Scanning Camera Patents (Class 396/20)
  • Patent number: 11700953
    Abstract: A child care apparatus includes a standing frame including a mounting portion, a child support frame held on the standing frame via at least one hanging bar that is pivotally connected with the mounting portion, the hanging bar being rotatable for swinging the child support frame, and a latching mechanism for rotationally locking the hanging bar, the latching mechanism including a latch connected with the mounting portion, and a latch actuator movably linked to the latch, the latch actuator having an operating portion exposed for operation, the latch actuator being movable along with the latch between a locking state where the latch is engaged with the hanging bar and an unlocking state where the latch is disengaged from the hanging bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Junjie Hu
  • Patent number: 11425295
    Abstract: An integrated substrate for an anti-shake apparatus defined with an optical axis includes: a substrate, a lens module, an anti-shake apparatus and an image-sensing module. The substrate includes a frame having, a predetermined thickness. The frame includes a first surface, a second surface, a first circuit layout, and a second circuit layout. The lens module is located above the substrate on the optical axis. The anti-shake apparatus is furnished between the lens module and the substrate. The image-sensing module has an active side and an inactive side, and the inactive side is furnished onto the second surface. The active side is located on the optical axis in a manner of facing the lens module. The anti-shake apparatus is coupled to the first circuit layout, while the image-sensing module is coupled to the second circuit layout. The first and second circuit layouts comprise a plurality of first and second metal leads, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Chih Chien Hsu, Choa Chang Hu, Wen Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 11391560
    Abstract: An image acquisition device and a measuring method for geometric parameters of a specific developing area on a concrete test block. In the image acquisition device, a digital camera is provided on a camera support; the camera support is provided with a screw bearing which is connected to a first stepping motor via a first coupling; the camera support is provided on a screw slideway which is connected to a second stepping motor via a second coupling; the screw slideway, the first stepping motor and the second stepping motor are provided on a rear platform of a L-shaped base; a spirit level and a controller are respectively provided at two sides of the rear platform of the L-shaped base; and a reference glass plate is arranged on a front raised platform of the L-shaped base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGXI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lufeng Yang, Junwu Chen, Hao Kang, Xiani Liang, Zheng Chen, Jiaqi Zhao, Weizhe Sun, Wenting Nong, Weifu Lu, Linyu Gan
  • Patent number: 11308579
    Abstract: The present application provides an image stitching method. The image stitching method includes acquiring a first depth image a present frame of image obtained by a first camera; acquiring a second depth image of the present frame of image obtained by a second camera, the second depth image and the first depth image parlay overlapping with each other; converting the first depth image in a first camera coordinate system defined by the first camera into a third depth image in a second camera coordinate system defined by the second camera; and stitching the third depth image with the second depth image to obtain a stitched image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pengpeng Wang, Haisheng Wang, Xiaoliang Ding, Chihjen Cheng, Yanling Han, Ping Zhang
  • Patent number: 11189008
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus capable of eliminating wasteful photographing in predetermined panoramic photography. Predetermined panoramic photography combines images acquired by repeating still image capturing with long time-exposure and panning. A first angle of view in panning direction indicates an angle from a start to an end point in the photography. A photographing condition is calculated based on the first angle and a focal length of a photographic lens, and displayed changeable by a user. When combining the images, geometric deformation processing is performed thereon for changing a second angle of view indicative of an angle of view in a direction orthogonal to the panning direction according to the focal length. The second angle changed by the processing is calculated according to the set first angle and the displayed photographing condition. The second angle is displayed before and after the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Kawai
  • Patent number: 11115631
    Abstract: There is provided with an image processing apparatus. A setting unit sets a display magnification on the display surface for the captured image data. A generating unit generates the display image data from the captured image data, based on a relationship between a first direction from an observer viewpoint toward a position on the display surface at which an object is displayed when display is provided based on the captured image data in accordance with the display magnification and a second direction from an capturing viewpoint of the captured image data toward the object, such that an image of the object in the second direction from the capturing viewpoint of the captured image data is displayed at a position on the display surface in the first direction from the observer viewpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakada
  • Patent number: 11087527
    Abstract: Some embodiments involve obtaining access to a number of omnidirectional images each representing a different viewpoint relative to a scene, and to metadata indicating a physical relation between the respective viewpoint and a physical object in the scene. Viewer data may be obtained that is indicative of a current physical relation between a viewpoint of the user and a same type of physical object in a current viewing environment of the user. An omnidirectional image may then be selected for display by comparing the viewer data to the metadata of the omnidirectional images. In other embodiments, an omnidirectional image may be selected, e.g., from omnidirectional images or by being the only available image, and the user may be instructed to assume a viewpoint in which the physical relation to the physical object in the user's current viewing environment corresponds to the physical relation as indicated by the selected image's metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: Koninklijke KPN N.V., Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Hans Maarten Stokking, Simon Norbert Bernhard Gunkel, Martin Prins, Hendrikus Nathaniel Hindriks
  • Patent number: 11049281
    Abstract: An image calibrating method is applied to a first monitoring image and a second monitoring image partly overlapped with each other. The image calibrating method includes detecting a plurality of first marking points and second marking points about a target object on the first monitoring image and the second monitoring image, computing a first trace and a second trace formed by the first marking points and the second marking points, setting a plurality of first estimating points and second estimating points on stretching sections on the first trace and the second respectively within the second monitoring image and the first monitoring image, and utilizing the first marking points and the second estimating points and/or the first estimating points and the second marking points to compute a shift between the first monitoring image and the second monitoring image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: VIVOTEK INC.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chieh Liu
  • Patent number: 11050913
    Abstract: An integrated substrate for an anti-shake apparatus defined with an optical axis includes: a substrate, a lens module, an anti-shake apparatus and an image-sensing module. The substrate includes a frame having a predetermined thickness. The frame includes a first surface, a second surface, a first circuit layout, and a second circuit layout. The lens module is located above the substrate on the optical axis. The anti-shake apparatus is furnished between the lens module and the substrate. The image-sensing module has an active side and an inactive side, and the inactive side is furnished onto the second surface. The active side is located on the optical axis in a manner of facing the lens module. The anti-shake apparatus is coupled to the first circuit layout, while the image-sensing module is coupled to the second circuit layout. The first and second circuit layouts comprise a plurality of first and second metal leads, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Chih Chien Hsu, Choa Chang Hu, Wen Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 10788652
    Abstract: An imaging device includes two imaging optical systems each of the imaging optical systems including a wide-angle lens having an angle of view wider than 180 degrees, and an imaging sensor configured to image an image by the wide-angle lens, so as to obtain an image in a solid angle of 4? radian by synthesizing the images by the respective imaging optical systems, wherein the wide-angle lens of each of the imaging optical systems includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a front group having a negative power, a reflection surface and a back group having a positive power, and is configured to bend an optical axis of the front group by the reflection surface at 90 degrees toward the back group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kensuke Masuda, Noriyuki Terao, Yoshiaki Irino, Tomonori Tanaka, Nozomi Imae, Toru Harada, Hirokazu Takenaka, Hideaki Yamamoto, Satoshi Sawaguchi, Daisuke Bessho, Hiroyuki Satoh, Makoto Shohara
  • Patent number: 10630902
    Abstract: In order to achieve a relatively small installation height of a multi-aperture imaging device having a one-line array of adjacently arranged optical channels, lenses of the optics of the optical channels are attached to a main side of a substrate by one or more lens holders and are mechanically connected via the substrate, the substrate being positioned such that the optical paths of the plurality of optical channels pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Andreas Brückner, Andreas Bräuer, Alexander Oberdörster
  • Patent number: 10554933
    Abstract: A reverse vending machine has an insertion area for inserting an object into the inside of the reverse vending machine, a transport unit for transporting the object in a transport area along a transport axis and an arrangement of cameras for capturing images of the object from several capturing directions. The image capturing direction of each camera is directed toward the transport area. Further, the cameras are arranged outside the transport area and not below the transport area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Baitz, Wolfgang Malke, Uwe Krueger, Oliver Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10474763
