For Specified Accessory Patents (Class 348/375)
  • Patent number: 7599002
    Abstract: This invention allows a video network camera to be mounted directly against a window or other transparent surface without any additional mounting hardware. The network camera can be mounted both inside and outside of a window without additional mounting hardware. A novel mounting apparatus in conjunction with an adjustable video sensor allows the user to quickly mount and make adjustments to the viewing angle of the network camera, thus reducing installation time and installation costs. In addition, the network camera can be mounted to walls, ceilings and other surfaces as necessary by using a second mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: W. Paul Willes, Thomas R. Rohlfing, Harold L. Simonsen, Jeffrey B. Lancaster, Andrew J. Hartsfield, Evan I. Tree
  • Patent number: 7595837
    Abstract: There is provided a grasp member joined to the top portion of an image pickup apparatus body including a lens barrel unit at the front end and a display unit at the rear end through leg portions. Here, the front one of the leg portions is joined to the image pickup apparatus body at an offset position to the left from an optical axis of light incident on the lens barrel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Kobayashi, Masakazu Okuda, Nobutaka Kanayama, Yoshiaki Akutagawa, Hidenori Tomita
  • Patent number: 7593055
    Abstract: In a connection check mode, a camera main body sends an electromagnetic wave signal to a lens unit to enable radio communication between the camera main body and the lens unit. Then the camera main body sends its own specification data to the lens unit through the radio communication, and the lens unit judges based on the specification data as to whether the lens unit is compatible with the camera main body or not. If the answer is yes, the lens unit derives from the specification data of the camera main body data on performances of the lens unit achievable in connection to the camera main body. The judgment and the performance data are sent through the radio communication to the camera main body, and are displayed as connection data on an LCD of the camera main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakamura, Yukihiro Kawada
  • Patent number: 7590345
    Abstract: An optoelectronic protective device for providing switching signals when an unauthorized object is present in a passageway or an opening through a wall. A light source illuminates the opening, and a camera forms a picture of at least one of the wall surfaces defining the opening. A camera forms a picture of at least one of the wall surfaces and directs it onto a position resolving light receiver that generates picture signals for evaluation to determine if an unauthorized project is in the opening. The light source, the light receiver, the camera, as well as a control unit, are mounted in a housing that is configured to be secured to at least one of the wall surfaces of the opening so that it extends only negligibly into the opening, and the light source illuminates a spatial angle and the camera has an angular field of view that are sufficiently large so that objects having a predetermined minimum size present in the opening are reliably detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Martin Wuestefeld
  • Publication number: 20090225160
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mapping substrates in a substrate carrier. The invention includes a substrate carrier including one or more windows; and an imaging system coupled to a substrate carrier handling robot and adapted to determine or image substrate positions in the substrate carrier via the one or more windows. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinay K. Shah, Sushant S. Koshti, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Patent number: 7586537
    Abstract: The lens moving mechanism may be a cam structure. The cam structure is set so that the rotation axis of the lens is held at the center of the dome in a predetermined center hold angle range corresponding to the direction of an elevation angle, and that the rotation axis of the lens is moved from the center of the dome in the zenith direction at angles lower than the center hold angle range. Good images can be obtained even when shooting in the direction of a depression angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Konishi, Toshikazu Tatewaki
  • Patent number: 7580056
    Abstract: It is aimed to provide a small and lightweight digital still camera capable of reducing the possibility of moving the digital still camera while an image is taken due to an operation for pressing a shutter switch by a user. Thus, a single-stage switch which is turned on when the user presses up to a predetermined stroke with his/her finger and is turned off when the user takes his/her finger off is used as the shutter switch. In the normal imaging mode, in a state where the shutter switch is turned on by the user, an image for monitoring is taken at a predetermined interval and the image is displayed on the display device as an electronic view finder using image data output from the imaging device. When the shutter switch is turned off, an image for recording is taken, the obtained image data is recorded in the memory card and the taken image is displayed on the display device using the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshikatsu Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7573527
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a display component and a device aperture component which are mounted on separate segments of the electronic device. Each segment can be rotated with respect to the other, thus permitting a user to photograph an object while adjusting the display to a desired viewing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Tsukahara, Tomoaki Kawamura, Nobuya Kawahata
