For Internal Camera Components Patents (Class 348/374)
  • Publication number: 20150109526
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a camera module including a lens barrel part in which a plurality of lenses are stacked, a housing having the lens barrel part disposed therein, and an infrared (IR)-cut filter provided in the housing and disposed at a lower portion of the lens barrel part. According to at least one embodiment, the camera module further includes a circuit board having a window formed therein so as to penetrate through a central region thereof and supporting a bottom surface of the housing; an image sensor accommodated in the window of the circuit board and converting an external image into an electrical signal, and a plate coupled to a lower portion of the circuit board to radiate heat generated from the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Jin LEE, Ick Chan SHIM, Hong Sik YANG, Kum Sung JANG
  • Publication number: 20150109475
    Abstract: A mobile electronic device comprising a processor configured to control the operation of said mobile electronic device, and a front-facing display screen coupled to said processor and arranged on a front side of said mobile electronic device. Also the mobile electronic device comprises a mechanically rotatable camera, said camera being rotatable around a rotation axis and configured to capture images around said rotation axis, and said camera being coupled to said processor, and a rotating motor coupled to said rotatable camera for mechanically rotating the mechanically rotatable camera and said rotating motor coupled to said processor, and wherein said processor is configured to control a rotational orientation of the mechanically rotatable camera by control of the rotating motor for mechanically rotating the mechanically rotatable camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kari MATILAINEN, Goran SCHACK, Jacob LERENIUS
  • Patent number: 9013621
    Abstract: An image sensor module includes a rigid-flex board, an image sensor, and a supporting plate. The rigid-flex board defines a through hole, and includes a plurality of connecting pads adjacent to the through hole. The image sensor is positioned on one side of the rigid-flex board, and includes an image surface and a plurality of pins adjacent to the image surface. The image surface faces the through hole, and the pins are connected to the connecting pads. The supporting plate is positioned on the side of the rigid-flex board. The image sensor is positioned between the supporting plate and the rigid-flex board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Wen Chen
  • Publication number: 20150103239
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a communication device which ensures downsizing of a whole device and a communication performance of an antenna even in a case where an exterior member is mainly made of metal. The communication device of the present disclosure includes a first exterior member made of metal, a second exterior member provided at a position surrounded by the first exterior member, and an antenna provided on an inside surface of the second exterior member. The second exterior member has a resin frame having an opening, and a resin door provided in the opening. The resin door has a rotary shaft, and the first exterior member has a come-off stopper which prevents the rotary shaft from coming off. The antenna is disposed outside the come-off stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Fumitaka KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20150103240
    Abstract: A camera module may include a lens barrel supporting a lens, a frame in which the lens barrel is provided, and a housing accommodating the frame. The frame may be pressed toward one surface of the housing to thereby be relatively aligned in the housing so that an optical axis of the lens is positioned perpendicularly with respect to an image formation surface of an image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Hoon Kim, Po Chul Kim, Jung Seok Lee, Jae Ho Baik
  • Publication number: 20150103238
    Abstract: In one or more implementations, a lens barrel assembly includes one or more lens elements and a lens barrel configured to retain the one or more lens elements. The lens barrel includes a connection portion configured to provide a physical coupling to a camera module and an interface geometry having a complementary shape of an aperture of an external enclosure of a mobile computing device sufficient to align the lens barrel and the one or more lens elements in relation to the external housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel M. Galel
  • Patent number: 9007449
    Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus and a repair method thereof are provided. The image-capturing apparatus includes a lens frame to which one or more lenses are fixed; an image-capturing frame to which an image-capturing device is fixed; and a fixing member for fixing the lens frame and the image-capturing frame to each other without adhering a fitted portion between the lens frame and the image-capturing frame. The repair method for the image-capturing apparatus includes destructing a fixing member for fixing to each other a lens frame to which one or more lenses are fixed and an image-capturing frame to which an image-capturing device is fixed, and releasing fixing between the frames; replacing at least either of the lens frame and the image-capturing frame; and fixing to each other the lens frame and the image-capturing frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiko Mitani, Kazuhiro Kumei, Kazuyoshi Akiba, Seiji Sakai, Hironobu Ichimura, Masahiro Kawauchi
