Movable Or Rotatable Unit Patents (Class 348/333.06)
  • Patent number: 11798184
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image device is provided. The three-dimensional image device includes a depth processor, a structured-light depth camera, and a TOF depth camera. The depth processor includes at least two input ports configured to receive first images, an input switch coupled to the at least two input ports, and a data processing engine coupled to the input switch. The at least two input ports include a first input port and a second input port, the first input port is coupled to the structured-light depth camera, and the second input port is coupled to the TOF depth camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Xueyong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11423557
    Abstract: A depth processor and a three-dimensional image device. The depth processor comprises at least two input ports, an input switch, a data processing engine and at least one output port. The input port is used for receiving a first image, wherein the first image at least comprises a structured light image collected by a structured light depth camera. The input switch is connected to the output port, and is used for letting some or all of first images that come from the input ports pass. The data processing engine is connected to the input switch, and is used for processing the first image output via the input switch, so as to output a second image, wherein the second image at least comprises a depth image. The output port is connected to the data processing engine, and is used for outputting the second image to a main device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Xueyong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11320721
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a main body having an imaging element; a rectangular display disposed along one surface of the main body; and a hinge unit that movably connects the display to the main body. The hinge unit includes a support portion connected to the main body so as to be rotationally movable about a first axis by a pair of first hinges on the first axis extending along one of two sides of the display which are at right angles to each other. The display is supported by the support portion so as to be rotationally movable about a second axis by a pair of second hinges on the second axis extending along other of the two sides of the display which are at right angles to each other. One of the pair of first hinges is disposed between the pair of second hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Takagi
  • Patent number: 11323597
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display unit, a display unit cover configured to hold the display unit, a first plate configured to move integrally with the display unit cover, a second plate, a first shaft provided on the second plate and rotatably supporting the first plate, a third plate, a second shaft provided on the third plate, parallel to the first shaft, and rotatably supporting the second plate, a third shaft orthogonal to the second shaft and rotatably supporting the third plate, and a first guide member provided on the third plate and configured to restrict operation areas of the first plate and the second plate. Where the first shaft is closest to the third plate within the operation area of the second plate around the second shaft, the first guide member is closer to the display unit cover than the third plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kawahara
  • Patent number: 11277505
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a foldable camera module and a mobile terminal including the same. The foldable camera module includes: a camera body housed in a groove on an outer surface of the mobile terminal; a flexible connecting line, an end of which is connected to the camera body; and a fixing member connected to the flexible connecting line and configured to fix the camera body. The camera body can be folded away from the groove in a predetermined direction by the flexible connecting line and fixed to a predetermined position by the fixing member. Therefore, shooting with different angles can be achieved with only one camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: JRD Communication (Shenzhen) LTD.
    Inventor: Liang Luo
  • Patent number: 11272083
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens barrel unit including an imaging optical system, a first cylindrical member, a second cylindrical member movable relative to the first cylindrical member along a guide bar between a retracted position and a pop-up position, a diopter adjuster provided on the second cylindrical member, a first detector configured to detect that the second cylindrical member is located at the retracted position or the pop-up position, and a first display unit. The guide bar is formed inside a projection surface of the first display unit when viewed from an optical axis direction. The first detection unit is fixed onto the first cylindrical member, and the first detector is more distant from the lens barrel unit than a reference line that passes a center of the first cylindrical member when viewed from the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taro Murakami, Kiyoshi Nitto, Nobuyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11137666
    Abstract: A control device, control method, and program, capable of executing a process suitable for a state of proximity of an eye with respect to a viewfinder, and an operating state with respect to an operation display portion. The control device includes a process control unit that executes a process related to shooting or playback of an image, on a basis of whether proximity of an eye with respect to a viewfinder is detected, and detection of an operation state with respect to an operation display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ayako Iwase, Daisuke Hiro, Lyo Takaoka
  • Patent number: 11067883
    Abstract: A projection device includes a first lens component, a second lens component, a first reflecting sheet embedded in the first lens component, a second reflecting sheet embedded in the second lens component, a light source opposite to the first reflecting sheet, a diffractive optical element opposite to the second reflecting sheet, and a rotating subassembly. The first lens component and the second lens component are not integral. The second reflecting sheet is opposite to the first reflecting sheet. The rotating subassembly can drive the second lens component to rotate relative to the first lens component. The projection device can realize multi-directional projection of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY(SHENZHEN) CO.LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Chieh Peng, Ching-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 11005982
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile information terminal that allows a high-performance camera to be directed in any arbitrary direction relative to the terminal body and that allows photographing to be performed in a free position, while allowing for the viewing of a camera viewpoint image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: XLEAP, INC.