    Abstract: A computer-aided design system and computer-implemented method define initial conditions for dynamic simulation of an assembly of objects in a three-dimensional scene of a computer-aided design. The system and method provide (S1) the assembly of objects with information relative to kinematic joints linking objects of the assembly. The system/method provide (S2) a manipulating tool (M) embedded in the scene; attach (S3) said manipulating tool (M) to one object of the assembly; select (S4) a degree of freedom of the manipulating tool (M) attached to the object of the assembly; and input (S5) at least one initial condition (IC) according to said selected degree of freedom, an initial condition comprising an initial position and/or an initial speed and/or an initial acceleration. The tool has a referential (reference) with three-axes allowing for each axis a degree of freedom in translation and a degree of freedom in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: DASSAULT SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Laurent Santiquet, Bertrand Faure
  • Patent number: 10447994
    Abstract: Camera related methods and apparatus which are well suited for use in capturing stereoscopic image data, e.g., pairs of left and right eye images, are described. Various features relate to a camera rig which can be used to mount multiple cameras at the same time. In some embodiments the camera rig includes 3 mounting locations corresponding to 3 different directions 120 degrees apart. One or more of the mounting locations may be used at a given time. When a single camera pair is used the rig can be rotated to capture images corresponding to the locations where a camera pair is not mounted. Static images from those locations can then be combined with images corresponding to the forward direction to generate a 360 degree view. Alternatively camera pairs or individual cameras can be included in each of the mounting locations to capture video in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: NextVR Inc.
    Inventors: David Cole, Alan McKay Moss
  • Patent number: 10310370
    Abstract: An image capturing device with high image sensing coverage rate is applied by a related image capturing method. The image capturing device includes a base, an image sensing unit and an optical lens component. The image sensing unit is disposed on a lateral surface of the base, and has a sensing region. The optical lens component is overlapped with the image sensing unit, and has an imagery circle. A central optical axle of the imagery circle does not align with a central point of the sensing region; wherein the image capturing device captures an image via the optical lens component and the imaging sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: VIVOTEK INC.
    Inventor: Jen-Chih Wu
  • Patent number: 10230885
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus that communicate with an external apparatus through a network includes an imaging optical system; an imaging unit that captures an image of an object by the imaging optical system; an optical filter; an inserting and removing unit that inserts and removes the optical filter into and from an optical path of the imaging optical system; a receiving unit that receives an adjustment command from the external apparatus through the network, the command including individual adjustment values respectively for insertion and removal of the optical filter into and form the optical path; an automatically determining unit that, based on one of the adjustment values, automatically determines the other adjustment value in the adjustment command; and a control unit that controls the inserting and removing unit based on the one adjustment value received by the receiving unit and the other adjustment value determined by the automatically determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Suzuki, Kentaro Kogure
  • Patent number: 10178354
    Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus for capturing an image includes an imaging device, configured to obtain an image signal, a light-intensity estimator, configured to estimate a light intensity outside a shutter that limits an image capturing area of the imaging device in a state where the shutter is closed, and an exposure adjustor, configured to adjust an exposure of the imaging device located inside the shutter according to the estimated light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sei Yamamoto, Makoto Kamioka
  • Patent number: 10178308
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for photographing a panoramic image including the steps of recognizing movement of a corresponding photographing apparatus by comparing a current real-time input image with a previous image through a motion estimation mechanism with exposure compensation, determining a time to photograph each next picture by determining whether movement in a photography direction reaches a preset threshold value, and photographing each next picture by manual or automatic operation at the determined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul National University Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Sung-Dae Cho, Soo-Kyun Kim, Jae-Won Moon, Yun-Je Oh, Hee-Won Jung, Sang-Hwa Lee, Nam-Ik Cho, Seong-Jong Ha
  • Patent number: 10158798
