSON Licensing
    Inventor: William Phillip Dernier
  • Patent number: 9985399
    Abstract: An accessory shoe device enabling multi-polarization of a connector for connection to an accessory without degrading the versatility thereof. The accessory is attached to an engagement member. A signal terminal connector has contacts arranged in a lateral direction orthogonal to an attaching direction. A pair of first engagement portions in the engagement member are spaced by a first width in the lateral direction, and a pair of second engagement portions in the engagement member are spaced by a second width larger than the first width. The signal terminal connector is disposed forward of the first engagement portions in the attaching direction. A length of the signal terminal connector in the lateral direction is larger than the first width and smaller than the second width. The second engagement portions are formed rearward of the first engagement portions in the attaching direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takazumi Seo
  • Patent number: 9281620
    Abstract: A communication connector including a housing and a plurality of contact pairs arranged relative to the housing. One of the plurality of contact pairs includes a first conductor termination zone centerline, and another contact pair includes a second conductor termination zone centerline, wherein the second conductor termination zone centerline is an approximately perpendicular bisector of the first conductor termination zone centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Michael K. Yuan, Robert E. Fransen
  • Patent number: 9031401
    Abstract: A modifiable enclosure that can be used to house an object and can be adapted and connected to the object to aid in directing a stream of light emanating from the object. The modifiable enclosure can include a first panel with a connecting element extending substantially about a periphery thereof and a second panel with connecting element extending substantially about a periphery thereof that is releasably fastenable to the connecting element extending substantially about a periphery of the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventors: Moishe Appelbaum, Mat Marrash, Hilgard Muller
  • Patent number: 9031400
    Abstract: A camera includes a body and a hot shoe unit on which a strobe light is detachably installable. The hot shoe unit is rotatably installed on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuem Jong Bae
  • Patent number: 8886027
    Abstract: A photographic flash attachment apparatus. The apparatus includes a sleeve configured to be fixed to a photographic flash, a ring configured to engage with the sleeve, and one or more attachment mechanisms coupled with the ring adapted to receive one or more photographic attachment elements. Upon attachment of one or more photographic attachment elements to the ring via the one or more attachment mechanisms, rotation of the ring provides rotation of the one or more photographic attachment elements relative to the photographic flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Yishai Shapir
  • Patent number: 8833951
    Abstract: An assemble-free fast deployable light modifier with a back side light source mount is an umbrella shaped light modifier providing an extremely soft diffusive light; with attached light diffusers, it uniquely easily and quickly opens from the vertex of its hemisphere to the inside of it, and folds in hands promptly; having optical fibers increases a number of light source sensor triggering. Any assembling or disassembling operations are not required. With the features mentioned above it is the fastest deployable light modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Olexandr Pavlenko
  • Publication number: 20140212120
    Abstract: A camera includes a body and a hot shoe unit on which a strobe light is detachably installable. The hot shoe unit is rotatably installed on the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuem Jong Bae
  • Patent number: 8774618
    Abstract: An adjustable camera flash mounting bracket device for rapid camera flash repositioning in relation to a camera attachment platform in selective orientation. The camera flash mounting bracket device includes a camera receiving base with a curved spaced upstanding camera flash mounting platform assembly having a complimentary curved flash engagement configuration. Multiple rotatable guide members are secured within the curved flash engagement portion and are received within complimentary grooves in the flash mounting base. Retainment force applied by spring urged guide members permits for selective rotation within the curved flash mounting base to be grippingly retained therewithin at user select position orientation in relation to the fixed camera mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Muzila
  • Patent number: 8761595
    Abstract: A camera includes a circuit board that includes a plurality of terminals disposed on a top surface of the circuit board to correspond to connection terminals of an external flash, and a support unit that supports the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hun-young Ryu
  • Patent number: 8602376
    Abstract: A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Vogel, Paul Turner
  • Patent number: 8526809
    Abstract: An adapter for a camera flash including: a first terminal portion corresponding to a flash terminal of a camera; a mounting portion supporting the first terminal portion and installed on the camera; an operating portion coupled to the mounting portion in a manner that allows an orientation of the operating portion to be adjusted; a second terminal portion disposed on the operating portion for an external flash to be installed thereon and electrically connected to the first terminal portion; and a connection unit disposed between the operating portion and the mounting portion and supporting the operating portion with respect to the mounting portion in a manner that allows the orientation of the operating portion to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-gyu Kim, Seung-tack Noh
  • Patent number: 8326140
    Abstract: An external photographic wireless communication device for connection to a camera body having a hot shoe connector for connecting to the camera body and a hot shoe connector for connecting to one or more accessory devices. Each of the hot shoe connectors includes a plurality of contacts. The device includes a tapping connection from a synchronization connector between the two hot shoe connectors and a processing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8326141
    Abstract: A control system for controlling power states of a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting. The control system is configured to detect one or more camera body signals generated as a function of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. The control system generates a first power state change signal in response to the detected camera body signal(s) and transmits the power state change signal to the remote device so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state. The control system also implements a preset delay and causes the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8244121
    Abstract: A collapsible softbox for use with a photographic flash. The softbox includes a collapsible body made of connected, moveable first and second side panels. The body includes a distal opening and a proximal opening. The softbox also includes a front panel which is detachably engageable to the distal end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: David Honl
  • Publication number: 20120189292
    Abstract: An adapter for a camera flash including: a first terminal portion corresponding to a flash terminal of a camera; a mounting portion supporting the first terminal portion and installed on the camera; an operating portion coupled to the mounting portion in a manner that allows an orientation of the operating portion to be adjusted; a second terminal portion disposed on the operating portion for an external flash to be installed thereon and electrically connected to the first terminal portion; and a connection unit disposed between the operating portion and the mounting portion and supporting the operating portion with respect to the mounting portion in a manner that allows the orientation of the operating portion to be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-gyu Kim, Seung-tack Noh
  • Publication number: 20120027395
    Abstract: An external photographic wireless communication device for connection to a camera body having a hot shoe connector for connecting to the camera body and a hot shoe connector for connecting to one or more accessory devices. Each of the hot shoe connectors includes a plurality of contacts. The device includes a tapping connection from a synchronization connector between the two hot shoe connectors and a processing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: LAB PARTNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Publication number: 20110255851
    Abstract: A collapsible softbox for use with a photographic flash. The softbox includes a collapsible body made of connected, moveable first and second side panels. The body includes a distal opening and a proximal opening. The softbox also includes a front panel which is detachably engageable to the distal end of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: David Honl
  • Patent number: 8019214
    Abstract: A camera accessory coupling apparatus capable of easily and quickly coupling a camera body to a camera accessory is provided. The camera accessory coupling apparatus includes a holder selectively detachable from the camera body; a locking pin, disposed in the holder, a portion of which may enter the holder or exit from the holder; an elastic member contacting the locking pin and applying an elastic force to the locking pin; and a locking lever coupled with the holder and selectively contactable with the elastic member to control the entering and exiting of the locking pin with respect to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-hun Hwang
  • Patent number: 7978971
    Abstract: A collapsible softbox for use with a photographic flash. The softbox includes a collapsible body made of connected, moveable first and second side panels. The body includes a distal opening and a proximal opening. The softbox also includes a front panel which is detachably engageable to the distal end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: David Honl
  • Publication number: 20110123185
    Abstract: An external photographic wireless communication device for connection to a camera body having a hot shoe connector for connecting to the camera body and a hot shoe connector for connecting to one or more accessory devices. Each of the hot shoe connectors includes a plurality of contacts. The device includes a switching element for selectively disconnecting one or more of the plurality of contacts in one hot shoe connector from a corresponding respective one of the other hot shoe connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: LAB PARTNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 7945154
    Abstract: An information communication device includes: a packet generation unit that generates a packet including timing data at an end of the packet for specifying to an external device a start timing for processing related to photography; a transmitting unit that transmits the packet to the external device by wireless communication; and a transmission control unit that changes a state of packet transmission by the transmission unit according to a start timing of the processing related to photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Ogasawara
  • Publication number: 20110085787
    Abstract: A flash unit holder with an adjustable position is disclosed. In one example, the flash unit holder includes a supporting bracket mounted in the direction of the optical axis of the camera lens in front of the camera, and a shaped circular guide arranged at the end of the supporting bracket concentrically around the optical axis. A rotating cylinder shaped segment is arranged in a rotating fashion in respect to the shaped circular guide, the inner side of which is provided with at least one conductive bus. The bus is interconnected with the shoe of the flash unit on the outer side of the rotating cylinder shaped segment and with the camera. The flash unit holder also includes a locking element for locking the rotating cylinder shaped segment to the shoe in a chosen position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Dalibor ZÝKA
  • Patent number: 7885533
    Abstract: An external photographic wireless communication device for connection to a camera body having a hot shoe connector for connecting to the camera body and a hot shoe connector for connecting to one or more accessory devices. Each of the hot shoe connectors includes a plurality of contacts. The device includes a switching element for selectively disconnecting one or more of the plurality of contacts in one hot shoe connector from a corresponding respective one of the other hot shoe connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 7783188
    Abstract: A system and method for serially communicating actual flash data related to a remote lighting device to a camera body via a hot shoe connector. In one example, a wireless communication device connected to the hot shoe connector of the camera body receives a request for a flash data from the camera body via the hot shoe connector. The wireless communication device responds via the hot shoe with actual information from one or more remote light devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 7748858
    Abstract: A photographic light diffuser for mounting to a camera with a hot shoe and an internal flash including a light diffuser and a diffuser mount removably attachable to the light diffuser. The diffuser mount is adapted to attach to the hot shoe while permitting operation of the internal flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Gary Fong, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Fong
  • Patent number: 7747161
    Abstract: A camera includes a frame and a flash unit. The frame is provided with a first retainer and a second retainer at two different places thereof. The flash unit is alternatively attached to the two places via one of the first retainer and the second retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsuan Yao, Hai-Tao Deng
  • Patent number: 7712907
    Abstract: A ring flash adapter of the flash uses a clamping device attached to the external flash of the camera, and using the lightguide (1) the, light can be transmitted from the flash into circular body. The lightguide has a flat circle and a head with an incidence surface and a reflecting surface. The lightguide also has an even number of separate, parallel, inter-connected shaped belt segments inserted in the head. The foreside of the circle forms an emission surface; the rear side is provided with a system of “V” shaped teeth to reflect light on the emission surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Dalibor Zyka
  • Patent number: 7715705
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flash device which includes a mounting portion removably mounting a flash device on a photographic apparatus, a first base having the mounting portion, a second base mounted on the first base such that the second base can turn around a shaft located approximately parallel with an optical axis of the photographic apparatus, and a flashlight-irradiating unit mounted on the second base such that the flashlight-irradiating unit can turn around a shaft at least in a vertical direction which is orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographic apparatus and is approximately horizontal when the photographic apparatus is located with a horizontal position. In the flash device, the first base has an auxiliary light irradiation unit to irradiate a photographic subject with auxiliary light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yasutomi, Yuichiro Nogo
  • Patent number: 7623773
    Abstract: An accessory device mountable to an accessory shoe of an image-pickup apparatus includes a contact member electrically connecting with the accessory shoe, a lock mechanism allowing a lock operation for fixing the accessory device to the accessory shoe and an unlock operation for releasing the fix of the accessory device, a drip-proof member contacting the image-pickup apparatus to form a drip-proof space around the contact member and the accessory shoe. In response to the lock operation, the drip-proof member is moved to a first position where the drip-proof member is allowed to be brought into contact with the image-pickup apparatus. In response to the unlock operation, the drip-proof member is moved to a second position where the drip-proof member is retracted from the first position. The drip-proof member has a shape such that a length of a rear-end-side portion is longer than that of the front-end-side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichirou Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7486885
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus applies uniform light beams having a fixed angle distribution as illumination light to obtain illumination having a uniform light distribution. The illumination apparatus includes a light source and an optical member having an incidence surface on which light is made incident and an emission surface through which the light made incident on the incidence surface is emitted as illumination light. The optical member further has a light direction conversion surface disposed so as to face the emission surface for, while regulating a traveling direction of light made incident on the incidence surface within the optical member, and guiding the light to the emission surface. The optical member also has a plurality of prism-like portions each having a total reflection surface and a reincidence surface continuously formed in the light direction conversion surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 7457535
