For Specified Accessory Patents (Class 348/375)
  • Patent number: 9648217
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for use with a communication device, such as an IPhone®, having a camera enabled by a wireless communication chip such as Bluetooth® to take a selfie picture or video. The device generally comprises a mirror having a mirror surface and a plurality of light emitting diodes that emit light from the mirror surface. The device further comprises a fastener adapted to removably engage the communication device with the mirror surface. The fastener comprises gripping arms adapted to secure the communication device in several positions, including a portrait or landscape orientation. The mirror further comprises a control circuit having a wireless Bluetooth® communication chip and an input device such as a membrane switch. The input device comprises dim up and dim down buttons to control the intensity of the light emitting diodes and a camera activation button to wirelessly activate the camera to take a picture or video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Erik A. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9628681
    Abstract: A camera housing comprises a four-sided frame. A first side of the four-sided frame includes a first segment, a second segment, and a latch mechanism with a first latch component and a second latch component. The first latch component and the second latch component are pivotally coupled such that in a closed position, the frame securely encloses a camera and in an open position, the first segment and the second segment are separable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Aaron Clearman, Rudy Lucas Samuels, Richard Gioscia
  • Patent number: 9591192
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an electronic device having a microphone and a camera. The apparatus comprises a structure configured to detachably couple to the device, and a shutter supported by the structure and comprising a lens shutter configured to obscure a lens of the camera when in an engaged position. A generator is supported by the structure and configured to generate a force that acts on the microphone and renders the microphone unresponsive to voice sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: VYSK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Waleed Sami Haddad
  • Patent number: 9565343
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes a microphone unit and an attachment unit. The attachment unit includes a camera shoe attachment section. A camera shoe extension includes a support arm and a camera shoe attachment section attached to a rear end of the support arm. The support arm is curved into a circular arc shape such that the front end thereof is located higher than the rear end thereof. The camera shoe attachment section of the attachment unit is mounted on a shoe formed on the front end of the support arm. The camera shoe attachment section of the camera shoe extension is mounted on a camera shoe of a digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: TEAC Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Matsumoto, Norio Matsuura
  • Patent number: 9538052
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing such as a metal housing. Openings may be formed in the housing to accommodate a button, to form a camera window, to form a microphone port, and to form a camera flash window. An input-output component mounting member may be used to mount input-output components to the housing of the electronic device. The input-output component mounting member may have a recess that mates with a corresponding protrusion on the housing. Screws may attach the input-output component mounting member to the housing. The protrusion and recess in the input-output component mounting member may ensure that the input-output component mounting member is accurately aligned with respect to the housing. Input-output components such as a microphone, button switch, camera, and camera flash may be mounted to the electronic device with the input-output component mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Emery A. Sanford, David G. Havskjold, Teodor Dabov, Stephen Brian Lynch, Erik G. P. de Jong, Tyson B. Manullang, Anthony S. Montevirgen
  • Patent number: 9482386
    Abstract: An extendable viewing system which allows for the suspension of a camera, or a video recorder, at a distance from the user. The viewing system may have a camera mount which may be rotated by the user. The camera mount may be on a far end of a mounting rod, with the user holding the close end of the mounting rod. The user may rotate a handle to rotate the camera mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Daymen US, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah Balmer
  • Patent number: 9430046
    Abstract: An image capturing system for a vehicle captures an image of a target area based on a predefined gesture performed by an occupant of the vehicle. A gesture capture device determines a gesture position of a gesture, which is the predefined gesture, with respect to a reference point. An eye tracking device determines an eye position of the occupant based on a viewpoint of the occupant. A target area determination module determines a target vector extending from the eye position toward the gesture position and aligns an on-board camera with the target vector, such that the target vector passes through an image field-of-view of the on-board camera. The on-board camera captures an image of the target area which is within the image field-of-view, and the image is stored in a computer-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: Denso International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Steers
  • Patent number: 9420156
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling an imaging apparatus capable of changing an imaging direction of an imaging unit in panning and tilting directions includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a captured image captured by the imaging unit, and an provision unit configured to provide, together with the captured image, when the imaging direction of the imaging unit coincides with a panning rotational axis for rotating the imaging direction in the panning direction, a panning direction guide for indicating that changing the imaging direction in the panning direction rotates the captured image around an intersection of an optical axis of the imaging unit and a plane containing the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michihiko Ono
  • Patent number: 9414039
    Abstract: An information processing method and device applied to an electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a first collecting unit located on a first surface and a second collecting unit located on a second surface. The method includes detecting a first input; outputting a first media data collected by the first collecting unit when the first input satisfies a first predetermined condition; detecting a second input; and switching the output into a second media data collected by the second collecting unit when the second input satisfies a second predetermined condition, wherein the first media data and the second media data have the same media type, the first media data corresponds to a first collecting time parameter, the second media data corresponds to a second collecting time parameter, and the first collecting time parameter is the same as the second collecting time parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yonghua Liu, Yuru Jin
  • Patent number: 9398363
    Abstract: [Problem] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a neckband-type earphone that can be worn for a long time without subjecting the wearer to discomfort of wearing a neckband-type earphone, and in which the extent of hazard to the wearer when worn is lowered and locations that break are reduced. [Solution] A neckband-type earphone provided with: earphone parts which are inserted into the pinnae of the wearer and which output an audio signal; ear holder parts which connect to the earphone parts and which abut the upper side of the pinnae of the wearer; holder bodies provided with the ear holder parts; earphone drivers provided with the holder bodies; and a neck band connecting the two earphone drivers; the holder bodies being provided with a cushion part at a portion that comes into contact with the head of the wearer in the vicinity of the pinnae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: D&M Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Takeno, Yoshinari Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9318885
    Abstract: A protective sheath device for use in protecting lead wire cables from contamination during use in a hospital or other medical setting is described. A glove-like component having fingers, with each finger intended to protect one lead wire, is placed on a base or mounting piece. The base has extensions that fit within the fingers, and the fingers are gathered to reduce their length. This facilitates placement of a lead wire cable within each finger. Once the cables are placed within the fingers of the glove-like component, the base can be discarded and the terminal heads of the lead wire cables are grasped and pulled to extend the fingers of the glove-like component and to protect a length of the lead wire cables. If the base is a mounting piece, it is preferably retained for later uses and is made of a material such as rubber or plastic that can be sanitized and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MEDASHIELD TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua T. Schumacher, Peter S. Mileski
  • Patent number: 9264649
    Abstract: A medical communication system includes a plurality of end-user audio/video recording and playback devices (40) disposed with recipients of medical assistance, and a medical server (10) configured to receive audio/video messages (90?) generated by the end-user audio/video devices and to generate and transmit audio/video responses (94) to targeted end-user audio/video devices. The medical server includes an audio/video recording and playback device (12) configured to playback received audio/video messages and to record audio/video responses, and the end user audio/video recording and playback devices are configured to playback audio/video responses (94?) received from the server. In some embodiments, each end-user audio/video device includes: a video recording lens (62); a microphone (64); and an automatic lens cover (63) arranged to physically block the video recording lens except during recording of audio/video content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: John C. Ryan, Ashik Uzzaman
  • Patent number: 9264614
    Abstract: A digital camera includes a rotary switch, a switching unit, and a switching unit. The switching unit switches between two states independently of a function other than functions assigned to the respective states of the rotary switch, the two states including a restricted state where rotation of the rotary switch is restricted with a clicking feel and a function of at least one of a shutter speed and an aperture as a function with discrete output values is related to the rotating operation of the rotary switch and a non-restricted state where rotation of the rotary switch is not restricted and a function of at least one of focusing, and a zoom magnification of a lens, and similar function as a function with continuous output values is related to the rotating operation of the rotary switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Hidehiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9253384
    Abstract: In an accessory shoe member placed on top of a base member, a pair of engagement portions is formed in a first direction perpendicular to an attachment direction of an external accessory device, and a plurality of fastening holes is formed side by side in the first direction. A plurality of fastening members is inserted into the plurality of fastening holes with the accessory shoe member placed on top of the base member, thereby fastening the base member and the accessory shoe member to an imaging apparatus. In the accessory shoe member, a joining portion joining the pair of engagement portions is formed. The accessory shoe member is formed by bending a plate metal material into a loop shape so that a joint is located between the plurality of fastening holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Odagaki
  • Patent number: 9219906
    Abstract: Three-dimensional processing is applied to more than one images taken from different points of view to generate a stereoscopic image, and the stereoscopic image is stereoscopically displayed. An instruction to control a stereoscopic effect of the stereoscopically displayed stereoscopic image is received, and the three-dimensional processing is applied to the more than one images to achieve a stereoscopic effect according to the instruction. Then, control values of the stereoscopic effect according to the instruction are recorded in a recording unit with the control values being associated with the more than one images. At this time, if there are the control values of the stereoscopic effect recorded in the recording unit, difference values between the control values of the stereoscopic effect according to the instruction and the recorded control values of the stereoscopic effect are recorded in the recording unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Yanagita, Daisuke Shikata
  • Patent number: 9185276
    Abstract: Array cameras, and array camera modules incorporating independently aligned lens stacks are disclosed. Processes for manufacturing array camera modules including independently aligned lens stacks can include: forming at least one hole in at least one carrier; mounting the at least one carrier relative to at least one sensor so that light passing through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier is incident on a plurality of focal planes formed by arrays of pixels on the at least one sensor; and independently mounting a plurality of lens barrels to the at least one carrier, so that a lens stack in each lens barrel directs light through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier and focuses the light onto one of the plurality of focal planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Errol Mark Rodda, Jacques Duparré