  • Publication number: 20150098017
    Abstract: An imaging unit includes an attached portion which is detachably attached to an attaching portion disposed in a display apparatus including a display screen, an imaging main body portion which includes an imaging element, and a rotational mechanism which includes a rotational member formed as an arc-like portion, and connects the attached portion and the imaging main body portion such that the imaging main body portion is able to be rotated around a center of an arc of the arc-like portion as a rotational center in a direction in which an imaging direction is changed, in which when viewed from a direction in which a rotational axis of the imaging main body portion by the rotational mechanism is viewed as a point, the imaging main body portion is superposed on a circle which has the same center and the same radius as the arc of the arc-like portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Noriaki Takagi
  • Patent number: 9001269
    Abstract: An actuator includes a base, a stationary frame fixed on the base, a movable frame received in the stationary frame, a SMA line, a guide pole, a position sensor, and a controller. The movable frame includes a resisting surface adjacent to the base, and defines a hole. The SMA line resists on the resisting surface. Two ends of the SMA line are fixed on the stationary frame. The guide pole is fixed on the base and extends through the hole. The position sensor detects the position of the movable frame. The controller supplies current to heat the SMA line to change the length of the SMA line, the SMA line drives the movable frame to move along the guide pole accordingly. The controller adjusts the current according to the position of the movable frame detected by the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Wei Chiu
  • Patent number: 9001257
    Abstract: A device can have an optical component having at least one alignment/attachment feature and a MEMS structure having a complimentary alignment/attachment feature for each alignment/attachment feature of the optical component. Each alignment/attachment feature of the optical component can mate with a corresponding alignment/attachment of the MEMS structure to align and/or attach the optical component to the MEMS structure. Thus, improved combinations of optical components and MEMS devices can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMS
    Inventors: Tony K. Tang, Roman C. Gutierrez, Shawn Maloney
  • Patent number: 9001267
    Abstract: An image divided into N pixel blocks, stored block wise in a camera core and transferred block wise from the camera core to a downstream processing engine local to the local memory. A direct handshaking is communicated, between the camera core and the downstream processing engine, in the block wise transfers. Optionally an optical sensor scanner divides the image with a scan rate N times a frame rate, each scan providing a block of the frame. Optionally, the block wise transfer includes a transfer through a local memory, local to the camera core, controlled by the direct handshaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jian Shen, Lew G. Chua-Eoan, Yi-Pin Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9001268
    Abstract: A compact camera module is coupled at an image sensor end to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) and an FPC extension segment and is configured such that, upon folding the FPC onto the housing, one or more electrical contact pads disposed on the subject side of the optical train are coupled electrically with contact pads on the FPC extension segment from which MEMS actuator control signals are transmittable directly from the FPC to the MEMS lens actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nan Chang O-Film Optoelectronics Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Eddie Azuma, Chih Yen Liu, Emerson Yu, David Hsieh, Josh Tsai, Peter Pietrangelo
  • Publication number: 20150092105
    Abstract: A camera module, in particular, for a vehicle, the camera module including at least: an objective mount and an objective, which is held in the objective mount and has a lens holder and at least one lens secured in the lens holder, the objective being fixed in position in the objective mount by a frictional connection between an outer surface of the lens holder and an inner surface of the objective mount. A plurality of frictional connection devices spaced apart in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer surface of the lens holder and/or on the inner surface of the objective mount, in order to generate the frictional connection. To insert and to adjust the objective, the objective mount is preferably asymmetrically deformed in an elastic manner, and the objective is placed into the deformed objective mount, and the elastic deformation is subsequently removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Gerald Brinks, Uwe Apel, Ulrich Seger