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging apparatus including a main body, an imaging unit mounted on the main body that captures an image of an object, an input unit that receives a command to capture the image, a controller that controls operation of the imaging unit to create a panoramic image when a panorama mode is input to the input unit and that determines a current progress angle and a remaining angle to complete creation of the panoramic image based on the operation of the imaging unit during creation of the panoramic image, and a display unit that displays shooting angle information for creation of the panoramic image with a live view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Kyoon Shin
  • Patent number: 9953108
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of computer-aided design products for dynamically manipulating an assembly of objects in a three-dimensional scene. The system and method provide the assembly of objects with information relative to kinematic joints linking objects of the assembly. The system and method provide a dynamic manipulating tool (DM) embedded in the scene. The DM tool includes a reference with three-axes allowing for each axis a degree of freedom in translation and a degree of freedom in rotation. Next the system and method attach said dynamic manipulating tool (DM) to one object of the assembly, and select a degree of freedom of the dynamic manipulating tool (DM) attached to the object of the assembly. The system/method apply a load according to said selected degree of freedom and calculates and displays in real-time the result of a dynamic simulation of said load applying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: DASSAULT SYSTEMES
    Inventors: Laurent Santiquet, Bertrand Faure
  • Patent number: 9942476
    Abstract: A panoramic image is to be easily generated. A driver 12 displaces at least one of a lens unit 11a and an image capturing element 21 with respect to an optical axis. A control unit 50 displaces, using the driver 12, at least one of the lens unit 11a and the image capturing element 21 in accordance with a motion of an image capturing apparatus 10. When generating a plurality of captured images while shifting an image capturing direction in order to generate a panoramic image from the plurality of captured images, the control unit 50 changes a position of the lens unit 11a and/or the image capturing element 21, the position being a position at the start of exposure of each of the captured images, in a direction set according to a direction in which the image capturing direction shifts, thereby performing correction of deviation caused by a motion of the image capturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junji Shimada
  • Patent number: 9883107
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a shake correction unit, a pixel shift unit, and a controller. The shake correction unit includes a first movable unit and a first position detector, and moves the first movable unit based on outputs of a shake detector and the first position detector. The pixel shift unit includes a second movable unit and a second position detector, and makes a pixel shift correction by moving the second movable unit based on an output of the second position detector. The controller controls the shake correction unit to stop a center of the lens and held by the first movable unit at a position that matches the optical axis. The controller sets a gain for amplifying the output of the first position detector when performing shake correction to be higher than a gain for amplifying the output of the first position detector when making a pixel shift correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Shuichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9408540
    Abstract: An imaging system that includes a rotating unit that includes an imaging camera, an alignment camera and at least a first monitor. The rotating unit is rotatable between a home position and a finish position about a rotation axis such that the imaging camera can capture a first scan. The alignment camera is directed generally downwardly and is configured to capture a first alignment image of a subject positioned generally co-axially with the rotation axis. The first alignment image is displayed on the first monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: OVIO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Mueller, Ted Gagliano, Charles Kreuser, Kenneth D. Salter
  • Patent number: 9372382
    Abstract: A rotary mechanism is provided, including a first housing, a second housing, a rotary module, an elastic element, and a speed-reduction module. The rotary module connects to the first housing and extends therefrom to connect with the second housing. The elastic element connects the second housing and the rotary module. The speed-reduction module connects to the rotary module. When an external force is exerted on the second housing, and the second housing rotates relative to the first housing along a first direction, the elastic element stores an elastic potential energy. When the external force is released, the second housing rotates relative to the first housing along a second direction by the elastic force. The second direction is opposite to the first direction, and the speed-reduction module reduces the rotary speed of the second housing relative to the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ernest Euan Tien, Chun-Ta Huang
  • Patent number: 9258453