  • Publication number: 20090195646
    Abstract: A microscope comprising a camera connection in a image beam path is suggested. A camera adapter and a camera can be adapted to the camera connection, and the microscope can be used to reproduce the image of a sample on a sensor of the camera. Imaging of the beam path in the camera adapter comprises an intermediate imaging with a pupil plane having reduced beam diameter next to the pupil plane, and at least one optical means can be inserted into the reproduction beam path in the region of the reduced beam cross-section. An optical means or an interchangeable device comprising a plurality of optical means, such as filters, plane-parallel plates or wedge plate, is integrated into the pupil plane in the camera adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Ganser, Albrecht Weiss
  • Patent number: 7567283
    Abstract: A camera that is mountable in a mobile communications device is disclosed. The camera allows the user of the device to precisely adjust the acute rotational angle of the camera with respect to the body of the device and maintains the adjusted angle of the camera until the user deliberately adjusts it again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Ho Lee, Choong Jae Lee, Sang Hoon Shin, Sung Woong Ahn
  • Publication number: 20090185071
    Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus includes an exterior member which houses a main body of the apparatus and has an opening, a part of the main body being exposed through the opening; a lid which is attached to the exterior member so as to cover or uncover the opening; a hook which is provided in an area of the main body to be covered with the lid and on which a small loop for attachment of a strap is hooked; and a projection which projects from the lid and which comes in contact with a head part of the hook with the lid closed. A boundary surface of the covered area, the hook, and the projection forms a closed planar area with the lid closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicants: Olympus Corporation, Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Tatsuya SUZUKI, Tsuyoshi FUKUTA
  • Patent number: 7561312
    Abstract: Systems and methods using polarized filtering for glare removal to improve the process of scanning documents, particularly bound documents with glossy content, are disclosed. The system may generally include a lighting source for illuminating a document, a lighting source polarizer attached to the lighting source to polarize light therefrom, a camera for capturing images of the document, and a camera polarizer attached to the camera. The camera polarizer and the lighting source polarizer may be positioned relative to each other so as to facilitate blocking light reflections causing glare off of the document resulting from the lighting source and arriving at the camera. The system may include multiple lighting sources, some or all of which may have a lighting source polarizer attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Proudfoot, Marc Levoy
  • Patent number: 7561203
    Abstract: A user input device for portable electronic devices having a first body element and a main body element arranged for pivotal movement or slidable movement with respect tot one another controls an intended functionality of the portable electronic device in a response to the relative position between the body elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jari Pistemaa, Niko Porjo
  • Patent number: 7557851
    Abstract: Portable terminal equipment includes an upper chassis, a lower chassis, a connector therebetween, a camera holder, and a camera. The upper chassis includes the first obverse side and the first reverse side. The lower chassis includes the second obverse side and the second reverse side. The connector is operable to collapsibly interconnect the upper and lower chassis. The camera holder is slidable outward and inward with respect to either the upper chassis or the lower chassis. The camera is disposed on the camera holder in a relationship coextensive with the first obverse side. When the upper and lower chassis are opened up, then images taken by the camera are displayed on a first display. When the upper and lower chassis are folded up, then images taken by the camera are displayed on a second display. Thus the thinned portable terminal equipment including the single camera is operable to photograph both a user and any other subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Ohashi, Maiko Taruki
  • Patent number: 7554595
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal comprising a main body, a folder having a display, a first hinge formed at an upper portion of the main body for rotating the folder about the main body in a first direction, a camera positioned at a surface of the first hinge, and a second hinge formed between the folder and the first hinge for rotating the folder about the main body in a second direction. An object can be easily photographed at various angles and, even with the folder in a closed position, the object can be photographed while checking an image through the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Hoon Shin, Sung-Woong Ahn, Chang-Heui Hong
  • Patent number: 7555211
