Having Lens Converter Or Extension Tube Patents (Class 396/71)
  • Patent number: 11212451
    Abstract: A camera system with a body including an imager, a zoom lens having a variable focal length and a zoom control operable to adjust the focal length. The body may include a controller connected to the lens and configured to detect the focal length of the lens, and operable based on the focal length of the lens to establish a digital zoom factor. The digital zooming may occur in a limited portion of the zoom range, and this may be the upper end of the zoom range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: BULLETPROOF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC
    Inventor: Bennet K. Langlotz
  • Patent number: 11169431
    Abstract: The camera side mount is brought, by relative rotation with the accessory side mount, from a first state where each accessory side bayonet claw is inserted between the camera side bayonet claws into a second state where the camera side and accessory side bayonet claws engage with each other. The leaf spring biasing the camera side contact pins in the protruding direction is disposed between the camera side mount and the camera body. When the camera being in the normal position is viewed from the direction facing the camera side mount, the leaf spring extends from both sides of the mount center line, which extends from the center of the camera side mount in the direction of gravity, toward the camera side contact pins. The camera side contact pins are arranged at positions other than a position on the mount center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nishio, Yoshihiko Konno, Tatsuyuki Tokunaga, Takashi Hasegawa, Hiroshi Kikuchi, Azusa Sugawara
  • Patent number: 10969655
    Abstract: A camera system is disclosed. The camera system includes a camera that employs interchangeable fixed lenses. By replacing one lens cap with another lens cap, the field of view can be changed since each lens cap has a different fixed lens. The camera can also record images or video in a forward and a backward direction at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Tactacam LLC
    Inventors: Ben Stern, Jeff Peel, Ben Thorud
  • Patent number: 10955729
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus to which an interchangeable lens and an intermediate accessory, which is attachable between the interchangeable lens and the imaging apparatus, are attachable, the imaging apparatus including at least one processor which functions as: a first communication control unit configured to control a first communication via a first communication path; a second communication control unit configured to control a second communication via a second communication path; and a setting unit configured to set an update target of control software. When the interchangeable lens is set as the update target, the first communication control unit transmits update data to be applied to the interchangeable lens via the first communication path to the interchangeable lens, and when the intermediate accessory is set as the update target, the second communication control unit transmits update data to be applied to the intermediate accessory via the second communication path to the interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugita
  • Patent number: 10841477
    Abstract: An accessory apparatus attachable to and detachable from a camera, the accessory apparatus includes an accessory controller configured to control a communication with the camera using a notification channel used to transmit a signal between the camera and the accessory apparatus and a data communication channel used for a data communication between the camera and the accessory apparatus. The accessory controller switches between a first communication method used for communications between the camera and all accessory apparatuses connected to the camera and a second communication method used for an individual communication with the camera. The accessory controller switches, in the second communication method, from the second communication method to the first communication method when detecting a start of the data communication in the first communication method in the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 10735568
    Abstract: A device comprising a means to re-direct the line of sight of a camera function of a smartphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Nicholas Robinson
  • Patent number: 10495948
    Abstract: Provided are a lens system, an accessory, a communication method, and a non-transitory recording medium readable by a computer for recording a program capable of accurately specifying an accessory without providing dedicated terminals for an interchangeable lens and the accessory. The lens system is a lens system including an interchangeable lens 100 and an accessory 300, the interchangeable lens includes a lens control unit that performs bidirectional data communication with the accessory necessary for acquisition of at least identification information of the accessory before starting data communication with the camera body, and the accessory includes an accessory control unit to which a power supply terminal and an input and output terminal among a plurality of signal lines are connected, and that replies with identification information of the accessory when the accessory control unit receives a request for acquisition of the identification information of the accessory from the interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yi Pan, Junji Hayashi, Kazufumi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 10356295
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging device, a manufacturing device, and a manufacturing method that enable a reliable manufacturing device to be manufactured without an increase in the number of manufacturing steps. A substrate on which an image sensor is mounted, a frame that fixes an infrared cut filter (IRCF), and a unit including a lens are included. The image sensor is sealed by the substrate, the IRCF, and the frame. A vent connected to a space in which the image sensor is sealed is provided in a part of the frame. The vent is blocked by a member that bonds the unit and the frame together. The vent is provided in the frame, in a predetermined shape, and in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to which the member is applied. The present technology can be applied to the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichiro Dobashi, Shuichi Mochinaga
  • Patent number: 10321035
    Abstract: A camera includes: a ring-like body mount having an inside diameter smaller than about 48 millimeters; and a solid-state image pickup device arranged oppositely to the body mount, the solid-state image pickup device having a rectangle light receiving section with a diagonal line length of about 43 millimeters or more. An apparent shape of the solid-state image pickup device viewed from a front surface side of the body mount is a rectangle in which one or more corners are oblique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yuuki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 10312168
    Abstract: An electronic element mounting substrate includes a base body, an electrode, and a pad. The base body has a frame shape, and includes a first frame section and a second frame section, the second frame section being disposed on the first frame section and including an inner surface protruding further inward than an inner surface of the first frame section. The electrode is disposed on a bottom surface of the first frame section of the base body. The pad is disposed on a bottom surface of a protruding part of the second frame section, and is electrically connected to the electrode. A groove extending in a vertical direction is formed in an inner surface of the protruding part of the second frame section of the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Kouki Suda
  • Patent number: 10216065
    Abstract: A camera system is disclosed. The camera system includes a camera that employs interchangeable fixed lenses. By replacing one lens cap with another lens cap, the field of view can be changed since each lens cap has a different fixed lens. The camera can also record images or video in a forward and a backward direction at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TACTACAM LLC.
    Inventors: Ben Stern, Jeff Peel, Ben Thorud
  • Patent number: 10107988
    Abstract: A camera module generally provided in a mobile terminal. The camera module includes a lens unit which is configured to accommodate at least one lens. An actuator unit is configured to fix the lens unit, and a base which is fixed by an adhesive to the bottom of the actuator. A printed circuit board (PCB) to which the base is fixed for thereby supplying electric power to the actuator unit. Either a corner of an outer side of the bottom of the actuator unit or a corner of an outer side of the top of the base is tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nae Seong Kim, Seong Cheol Jeong
  • Patent number: 9742982
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus capable of executing autofocus by at least one of a phase difference detection method and a contrast detection method using an image signal obtained from a set focus detection region and from which an imaging optical system and a converter lens are detachable. The image capturing apparatus comprises: a conversion unit configured to convert aberration information indicating a spherical aberration of the imaging optical system based on a magnification and aberration information of the converter lens in a case where the converter lens is mounted; a calculation unit configured to calculate a correction value for correcting a difference between a result of the autofocus and a focus condition of a captured image; and a control unit configured to control a position of a focus lens based on the result of the autofocus that has been corrected using the correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yumi Takao, Hideyuki Hamano
  • Patent number: 9632395
    Abstract: A method of controlling an accessory device which is connected with a body unit of an interchangeable lens system camera is described. The method includes: receiving identification information of a first device from the first device through a first communication path that passes through a digital signal processing unit of the accessory device; generating combination information by adding identification information of the accessory device to the identification information of the first device; transmitting the combination information to a second device through the first communication path; and when receiving a switching signal from the second device, switching the first communication path to a second communication path that does not pass through the digital signal processing unit of the accessory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomonaga Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9413969
    Abstract: A method and an electronic device for processing an image in an electronic device are provided. The method includes determining whether the electronic device is mounted in a cradle comprising at least one guide region, scanning an image in the guide region using a camera, and outputting the scanned image or image information based on the scanned image. The method can easily process the image and provide the user with the output information. Therefore, the output information is favorable to the blind people or the illiterate, and the usability and the reliability of the electronic device can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In-Ho Baek
  • Patent number: 9179130
    Abstract: An image-capturing device having an image identification mechanism is provided. The image-capturing device comprises a first and a second flashlight modules, a processing module and an image-capturing module. The first and the second flashlight modules generate a first and a second color lights respectively according to a first and a second currents. The processing module controls the first and the second flashlight modules to flash light at an object sequentially within a time interval. The image-capturing module generates a first frame according to the object and the first color light and generates a second frame according to the object and the second color light. The processing module subtracts the pixels in the first and the second frames to retrieve a foreground area. A color difference between the first and the second frames for each the pixels in the foreground area is larger than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Fu-Cheng Fan, Ping-Tsung Tsai
  • Patent number: 8903232
    Abstract: An optical attachment having five or six elements and configured to be operably arranged on the image side of an objective lens to reduce the focal length and focal ratio of the objective lens is disclosed. The optical attachment is particularly suitable for adapting objective lenses designed with a relatively large working distance for a large format size to cameras having a smaller format size and relatively small permissible working distance. The optical attachments disclosed herein have high image quality at large aperture over a large field of view, and can be well-corrected for all major aberrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Caldwell Photographic, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Brian Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8879901
    Abstract: An optical attachment configured to be operably attached to the image side of an objective lens to reduce the focal length and focal ratio of the objective lens. The focal-reducing attachment includes four lens elements and has a magnification of between 0.5 and 1. The focal-reducing lens can work with objective lenses having relatively large working distances for a large format size as well as with cameras having a smaller format size and relatively small permissible working distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Caldwell Photographic, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Brian Caldwell, Wilfried Bittner
  • Patent number: 8682152
    Abstract: A camera body is mountable with an intermediate lens which is mountable to an interchangeable lens. The intermediate lens has a first lens and a first drive controller operable to control drive of the first lens. The interchangeable lens has a second lens and a second drive controller operable to control drive of the second lens. The camera body includes an operation unit operable to receive an operation performed by a user, and a body controller operable to control the first drive controller and the second drive controller. The body controller sends a signal for driving the first lens to the first drive controller and/or sends a signal for driving the second lens to the second drive controller, according to the user operation performed on the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Naotaka Kishida
  • Patent number: 8664738
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including an insulating structural body having a through opening, a wiring part formed on a front surface of the structural body, a solid-state imaging element which is connected to the wiring part and also is attached to the structural body so as to close the through opening, a translucent member which is opposed to the solid-state imaging element and is attached to the structural body through an adhesive inside an adhesion region R so as to close the through opening, and a solder resist film with which at least a part of the front surface of the structural body is covered, and is characterized in that a region R0 in which the solder resist film is selectively removed is had in the adhesion region R and the removed region R0 is filled with the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Sugahara, Satoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8615143
    Abstract: Introduced is an optical arrangement for varying an imaging ratio and/or a refractive power including at least one optical axis, having at least two optical elements, which can be pivoted into and/or pivoted to and/or switched into and/or switched to the optical path, which encompass in each case a refractive power and an optical axis and the optical axes of which can in each case be made to be substantially congruent with the optical axis of the arrangement or are substantially congruent with the optical axis of the arrangement. The optical path between the optical elements, which can be pivoted into and/or pivoted to and/or switched into and/or switched to, undergoes at least one change in direction and/or vergence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Future Optics GBR
    Inventor: Tatiana Maiorova
  • Patent number: 8543001
    Abstract: An optical network unit (ONU) comprising a first optical fiber, a first optical circulator coupled to the first optical fiber, a first seed light injected laser coupled to the first optical circulator, wherein the first optical circulator is positioned between the first seed light injected laser and the first optical fiber, and a second seed light injected laser coupled to the first optical circulator and the first seed light injected laser, wherein the first optical circulator is positioned between the second seed light injected laser and the first optical fiber. Also disclosed is a method comprising receiving a seed light signal, amplifying the seed light signal using seed light injection locking, thereby producing an amplified seed light signal, and producing an optical signal using the amplified seed light signal and seed light injection locking, wherein the optical signal has about the same wavelength as the seed light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ning Cheng
  • Patent number: 8503871
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging apparatus which is provided with an imaging device and a mount adaptor which adjusts a flange focal length between the imaging apparatus and an interchangeable lens, wherein the mount adaptor is provided with a phase difference focus detection section which performs focus detection from a phase difference and an optical device which splits incident light from the interchangeable lens into incident light of the imaging device and incident light of the phase difference focus detection section, and the imaging apparatus is provided with a contrast focus detection section which performs focus detection from contrast using the imaging device, an adjustment section which adjusts the focus position of the phase difference focus detection section, and an adjustment control section which activates adjustment control of the focus position using detection of the mounting of the mount adaptor and the interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuharu Murashima, Makibi Nakamura, Norihiko Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 8430581
    Abstract: A camera lens assembly includes a focusing mount having a receiving lug and optical elements, which are arranged in the focusing mount, and define an optical axis. An adapter ring has a first planar surface and a second planar surface which are parallel to each other. The first planar surface is in contact engagement against a camera-side contact surface of the focus mount and the second planar surface is in contact with a lens-side contact surface of a lens mount. The lens mount has a tubular-shaped lens mount socket and lens mount attachment elements which are configured to coact with the camera mount attachment elements of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Uwe Weber, Holger Sehr, Helmut Lenhof
  • Patent number: 8414205
    Abstract: An intermediate accessory enables a camera and an exchange lens to communicate with each other through an information processor configured to provide predetermined processing for information received from one of the camera and the exchange lens, and to transmit information that has undergone the predetermined processing, to the other of the camera and the exchange lens, while the camera and the exchange lens are being attached. The intermediate accessory obtains lens identification information from the exchange lens, which is used to identify the exchange lens. The intermediate accessory enables a camera and an exchange lens to communicate with each other without intervening the information processor and transfers to an operation restricting mode used to restrict at least part of an operation the intermediate accessory, when the lens identification information indicates a specific exchange lens that does not require the predetermined processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Okada
  • Patent number: 8412034
    Abstract: A camera system includes a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an accessory to be mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory includes a signal processing unit configured to process a signal input into the accessory, a storage unit configured to store information used for performing the signal processing, and a blocking unit configured to prevent direct communication from the camera body to the interchangeable lens when the information stored in the storage unit is rewritten via the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Okada
  • Patent number: 8403574
    Abstract: A camera system including a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an accessory mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory has a signal processing unit configured to process a signal input into the accessory and a storage unit configured to store information to be used when performing the signal processing, the camera system further including a pseudo interchangeable lens which can be mounted on the accessory instead of the interchangeable lens and which is configured to supply power from the camera body to the accessory when mounted on the camera body via the accessory, and a control unit configured to, while the camera body, the accessory, and the pseudo interchangeable lens are connected, when the accessory receives within a predetermined duration predetermined information, enable communication between the camera body and the accessory even after the predetermined duration has elapsed, and rewrite the information stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouji Okada
  • Publication number: 20130064532
    Abstract: An optical attachment configured to be operably attached to the image side of an objective lens to reduce the focal length and focal ratio of the objective lens. The focal-reducing attachment includes four lens elements and has a magnification of between 0.5 and 1. The focal-reducing lens can work with objective lenses having relatively large working distances for a large format size as well as with cameras having a smaller format size and relatively small permissible working distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: J. Brian Caldwell, Wilfried Bittner
  • Publication number: 20130011127
    Abstract: A personal communication device, such as a smartphone handset (1) comprises a main body (2) incorporating a camera (4) having a lens (5). An attachment (6) for the personal communication device is detachably mountable to the main body (2) by means of a cover (8). The attachment (6) also comprises an optical device (7) arranged to reflect light into the lens from a panoramic field of view. The optical device (7) includes a convex mirror (9), which preferably reflects light from a 360° field of view into the camera (4). Such an arrangement enables the user to completely capture an image of his surroundings, so that the image is an objective record of a moment in time as experienced by the user. The invention is more portable and versatile than previous arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: BUBBLEPIX LIMITED
    Inventor: Thomas Alexander Lawton
  • Patent number: 8280238
    Abstract: System and method for modifying an optical assembly with another image modifying device by using an adapter assembly to connect or couple three image modifying devices together. The adapter assembly includes two adapters that have collars to hold a night vision monocular between them, and to each connect with a camera and lens, respectively, modifying a camera-lens assembly for use in night time photo surveillance. Attachment members on each adapter may include mechanical and/or electrical connectors to couple or connect the adapters to each other, and/or to electrically connect the camera with the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Nocturnal Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Laganas, Charles Ronald Musgrove, William Ray Blessing, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8251602
    Abstract: An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Koji Shibuno, Hidekazu Nakajima, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 8218960
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system including a focus lens unit, a branching optical unit disposed at the image side of the focus lens unit, a focus-state detecting unit including a focus detecting element having a focus detection area that receives light beams from the branching optical unit, and detecting a focus state by using the focus detecting element, an actuator that drives the focus lens unit in an optical axis direction thereof, a controller that controls the actuator, in accordance with an output from the focus-state detecting unit, and a movable image-side optical unit disposed at the image side of the branching optical unit. The controller changes the size of the focus detection area of the focus detecting element within a range in accordance with the position of the image-side optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuji Nurishi
  • Publication number: 20120114319
    Abstract: A camera body is mountable with an intermediate lens which is mountable to an interchangeable lens. The intermediate lens has a first lens and a first drive controller operable to control drive of the first lens. The interchangeable lens has a second lens and a second drive controller operable to control drive of the second lens. The camera body includes an operation unit operable to receive an operation performed by a user, and a body controller operable to control the first drive controller and the second drive controller. The body controller sends a signal for driving the first lens to the first drive controller and/or sends a signal for driving the second lens to the second drive controller, according to the user operation performed on the operation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Naotaka KISHIDA
  • Patent number: 8155513
    Abstract: A video camera, having a body which supports a Depth of Field adapter and contains an image recording device comprises imaging optics having a disk shaped ground glass for rendering visible a real image; a rotatable post having a first end coupled to the ground glass at its center and a second end coupled to the body of the Depth of Field adapter; and a motor coupled to rotate the rotatable post to urge the ground glass to rotate, and where the Depth of Field adapter comprises first and second tubes which, when aligned, form a front tube of the Depth of Field adapter; a coupling ring coupled to align and join the first tube with the second tube; and a support member coupled to the first and second tubes to position the first and second tubes to be at the front of the optical path of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Hien Tu Le, Quyen Tu Le
  • Publication number: 20120033955
    Abstract: An intermediate accessory enables a camera and an exchange lens to communicate with each other through an information processor configured to provide predetermined processing for information received from one of the camera and the exchange lens, and to transmit information that has undergone the predetermined processing, to the other of the camera and the exchange lens, while the camera and the exchange lens are being attached. The intermediate accessory obtains lens identification information from the exchange lens, which is used to identify the exchange lens. The intermediate accessory enables a camera and an exchange lens to communicate with each other without intervening the information processor and transfers to an operation restricting mode used to restrict at least part of an operation the intermediate accessory, when the lens identification information indicates a specific exchange lens that does not require the predetermined processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Okada
  • Publication number: 20110317062
    Abstract: A circuit board is arranged on an end face of a lens barrel on a lens mount side and installed with an electronic circuit device, a plurality of connection terminals which are arranged in an electrically insulating state in the lens mount and serve to connect the electronic circuit device on the circuit board with an electronic circuit device inside a camera body, and a wiring member is for connecting the plurality of connection terminals with the circuit board, where the wiring member is provided with a ground connection section which is connected to a ground pattern of the circuit board and also electrically connected to a connection terminal that is to be a ground terminal among the plurality of connection terminals, and an extended wiring pattern is for electrically grounding the ground connection section on a metal portion of the lens mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinkuro Fujino, Hirotsugu Fusayasu, Shouichi Mimura, Masafumi Kumoi, Masato Tobinaga, Akihiro Aoyama, Yasuhiro Wada
  • Publication number: 20110228163
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system configured to collect subject light, an imaging device having an electronic front curtain function, configured to receive the subject light to generate an image signal, a data storage unit configured to store an exit pupil distance of the optical system and a correction amount of the exit pupil distance, a mechanical shutter capable of cutting off the subject light passing through the optical system to the imaging device, and a correction unit configured to obtain the exit pupil distance of the optical system and the correction amount of the exit pupil distance from the data storage unit, obtain a corrected exit pupil distance using the obtained exit pupil distance of the optical system and a correction amount of the exit pupil distance, and correct brightness unevenness of the image signal based on the corrected exit pupil distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: HARUO ISAKA, MIKIO SAKURAI, YASUHIRO NAKAGAI
  • Publication number: 20110229114
    Abstract: A camera system including a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an accessory mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory has a signal processing unit configured to process a signal input into the accessory and a storage unit configured to store information to be used when performing the signal processing, the camera system further including a pseudo interchangeable lens which can be mounted on the accessory instead of the interchangeable lens and which is configured to supply power from the camera body to the accessory when mounted on the camera body via the accessory, and a control unit configured to, while the camera body, the accessory, and the pseudo interchangeable lens are connected, when the accessory receives within a predetermined duration predetermined information, enable communication between the camera body and the accessory even after the predetermined duration has elapsed, and rewrite the information stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Okada
  • Publication number: 20110229115
    Abstract: A camera system includes a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an accessory to be mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory includes a signal processing unit configured to process a signal input into the accessory, a storage unit configured to store information used for performing the signal processing, and a blocking unit configured to prevent direct communication from the camera body to the interchangeable lens when the information stored in the storage unit is rewritten via the camera body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Okada
  • Patent number: 8009973
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body defining a receiving cavity therein, a camera module received in the receiving cavity, and a movable moveable lens. The camera module includes a casing and a wide-angle lens unit received in the casing. The movable lens is received in the receiving cavity and spaced a distance from the camera module. The movable lens is movable between a first position where the wide-angle lens unit is covered by and optically aligned with the movable lens, thereby the movable lens and the wide-angle lens unit cooperatively constituting a telephoto lens, and a second position where the wide-angle lens unit is misaligned with the movable lens and exposed to an exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Yu Lin
  • Publication number: 20110142432
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body defining a receiving cavity therein, a camera module received in the receiving cavity, and a movable moveable lens. The camera module includes a casing and a wide-angle lens unit received in the casing. The movable lens is received in the receiving cavity and spaced a distance from the camera module. The movable lens is movable between a first position where the wide-angle lens unit is covered by and optically aligned with the movable lens, thereby the movable lens and the wide-angle lens unit cooperatively constituting a telephoto lens, and a second position where the wide-angle lens unit is misaligned with the movable lens and exposed to an exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TSUNG-YU LIN
  • Publication number: 20110097063
    Abstract: There is provided a camera module. The camera module includes a housing accommodating a lens barrel in which a lens is arranged, a close range lens provided in the housing and covering the lens at the time of shooting at close range, and a driving unit driving the close range lens to cover the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae Jun Seo
  • Patent number: 7918616
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensing unit which receives an object image via a lens and accumulate the received image as an electric charge, a mechanical shutter unit which travels so as to shield an image sensing region of the image sensing unit against light, a scanning unit which performs scanning for sequentially starting the accumulation of the electric charge for each image sensing region of the image sensing unit, a control unit which controls the accumulation start scanning of the scanning unit and the travel of a shutter of the mechanical shutter unit, so as to implement a first curtain and second curtain of a shutter and a changing unit which changes a maximum shutter speed on the basis of one of a type of the lens and information on the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20110075019
    Abstract: A lens apparatus 200 includes an image-pickup optical system 202, 204, an optical element 210 capable of being inserted into and extracted from the image-pickup optical system, an actuator 212 which moves the optical element so as to be inserted into and extracted from the image-pickup optical system, and a controller 201 which operates the actuator in accordance with an insert/extract command signal which instructs insertion and extraction of the optical element. The controller limits an operation of the actuator in accordance with an input of the insert/extract command signal during recording or broadcasting an image taken by a camera 100 using the lens apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junichi Kasuya
  • Patent number: 7874747
    Abstract: An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Koji Shibuno, Hidekazu Nakajima, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 7859592
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, at least parts or all of the windows for tarry lamps are located in the outside of the front cover by constructing the front cover portion between the top face and left-hand side face of the front cover, and the front cover portion between the top face and right-hand side face of the front cover as the inclined planes respectively. That is, since the windows for tarry lamps are not covered by the front cover as conventional ones, visibility from the external improves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignees: Fujinon Corporation, Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Takahashi, Shozo Kondo
  • Patent number: 7853137
    Abstract: A means for fixing an auxiliary lens to the outside of the original lens of a camera body includes an annular base, an annular lens mount and an annular abutting base. The inner edge of the base protrudes upwardly to form a wall. The wall protrudes outwards to form a plurality of blocks. The inner edge of the lens mount is provided with a plurality of notches corresponding to the blocks. A first end surface of the abutting base extends to form a plurality of L-shaped elastic arms corresponding to the blocks and notches. The L-shaped elastic arm extends obliquely from the first end surface toward the lens mount. A gap is formed between the L-shaped elastic arm and the abutting base, so that the L-shaped elastic arm can be bent inwardly when compressed. When the camera body is combined with the auxiliary lens by rotation, the blocks pass through the notches to abut and compress the L-shaped elastic arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lumos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 7848630
    Abstract: An autofocus adapter is provided and includes an imaging adapter optical system placed on an optical axis of an imaging lens when the autofocus adapter is attached, and a focus state detection adapter optical system placed on an optical axis different from the optical axis of the imaging lens when the autofocus adapter is attached. The imaging adapter optical system has a light split prism for splitting subject light passing through the imaging lens into imaging subject light and the focus state detection subject light, a first lens group having a negative power as a whole and placed on the object side with respect to the light split prism, and a second lens group having a positive power as a whole and placed on the image side with respect to the light split prism. The focus state detection adapter optical system has a positive lens group having the same lens configuration as the second lens group in the imaging adapter optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Yahagi
  • Patent number: 7843646
    Abstract: A switchable magnification lens used to vary the magnification of an image going to be captured by a camera. The switchable magnification lens includes an outer barrel and a switchable magnification unit detachably arranged in the outer barrel and connected to the zoom lens. The image will be magnified while passing through the switchable magnification unit from a first end to a second end, and the image will be shrunk while passing through the switchable magnification unit from the second end to the first end. The switchable magnification unit is able to change its orientation with respect to the outer barrel. The image will be magnified while the first end is away from the camera and the second end is toward the camera, and the image will be shrunk while the first end is toward the camera and the second end is away from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Lumos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: RE47109
    Abstract: An adapter includes: a first mount section that is detachably attached to a camera body; a second mount section that is provided separately from the first mount section and is detachably attached to any one of a plurality of types of interchangeable lenses which are different from each other in a method of controlling a diaphragm; and an accessory control section that controls the diaphragm of the interchangeable lens in response to a common control command which is received from the camera body regardless of the type of the interchangeable lens mounted on the second mount section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Masafumi Oikawa, Noriaki Nakajima, Shunji Nagaya