    Inventor: Takashi Kinouchi
  • Patent number: 10914418
    Abstract: A method for controlling a carrier includes obtaining a motion characteristic of the carrier. The motion characteristic is indicative of a type of a payload being supported by the carrier. The carrier is configured to support a plurality of different types of payload including the type of the payload being supported by the carrier. The method further includes selecting a set of control parameter(s) from a plurality of different sets of control parameter(s) based on the motion characteristic. Each individual set of control parameter(s) of the plurality of different sets of control parameter(s) is suitable for controlling the carrier to support one of the plurality of different types of payload. The method also includes controlling movement of the carrier according to the selected set of control parameter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: SZ DJI OSMO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yan Wang, Guoqing Li, Jingyuan Wang
  • Patent number: 10871258
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gimbal includes obtaining an image recorded by an image sensor that is carried by the gimbal, extracting a reference object from the image, determining an offset attitude angle of the image sensor according to position information of the reference object in a preset coordinate system, and adjusting the attitude of the image sensor by the gimbal according to the offset attitude angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: SZ DJI OSMO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chenglin Mao, Linchao Bao, Pan Hu, Zisheng Cao
  • Patent number: 10841408
    Abstract: An electronic device with movable camera assembly which can be deployed and retracted so as to allow a display screen of maximum size on a front surface of the device includes a main body and a camera assembly. The main body includes a front surface with a display screen and a back surface. The back surface defines a recess receiving the camera assembly. The camera assembly is mounted on a carrier. The carrier-mounted camera assembly appears from or above the front surface when deployed by being slid upwardly or outwardly by a user, the camera assembly can then be pushed back in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Yue Wang, Xiao-Yi Qiu, He Zhou, Yong Zhao
  • Patent number: 10841468
    Abstract: A display apparatus performs shooting in a linked manner with an image pickup apparatus attachable to the display apparatus, to thereby prevent deterioration in operability. The display apparatus has a display unit, and a control unit. The display unit displays an operating section used for receiving therethrough an operation of controlling an operation of the image pickup apparatus. The control unit changes a process corresponding to the operation received through the operating section, according to an attaching position of the image pickup apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hosoe
  • Patent number: 10839773
    Abstract: A terminal device includes a display unit that includes a multidirectional image display face, an execution unit that executes a predetermined process in accordance with a user contact operation with respect to the image display face, a specifying unit that specifies a position of a user using the device, and a configuration unit that, on a basis of information about the position specified by the specifying unit, configures an operating face that accepts the contact operation in a facing region that faces the user's face on part of the image display face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Nemoto, Tsutomu Kimura, Masahiro Sato, Akihito Yamauchi, Kengo Tokuchi
  • Patent number: 10841469
    Abstract: An image module is suitable for connecting a plate. The image module includes a first main body, a second main body, a first pivot portion and a second pivot portion. The second main body includes an image sensor. The first pivot portion is pivoted to the first main body and the second main body. The second pivot portion is pivoted to the second main body and the plate. The plate has a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to each other. The first main body and the second main body are pivoted through the first pivot portion and the second pivot portion between a first position, a second position and a third position on the first side surface and the second side surface of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Meng-Huan Tsai, Yun-Tung Pai, Yen-Hua Hsiao, Chia-Hua Wu, Kung-Ju Chen, Chia-Chi Sun
  • Patent number: 10812713
    Abstract: A technique includes, on an electronic device that includes a plurality of display panels that are mounted to allow physically positioning of the display panels to create a plurality of potential display configurations for the electronic device, sensing the display configuration associated with current positions of the display panels. A camera is mounted on a given display panel of the plurality of display panels, and the technique includes selecting a camera mode for the electronic device based at least in part on the sensed display configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thong Thai, Rahul V. Lakdawala, Mike Provencher, Syed S. Azam, Jeffrey Kevin Jeansonne
  • Patent number: 10728458
    Abstract: A first operation dial and a second operation dial are provided around a sub-display. Set contents of a camera, an image picture of the first operation dial, and an image picture of the second operation dial are displayed on the sub-display. In a state in which the first operation dial and the second operation dial are not operated, the set contents of the camera are displayed to be large on the sub-display, and only parts of the image picture of the first operation dial and the image picture of the second operation dial are displayed at an edge. In a case where the first operation dial or the second operation dial are operated, an image picture of the operated operation dial appears from the edge and is displayed such that a dial plate portion can be visually recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Tokiwa, Hirofumi Horii, Yuichi Fujimura, Takeshi Misawa, Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 10708546