    Abstract: A nonadjustable focusing type camera module includes a lens assembly having at least one lens, a lens accommodating part mounted on an upper surface of a substrate, and a barrel having an inner space in which the lens assembly is arranged along an optical axis. An upper cap having an incident hole formed in a front center thereof is fixed to the upper side of the barrel to apply pressure to the lens assembly along the optical axis. The camera module further includes an image sensor having an image forming plane on which a light passed through the lens is focused. The sensor is electrically connected to the substrate to transmit the focused image, and a filter is disposed between the lens assembly and the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min Chul Go
  • Patent number: 7551225
    Abstract: A stand for a camera-equipped wireless communications device comprises a base, an adjustable terminal support movably mounted to the base, and an auxiliary system connector mounted to the base. The adjustable terminal support includes a system plug that connects to a system interface on the camera-equipped wireless communications device. The auxiliary system connector connects a peripheral device associated with the camera-equipped wireless communications device to the base. The system plug and the auxiliary system connector are interconnected by a system bus that extends through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Frank R. Overstreet
  • Publication number: 20090153804
    Abstract: A software apparatus for the user-friendly, desktop-based authoring, creation, management, and publication of a personal, enhanced audiovisual presentation comprising a software program which automatically captures and encodes the audiovisual presentation recorded by the user using the webcam, allows the user to edit an application-imported textual resume and synchronize parts of the textual resume with segments of the recorded audiovisual presentation, assigns a URL to the completed enhanced audiovisual presentation, and. A computer teleprompter especially adapted for use with the disclosed apparatus for desktop-based recording of an enhanced audiovisual presentation comprising a front enclosure with an opening, a webcam mount, a webcam position adjustment knob attached to the webcam mount, a lower mirror, and a beam splitter mirror with a transmission-to-reflection ratio that is adapted for use with a webcam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Hernan Giraldo, Robert Malli
  • Patent number: 7542093
    Abstract: connecting system includes a cradle (1) and a digital camera (10) electrically connected to the cradle (1) through connectors (5, 15). The cradle (1) hold the digital camera (10) with a liquid crystal display (13) facing the front and also with the photographing lens (12) facing the front. The cradle (1) electrically detects whether the digital camera (10) is held with the display (13) facing the front or with the photographing lens facing the front. When the digital camera (10) is held with the display facing the front, operation starts in a recorded image-data transferring mode. When the digital camera (10) is held with the photographing lens facing the front, operation starts in a PC camera mode. A desired operation mode can be set in the digital camera simply by changing the installing state of the digital camera (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Katakai
  • Patent number: 7542094
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter device adapted for easier operation of a lid that opens and closes an opening through which a video camera is to be inserted and on which a viewfinder is to be installed. The present invention provides an adapter device to which a video camera device is to be attached, the adapter device including an adapter body having formed therein a receptacle in which the video camera device is to be installed and having formed at the rear end thereof an opening through which the video camera device is to be inserted first at a lens-unit mount thereof, a lid provided pivotably on a vertical pivot of the adapter body to open and close the insertion opening, and a mount base provided on the top of the lid on which a viewfinder is to be installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nakamura, Tomoyasu Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 7534056
    Abstract: A trail camera having one or more hinges to provide pivoting of the trail camera after mounting to a fixed object is disclosed. The hinges allow pivoting of a housing and/or a camera section after the trail camera is mounted to enable a user to direct the trail camera towards a target location to capture an image regardless of the particular mounting orientation of the camera. Such a configuration enables the trail camera to be mounted at a vertical elevation above the target location while still recording events in proximity to the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Bushnell Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Cross, Darin Stephens
  • Patent number: 7532248
    Abstract: An adapter device is disclosed to which a video camera can easily be attached. The adapter is compatible with both small and large camera lenses which may be attached directly to it. The adapter includes a receptacle which enables the video camera to be located within the adapter after being inserted through a rear opening. Once inserted, the adapter includes both mechanical and electrical connections to enable the camera to be connected to the adapter. A key mechanical connection is located at the front end of the adapter and it interfaces with a lens-unit mount of the camera. The electrical connection is located on the bottom inner surface of the adaptor and the connection interfaces with a terminal block on the video camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nakamura, Tomoyasu Katsuyama, Tooru Kirihara, Masao Hirose
  • Patent number: 7532245
