Detachable Patents (Class 348/333.07)
  • Patent number: 7382410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compact electronic camera which enables an electronic image to be displayed on a two-dimensional display element while it is phototaken or after it has been phototaken, so that the image can be magnified and displayed by a compact magnifying optical system constructed of a curved reflecting mirror to view a phototaken image of high precision. An electronic camera for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a phototaking optical system 2 into an electronic image to be recorded comprises a two-dimensional display element 4 for displaying an electronic image during or after phototaking and a magnifying optical system 5 for magnifying an image displayed on the two-dimensional display element 4 in the form of a virtual image. The magnifying optical system 5 is constructed of at least one curved reflecting mirror 26 and a surface 28 having a combined reflecting and transmitting action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takayoshi Togino
  • Publication number: 20080062298
    Abstract: A document camera includes an image-shooting module and a detachable module. The detachable module is installed under the image-shooting module, wherein the detachable module or the image-shooting module includes a magnetic attraction generator to attract each other such that the detachable module can be attached to the image-shooting module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: AverMedia Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Yen, Ying-Ming Hwang, Shuen-Chen Shiue, Chun-Kai Hsu
  • Patent number: 7327394
    Abstract: A video camera recorder that includes a main camera body, a camera mount member, a first mount member and a second mount member. The camera mount member is coupled to the main camera body. The camera mount member has a camera mount track portion. The first mount member has a first mount inner surface adapted to abut a first portion of an object. The second mount member has a receiving track portion and a second mount inner surface adapted to abut a second portion of the object. The first mount member is selectively coupled to the second mount member to couple the first and second mount member around the first and second portions of the object. The receiving track portion of the second mount member is adapted to receive the camera mount track portion to selectively couple the main camera body to the second mount member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Larry Allan Holmberg
  • Patent number: 7286182
    Abstract: A timer module useful in a digital imaging system such as a compact printer system. The timer module includes a controller that automates the capture of multiple images by a connected camera module. The images are stored in a connected memory module. The capture of each image is separated by a specific time interval. The time interval is selected by a plurality of buttons incorporated in the timing module and feedback may be provided via a LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 7247859
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a reference display receives reference information and displays the reference information from a digital image detector, wherein the reference display is in close proximity to the digital image detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: Lawrence Elwood Murphy, Habib Vafi
  • Patent number: 7170557
    Abstract: A modular digital imaging system adapted to transfer digital images. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of modules which are stackable to form a customizable unit. A first one of the plurality of modules provides a first function and has a first electrical connector and at least one attachment member. A second one of the plurality of modules provides a second function different than the first function and has a second electrical connector matable with the first electrical connector. The second module further comprises at least one attachment feature complementing the attachment member whereby the at least one attachment member mates with the at least one attachment feature to securely attach the first and second modules when the first and second modules are stacked. The electrical connector is employed to transfer the digital images between modules when securely attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Manico, John R. Fredlund
  • Patent number: 7139027
    Abstract: A camera having a removable image bearing medium for camera captured images that includes film or a digital memory includes a display disposed relative to the removable image bearing medium so that the display is removable from the camera with the removable image bearing medium, such display displaying images for information related to captured images. The display is actuated to provide images of one or more captured images or information related to such one or more captured images; and the display being positioned for viewing by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John R. Fredlund, Raymond E. Wess
  • Patent number: 7042499
    Abstract: A digital camera comprises a camera body and an image sensing unit. The image sensing unit includes a taking lens, a driver of the taking lens and an image sensor, and is attachable to the camera body directly or by a cable. The camera body includes an image processor for processing image data from the image sensing unit, a flash for emitting flash light, a recorder for recording the image data, a display for displaying images, and other circuits. An interface for a personal computer and a video capture adaptor can be attached to the camera body instead of the image sensing unit. The camera body is provided with a power source section having power supplying portions each assigned to a specific circuit such as the lens driver, the image sensor, the flash, the image processor, the interface and the adaptor. The camera body detects what is attached thereto and whether the cable is used, and supplies power only to those circuits that should be activated in accordance with the result of the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihito Kido, Masahito Niikawa
  • Patent number: 6930717
    Abstract: There is disclosed a printer-incorporated electronic still camera that may be switched over between a photography mode, a reproduction mode, a print mode and a setup mode by operating a mode selection dial. If it is judged by an output signal from an acceleration sensor that the still camera is in a stable position when the setup mode is selected, a display device of the still camera initially displays a print menu that includes a list of setup items relating to the print mode. On the contrary, if the still camera is judged to be in an unstable position when the setup mode is selected, a camera menu including a list of setup items for the photography mode is initially displayed on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeto Kobayashi, Keiji Tsubota