  • Patent number: 8994875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module having an auto focus function, the module including a lens unit having at least one lens, a barrel into which the lens unit is inserted, and connected by a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) actuator, and an image sensor discretely positioned from the lens unit to convert light having passed the lens unit to an electrical signal, where the VCM actuator includes a gap of a reference distance position value which is a position of an object catering to a lens focal length according to the camera module, and information on a focus-met lens position value, and adjusts an initial position of the lens by using the gap of reference distance position value of the lens position value during operation of the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Changhyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20150085183
    Abstract: A photographing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has positive refractive power. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element with refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The photographing lens assembly has a total of six lens elements with refractive power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei-Yu CHEN
  • Publication number: 20150085182
    Abstract: A camera unit includes a housing, a pan stage disposed inside the housing and rotatable relative to the housing about a pan axis, a camera lens assembly coupled to the pan stage, and a slip ring assembly having a slip ring stator fixedly coupled to the pan stage at a location offset from the pan axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Theodore L. Jones
  • Patent number: 8988600
    Abstract: A support according to an embodiment is a support that supports a wiring board including a mounting area for an image sensor, a first lead area extending from the mounting area and having a first connection terminal formed therein, and a second lead area extending from the mounting area and having a second connection terminal formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takatoshi Kamei
  • Patent number: 8988602
    Abstract: A camera module includes a body having recesses in a first datum surface. A filleted edge may join the recesses to the first datum surface. An image sensor is coupled to the body at a known distance from the first datum surface. A movable lens mechanism includes a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion is coupled to the body. The movable portion includes a lens assembly and protrusions arranged to fit within the recesses in the first datum surface and to define a second datum surface. A resilient stop plate covers the recesses in the first datum surface with an elastic sheet material. A spring may hold the protrusions in contact with the resilient stop plate when the movable lens mechanism is unpowered. The resilient stop plate may include a rigid support plate coupled to the body by heat staking. The elastic sheet material may be viscoelastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Speltz, Douglas Stuart Brodie, Aurelien Hubert, Lee Hooton
  • Patent number: 8988601
    Abstract: A device for imaging system warp correction includes an object including an imaging phantom, the object being configured for placement of the imaging phantom adjacent a scanning interface of a detector, and a mounting cap coupled to the object and configured to be secured to the detector to establish the placement of the imaging phantom adjacent the scanning interface of the detector. The mounting cap includes a plurality of alignment features configured to align the object and the mounting cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Yan, Sam Griffin, Shaun Gleason, Ziad Burbar
  • Publication number: 20150077629
    Abstract: A camera module includes a rectangular image sensor including an effective image area, and a rectangular PCB mounted with the image sensor. The effective image area comprises a first side and a second side formed longer than the first side. The first side is parallel with a long side of the PCB, and the second side is parallel with a short side of the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Youn Baek JEONG
  • Publication number: 20150077628
    Abstract: The camera module according to the present disclosure can improve reliability by mounting a posture sensor on a PCB and promoting a bending prevention of the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Nae Seong KIM, Hack Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8982275
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging element and a substrate. The solid-state imaging element includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels in a two-dimensional matrix and pads that correspond to pixel columns of the pixel array and output signals of pixels in the pixel columns. Signal output terminal groups having a plurality of pads arranged in a line in a column direction of the pixel array are arranged in a row direction of the pixel array. A substrate includes a laminated wire being a laminate of a plurality of wiring layers and provided for each of the signal output terminal groups to extend in the column direction of the pixel array. The laminated wire includes a first terminal portion at a position facing each pad in the signal output terminal group. The pad and first terminal portion are connected to each other by a bump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Suenobu
  • Patent number: 8982276
    Abstract: A camera module includes a shell, an ambient light sensor, and a lens module having a printed circuit board. The shell has a seat in its front surface, a first connector on its back surface, and circuits connecting the first connector to the seat by a laser direct structure technology. The ALS is soldered to the seat. The PCB is attached to the back surface of the shell and includes a second connector connected to the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 8982274