    Abstract: A portable magnifier camera with an associated display housing, base and handle. The camera can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations, including: a first closed configuration wherein the display and base are in facing relation; a second opened configuration wherein the display is angled with respect to the base; and a third hand-held configuration wherein a handle is pivoted outwardly to permit a user to hold the camera relative to a distant object. The angle of the camera adjusts automatically in each configuration to ensure that the camera's light of slight is perpendicular to the object plane. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos M. Rodriguez, Patrick Murphy, Waldemar H. Tunkis, Todd Conrad, Michael Goldenberg, Lee Hamilton, Bradley S. Davis, Robert Leon
  • Patent number: 10674602
    Abstract: A display unit includes a display section having flexibility, and a bending control section configured to limit a movable shaft in bending the display section to one direction in a display surface and allowed to maintain the display section in an arbitrary bending state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gen Yukawa
  • Patent number: 10659667
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a main body, a camera mechanism, a latching mechanism, and a buffer mechanism. The camera mechanism is slidable to extend out of the main body. The main body includes an ejecting member mounted within the main body. The ejecting member is configured to eject the camera mechanism out of the main body. The latching mechanism is mounted within the main body. The latching mechanism is configured to limit movement of the camera mechanism. The buffer mechanism is coupled to the camera mechanism. The buffer mechanism is configured to buffer movement of the camera mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiao-Yi Qiu, He Zhou, Yong Zhao, Min-Yue Wang
  • Patent number: 10602069
    Abstract: A first display unit is a variable-angle liquid crystal display device, and is a transmissive type color liquid crystal display device that mainly displays a live view image. A second display unit is a reflective type monochrome liquid crystal display device that mainly displays camera information items. In a case where it is difficult to view a display screen since intensity of light radiated to the display screen of the first display unit is high and both the display screens of the first display unit and the second display unit are simultaneously visible by adjusting an angle of the display screen of the first display unit, information to be displayed on the second display unit is switched to information (a live view image of a binary image) for supporting framing from the camera information items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Misawa, Kentaro Tokiwa, Hirofumi Horii, Yuichi Fujimura, Takeshi Misawa
  • Patent number: 10571777
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an electronic viewfinder unit that includes an image display element configured to display an image, an eyepiece optical system configured to enable the image to be observed from a rear side of the imaging apparatus, and a holder unit configured to hold the eyepiece optical system and the image display element. The holder unit moves the eyepiece optical system from a retracted position in which the eyepiece optical system is retracted in a body of the electronic viewfinder unit to an observable position in which the eyepiece optical system projects from the body of the electronic viewfinder unit to the rear side from the retracted position, and moves the image display element to the rear side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keisuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 10440263
    Abstract: A mobile computing device is provided that comprises a housing having a first part and a second part coupled by a hinge, the first part including a first display and the second part including a second display, wherein the hinge is configured to permit the first and second displays to rotate between angular orientations from a face-to-face angular orientation to a back-to-back angular orientation. The mobile computing device further includes a camera mounted in the first part of the housing and configured to capture image data, the camera and the first display both facing a first direction, and a processor mounted in the housing. In the back-to-back angular orientation, the processor is configured to cause the second display to display the image data while simultaneously causing the first display to display the image data and secondary content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Donna Katherine Long, Andrew Austin Jackson, Charlene Jeune, Christian Michael Sadak, Mario Emmanuel Maltezos, Bryant Daniel Hawthorne
  • Patent number: 10397492
    Abstract: The imaging device includes a camera body, a first imaging unit, a display unit, a second imaging unit and a controller. The first imaging unit is fixedly disposed on the camera body and generates a first image data by capturing a subject image. The display unit is rotatable with respect to the camera body via a hinge unit. The second imaging unit is variably disposed on a side different from the hinge unit across the display face of the display unit and generates a second image data by capturing a subject image. The controller causes the display unit to display a superimposed image obtained by superimposing an image represented by the second image data on an image represented by the first image data. The image represented by the second image data is displayed on a side of the second imaging unit on the image represented by the first image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takenori Sakai, Yoshihiro Tomikura
  • Patent number: 10284783
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject, a display unit that displays the captured image on a display screen and is moveable so as to change the orientation of the display screen, and a control unit that controls the brightness of the display screen based on the orientation of the display screen. When a predetermined shooting mode is set and the display screen is oriented toward the subject, the control unit lowers the brightness of the display screen compared to a brightness when the display screen is not oriented toward the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Miwa
  • Patent number: 10264186