    Abstract: A system controller 115 has a function of changing the position and the orientation of character data to be superimposed on the image data, in accordance with the operation of one of orientation keys. Specifically, when a downward key has been pushed, the character data is superimposed on a lower portion of the image data, not revolved and but oriented upward. When a rightward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved counterclockwise through 90 degrees, and is located along the right-hand edge of the image data, oriented leftward. When an upward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved through 180 degrees, and is located along the upper edge of the image data, oriented downward. Further, when a leftward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved clockwise through 90 degrees, and is located along the left-hand edge of the image data, oriented rightward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7532249
    Abstract: A smart camera with modular expansion capabilities, including a housing, a camera directly attached to the housing for acquiring an image of an object, a functional unit comprised in the housing and coupled to the camera, where the functional unit is configurable to implement an image processing function, a backplane comprised in the housing and coupled to the functional unit to provide electrical communication, and one or more slots comprised in the housing, where each slot includes a connector that is electrically coupled to the backplane, and where each slot is adapted for receiving a function module. An inserted function module provides modular functionality to the smart camera, such as dedicated image processing functionality, pattern recognition, analysis, communication, sensor, sensor I/O, signal conditioning and/or conversion, control, measurement, and synchronization, among others. The function module may communicate a protocol to the functional unit which may be configured to implement the protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Schultz, Perry Steger, Stefanie Breyer
  • Patent number: 7527444
    Abstract: An ejection tray includes a container that contains a recording sheet printed by a printing unit of an image forming apparatus, and a cover mounted on the container. The cover has a display for displaying information, and the display displays an information screen corresponding to information that can be printed on the recording sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihito Sawai, Yutaka Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7528886
    Abstract: A mobile terminal having an image pick-up apparatus comprising a housing formed at a side of the mobile terminal, the housing having a through hole, a camera body formed at the through hole of the housing, the camera body being movable in an axial direction of the housing and having a camera module, and a regulating means formed within the through hole of the housing for controlling movement of the camera body in the axial direction of the housing. The image pick-up apparatus is capable of protracting and retracting a lens of the camera module from and into the housing to thereby protect the lens from an external contaminant or an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung-Tae Yang
  • Patent number: 7525569
    Abstract: An apparatus captures a digital image from a film-based camera having a chamber to receive a film cartridge and a take-up spool to advance the film after each shot. The apparatus includes a cartridge shaped to fit in the camera film chamber, the cartridge including a processor, a storage unit coupled to the processor, and an input output unit coupled to the processor. The cartridge houses a flexible strip having one end coupled to the cartridge and the other end adapted to be wound on the camera take-up spool, the flexible strip containing one or more imaging arrays deposited thereon to capture the digital image, each of the imaging arrays communicating with the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Gallitzin Allegheny LLC
    Inventor: Dominik J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7525597
    Abstract: A digital camera module is conveniently packaged within an electronic device for sliding motion between a stored position and an operational position. The camera module is nested within the electronic device in the closed position to provide a streamlined external contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Nikolaj Bestle, Lars Friis, Esbjorn Schroll, Todd Wood, Thomas Vad, Jacob Schlunsen, Lars Aresteen
  • Patent number: 7525596
    Abstract: Camera includes a first, second and third exterior members for covering an inner assembly. The first and second exterior members cover a front face, a rear face, a top face, a bottom face and a side face of the inner assembly. The side face is closer to a center of gravity of the inner assembly. The third exterior member extends along the top face, the bottom face and the side face to cover mated portions of the first and second exterior members and does not cover another side of the inner assembly, away from the center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshinobu Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7522213
    Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator for a movie or video camera has a vertical axis system including a base, an arm pivotably attached to the base, and at least one spring connected to the base and to the arm. One or more dampeners are connected to the base and to the arm. A horizontal axis system is supported by the vertical axis system. A leveling linkage connects the vertical and horizontal axis systems. The leveling linkage has adjustment features that allow for compensation of camera lens angulation caused by movement of the camera supported on a vehicle rolling over rough or uneven ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 7522208