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera module, including: a lens holder including a receiving unit receiving a lens module therein; a driving unit joined to the lens holder to be movable in a direction vertical to an optical-axis direction; a housing in which the driving unit is installed to be movable in the vertical direction to the optical-axis direction and having a protruding member that protrudes on one surface thereof; a shape memory alloy wire part connected to the driving unit to generate driving force in the vertical direction to the optical-axis direction; and an elastic member applying a preload to the shape memory alloy wire part to cause initial transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Woo Kang, Soo Cheol Lim, Sang Min On
  • Patent number: 8982273
    Abstract: A camera module for a vision system of a vehicle includes a housing having a base portion and a lens portion and a circuit element. The circuit element includes an imaging sensor and associated circuitry. The circuit element may include an electrical connector having a plurality of terminals. A lens may be disposed at least partially in the lens portion of the housing and the circuit element may be disposed at least partially in the base portion of the housing. The base portion and the lens portion may be welded or sealed together to substantially limit water intrusion into the camera module. The imaging sensor may have a dynamic range of greater than approximately 100 dB, and the dynamic range of the imaging sensor may follow, at least in part, a linear response curve up to approximately 62 dB and a non-linear response curve above approximately 62 dB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20150070577
    Abstract: A camera module includes an imaging function section, a connector forming section, and a connecting section combined in a laminated body. The connecting section is thinner than the imaging function section and is bendable. The imaging function section includes a cavity and a through hole. An image sensor IC is disposed within the cavity. A lens unit is mounted in the imaging function section to be optically coupled to the image sensor IC via the through hole. A light shielding member covers a boundary between the connecting section and the imaging function section that define a height difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Nobuo IKEMOTO, Shigeru TAGO, Yuki ITO
  • Publication number: 20150070576
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: a body unit; at least one type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type of external unit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes an imaging device capable of shooting a photographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes a device having a specific function of the external unit connected to the body unit, and wherein when the interchangeable lens unit or the external unit is connected to the body unit, the body unit obtains information on the type of unit connected to the body unit, and is capable of changing control of an entire device including the body unit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of unit connected to the body unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji HIMURO, Noriaki Ojima, Kenji Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8976291
    Abstract: An image sensor module includes a ceramic substrate, an image sensor, and a filter. The ceramic substrate defines a light transmitting hole and a receiving recess communicating with the light transmitting hole. The image sensor is received in the receiving recess. The filter is positioned on the ceramic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 8976290
    Abstract: A positionable mechanism includes a base unit, a frame unit, an optical image stabilizing (OIS) unit and a positioning unit. The frame unit and the OIS unit are mounted on the base unit. The frame unit is retractable with respect to the base unit between a storage position and a working position, and has a first surface. The OIS unit includes a movable carrier that has a second surface facing the first surface, an optical element that is mounted on the movable carrier, and a driving element that is operable to drive the movable carrier to move with respect to the base unit. The positioning unit is disposed between the first surface and the second surface, and is configured to position the movable carrier with respect to the frame unit when the frame unit is at the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Asia Optical International Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Tse Chen, Chia-Lin Hung, Huo-Wang Chou
  • Publication number: 20150062422
    Abstract: Image sensors may include image pixels and phase detection pixels. Phase detection pixels may he used during active lens alignment operations to accurately align camera module optics to the image sensor during camera module assembly. During active alignment operations, phase detection pixels may gather phase information from a target that is viewed through the camera module optics. Control circuitry may process the phase information to determine a distance and direction of lens movement needed to bring the target into focus and thereby align the camera module optics to the image sensor. A computer-controlled positioner may be used to adjust a position of the camera module optics relative to the image sensor based on information from the phase detection pixels. Once the camera module optics are accurately aligned relative to the image sensor, structures in the camera module assembly may be permanently attached to lock the alignment in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Michael Stern
  • Publication number: 20150062421
    Abstract: There is provided a camera module including: a lens barrel including at least one lens disposed on an optical axis; a housing having the lens barrel disposed therein; and first and second elastic members elastically supporting upper and lower portions of the lens barrel, respectively, wherein the first and second elastic members include a fixed side coupled to the housing and a driving side coupled to the lens barrel, respectively, the fixed side and the driving side being disposed to face each other based on the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Oh Byoung Kwon, Sung Hoon Kim, Kyeong Jun Kim, Yoo Chang Kim
  • Publication number: 20150062424
    Abstract: A camera module includes a substrate, an image sensor electrically connected to a surface of the substrate, a lens holder connected to the substrate and covering the image sensor, a lens holder received into the lens holder, a connecting board, and an ACF positioned between the substrate and the connecting board. The image sensor includes a sensing surface and a number of side surfaces connecting to the sensing surface. The substrate is electrically and mechanically connected with each other by the ACF. An adhesive is distributed on each corner of the image sensor, and the adhesive connects the side surfaces of the image sensor to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: SHIN-WEN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20150062423
    Abstract: Provided is a lens apparatus, including: a lens barrel; a movable optical member arranged in the lens barrel; and an operation ring arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel and configured to be rotated about an optical axis when the movable optical member is to be driven in an optical axis direction, the operation ring including a plurality of gears formed about the optical axis, the plurality of gears being mutually rotated at the same cycle when the operation ring is rotated, at least one of the plurality of gears being arranged apart from an electric operation member in the optical axis direction when the operation ring is rotated by the electric operation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Atsushi Miura
  • Patent number: 8970780
    Abstract: A camera module includes an image sensor, a number of metal balls, and a cover glass. The image sensor includes an active surface and a number of pads. The active surface includes an imaging zone and a non-imaging zone surrounding the imaging zone. The imaging zone is configured to sense incident light and to convert the incident light into corresponding electric signals. The pads are formed on the non-imaging zone. The metal balls are stacked on three of the pads, which are not linear. The numbers of the metal balls on each of the three pads are equal to each other such that heights of the metal balls on each of the three pads are substantially equal to each other. The cover glass is positioned on the metal balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong-Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 8970781
    Abstract: Disclosed is a camera module including a substrate which is provided with an electrode pad and an image sensor; a housing which is stacked on the substrate and of which an upper portion is opened so that light is incident to the image sensor; a MEMS actuator which is installed at the housing and has an electrode terminal at one side thereof, and a conductive pattern which is formed at the housing, wherein a lower end of the conductive pattern is connected with the electrode pad of the substrate, and an upper end thereof is connected with the electrode terminal of the MEMS actuator, whereby it is possible to improve electrical reliability between the electrode terminal of the MEMS actuator and the electrode pad of the substrate and facilely form the electrical connection therebetween, thereby reducing the number of processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chungsang Ryou
  • Patent number: 8970700
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an electronic circuit unit (30) including an imaging device (31) to acquire an object image formed by an imaging optical system (20); and a housing member (13) housing the electronic circuit unit (30). The electronic circuit unit (30) includes a thermally-conductive heat transfer member (37) in contact with an outer peripheral surface thereof which is in parallel with a fitting direction of the electronic circuit unit (30) into the housing member (13). The heat transfer member (37) includes a soft material portion (37b) in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electronic circuit unit (37), and a plate portion (37a) in contact with the soft material portion (37b) and an inner peripheral wall surface of the housing member (13). The soft material portion (37b) is made of a shape-conformable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokiko Inoue, Norihiko Sasaki, Mitsuru Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8970752
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging sensor 110 configured to capture an optical image of an object and generate image data; a main circuit substrate 120 configured to perform signal processing of the image data generated by the imaging sensor 110; a mounting component 130 configured to mount the imaging sensor 110; a metal plate 150 disposed between the mounting component 130 and the main circuit substrate 120; and an electrically-conductive section 190 configured to electrically connect between a ground conductor of the main circuit substrate 120 and the metal plate 150. The electrically-conductive section 190 is positioned in an area where the metal plate 150 and the imaging sensor 110 overlap each other in the case of a back surface of the metal plate 150 being viewed in a direction orthogonal thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Tobinaga, Hirotsugu Fusayasu, Masafumi Kumoi, Ryuichi Nagaoka, Yoshio Nishizawa, Atsushi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20150055009
    Abstract: There is provided a camera module including: a lens housing in which a lens is disposed; a glass cover formed of a transparent material and covering the lens housing; and a coil conductive part formed between an outer surface of the lens and an inner surface of the glass cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kang Ryong Choi, Hyung Jin Jeon, Jeong Gu Yeo, Kang Heon Hur, Sung Yong An, Jung Wook Seo
  • Patent number: 8964049
    Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus including an imaging device to convert light into an electrical signal; a vibration plate disposed in front of the imaging device to transmit the light to the imaging device; a vibration generating unit mounted on the vibration plate and to generate a vibration when a driving signal is input to the vibration generating unit; and a vibration partitioning unit mounted on at least one of the vibration plate or the vibration generating unit to asymmetrically deliver the generated vibration to the vibration plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Shirono
  • Patent number: 8964097
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: a photographing optical system; an image capturing element; and a viewfinder device, in which the viewfinder device includes at least one variable magnification lens that may be inserted on and removed from an optical path of the viewfinder device, and a drive mechanism configured to drive the variable magnification lens, in which the image capturing apparatus further includes: a variable magnification lens control unit configured to supply a drive signal to the drive mechanism so as to control the insertion and removal of the variable magnification lens on and from the optical path, and perform a high-speed control to move the variable magnification lens through a maximum moving distance for a first time, and a low-speed control to move the variable magnification lens through the maximum moving distance for a second time that is longer than the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Fumino, Tadashi Jogetsu, Kouhei Awazu
  • Patent number: 8964042
    Abstract: A first heat radiation unit is formed on one surface of the imaging unit in a vertical direction. A second heat radiation unit is formed on the other surface of the imaging unit in the vertical direction. A third heat radiation unit is formed on a surface opposite to an imaging direction of the imaging unit. A first heat transfer unit transfers heat of a first heat source of the imaging unit to the first heat radiation unit and the third heat radiation unit. A second heat transfer unit transfers heat of a second heat source of the imaging unit, which has a higher maximum allowable temperature than the first heating unit, to the second heat radiation unit. A heat insulation unit suppresses heat transfer between the first and the second heat radiation units and between the third and the second heat radiation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Nozawa, Munenobu Nakayama, Yoichi Nakano, Taguchi Hiromi
  • Publication number: 20150049242
    Abstract: A camera device includes: a camera including a lens; a first casing including a light-transmitting cover disposed to oppose the lens; a second casing which supports the camera within the first casing, and which surrounds the camera such that a side of the second casing opposing the light-transmitting cover is spaced from the camera with a gap; and an air flow path which allows air within the second casing to flow out toward the light-transmitting cover via the gap. The air flow path is formed between the second casing and a lens barrel of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kondou
  • Publication number: 20150049243
    Abstract: A camera includes a camera body having a camera lens structured on a front surface of the camera body and electronics internal to the camera body for capturing images via the camera lens. A thermally conductive material is thermally coupled to the electronics and exposed on an external face of the camera body. The thermally conductive material transfers heat produced by the electronics to the external face of the camera, and a removable heat sink removably couples to the thermally conductive material. The camera further includes a housing structured to at least partially enclose the camera body. The housing is structured to enable at least a portion of the removable heat sink to protrude through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Rudy Lucas Samuels, Scott Patrick Campbell
  • Patent number: 8957994