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing section, an image capturing control section, an image clipping section, an HDR composing section and a panoramic image composing section. The image capturing control section causes the image capturing section to repeatedly capture an image of different luminance to provide plural images of different luminance. The image clipping section clips respective data of substantially overlapping image regions of the plural images of different luminance. The HDR composing section composes the image regions each clipped by the image clipping section to generate data of plural composite images having a wider dynamic range than the image captured by the image capturing section. The panoramic image composing section joins data of the plural composite images generated by the HDR composing section to generate an image whose range is wider than that of the image captured by the image capturing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kato, Jun Muraki, Hiroshi Shimizu, Hiroyuki Hoshino, Erina Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9207518
    Abstract: A 360 degree camera imaging system comprising a first horizontal boom having a first end, a second end, and a middle section; a second horizontal boom having a first end and a second end; a first vertical arm having a first end and a second end; a second vertical arm having a first end and a second end; and a mounting bracket. The first horizontal boom is connected to the first end of the second horizontal boom by a first rotatable pivot proximate the middle section of the first horizontal boom, and the second end of the second horizontal boom is connected to the mounting bracket. The first end of the first vertical arm is affixed to the first end of the first horizontal boom, and the first end of the second vertical arm is affixed to the second end of the first horizontal boom. A camera is mounted to the first vertical arm, and a backdrop is mounted to the second vertical arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: IMPLICITCARE, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Mueller, Ted Gagliano, Charles Kreuser, Kenneth D. Salter
  • Patent number: 9083871
    Abstract: A plant image capture device and a method thereof are provided. A first mirror is disposed at a side of an image measurement position, so as to generate an mirror image of a plant disposed on the image measurement position; a first image capture device obtains at least one image including a direct image and the first mirror image of the plant; an image processing module uses a frame of the first mirror as a feature, so as to divide the at least one image including the direct image and the first mirror image of the plant and obtain the direct image and the first mirror image of the plant; an operation processing module processes the mirror image of the plant, so as to obtain a first image of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Institute for Information Industry
    Inventors: Szu-Hsuan Wang, Yung-Hsing Peng
  • Patent number: 9042714
    Abstract: A dome-shaped camera comprising: a camera body including a focus adjustment ring for manually performing focus adjustment; a base part which supports the camera body and includes a tilt mechanism which changes an angle of a tilt direction for supporting the camera body; a dome cover which covers the camera body; a mount device which mounts the dome cover on the base part so that the dome cover is rotatable about a center axis of the dome cover; and a power transmitting device which transmits a rotating force in a direction about the center axis added to the dome cover as a rotating force of a focus adjustment ring of the camera supported at any angle in the tilt direction via a power transmission member placed on a tilt axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daigo Aiba
  • Publication number: 20150013724
    Abstract: A method of removing debris from piping within a high-rise building plumbing network includes inserting a portion of a flexible optical device and flexible water conduit into an opening defined by a plumbing system, the flexible water conduit operably coupled to a water pressure device. The method also includes coupling an end of a vacuum conduit, operably coupled to a vacuum assembly, to the opening and producing an image of a plumbing channel defined by the plumbing system with the flexible optical device. Next, the method includes maneuvering the portion of the flexible optical device within the plumbing system until the image of the plumbing channel depicts a debris at least partially obstructing the plumbing channel, inducing a stream of fluid directed at the debris, and then inducing a vacuum within the plumbing system sufficient to remove the debris from the plumbing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel Grenier
  • Publication number: 20140348498
    Abstract: A dome-shaped camera comprising: a camera body including a focus adjustment ring for manually performing focus adjustment; a base part which supports the camera body and includes a tilt mechanism which changes an angle of a tilt direction for supporting the camera body; a dome cover which covers the camera body; a mount device which mounts the dome cover on the base part so that the dome cover is rotatable about a center axis of the dome cover; and a power transmitting device which transmits a rotating force in a direction about the center axis added to the dome cover as a rotating force of a focus adjustment ring of the camera supported at any angle in the tilt direction via a power transmission member placed on a tilt axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: DAIGO AIBA
  • Patent number: 8798451