    Abstract: A digital camera having a color image sensor, an optical system, a rotatable first switch, and a second switch that switches between various modes. The second switch indicates an intermediate point corresponding to the photograph mode, a first point corresponding to the first setting mode, or a second point corresponding to the second setting mode. A first setting unit sets a first processing condition relating to a white balance of an image according to a rotation angle of the first switch in the first setting mode. A second setting unit sets a second processing condition relating to a data size of an image according to a rotation angle of the first switch in the second setting mode. Furthermore, a processing unit processes an output signal of the color image sensor according to a first processing condition and a second processing condition in the photograph mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuichi Shiohara
  • Publication number: 20090096918
    Abstract: A security monitoring apparatus including a security monitoring enclosure, a carousel, and a camera bracket is provided. The security monitoring enclosure has a bottom wall with an aperture passing therethrough. The carousel is rotatably mounted on the bottom wall for rotation over the aperture and, therefore, rotatable relative to the bottom wall of the security monitoring enclosure. The camera bracket is carried by the carousel and configured to secure a camera therein. The security monitoring apparatus may also include an environmental control unit regulating the environment within an internal compartment of the monitoring enclosure and/or a pole mounting apparatus configured to receive and engage with a pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: SecureCore, LLC
    Inventor: Ray Montelongo
  • Patent number: 7519292
    Abstract: A camera apparatus comprising a disc compartment portion in which a DVD-R is accommodated so as to be loaded and unloaded, a disc rotating apparatus provided within the disc compartment portion and rotating the DVD-R which can be detachably loaded thereon, a lens apparatus for passing light from an object, a CCD for forming an image from light passed through the lens apparatus and outputting an image signal corresponding to the image, an optical pickup apparatus capable of recording image information on the DVD-R based on the image signal outputted from the CCD and a radiation plate provided within the disc compartment portion. The radiation plate and the CCD are constructed so as to transmit heat therebetween so that heat can be radiated from the CCD through the radiation plate to the disc compartment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobutatsu Takahashi, Seiya Amatatsu
  • Patent number: 7518654
    Abstract: This invention relates to a camera head enclosure apparatus configured to allow the interchangeability of photo-electric pixel arrays for use in various applications. A personality plate specifically configured to receive and secure a photo-electric pixel array of a particular configuration provided on a chip is disclosed. The invention allows a user to interchange photo-electric pixel arrays, and their respective personality plates, while using the same camera head enclosure, thus enabling the camera head enclosure to be adapted to an entirely different photo-electric pixel array and eliminating the need to custom make camera head enclosures for each application. One embodiment of the camera head enclosure apparatus disclosed further includes a plurality of carriers configured to hold a respective plurality of circuit boards associated with the particular photo-electric pixel array selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: SciMeasure Analytical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Bleau, Mark P. McJunkin, Dean Quoc Nguyen, Garry Thomas Motter, Raymond C. DuVarney
  • Patent number: 7510340
    Abstract: System and method for modifying an optical assembly with another image modifying device by using an adapter assembly to connect or couple three image modifying devices together. The adapter assembly includes two adapters that have collars to hold a night vision monocular between them, and to each connect with a camera and lens, respectively, modifying a camera-lens assembly for use in night time photo surveillance. One adapter's collar includes a gripping mechanism to grip one end of the night vision monocular. The other adapter's collar includes one or two channels to each receive a pin on the other end of the night vision monocular and a locking mechanism to secure one pin in its channel. Attachments members on each adapter include mechanical and electrical connectors to couple or connect the adapters to each other, and to electrically connect the camera with the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Nocturnal Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Laganas, Charles Ronald Musgrove
  • Patent number: 7512416
    Abstract: The invention relates to an accessory part for a mobile station. In order to facilitate the use of the mobile station, it is proposed that the accessory part comprises a headset 8, 9 as well as a digital camera 3. Both can be connected simultaneously via a connector 1 of the accessory part to a mobile station. Thus, a user only has to handle a single accessory part in order to make use of two different functions enabled by a mobile station. The invention equally relates to a mobile station with which such an accessory part can be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Kati Arell, Timo Elomaa, Valtteri Eroma
  • Patent number: 7508445
