Patents Examined by W. B. Perkey
  • Patent number: 9310666
    Abstract: An optical image-stabilizing apparatus includes: an optical image-stabilizing unit including a movement frame and a support frame supporting the movement frame to be movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis; and a locking unit capable of locking the movement frame to not be moved in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, wherein the locking unit includes: a locking barrel movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis and configured to limit movement of the movement frame according to a position in the direction parallel to the optical axis; a driving barrel rotatable and configured to transfer a driving force to the locking barrel so that the locking barrel is moved in the direction parallel to the optical axis; and a guide barrel between the locking barrel and the driving barrel and including rectilinear guide portions that extend in the direction parallel to the optical axis so that the locking barrel is moved in the direction parallel to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung-hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 9304386
    Abstract: A camera assembly includes a light assembly lens having a camera aperture and a seal ring received and held in the camera aperture. In addition, the camera assembly includes a camera having an outer housing projecting into the seal ring and a seal between the seal ring and the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Clement, Gary Edward Henige, Sleiman N. Abdelnour
  • Patent number: 9301672
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) scanner device for generating a three dimensional (3D) surface model of shaped objects, such as dental structures, applicable for use in the field of dentistry, particularly to dental prosthetics manufacturing. Methods and systems relating to the device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: APOLLO ORAL SCANNER, LLC
    Inventors: Alfonso Fernandez Pulido, David De Pablos Garcia
  • Patent number: 9304375
    Abstract: An electronic device carrying case is provided. The electronic device includes a case part having an inside recessed to form a hollow opened to one side and an outer peripheral surface formed with a curved surface, and a mount part having an upper part provided to be detachable from a lower end of the case part and a lower part with an inwardly recessed curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo Jung Moon, Joo Hyung Kim, Woo Hyeok Jeong
  • Patent number: 9291879
    Abstract: A hidden camera system for a vehicle includes a cover, a camera, a drive motor and a linkage connecting the drive motor to the cover and the camera. A first stop establishes a repeatable and fully deployed position for the camera. An abutment engages that stop when the camera is fully deployed. A biasing element biases the camera into the fully deployed position to ensure that the camera is always fully deployed into the same position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Igor Samardzic, David Lee Jarvis, Jeffrey Mayville
  • Patent number: 9285656
    Abstract: A system for determining lens position including a first capacitor plate disposed on a stationary housing of a camera. A second capacitor plate is disposed on a rotating lens component of the camera. A processor is operatively connected to the first and second capacitor plates to identify the position of the lens of the camera based on capacitance between the first and second capacitor plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Foster, Michael Delamere, John P. Barby
  • Patent number: 9285578
    Abstract: A method and associated system for imaging high density biochemical arrays comprises one or more imaging channels that share a common objective lens and a corresponding one or more time delay integration-type imaging cameras with optical alignment mechanisms that permit independent inter-channel and intra-channel adjustment of each of four degrees: X, Y, rotation and scale. The imaging channels are configured to independently examine different spectra of the image of the biochemical arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Complete Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Craig E. Uhrich
  • Patent number: 9280038
    Abstract: A platform for interchangeably mounting a payload to a base support is provided. In one aspect, the platform comprises: a support assembly configured to be releasably coupled to a payload via a first coupling and configured to control a spatial disposition of the payload; and a mounting assembly configured to be releasably coupled via a second coupling to a plurality of types of base supports selected from at least two of the following: an aerial vehicle, a handheld support, or a base adapter mounted onto a movable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Pan, Xifeng Zhao, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 9268279
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a processor is configured to: determine whether prescribed criterion is met, the prescribed criterion indicating that a non agitation period of time, during which the agitator has not agitated the toner, has passed a predetermined period of time; perform a mark data generating process in which mark data is generated by forming a mark and reading the formed mark when the prescribed criterion is met; perform another mark data generating process in which another mark data is generated by forming another mark and reading the formed another mark after performing the mark data generating process; determine whether a difference between the mark data and the another mark data is within a prescribed range; and determine an adjustment value on a basis of at least one of the mark data and the another mark data when the difference is within the prescribed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kentaro Murayama
  • Patent number: 9268197
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing an external flash and a global shutter for a device with an integrated rolling shutter camera entail synchronization of the external flash and shutter with the rolling shutter. Responsive to an indication from the device associated with the capture of one or more images, the external flash and shutter are controlled so that exposure is completed before the rolling shutter readout of the camera sensor begins. The disclosed methods and apparatus allow for high quality flash photography not previously possible with such cameras, commonly found in mobile devices, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Canfield Scientific, Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel Eric DiGregorio, George Anthony Jaray, James Vincent Crismale
  • Patent number: 9250591
    Abstract: A sensor is attached to an apparatus having a fixing unit which fixes an image on a recording medium by heating the recording medium. The sensor includes: a transmission unit transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the recording medium; a reception unit receiving the ultrasonic wave via the recording medium, and output a signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic wave; and a detecting unit detecting information relating to a state of the recording medium which has changed by passing through the fixing unit, based on a first signal which the reception unit has output upon having received the ultrasonic wave before the recording medium has passed through the fixing unit, and a second signal which the reception unit has output upon having received the ultrasonic wave after the recording medium has passed through the fixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasutaka Yagi, Tsutomu Ishida, Tadashi Okanishi, Teruhiko Namiki, Motoyasu Muramatsu, Masaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9250579
