Patents Examined by Fang-Chi Chang
  • Patent number: 8988596
    Abstract: An imaging device comprising an imaging section for repeatedly forming subject images at a set period, while performing a bulb exposure operation, and outputting image data; an adding processing section for performing adding processing of the image data and previously output image data; an added image storage section for sequentially storing a plurality of added images that have been determined by the adding processing section; and a selection section for selecting any of the plurality of added images that have been stored in the added image storage section, after completion of the bulb exposure operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventor: Yoji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8982266
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging section for repeatedly forming an image of a subject at a set period, while performing a bulb exposure operation, and outputting image data; an adding processing section for performing adding processing of the image data and previously output image data; an image display section for displaying the added image; and a designation section for designating to display only notification information indicating that bulb exposure is being performed, on the image display section, for a given period from commencement of the bulb exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventor: Yoji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8905656
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens tube configured to hold a lens, a barrier driving member configured to move between an opened state and a closed state by switching of the lens tube between a shooting-ready state and a retracted state, a pair of first barrier blades, each of which includes a blade portion, configured to open and close in conjunction with the barrier driving member, and a pair of second barrier blades, each of which includes a blade portion and a coupling portion, the coupling portion positioned outside the lens as viewed from an object side and located closer to the first barrier blade than the blade portion, the pair of second barrier blades being configured to be moved by contact between the coupling portion and the first barrier blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ishimasa
  • Patent number: 8855476
    Abstract: In one example, a camera is provided that includes: a plurality of MEMS electrostatic comb actuators, each actuator operable to exert a force on at least one lens; and an optical image stabilization (OIS) algorithm module operable to command the plurality of actuators to actuate the at least one lens responsive to motion of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMS
    Inventors: Xiaolei Liu, Roman C. Gutierrez, Pat K. Leang, Jose A. Mendez, Corneliu Zaharia, Alexandru F. Drimbarean, Petronel Gheorghe Bigioi
  • Patent number: 8834044
    Abstract: The interchangeable lens includes a lens holding member holding a lens, a first supporting bar engaging with the lens holding member to guide movement of the lens holding member in an optical axis direction, a second supporting bar engaging with the lens holding member to prevent rotation of the lens holding member, the second supporting bar having a shorter length than that of the first supporting bar. The interchangeable lens further includes a mount contact provided as an electric contact in a mount portion detachably attachable to a camera body. When viewed from the optical axis direction, the first supporting bar is disposed in an area not overlapping the mount contact, and the second supporting bar is disposed in an area overlapping the mount contact, and when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction, part of the first supporting bar overlaps the mount contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Uehara, Kousuke Kiyamura, Mitsuhiro Izumi
  • Patent number: 8821045
    Abstract: A system includes a beam bracket, a small camera bracket, and a large camera bracket. The beam bracket is adapted to be mounted to a building structure and has mounting holes distributed in a spatial configuration. The small camera bracket has mounting holes distributed in the same spatial configuration as the beam bracket with the mounting holes of the small camera bracket adapted to be aligned with the mounting holes of the beam bracket. The small camera bracket further includes a plate adapted to support a small camera. The large camera bracket has mounting holes distributed in the same spatial configuration as the beam bracket and adapted to be aligned with the mounting holes of the beam bracket. The large camera bracket further includes a plate adapted to support a large camera that is larger than the small camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal B. De Pape, Jason David Reasoner, Samuel Silva, Matthew Dennis Hainley
  • Patent number: 8805174
    Abstract: An image taking system including: a lens apparatus; a first and a second operating apparatus, the first and the second operating apparatus configured to output a command information for an optical member movable in the lens apparatus, and the lens apparatus includes: a driving unit for the optical member; and a lens controller for driving the optical member based on a command from the first and the second operating apparatus, wherein the first operating apparatus includes: an operating unit; and a demand controller for outputting, to the lens controller, an information for driving the optical member, and wherein the demand controller outputs a position command information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit being operated, and outputs other information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit not being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8798698
    Abstract: An apparatus for integrally processing a plurality of biologic signals includes a first signal processing module and a second signal processing module. The first processing module generates a signal for operating a sensing module, which includes a plurality of sensor groups which measures the plurality of biologic signals, and which processes a biologic signal provided from the plurality of sensor groups based on a control signal. The second signal processing module authenticates a sensor group from among the plurality of sensor groups, generates the control signal according to a result of the authentication while automatically setting a processing condition, processes the biologic signal provided from the first signal processing module according to the processing condition and outputs a result of processing the biologic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn-ho Kim, Jong-keun Song, Dong-wook Kim, Kun-soo Shin, Hyung-sok Yeo, Sang-kon Bae, Woo-young Jang, Ji-hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8788005
    Abstract: A method and system are provided which are useful for the non-invasive determination and monitoring of cerebral blood oxygenation in a patient. The system comprises a first module for optically generating at least first and second internal jugular venous output signals against time at at least first and second wavelengths of light; and a second module for generating first and second cardiac arterial output signals at the first and second wavelengths of light, respectively. The system may additionally include a third module for optically generating at least first and second external jugular venous output signals against time at at least first and second wavelengths of light, and one or more cerebral modules for optically generating at least first and second local cerebral output signals against time at at least first and second wavelengths of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mespere Lifesciences Inc.