    Abstract: A camcorder mounted on a binocular includes a periscope that receives incident light on the effective line-of-sight of the binocular and reflects the light onto the line-of-sight of the camcorder into image processing elements of the camcorder, the camcorder being operable in telephoto mode and the binocular having a wide angle field of view, whereby the binocular serves as the target acquisition and maintenance of centering means for the camcorder, thereby enabling easiest acquisition of a target and enabling distant subjects of particular interest to be recorded in largest image without loss of sight of the target when the camcorder is operated in telephoto mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Salvatore Cirami
  • Patent number: 7507041
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging device including a battery compartment having an opening for insertion and ejection of a battery, a battery release lever for allowing the insertion of the battery into the battery compartment through the opening and the ejection of the battery from the battery compartment through the opening, and a battery lid for openably closing the opening of the battery compartment. The battery release lever is located adjacent to the battery lid so as not to be substantially covered with the battery lid in its closed condition. Accordingly, the position of the battery release lever can be visually recognized even in the closed condition of the battery lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ueda, Takayoshi Yamasaki, Tetsuya Okuchi, Kouta Nagano, Tomonori Watanabe, Shin Miyashita, Atsuko Koyama
  • Publication number: 20090073310
    Abstract: A shutter arrangement for covering a camera lens includes a camera lens cover that is movable in a plane along a first direction between a first closed position and a second opened position. In the first closed position, the camera lens cover substantially covers the camera lens and in the second opened position, the camera lens is substantially uncovered. The shutter arrangement also includes a movable cover that moves between a first position and a second position which displaces the movable cover from the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventors: Maiko Karlsson, Mikael Hansson, Henrik Fristedt, Ola Carmonius
  • Patent number: 7505068
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for applying effects to a stored image includes an optical reader. The apparatus includes a feed mechanism for feeding a planar element on which a printed, two-dimensional pattern having a certain resolution is carried, to the reader. The reader has a sensor with a resolution capacity of at least twice the resolution of the two-dimensional pattern and is configured to generate program data represented by the two-dimensional pattern in an external format, the data itself representing an image processing program. A reader interface is connected to the reader to receive the program data from the reader, the reader interface being configured to transform the program data to an internal format suitable for processing. A processor is connected to both the reader and the reader interface to control operation of the reader and the reader interface and to apply the image processing program to the stored image to generate an output image with desired effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7505072
    Abstract: A mobile communication apparatus that comprises an image pickup device (or camera module) comprising a lens driver (or AF motor), a display device (comprising a main display and a sub-display), and a display driver (comprising liquid crystal drivers) are disposed on a circuit board. The display driver and the image pickup device are disposed on the opposite sides, respectively, of the display device. Thus, the display driver and the lens driver of the image pickup device are distant from each other, thereby avoiding mutual interference by electromagnetic waves that may be produced by them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 7500796
    Abstract: The invention relates to a camera body (CB) for still photography that comprises attachment facilities for a number of different accessories (ACC), which camera body further comprises a control unit for controlling functions in the camera body and in accessories attached to the camera body. The control unit communicates with the various accessories via a data bus, and, for at least one of the attachment facilities for accessories, in addition to the data bus, the camera body comprises separate means for communication (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for detecting accessories that are attached or removed, which means for communication can also be used by the control unit in the camera body to initiate a change in the system status of an attached accessory. The invention also relates to an accessory for such a camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Victor Hasselblad AB
    Inventors: Roland Haraldsson, Tommy Killander, Stefan Lundgren
  • Patent number: 7499101
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal with an integrated photographic apparatus is disclosed. The photographic apparatus is rotatively connected to the terminal. Further, a magnet, which generates a flux, is connected to the photographic apparatus. A magnetic flux sensor is also connected to the terminal so that an image produced by the photographic apparatus is inverted when the magnetic flux sensor detects the magnetic flux. Rotation of the photographic apparatus at a predetermined angle approximates the magnet to the magnetic flux detecting sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Zhi-Min Choo
  • Publication number: 20090051806