    Abstract: A separator is provided for a fixing device including a rotary fixing member that fixes a toner image on a recording medium and a rotary pressure member pressed against the rotary fixing member to form a fixing nip portion for nipping the recording medium. The separator includes a separation plate and plate-shaped spacers. The separation plate is disposed downstream of the fixing nip portion in a medium feeding direction, with an edge portion of the separation plate facing an outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member or the rotary pressure member. The spacers are disposed between portions of the edge portion of the separation plate and the outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member or the rotary pressure member to surround the portions of the edge portion in a direction intersecting with an extending direction of the edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaroh Takahashi, Yasutoshi Iwata, Yoshiki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9241558
    Abstract: A case can include a front cover and a back cover. The back cover can include a back edge, a device support assembly including a main device region and a tab, and a flap including an exposure region and a tab region. The case can include a top edge and a bottom edge. The back cover can be configured to be removably coupled to a first electronic device. The back cover can be configured to be removably coupled to a second electronic device when the first electronic device is not coupled to the back cover. The first electronic device can include a first camera lens and first dimensions. The second electronic device can include a second camera lens and second dimensions different from the first dimensions of the first electronic device. The flap can be configured to be placed in an exposed configuration and a closed configuration. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Law, Xin Fu
  • Patent number: 9244337
    Abstract: An apparatus for an attachable mount having a center plate with a mount for a camera is described. A first arm is coupled to a first end of the center plate and a second arm is coupled to a second end of the center plate. There is a catch coupled to an end of the first arm and a catch coupled to an end of the second arm. At least one of the catches is adjustable in distance from the center plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ORION INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Orion Jacob Weihe
  • Patent number: 9238534
    Abstract: A waterproof closure system 1 including a plate 20 having a periphery 21 and at least one closure member 30 which can be fitted around the periphery of the plate so that when they are joined the closure member forms a border around the periphery of the plate. The closure member has at least two elements 30a,30b separated by a split 41 with there being a locking means, for example having a male part 42 provided on a first element on one side of said split and a female part 44 provided on a second element on the other side of said split that can lock the two elements together o closing the split and tightening the closure member around the periphery of the plate thereby locking a mouth of a bag placed around the plate between the plate periphery and closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: AQUAPAC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Andrew Sean MacAuley
  • Patent number: 9239511
    Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; blades opening and closing the opening; an electromagnet supported by the board; a drive lever adsorbed to and held by the electromagnet, and swingably supported by the board; a drive arm connected to the drive lever, swingably supported by the board, and driving the blades; a first biasing member always biasing the drive lever away from the electromagnet and moving the blades; a first adjusting member that stepwisely adjusts a biasing force of the first biasing member; a second biasing member always biasing the drive arm in a direction opposite to a biasing direction of the first biasing member to such an extent that the blades are moved in accordance with the biasing force of the first biasing member; and a second adjusting member that steplessly adjusts a biasing force of the second biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO PRECISION INC.
    Inventors: Seiichi Oishii, Shoichi Tokura
  • Patent number: 9228592
    Abstract: Provided is a blowing device including a blower that sends air, a blower pipe having an inlet that takes in the air sent from the blower, an outlet that is formed in an elongated opening shape parallel to the portion of the target structure in the longitudinal direction, and a body portion that connects the inlet and the outlet and to cause the air to flow therethrough, and plural flow dividing plates, each of the flow dividing plates having a distributing portion and a changing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teruyo Ryuzaki, Yuki Nagamori, Kazuki Inami, Yasunori Momomura, Masafumi Kudo
  • Patent number: 9232137
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a wearable camera that is configured to take a cluster of photographs and use image processing techniques to select a photograph with a lesser amount of blur than other photographs in the cluster. The wearable camera can include one or more of a gyroscope or accelerometer for ascertaining the camera's motion. Motion data associated with the camera's motion is utilized to ascertain when to take an automatic photograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Lammers
  • Patent number: 9225894
    Abstract: A method for focusing a film camera, in which at least one auxiliary camera is provided for producing an auxiliary representation of an object to be recorded, from which the desired focus setting is determined and a focusing signal is delivered to the film camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Waitz
  • Patent number: 9217911
    Abstract: A camera assembly having a camera support system that may include a first support member, a second support member, a first biased hinge, and a strap. The first support member may have a first end and a second end. The second support member may have a first end and second end. The first biased hinge may include the first end of the first support member, the first end of the second support member, a first pivoting rod, and the strap wrapped around the first pivoting rod. The camera support system may further include a second biased hinge. The second biased hinge may include the second end of the first support member, a second pivoting rod, a portion of a camera body, and the strap wrapped around the second pivoting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: SORENSON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Von Winsor, Doug Reynolds, Mark David Nelson