  • Patent number: 6927797
    Abstract: A viewfinder for mounting on a camera having a video signal tap, such as a professional video camera, to extend forwardly and laterally of the camera. A pivotable member is connected to a support base for selectively pivoting about a laterally extending axis and being selectively locked in any angular position. A viewing module is releasably connected to the pivotable member to extend rearwardly along the side of the camera and has a CRT facing rearwardly with an eyepiece for viewing the CRT. The viewing module has controls for the CRT on an outwardly facing surface for manually adjusting the controls. Cooperating and releasable electrical connectors are provided between the pivot member and the viewing module for transmitting video signals and electrical power therebetween. An extension member, either of a fixed length or telescoping, may be installed between the pivot member and the viewing module and has the same electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Panavision Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Gelbard
  • Patent number: 6856353
    Abstract: A memory card having a liquid crystal display device is reduced in thickness. To this end, the back side of a liquid crystal display panel is provided with a white diffusing plate and the memory card is not provided with a light source for backlighting. A digital electronic still camera, into which the memory card is removably inserted, is provided with a light source for backlighting. When the memory card has been inserted into the digital camera, the transmission-type liquid crystal panel is illuminated using the light source of the camera. Thus an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device of the memory card can be viewed even though the memory card does not have a light source for backlighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Misawa
  • Patent number: 6809759
    Abstract: A previewing system has a remote control that is detachably fixed to an image-capturing device. The remote control comprises a display panel and a control panel. A user can detach the remote control from the image-capturing device and use the control panel of the remote control to remotely control functionality of the image-capturing device. Furthermore, with the display panel, the user can preview an image that the image-capturing device will capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: BenQ Corporation
    Inventor: Chao-Tsung Chiang
  • Publication number: 20040189850
    Abstract: The present invention provides a digital camera having a detachable display module such that the display module can be selectively separated from the camera unit of the camera according to usages. In this regard, both the portability and the convenience of usage of the digital camera are enhanced. The digital camera of the present invention comprises: a camera unit for generating and outputting image data; and a display module capable of receiving the image data using a transmission interface and displaying the same; wherein, the display module is detachable from the camera unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Hui-Huang Chang
  • Publication number: 20040160523
    Abstract: In a video camera, a viewfinder removed from a viewfinder fixture is mounted, via a bracket, on one end of a first am member fixed pivotably at the other end thereof to the viewfinder fixture. The first arm member is supported at the one end thereof on a second arm member connected to a stationary thing like a tripod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroko Mogi, Toru Kirihara
  • Patent number: 6774946
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery in an electronic camera is charged without additionally providing the camera with a power generating device. When a power-supply switch of the camera is turned off, a diaphragm and a shutter are opened and a taking lens is controlled so as to set focus to infinity. Signal charge that has accumulated in a CCD is output as a charging current, and the rechargeable battery is charged by a power-supply control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Misawa, Akihisa Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6753917
    Abstract: A digital camera with interchangeable displays having a built-in display device and an image output terminal for transmitting image signals to an external monitor device, characterized in that it has a plurality of means for processing the image, outputting a suitable image to the built-in display device or to the external monitor device by switching between the means for processing the image on the basis of prescribed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Shigeo Sakaue, Kazuyuki Inokuma, Toshiya Fujii
  • Patent number: 6738575
    Abstract: The lens information display apparatus is provided that allows the cameraman to check required lens information while looking at a viewfinder. A transmissive LCD panel is mounted in front of a screen of the viewfinder, and a control unit for controlling the image displayed on the LCD panel is attached to the bottom surface of the viewfinder. The control unit obtains lens information from a lens apparatus of a television camera system and causes the LCD panel to display images (characters and/or graphics) representing the lens information so that the lens information is displayed as superimposed on the image on the viewfinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kanayama
  • Patent number: 6724427
    Abstract: A camera having a removable image bearing medium and an electronic charging unit for providing a source of high voltage, includes a display on the removable image bearing medium. The camera selectively couples such high voltage to the display, the display including material which is effective in a first condition in response to a selectively applied high voltage for changing the condition of the material to display an image and effective in a second condition for preventing the display of the image, the material being selected so that after displaying the image such material continues to display the image after the removal of the applied high voltage. The camera further causes the high voltage in the charging unit to be applied to the display for causing the material to be effective in the first condition to produce the image and for removing the applied high voltage so that the material continues to display the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John R. Fredlund, Raymond E. Wess
  • Publication number: 20040036791
    Abstract: Disclosed are portable electronic devices, including disposable digital photographic still cameras and portable camcorders, that have detachable and reusable liquid crystal displays. One portable electronic device comprises a removable liquid crystal display having a generic docking connector. Another portable electronic device comprises an integrated liquid crystal display and battery unit that is detachable and reusable. Yet another portable electronic device comprises a detachable and reusable tethered liquid crystal display having a pigtail connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: James S. Voss, James W. Owens
  • Patent number: 6630958
    Abstract: A digital camera 1 includes a main body 2 and an image pickup section 3 connected to the main body rotatably. The main body 2 has a display monitor 10 which displays an object picture. A switch SCPOS2 detects rotation position of the image pickup section 3. When the image pickup direction of the image pickup section 3 is detected to agree generally with the direction to the side of display monitor, the image data taken by the image pickup section is displayed in the display monitor with reversal upside down, while it is recorded without reversal in an IC card 35. Thus, when a photographer takes a picture thereof, the picture can be taken and recorded at a fast speed without a complicated and expensive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tanaka, Hirokazu Yagura, Toshihito Kido, Manabu Inoue
  • Patent number: 6628333
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, an instant camera is provided which includes an imager for receiving an image of an object to be photographed. The imager outputs a signal corresponding to the received image, and a memory device stores the signal. A printer prints instant film photographs corresponding to received or stored images, and has the capability to print at least one image on a single piece of instant film. A preview unit has at least one display for displaying an image corresponding to a received or stored image. A controller, in communication with the imager, the memory device, the printer, and the preview unit, controls the transfer of the signal from the imager to the memory device, from the memory device to the printer, and from the memory device to the preview unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sudhir Muniswamy Gowda, Mary Yvonne Lanzerotti, Dale Jonathan Pearson, Hon-Sum Philip Wong
  • Publication number: 20030179306
    Abstract: An image display remote control device for digital camera or video camera of the invention is capably separated from the body of digital camera or video camera. Both said image display remote control device and said body of digital camera or video camera are provided with Bluetooth communication module capably communicated with each other. At a distance, users can directly observe the picture taken by said body of digital camera or video camera from a display screen installed on said image display remote control device. Therefore, Using keys for remote control of said image display remote control device of the invention, the user can also control the focus, diaphragm and shutter of said digital camera or video camera by remote control to adjust the picture taken more delicate and vivid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Chyi Lee
  • Publication number: 20030112363
    Abstract: A digital camera for capturing the image of a document comprising two detachable components. A camera pickup component comprises a lens system, a digitizing photo-receiver, and a transceiver. A camera control component comprises a display, a trigger button, and a transceiver, wherein said camera pickup transceiver and said camera control transceiver exchange control and image information. The camera pickup component may be held over a document in one hand, while the camera control component is held separately in the other hand to increase ease of use and reduce blurred images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: THOMAS C. OLIVER
  • Patent number: 6525767
    Abstract: An electronic still camera which is able to substantially lessen the amount of trouble of inserting and drawing a PC card during photographing or when image data are transferred to a host computer such as a laptop computer, and which is able to increase the number of photographing. The electronic still camera has the PC card which is inserted into or drawn out from a camera body, which has the same shape as the PC card. The PC card or the camera body shaped like the PC card is inserted into a PC card slot of the host computer to transmit and receive the image data, etc. A camera casing including a taking lens, etc. is mounted in the camera body shaped like the PC card, and a sheet-like battery is provided in the camera body. The taking lens is capable of projecting from and retracting into the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Saito, Atsushi Misawa, Takeshi Misawa
  • Publication number: 20030011699
    Abstract: A digital camera with interchangeable displays having a built-in display device and an image output terminal for transmitting image signals to an external monitor device, characterised in that it has a plurality of means for processing the image, outputting a suitable image to the built-in display device or to the external monitor device by switching between the means for processing the image on the basis of prescribed signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: YUKIHIRO TANIZOE, SHIGEO SAKAUE, KAZUYUKI INOKUMA, TOSHIYA FUJII
  • Patent number: 6483542
    Abstract: An electronic still camera comprises: a image pick-up section including a front surface and a image pick-up lens provided on the front surface; an image receiving section having a rear surface and a monitor provided on the rear surface, for displaying an image which has been taken; and a connecting portion for pivotally connecting between one end of the image pick-up section and one end of the image receiving section, the connecting portion including a vertical shaft such that the monitor is set being opposite to the image pick-up lens when the image receiving section is rotated backward round the vertical shaft, and the monitor is set being faced with the image pick-up lens when the image receiving section is rotated forward round the vertical shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Morinaga
  • Publication number: 20020005907
    Abstract: An image recording system that includes an image recorder and a remote control unit is provided. The image recorder includes an image storage device for recording one or more images, and a wireless transceiver that wirelessly transmits image information and receives control instructions. The remote control unit may be detachable from the recorder and include a wireless transceiver that wirelessly receives image information and transmits the control instructions, and an image display device that displays the image information. The image storage device can be for recording either still images or moving images, but may be capable of recording both. Methods for use with the image recording system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: Brett G. Alten