    Inventor: Xuefeng Cheng
  • Patent number: 8761595
    Abstract: A camera includes a circuit board that includes a plurality of terminals disposed on a top surface of the circuit board to correspond to connection terminals of an external flash, and a support unit that supports the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hun-young Ryu
  • Patent number: 8744256
    Abstract: A camera includes: a first sensor of a storage type that has a plurality of pixels; a focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state of a photographic optical system based upon a detection signal from the first sensor for a photographic subject; a second sensor that acquires an image of the photographic subject; an extraction unit that extracts a main photographic subject region from image information acquired by the second sensor; and a control unit that controls accumulation of electrical charge by the first sensor, based upon values outputted from pixels of the first sensor that correspond to the main photographic subject region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuma Hosoi
  • Patent number: 8744253
    Abstract: An image blur correcting mechanism is provided that includes an imaging element, a movable frame, a fixed frame, and first and second actuators. The imaging element has a light receiving face with first and second edges that intersects. The movable frame holds the imaging element. The fixed frame movably supports the movable frame along first and second directions that intersects. The first and second directions are parallel to the light receiving face. The first actuator is configured to move the movable frame in the first direction, and the second actuator is configured to move the movable frame in the second direction. The actuators are positioned on opposing sides of the imaging element, and disposed relative to a first perpendicular plane located perpendicular to the first edge and coincident with the second edge. The actuators are positioned on opposing sides of a second perpendicular plane located perpendicular to the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai Shintani
  • Patent number: 8737829
    Abstract: A correction optical device includes a rotating member that is disposed between a fixed member and a movable member that supports a compensation lens. By controlling rotation of the rotating member using the movable member, the movable member is locked and unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Shihoh
  • Patent number: 8731393
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a stop having an aperture, two filter members each including a first area that includes a transmissive part and a gradation part having a transmittance that is lower than the transmittance of the transmissive part and that is changed in a moving direction of the filter member, an actuator that drives the two filter members, and a controller that controls the actuator. The two filter members are disposed so that both changing directions of densities of the gradation part and moving directions are opposite and the first area has a size capable of covering a whole of a first aperture. The controller controls the actuator so as to always move in an area between a first position and a second position. The transmissive part has a size that is incapable of covering the whole of the first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidekazu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8727967
    Abstract: An instrument for use with an endoscope may include an elongate section configured to move exterior to the endoscope. The elongate section may include a distal end and a proximal end. The instrument may also include an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongate section, and an actuation device attached to the proximal end of the elongate section. The actuation device may be configured to operate the end effector. The instrument may also include a guiding member coupled to the elongate section. The guiding member may be configured to be coupled to an external surface of the endoscope to permit the guiding member to move longitudinally relative to the endoscope. The guiding member may be coupled to the elongate section such that the end effector may extend past a distal end of the endoscope and move in a transverse direction independent of the movement of the distal end of the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Weitzner
  • Patent number: 8727647
    Abstract: An actuator including a magnetic field generator configured to provide a magnetic field; and a conductive element mounted for movement relative to the magnetic field generator wherein the conductive element forms a series of loops around a series of different axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Marko Eromaki
  • Patent number: 8731391
    Abstract: A mobile device comprising a processor, a camera module, and a flash configured to generate at least one of a reduced pre-flash, a standard pre-flash and a flash. The processor, in response to receiving an image capture request, is configured to receive a brightness value and determine a flash status based on a flash setting with the flash status being one of an off mode, on mode, and auto mode. In the event the flash status is one of the on mode and auto mode, determine whether there is sufficient light to capture an image based at least in part on a comparison of the brightness value and a flash threshold. In the event the brightness value is greater than the flash threshold, cause the flash to generate a shortened pre-flash and obtain only a white balance measurement and an auto-exposure measurement during the shortened pre-flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Cliel Yochanan Manoach Gilbert Schachter, Qian Wang
  • Patent number: 8708581
    Abstract: A mirror arrangement for reflex cameras is provided. A main mirror is pivotably connected to a steering lever, which is rotatable about a rotary spindle, such that the main mirror is pivoted and lowered during transition into the lower position. A secondary mirror is rotatably mounted to a housing via a pivot arm that is arranged pivotably about a rotary spindle that is fixed to the housing. The rotary spindle of the pivot arm is parallel to the rotary spindle of the steering lever. The mirror arrangement further comprises an actuating lever, which is connected to the main mirror and the pivot arm of the secondary mirror. The actuating lever is configured to provide simultaneous movement of the main mirror and of the secondary mirror from the upper position into the lower position and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Camera AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Kranz, Christoph Knapp
  • Patent number: 8693862
    Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and camera apparatus upon which can be executed an improved method enable a modular camera to be used in conjunction with a flash. In one implementation, compensation parameters that are intended for use in a non-flash situation are overwritten with compensation parameters that are configured to compensate for the combined effects of the camera and the flash and are used by an embedded compensation routine executed on the camera. In another implementation, an image signal is processed by the embedded compensation routine using the original compensation parameters, but if it is determined that the image signal is a flash image signal, the image signal is further processed by the embedded compensation routine employing an additional set of parameters which compensate the image signal for the effect of the flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Marc Drader, Michael Purdy, Ken Wu
  • Patent number: 8693860
    Abstract: An image taking system including: a lens apparatus; a first and a second operating apparatus, the first and the second operating apparatus configured to output a command information for an optical member movable in the lens apparatus, and the lens apparatus includes: a driving unit for the optical member; and a lens controller for driving the optical member based on a command from the first and the second operating apparatus, wherein the first operating apparatus includes: an operating unit; and a demand controller for outputting, to the lens controller, an information for driving the optical member, and wherein the demand controller outputs a position command information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit being operated, and outputs other information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit not being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Kikuchi