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of obtaining panoramic images that appear most natural to the naked eye by executing a mathematically precise image processing operation on a wide-angle image acquired using a wide-angle lens that is rotationally symmetric about an optical axis, and devices using the methods. Imaging systems using this method can be used not only in security surveillance applications for indoor and outdoor environments, but also in diverse areas such as video phones for apartment entrance doors, rear view cameras for vehicles, visual sensors for unmanned aerial vehicles and robots, and broadcasting cameras. Also, it can be used to obtain panoramic photographs using digital cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Gyeongil Kweon
  • Patent number: 8639101
    Abstract: A film recorder including a linear diffractive spatial light modulator (LDSLM) and methods of using the same to record a digital image on a strip of photographic film are provided. In one embodiment, the recorder includes: an illuminator including at least one monochromatic light source generating a light beam; a spatial light modulator assembly including at least one linear diffractive spatial light modulator (LDSLM) to receive the light beam from the illuminator and modulate the light beam from the illuminator; a film transport for transporting a photographic film on an imaging plane; and imaging optics disposed in a light path between the LDSLM and the imaging plane to image the light beam simultaneously on a substantially linear portion of the photographic film to record an image on the photographic film. Other embodiments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Light Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Myatt, Alexander P. Payne, Jahja I. Trisnadi, Harold A. Zarem
  • Patent number: 8285131
    Abstract: A film recorder including a linear diffractive spatial light modulator (LDSLM) and methods of using the same to record a digital image on a strip of photographic film are provided. In one embodiment, the recorder includes: an illuminator including at least one monochromatic light source generating a light beam; a spatial light modulator assembly including at least one linear diffractive spatial light modulator (LDSLM) to receive the light beam from the illuminator and modulate the light beam from the illuminator; a film transport for transporting a photographic film on an imaging plane; and imaging optics disposed in a light path between the LDSLM and the imaging plane to image the light beam simultaneously on a substantially linear portion of the photographic film to record an image on the photographic film. Other embodiments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Light Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Myatt, Alexander P. Payne, Jahja I. Trisnadi, Harold A. Zarem
  • Patent number: 8238734
    Abstract: An exemplary image capturing unit includes a housing, a moveable support, and a driving assembly. The moveable support is moveably mounted in the housing. The moveable support includes a rotating axis and is configured for receiving a camera module. The driving assembly includes a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The first magnetic member is positioned on the housing. The second magnetic member is positioned on the moveable support and faces the first magnetic member. The driving assembly is configured for driving the moveable support to rotate about the rotating axis relative to the housing through magnetical interaction between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Fan Chiang
  • Patent number: 8203597
    Abstract: An exemplary panoramic camera includes a support, a housing, a driver, an input unit, an imaging unit, a micro control unit (MCU), and a digital signal processor. The support includes a mounting base and a post extending from the mounting base. The housing is rotatably supported on the post. The input unit is for receiving user inputs. The MCU includes a parameter processor which converts user input into control signals according a viewing angle of the imaging unit, an imaging controller which controls the imaging unit to capture images at intervals according to the control signals, and a rotating controller which controls a rotation speed of the driver according to the control signals to ensure the housing is at desired locations during rotation in synchronization with the intervals. The digital signal processor combines the captured images into a panoramic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Jen Wang, Shih-Pao Cheng
  • Patent number: 7962020
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, and an optical system configured to image light from an imaging subject on the imaging device. The optical system includes a group of lenses and an aperture diaphragm. When NP point is defined as a point where an extended linear component in an object space of a principal ray located in a Gauss region and selected from among principal rays passing through a center of the aperture diaphragm of the optical system crosses an optical axis of the optical system, D represents a diameter of a lens at the closest side to the imaging subject, and LN represents a distance from a lens surface of the lens at the closest side to the imaging subject to the NP point, a formula; 0?LN?D (1) is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Yoshikawa, Noriyuki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7751695