    Abstract: A correlated double sampling circuit includes a first input terminal receiving a ramp signal having first and second ramp sections, a second input terminal receiving a pixel signal, and a comparing circuit comparing the ramp signal with the pixel signal to generate an output signal, wherein the comparing circuit changes a point in time at which the output signal logically transitions during the first ramp section and the second ramp section in response to an applied dithering enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Claudio Jakobson
  • Patent number: 8958011
    Abstract: Bi-directional camera modules and flip chip bonders including the same are provided. The module includes a circuit board on which an upper sensor and a lower sensor are mounted, an upper lens and a lower lens disposed on the upper sensor and under the lower sensor, respectively, and a housing fixing the upper lens and the lower lens spaced apart from the upper sensor and the lower sensor, respectively. The housing surrounds the circuit board. The housing has a plurality of inlets and an outlet through which air flows, and the housing has an air passage connected from the inlets to the outlet via a space between lower lens and the lower sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Sick Park, Myung-Sung Kang, Ji-Seok Hong
  • Publication number: 20150042875
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a lens unit including a lens and an image sensor, a lens unit supporting unit for supporting the lens unit, a base unit for supporting the lens unit supporting unit in a manner that can tilt, a fixing base unit for supporting the base unit, a dome cover mounted to the fixing base unit, and an elastic member for elastically supporting the lens unit so that the lens unit can perform a retreat operation in an opposite direction from an object and along an optical axis direction of the lens unit when a force is applied thereto from the dome cover and even if the lens unit supporting unit leans in a tilt direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Daisuke Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20150042874
    Abstract: An in-vehicle camera that is provided with a substrate, a camera body, a housing including the substrate and the camera body. The substrate is provided with the opening, and the camera body is arranged at the position of the opening of the substrate. Furthermore, the camera body is included in the housing, with a part thereof inserted into the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Nidec Elesys Corporation
    Inventor: Naoya Takeda
  • Patent number: 8953087
    Abstract: A camera system may include an optics stack including two substrates, the optics stack forming an imaging system, each substrate having two surfaces that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to an optical axis of the imaging system, the optics stack including a securing region on opposing surfaces of the two substrates, the two substrates being secured together on a wafer level at their respective securing regions, at least one of the surfaces of the two substrates including a refractive surface of the imaging system, a detector substrate having an active area and a cover structure protecting at least the active area of the detector substrate, the optics stack being secured to an upper surface of the cover structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: FLIR Systems Trading Belgium BVBA
    Inventors: Michael R. Feldman, James E. Morris, Robert D. TeKolste
  • Patent number: 8953096
    Abstract: A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) configured to have an image sensor mounted thereon; a housing unit disposed over the first PCB; a holder module spaced apart from a bottom surface within the housing unit at a specific interval and configured to have first coils wound on its outer circumferential face and to include at least lens therein; a second PCB combined with the bottom surface of the holder module; a third PCB disposed over the holder module; a plurality of wire springs each configured to have one end connected to the second PCB and the other end connected to the third PCB; and buffer units provided at the connection units of the wire springs and the third PCB and configured to surround the connection units of the wire springs and the third PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sangyun Oh
  • Patent number: 8953013
    Abstract: This invention discloses an image pickup device and an image synthesis method thereof The image pickup device comprises an image-pickup module, an image-synthesis module, a database and a processing module. The image-pickup module captures a plurality of temporary images of a scene. The image-synthesis module extracts a part of each temporary image and combines the parts to form a panorama temporary image, and splits the panorama temporary image into a plurality of zone-areas according to at least one threshold value and a panorama luminosity histogram. The database stores a lookup table for recording a plurality of exposure values. The plurality of the exposure values correspond to luminance values of the zone-areas respectively. The processing module obtains the plurality of exposure values corresponding to the luminance values and obtains a weighting-exposure value by an equation, and controls the image-pickup module to capture the panorama image according to the weighting-exposure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Chia-Chun Tseng, Chia-Yu Wu