    Abstract: Methods and devices for dynamically controlling mirroring of a preview image may include receiving physical location information of a selected camera resource on the computer device, wherein the physical location information corresponds to a static orientation of the camera resource. The methods and devices may include determining a dynamic orientation of the selected camera resource based on sensor information for the selected camera resource and determining a camera role of the selected camera resource based on the dynamic orientation and the static orientation of the selected camera, wherein the camera role comprises a front facing camera role or a rear facing camera role. The methods and devices may include displaying a mirrored preview image when the camera role of the selected camera resource is the front facing camera role and displaying a non-mirrored preview image when the camera role of the selected camera resource is the rear facing camera role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Maria Cheng Lei, Vishal Jain, Tomi Sokeila, Raymond Xue
  • Patent number: 10219370
    Abstract: A display unit includes: a display section (11) having flexibility; and a bending control section (12a, 12b) configured to limit a movable shaft in bending the display section (11) to one direction in a display surface and allowed to maintain the display section (11) in an arbitrary bending state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gen Yukawa
  • Patent number: 10139940
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a casing; a first operation unit that is on the casing and receives an operation from a user; a second operation unit that is on the casing and receives an operation from the user; and a first protection barrier between the first operation unit and the second operation unit protruding from a plane of the casing on which the first operation unit and the second operation unit are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ruriko Monobe, Norikazu Kaneda
  • Patent number: 10142524
    Abstract: A camera assembly and an electronic device are provided. The camera assembly includes a housing having a first sliding groove; a camera component provided inside the housing and slidable along the first sliding groove, wherein the camera component is configured to switch between a first state and a second state by the guide of the PUSH-PUSH component when receiving a press operation; and a press-type PUSH-PUSH component provided inside the housing, wherein both ends of the PUSH-PUSH component are connected to the housing and the camera component, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fenghui Wu, Kesheng Yan
  • Patent number: 10136068
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a main body provided with an imaging section; a viewfinder that makes a state transition between a housed state in which the viewfinder is housed in the main body and a usage state in which the viewfinder is projected from the main body; and a control section that turns on or turns off power in response to the state transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mayuko Sato, Fumikazu Hatanaka, Toshiyuki Kaimi
  • Patent number: 10108462
    Abstract: Technology related to virtualizing sensors is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method can be used to allocate resources of a computing system. The method can include enumerating hardware sensors and software modules that are capable of interacting with one another. A topology can be negotiated that is compatible with capabilities of the enumerated hardware sensors and software modules. A first request can be received from a first requestor to configure at least one of the enumerated hardware sensors and software modules. The at least one of the enumerated hardware sensors and software modules can be configured in response to the received first request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sang Choe, Sathyanarayanan Karivaradaswamy, Mei Wilson, Fabin Shen, Yin Li
  • Patent number: 10070020
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus or an imaging apparatus includes a body, and a displayer provided with a display screen, the displayer being supported by the body to be movable relative to the body. The displayer is configured to be selectively set at different positions including a stand-by position and a plurality of tilt positions, at which the display screen tilts in different directions relative to an orientation of the displayer set at the stand-by position. The displayer is configured to be selectively moved directly to the plurality of tilt positions rather than via the stand-by position. A support mechanism including a movable member is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10019039
    Abstract: A clamshell-type electronic device includes a dual-axis hinge module, a first electronic module, and a second electronic module, the latter two of which are electrically connected to each other. The dual-axis hinge module includes a fixing shaft, a moving shaft parallel to and engaged with the fixing shaft, a moving frame fastened to the fixing shaft and the moving shaft, a torsion structure fixed on the moving shaft, and a fixing frame. No torsion structure is disposed on the fixing shaft. The moving frame is fixed on the first electronic module. The fixing frame has a connecting portion fixed on the fixing shaft and a mounting portion fixed on the second electronic module. The moving shaft can be rotated along the fixing shaft and can be synchronously spun, so that a distance between the moving shaft and the mounting portion can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: FIRST DOME CORPORATION
    Inventors: An-Szu Hsu, Zhu-Ping Hong, Yu-Jiao Ming
  • Patent number: 9742989
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit that is provided at a case body and images an object; an operation input unit utilized to input an imaging operation; a first instruction unit that instructs the imaging unit to execute the imaging when the imaging operation is input; a second instruction unit that instructs, based on a trigger other than the imaging operation, the imaging unit to execute the imaging; and a control unit that performs, based on a state of the case body, a control to invalidate any one of the instruction by the first instruction unit and the instruction by the second instruction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukari Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 9729766