    Abstract: A new technique for recording a series of images of a high-speed event (such as, but not limited to: ballistics, explosives, laser induced changes in materials, etc.) is presented. Such technique(s) makes use of a lenslet array to take image picture elements (pixels) and concentrate light from each pixel into a spot that is much smaller than the pixel. This array of spots illuminates a detector region (e.g., film, as one embodiment) which is scanned transverse to the light, creating tracks of exposed regions. Each track is a time history of the light intensity for a single pixel. By appropriately configuring the array of concentrated spots with respect to the scanning direction of the detection material, different tracks fit between pixels and sufficient lengths are possible which can be of interest in several high-speed imaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Derek E. Decker
  • Patent number: 7701621
    Abstract: An image correction system includes an image capturer, operable to capture an object image and to generate image data based on the object image, a first storage, adapted to store the image data, a timing signal generator, operable to periodically generate timing signals, an image processor, operable to periodically store the image data into the first storage in accordance with each of the timing signals, a detector, operable to periodically detect movement of the image capturer and to generate movement data based on the detected movement, and a second storage, adapted to periodically store the movement data in association with timing data based on each of the timing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenori Kanno, Kazuo Nomura, Oh Jaekwan
  • Patent number: 7616883
    Abstract: A pair of rotation plates 10 are provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a camera body 30. The rotation plates 10 are rotatable with respect to the camera body 30. During panorama imaging, a user holds the pair of rotation plates 10 with their fingers to hold a camera 9. An actual rotation angle of the camera body 30 with respect to the rotation plate 10 is detected by an encoder provided inside the camera. When the actual rotation angle reaches a target rotation angle, an image capturing process of an element image is automatically executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yukio Nakajima, Satoru Ogawa, Kenji Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20090116828
    Abstract: A new technique for recording a series of images of a high-speed event (such as, but not limited to: ballistics, explosives, laser induced changes in materials, etc.) is presented. Such technique(s) makes use of a lenslet array to take image picture elements (pixels) and concentrate light from each pixel into a spot that is much smaller than the pixel. This array of spots illuminates a detector region (e.g., film, as one embodiment) which is scanned transverse to the light, creating tracks of exposed regions. Each track is a time history of the light intensity for a single pixel. By appropriately configuring the array of concentrated spots with respect to the scanning direction of the detection material, different tracks fit between pixels and sufficient lengths are possible which can be of interest in several high-speed imaging applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Derek E. Decker
  • Patent number: 7511838
    Abstract: A portable image capture apparatus comprises an image capture device for capturing still and/or moving images, and a transmitter for transmitting image data representative of captured images directly from said image capture apparatus via a wireless communication path to a remote device which is adapted to display said one or more captured images upon receipt of said image data, the apparatus further comprising an arrangement for enabling a user to remotely select the remote device of their choice. This arrangement is particularly advantageously employed where the image capture device is embedded in eye glasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Andrew Arthur Hunter
  • Publication number: 20080240693
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, and an optical system configured to image light from an imaging subject on the imaging device. The optical system includes a group of lenses and an aperture diaphragm. When NP point is defined as a point where an extended linear component in an object space of a principal ray located in a Gauss region and selected from among principal rays passing through a center of the aperture diaphragm of the optical system crosses an optical axis of the optical system, D represents a diameter of a lens at the closest side to the imaging subject, and LN represents a distance from a lens surface of the lens at the closest side to the imaging subject to the NP point, a formula; 0?LN?D (1) is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Yoshikawa, Noriyuki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7415335
    Abstract: The mobile data collection system includes a positioning system, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and/or an Inertial Navigation System (INS), to generate position and time data. A down looking line scan camera for mounting on a vehicle, obtains a series of line scan images of a path, such as a road. A data collection controller is connected to the positioning system and the line scan camera to associate the line scan images with the corresponding position and time data. A database stores the line scan images and associated corresponding position and time data. An image processor identifies and marks features in the line scan images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: David Monroe Bell, Timothy Raymond Culp, John Bryan Daly, Michael Hattermann
  • Patent number: 7286301