    Abstract: A bracket suitable for supporting a flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph Johnson
  • Patent number: 7424216
    Abstract: A light diffuser for a camera used in macro photography, the diffuser formed from a prism having a body that includes an opening to accommodate the camera lens such that the body is positioned adjacent the camera flash unit for receiving and redirecting light throughout the body to exit a front face thereof around the lens and illuminate the subject in a desirable manner. Ideally the body is a unitary transparent material having facets formed thereon to provide internal reflection. One or more filter elements aid in conditioning the light processed in the diffuser body, such as diffusing, adding color to, and focusing the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Ronnie K. Liem
  • Patent number: 7257322
    Abstract: A strobe diffuser attachment for a camera, includes a diffuser body adapted for attachment to a camera, a pair of spaced diffuser lenses mounted in the diffuser body and adapted to be located in front of a range of different integral strobe locations for a camera attached to the body, wherein the pair of diffuser lenses are adapted to serially diffuse light emitted from an integral strobe of a camera attached to the body. A distance measurement device uses a pair of light beams which intersect at a repeatable distance from the diffuser body to readily enable positioning of an object to be photographed at that repeatable distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Norman D. Staller
  • Patent number: 7184658
    Abstract: In the realm of professional photography, and those amateur wanting professional results, when photographing people, the illumination devices must be located directly above and on the centerline of the camera lens. This is the desired effect as not to have shadows behind the subjects. Changing from landscape to portrait modes, currently requires the re-adjustment of the illumination devices to bring them in line with the camera. In photographing people, the instant does not wait for the photographer to ready his equipment, rather the photographer must be able to adapt quickly. There exists many different kinds illumination devices that are necessary for proper illumination of photographic subjects, in particular people. There also exists cameras that utilize digital imaging technology that senses through the camera lens for exactitudes of distance and amount of ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Squillace Production Studios, LLC
    Inventor: John Squillace
  • Patent number: 7127163
    Abstract: A ring illuminator (20) has a light channeling section (22) with an input face (24) optically coupling the light channeling section (22) to a flash unit (16) of a camera (12) for obtaining flash illumination therefrom. A ring section (26) is optically coupled to the light channeling section and extends around an aperture for fitting the ring illuminator around a lens (14). The ring section has a rear surface (30) for positioning toward the body of the camera. The rear surface has a plurality of light redirecting features (28) for redirecting at least a portion of the flash illumination from within the ring section outward from the camera, around the lens of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Junwon Lee, Steven J. Hansen, Rongguang Liang
  • Patent number: 7082263
    Abstract: A flash device for a lens-fitted photo film unit pre-loaded with unexposed photo film is provided. A main capacitor stores charge. A flash emitter emits flash light. A flash circuit board charges the main capacitor, and drives the flash emitter by discharging the main capacitor in response to an exposing operation. A tightly closed flash case is secured to the lens-fitted photo film unit, for containing the main capacitor, the flash emitter and the flash circuit board. Also, the lens-fitted photo film unit includes a sync switch for generating a trigger signal in response to the exposing operation. Two switch contact points are disposed outside the flash case, for receiving the trigger signal from the sync switch. The two switch contact points disable discharge of the main capacitor while the flash case is away from the lens-fitted photo film unit, and are short-circuited for discharge of the main capacitor upon supply of the trigger signal while the flash case is secured to the lens-fitted photo film unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kameyama, Hirokazu Yokoo, Akihisa Iida, Takeshi Kubota, Jun Ogawa, Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 6718136
    Abstract: A removable flexible extension to space apart a flashlight head and body of a commercially available flashlight, thereby adding a deformable flashlight extension that can be shaped to a desired configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Brandt Bird, Albert Chen
  • Patent number: 6442346
    Abstract: A one-time-use camera with a built-in flash, an external flash unit therefor and system in which the camera and external flash unit have mating mounting structures enabling the external flash unit to be mounted on the camera in manner that blocks direct flash emission from camera flash unit onto a subject being photographed and the flash emission device of the external flash unit is positioned farther away from the camera taking lens than the built-in flash thereby substantially eliminating red-eye effect on the subject being photographed. The external flash unit includes a flash re-directing channel which directs built-in flash emission generally upwards to provide indirect illumination of the photographed subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Douglas W. Constable, Michael R. Allen