    Abstract: A hinge structure, comprising a plurality of bearings each of which has a cylindrical body formed by using a molding die, and a shaft member rotatably supported by the plurality of bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kimiharu Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 9692948
    Abstract: A video camera includes a camera body provided with an opening; a panel unit configured to be pivotable with respect to the camera body between a use position and a storage position; and a lid configured to be pivotable with respect to the opening so as to open/close a battery box. The opening is provided on a surface adjacent to a storage position against which the bottom of the panel unit is brought into abutment at the storage position. The panel unit overhangs a surface in which the opening is provided by the pivot of the panel unit from the storage position to the use position, and the lid pivots relative to the opening to a position which does not interfere with the panel unit so as to open the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yano
  • Patent number: 9667869
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera apparatus for automatically maintaining horizontality and a method for maintaining the horizontality of a camera module and an image sensor. Particularly, the method for maintaining the horizontality of the camera module and the image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention include: a step in which a horizontal sensor senses the horizontal state of the image sensor; a step in which a horizontal control signal generation unit generates a horizontal control signal based on a result of comparing the horizontal state with a reference state; and a step in which a horizontal control device rotates any one of the camera module and the image sensor to attain horizontality based on the horizontal control signal and controls any one of the camera module and the image sensor to stay horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Young-Sic Jeong
  • Patent number: 9667850
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable device including a first camera unit configured to capture a first image and a second camera unit configured to capture a second image; a communication unit configured to transmit and receive data to and from an external device; and a processor configured to control the first camera unit, the second camera unit, and the communication unit, wherein the processor is further configured to: detect a state of a third camera unit contained in the external device when activating at least one of the first camera unit and the second camera unit, the state of the third camera unit including an active state and an inactive state, detect a direction of the third camera unit when the third camera unit is in the active state, and activate at least one of the first camera unit and the second camera unit in a different direction from the detected direction of the third camera unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsin Kim, Doyoung Lee, Hyorim Park
  • Patent number: 9621804
    Abstract: A display terminal, in which a supply of electric power from a battery can also be performed, includes an imaging unit that performs imaging to generate an image; a display unit that displays the image generated by the imaging unit; a detection unit that detects whether a direction of the imaging unit while imaging to generate the image to be generated by the imaging unit is being changed; and a power supply interruption unit that interrupts the supply of the electric power from the battery to the imaging unit when the detection unit detects that the direction of imaging to generate the image to be generated by the imaging unit is being changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ujiie, Masanori Ishigami, Tsuyoshi Shigemasa, Yoshinaga Kato
  • Patent number: 9609225
    Abstract: Provided is an operating method of a flexible display device including a display. The method includes: displaying, at a preview area of the display, a preview image corresponding to an object; expanding the display in an first direction according to detecting the display is expanded in the first direction; and capturing an image of the object when the display is expanded in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yunmi Kwon, Kiseon Lee
  • Patent number: 9585274
    Abstract: The present invention is an electronic device including a first housing, a second housing, and an opening and closing device for opening and closing the second housing with respect to the first housing between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the opening and closing device includes a stand that is disposed in the first housing; a base plate that is pivotably borne by the stand; a movable plate that is disposed in the second housing and that is movably disposed in the base plate, wherein the movable plate is configured to move between a first position where the movable plate overlaps with the base plate and a second position where the movable plate protrudes from the base plate; a bias unit configured to bias the movable plate to the base plate in the protruding direction; a movement restriction system that is formed of a first member and a second member, wherein during a state in which the base plate is at the closed position, the movement restriction system is configured to restrict, by lock
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI STEEL MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 9552023
    Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a main body case, a user input unit configured to detect an input of a control command in a manner that one side of the user input unit is arranged to a side of the main body case and a controller configured to control according to the control command detected by the user input unit. The user input unit includes a rotatable input unit housing combined with the side of the main body case, a rotation detection unit configured to detect a rotation of the input unit housing and deliver a rotation input to the controller and a camera module mounted on the input unit housing. The mobile terminal can expand an input function using a stem button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wonseok Joo, Hanseok Chae, Seongyong Shin, Jangwoo Hong
  • Patent number: 9525806
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus including an apparatus body provided with an imaging lens on one end, a cap body capable of moving between an open position and a closed position with respect to the apparatus body, the cap body being provided with a display, and a support mechanism that movably supports the cap body with respect to the apparatus body. The imaging lens is closed while the cap body is positioned in the closed position, and the imaging lens is opened while the cap body is positioned in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9491369
    Abstract: A first hinge section is attached to a camera body rotationally about a first shaft. A second hinge section is attached to the first hinge section rotationally about a second shaft. A display unit is attached to the second hinge section. A protrusion-shaped portion is provided in the camera body. A locking pawl is provided in the first hinge section. Locking portions are provided in the second hinge section. When the display unit is closed, the locking pawl and one locking portion, and the protrusion-shaped portion and the other locking portion, are in locking engagement. Rotation of the display unit only about the first shaft from the closed state releases locking of the pawl, and rotation of the same about the second shaft from the closed state releases locking of the pawl and the protrusion-shaped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9444980
    Abstract: A video camera includes a camera body provided with an opening; a panel unit configured to be pivotable with respect to the camera body between a use position and a storage position; and a lid configured to be pivotable with respect to the opening so as to open/close a battery box. The opening is provided on a surface adjacent to a storage position against which the bottom of the panel unit is brought into abutment at the storage position. The panel unit overhangs a surface in which the opening is provided by the pivot of the panel unit from the storage position to the use position, and the lid pivots relative to the opening to a position which does not interfere with the panel unit so as to open the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirotaka Ujiie
  • Patent number: 9413971
    Abstract: An opening and closing device includes a base plate; a first plate that is pivotably attached to the base plate; a first shaft that is provided in the first plate; a second plate that is pivotably and slidably attached to the first plate; a second shaft that is provided in the second plate; a third plate that is pivotably attached to the second plate; a detachable system for locking the third plate and the first plate when the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate are superposed; a bias system for biasing the second plate to the first plate; and a restriction system for allowing the second plate to slide along the first shaft when the second plate is superposed to the first plate, and for restricting the second plate from sliding when the second plate is rotated relative to the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI STEEL MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 9412169
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products provide near real-time feedback to a user of a camera-enabled device to guide the user to capture self-imagery when the user is in a desired position with respect the camera and/or the display of the device. The desired position optimizes aspects of self-imagery that is captured for applications in which the imagery is not primarily intended for the user's consumption. One class of such applications includes applications that rely on illuminating the user's face with light from the device's display screen. The feedback is abstracted to avoid biasing the user with aesthetic considerations. The abstracted imagery may include real-time cartoon-like line drawings of edges detected in imagery of the user's head or face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew Bud, Andrew Newell, Joe Palmer
  • Patent number: 9325904
    Abstract: An image processing device may include a control unit. The control unit may be operable, in a first mode, to control display on a display screen of a representative image of a group of images and, in a second mode, to control display on the display screen of an image of the group of images corresponding to a posture of the device. In addition, the control unit may be operable to switch between operation in the first mode and the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kimu Higashimoto
  • Patent number: 9264625
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a body that can be freely inclined relative to a predetermined reference axis through the effect of a rotation about a certain axis of rotation, an optical sensor device capable of capturing luminous radiation incident thereon and of converting it so that it can be stored into a physical medium in the form of a captured image, wherein the optical sensor device is mechanically coupled to the body of the apparatus in a manner such that it can be made capable of controllably rotating about the axis of rotation, an inclination sensor adapted to detect the angular offset of the optical sensor device with respect to the predetermined reference axis, a motor adapted to rotate the optical sensor device about the axis of rotation when it is made capable of controllably rotating about the axis of rotation by the motor, a processor and controller associated with the inclination sensor and with the motor and adapted to change the inclination of the optical sensor device through the m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SISVEL TECHNOLOGY S.R.L.
    Inventor: Saverio Celia
  • Patent number: 9247113
    Abstract: The present invention provides a display device which has a display unit on a main body, comprising a cover member that can be deformed into a first shape for covering the display unit and a second shape for forming a grip in order to solve the problems in the conventional cameras. The problem is such that the size of the camera becomes large by the size of the grip, which impairs portability of the camera because the conventional camera provides a fixed grip on the camera body on which a display unit with a large screen is mounted. In addition, another conventional camera has a space for accommodating the cover members within the grip, so that the size of the grip becomes accordingly large and thus the camera itself becomes large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Misawa