    Abstract: A device for connecting a camera lens to a movie camera has a camera housing with a lens mount and a device for acquiring data relating to the camera lens connected to the lens mount. Said device further comprising a miniaturized electronic system with data memory for storing data relating to the camera lens such as lens type, serial number, conversion tables and the like, and with a contact region that is arranged on a data interface between the lens mount of the movie camera and the lens fastening means of the camera lens and which is aligned with the contact region arranged in the lens mount of the movie camera is integrated in the lens fastening means of the camera lens or in a modified lens fastening means connected to the lens fastening means of the camera lens or replacing the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: ARNOLD & RICHTER CINE TECHNIK GMBH & CO.BETRIEBS KG
    Inventor: Michael B. Haubmann
  • Patent number: 7495703
    Abstract: A surveillance camera comprising a camera mounted in a housing, a trim ring and dome assembly, a flexible member and a clamping member. The housing and the trim ring and dome assembly have first and second surfaces. One of the first surface of the housing and the first surface of the trim ring and dome assembly has an indentation, and the flexible member is positioned in the indentation. The clamping member can be tightened and is shaped to contact the second surface of the housing and the second surface of the assembly such that when the clamping member is tightened the clamping member causes the housing and the assembly to compress the flexible member so that the flexible member provides a seal between the housing and the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Pelco, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Arbuckle
  • Publication number: 20090046201
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining registration of a lens assembly in a consistent position over a sensor by positioning the sensor adjacent a sensor mount instead of a housing encompassing the lens assembly and sensor. The apparatus comprises a lens assembly having at least one predetermined focal center, and a lens barrel for holding the lens assembly. A holder adjustably supports the lens barrel, the holder having a base and a cylinder, with the lens barrel adjustably mounted in the cylinder. The base of the holder is attached to a support, such as a circuit board, whereby the focal center of the lens assembly is held in a predetermined aligned position relative to the sensor. In an embodiment, wall surfaces defining an opening in the base of the holder firmly engage the sidewalls of a ceramic sensor mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: ShopperTrak RCT Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Kastilahn, Michael Gore
  • Patent number: 7489359
    Abstract: There is provided a lens adapter easily detachable to and from a case, with an optical component such as a filter, a conversion lens etc. attached without a dedicated member on a camera side for attaching. The lens adapter has an attachment section attached to the case of the camera, and a lens barrel housing section provided at the attachment section for housing a lens barrel. The attachment section has first and second members swingably engaging in a detachable manner and is attached to the case in a state that the first and second members sandwich the case in a direction from front to rear of the case. A metallic ring is embedded on a front end of a cylindrical wall section forming a lens barrel housing section. A female screw for attaching an optical component such as a filter, a conversion lens etc. is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsurou Fukumoto, Takashi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7489413
    Abstract: A video printer (1) comprises a video printer housing portion (2), and a video camera station (3) disposed on a rear upper portion of the video printer housing portion (2) and having a signal input and output connection terminal (4). A video camera (6) with a liquid-crystal display monitor (7) is electrically connected to the connection terminal (4), and attached to the video printer (1) at its video camera station (3) so that, when the video printer (1) is in use, a user can operate the video camera (6) and the video printer (1) by operating systems (8), (9) disposed on the video printer (1) while visually confirming a picture displayed on a picture screen of the liquid-crystal display monitor (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Nakatsu, Shin Iima, Kayoko Ohyoshi, Tomomi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7483076
    Abstract: An electronic camera comprises a flat-shaped camera body and a circular hook portion. The camera body includes an LCD, a rechargeable battery, a memory, a controller and so forth. The hook portion protrudes from the camera body toward the outside thereof. A cradle comprises a projection with which the hook portion engages so that it is possible to suspend the electronic camera from the cradle attached to a wall. In this state, the cradle feeds power to the electronic camera, and data of image data and so forth is bi-directionally transferred between them. The cradle is provided with a large-capacity storage part for recording the data transferred from the electronic camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Sakai
  • Patent number: 7483050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld camera having a sensor adapted to sense an image and a processing system. The processing system includes a a camera manager for controlling the sensing of the image, an image processing manager for manipulating the image and, a print manager for controlling printing of the manipulated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley