Patents Examined by Brian C Genco
  • Patent number: 6965397
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for using camera attitude sensors with a camera. A camera assembly includes a tripod base, a tripod head interface mounted on the tripod base, a tripod head mounted on the tripod head interface and a camera mounted on the tripod head. The tripod head enables the camera to pan and tilt. The system also includes a first optical encoder for detecting the amount that the camera has been panned and a second optical encoder for detecting the amount that the camera has been tilted. Two inclinometers are mounted on the tripod head interface to measure attitude of the tripod head. Two gyroscopes (“gyros”) are mounted on the camera assembly. Data from the encoders, gyros and inclinometers are packaged and sent to graphics production equipment to be used for enhancing video captured by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sportvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley K. Honey, Richard H. Cavallaro, Marvin S. White, Terence J. O'Brien, Matthew T. Lazar, Stuart K. Neubarth, Alan C. Phillips, Kenneth A. Milnes
  • Patent number: 6930725
    Abstract: The invention provides an information processing apparatus having an image pickup apparatus incorporated therein, said image pickup apparatus comprising image pickup means for picking up an image of an object, holding means for holding thereon a lens for forming an image on said image pickup means, said holding means having a serrated circumferential portion thereon, moving means for fitting with said serrated circumferential portion of said holding means to move, when said moving means is turned, said holding means along a direction of an optical axis of said lens and accommodation means for accommodating said holding means and said moving means therein. With the information processing apparatus, the holding means is moved in a direction of the optical axis of the lens by turning the moving means. Consequently, the focus of the lens can be adjusted to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kaoru Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6909461
    Abstract: An image capture system generates an extended effective dynamic range from a signal provided by an image sensor by utilizing an image sensing device having standard photosites with a predetermined response to a light exposure and non-standard photosites with a slower response to the same light exposure. An optical section exposes the image sensing device to image light, thereby causing the image sensing device to generate an image signal and a processing section expands the response of the standard photosites to increased light exposures by utilizing the image signals from neighboring non-standard photosites. Furthermore, the processing section may expand the response of the non-standard photosites to decreased light exposures by utilizing the image signals from neighboring standard photosites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew C. Gallagher, David N. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6829008
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a solid-state image sensing apparatus capable of performing high-precision AF and AE without adding any camera mechanism or increasing power consumption. To achieve this object, at least S1 and S2 among photoelectric conversion cells output signals not for forming an image signal in a solid-state image sensing apparatus in which photoelectric conversion cells for converting an optical image formed by an optical system into an electrical signal are two-dimensionally laid out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Kondo, Yukichi Niwa, Shinji Sakai, Yoshihiro Saga
  • Patent number: 6784937
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a lens assembly comprising an enclosure, annular rotating means, gear assembly, spring, leaf spring, cap, and lens. The enclosure has a housing and haft. The housing has a lower hole for supporting the image capture apparatus, and an upper hole, which is consisted of three slope sets. Each slope set has a sub-slope and a main slope, the main slopes of the slope sets having a same gradient and being in a same height at highest points or lowest points of the main slopes. The annular rotating means having three extrusive portions is connected to the slope sets of enclosure. The gear assembly, which is supported by the haft of enclosure and connected with the annular rotating means, is applied for driving the annular rotating means. The spring is mounted on the first inner rim of the upper surface of the annular rotating means. The leaf spring is placed on the second inner rim of the upper surface of the annular rotating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Nu-Cam Corporation
    Inventor: Nai-Sim Goh
  • Patent number: 6750914
    Abstract: An image pick-up device comprises a central processing unit which obtains photography advisability information showing whether or not an image can be picked-up, and an image preprocessor which displays a target mark used as the photography criterion on a display. The image preprocessor changes a form of the target mark based on the content of the photography advisability information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masato Sannoh, Noriaki Ojima
  • Patent number: 6654056
    Abstract: Geometric configurations for photosites found on photosensitive chips for creating electrical signals from an original image, as would be found, for example, in a digital scanner, copier, facsimile machine, or other document generating or reproducing device. The photosensitive chips are mounted on a substrate to form a photosensitive array in a full width scanner or other photosensitive device. The geometric configurations reduce the Moiré patterns to provide a higher quality image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alain E. Perregaux, Jagdish C. Tandon, Paul A. Hosier, Roger L. Triplett, Xiao-Fan Feng
  • Patent number: 6642964
    Abstract: Geometric configurations for photosites found on photosensitive chips for creating electrical signals from an original image, as would be found, for example, in a digital scanner, copier, printer, facsimile machine, or other document generating or reproducing device. The photosensitive chips are mounted on a substrate to form a photosensitive array in a full width scanner or other photosensitive device. The geometric configurations reduce the Moiré patterns to provide a higher quality image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alain E. Perregaux, Jagdish C. Tandon, Roger L. Triplett, Xiao-Fan Feng