    Abstract: A camera zoom device and method for a mobile communication terminal. The camera zoom device includes a zoom dial rotating about a rotation axis; a zoom dial rotation sensing unit for sensing a rotation angle of the zoom dial; a zoom controlling unit for determining a zoom direction (zoom-in or out) and a zoom magnification depending on the sensed rotation angle; and a zoom lens driving unit for driving a zoom lens unit depending on the zoom direction and the zoom magnification. The camera zoom device zooms in or out depending on the rotation angle of the zoom dial, thereby enabling a convenient and prompt camera zoom function, and preventing lens shaking that is commonly caused when the zoom function is performed by pressing keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 7129971
    Abstract: A scanning camera with a rotating drum has one or more sensors characterized by a non-radial optical axis. With two sensors on opposite sides of the drum and facing in substantially the same direction, stereoscopic recording of a panorama is accomplished as the drum rotates. Rapid rotation of the scanning camera produces panoramic motion picture recording, with the final frame speed dependent on the sensitivity and speed of the sensor, the resolution desired, and the capabilities of the recording device. The preferred embodiment employs rotating fisheye lenses for a substantially full-sphere field of view. Streamlining of the lens elements on the drum surface is described for quiet operation of the camera, even at high rotation speeds. The rapid rotation of the drum characteristic of motion picture frame rates can improve both the stability and portability of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Immersive Media Company
    Inventor: David McCutchen
  • Patent number: 6885817
    Abstract: A method for orienting a digital panoramic image obtained using at least one initial wide-angle image the image points of which are transferred into a three-dimensional coordinate system includes inserting an orientation mark into the initial image at the time of the exposure. The method further includes detecting the location of the orientation mark in the digital panoramic image, performed by an image analysis algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: 6115187 Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Artonne, Christophe Moustier
  • Patent number: 6628897
    Abstract: A camera system is provided for acquiring an image of a scene with a wide angle such as an omni-directional scene with a high resolution and for acquiring an image of a dynamic object. The camera system includes a reflecting mirror, a first imaging unit, and a second imaging unit. The reflecting mirror has a mirror surface disposed around a center axis and spread on one side of the center axis to form an opening portion. The first imaging unit is provided within a plane composed of an outer surface of the reflecting mirror and a plane extending from the outer surface of the reflecting mirror on the opening portion side. The second imaging unit is disposed opposite to the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror, and includes a number of cameras disposed on the same circumference centered at the center axis of the reflecting mirror in such a manner as to be spaced from each other at equal intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyosuke Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030160872
    Abstract: An image capture device is provided which includes a movable and rotatable lens barrel for changing the taking lens focus in close focus and far focus situations. Additionally, rotation of the lens barrel adjusts the exposure aperture to create different aperture sizes for close focus, infinity focus and flash image captures. Further, in one particular embodiment using an internal display, a diopter adjustment mechanism is provided. A diopter adjustment cam wheel includes a flange of progressively increasing height in contact with a pin on the housing of a display lens. An image on the display is reflected through the display lens to the viewfinder ocular lens. Rotating the cam wheel adjusts the height of the display lens to accommodate the focus for imperfect vision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Chi Ping Yeung
  • Patent number: 6556783
    Abstract: A topological panorama camera has a track or other system upon which a linescan camera can move in one, two or three dimensions while recording the image of an object. The path, speed, acceleration, scan rate and direction of the linescan camera can be controlled, as can the path, speed, acceleration and direction of the object. A pattern is projected onto an object of arbitrary shape and is imaged by the topological panorama camera in one or more passes. The image of the pattern received by the camera is analyzed to determine the exterior shape of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Janet L. Gelphman
  • Publication number: 20030072566
    Abstract: A device to analyze or reconstruct one or more signals Ij coming from one or more light sources, comprises: means to separate the signals Ij into at least two signals Ij1 and Ij2, at least two channels V1, V2 respectively possessing a gain G1, G2 and a dynamic range D1, D2, said channels having at least one sensor and being adapted to obtain, at output, a signal I′j1, I′j2 with amplitudes Aj1(t), Aj2(t), a device for the processing of the signals I′j1, I′j2 adapted to memorizing the amplitude Aj1(t), Aj2(t) of at least one of the two signals I′j1, I′j2 when I′j1 and/or I′j2 is below a threshold value Smax and to determining the amplitude Aj(t) of the corresponding signal I′j. Streak camera with wide range of amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: THOMSON-CSF
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Pastre