  • Patent number: 9172855
    Abstract: A pendant housing for a camera. The housing comprises a substantially cylindrical casing. The substantially cylindrical casing further includes a top end portion that may be removeably mounted to a tube without a tool, a dome structure that may house at least a lens portion of a camera, a bottom end portion that may be removeably mounted to the dome structure without a tool, and a waterproof seal positioned between the bottom end portion and the dome structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: AVIGILON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sudeep Mohan, Andrew J. Stark
  • Patent number: 9168761
    Abstract: A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 9172917
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising an antenna module and a control module. The antenna module may be configured to connect and send data to a local network and a mobile handheld device through a wireless connection. The control module may be configured to provide (i) a physical connection to the antenna module, (ii) a power source to an external device, and (iii) a camera sensor to capture still and motion pictures and sounds of a surrounding environment of the apparatus. The pictures may be sent as the data through the wireless connection or through a mobile handheld device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Kuna Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sai-Wai Fu, Haomiao Huang
  • Patent number: 9167145
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a photographic lens including a photographic optical system, a photographic camera configured to be attachable to and detachable from the photographic lens and including an image sensor configured to receive light from the photographic lens, and a receiving device connected to the photographic lens via a cable and configured to receive an operation signal for controlling the photographic lens or the photographic camera from a remote operation device, wherein the receiving device is configured to be fixable to the photographic lens or the photographic camera by a plurality of different methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Idemura, Norio Nakai
  • Patent number: 9167137
    Abstract: A security camera includes a camera head and a cable assembly with an integrated processing module. The camera head contains a lens and an image sensor, while the processing module contains image processing circuitry for processing images obtained using the image sensor and power circuitry used to power the image processing circuitry and the camera head. A cable connects the camera head and the processing module. The processing module is sized to fit through an aperture in a mounting surface that can be covered by the camera head when the camera head is mounted to the mounting surface, which facilitates ease of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Avigilon Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Neufeld, Sudeep Mohan
  • Patent number: 9158087
    Abstract: A stereoscopic lens docking station used for detachably connecting to an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first lens module and a first transmission interface. The stereoscopic lens docking station includes a chute, a second lens module, and a second transmission interface. The chute is located next to the first lens module. The second lens module can slide along the chute to a position corresponding to the first lens module. The second transmission interface is used for communicating to the first transmission interface, and for electrically connecting to the second lens module, allowing the electronic device to control the second lens module to capture an image, and obtain the image; whereby the two images captured by the first lens module and the second lens module can be integrated to form a three-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Hsin-Shuay Chen, Yu-Teng Chang, Ming-Te Lee, Yao-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9154674
    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; a circuit board disposed below the housing; and a shield-can coupled to the housing and enclosing an outer surface of the housing, wherein the circuit board is provided with a ground pad, and a contact surface of the shield-can contacting the ground pad is formed to have a convex-concave shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mi Ji Lee
  • Patent number: 9125610
    Abstract: An oral cancer screening device 10 used for the detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue has a power supply 100, an illumination source 200, a selector switch 300 that enables the activation of a specific wavelength of light from the illumination source 200, an electrical system 400 in communication with the selector switch 300 and the illumination source 200, a heat sink 500 in thermal communication with the illumination source, a filter or cover 600 to protect the illumination source, and a transparent sheath 700 for providing a sanitary shield for the device when it is brought into contact or close proximity with the patient oral cavity. The sheath may optionally have an angled mirror incorporated at a distal end of the sheath to provide the operator with a reflected image of the illuminated tissue 900. The operator will optionally utilize head mounted lenses 800 to assist the operator's visualization of the light from the illuminated oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: REMICALM, LLC
    Inventors: Andrés Felipe Zuluaga, Michael Jonathan Smith
  • Patent number: 9131131
    Abstract: If a movable unit connected to a main body and is rotatable around a first axis as a rotation center with respect to the main body in which a magnetic field generating member is provided is rotated around the first axis with respect to the main body, a magnetic field detection sensor arranged near the first axis rotates and a direction of a magnetic field that can be detected by the magnetic field detection sensor changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9108430
    Abstract: A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 9047073
    Abstract: A small-sized connecting appliance is provided. An electronic appliance includes: a connecting section including a power-supply terminal and a connecting terminal to be connected to a connecting appliance; a detecting section that detects the potential of the connecting terminal; a power source control section that starts supplying power via the power-supply terminal; and an appliance recognizing section that recognizes the type of the connecting appliance based on the result of detecting the potential of the connecting terminal after the power supply start. A computer readable medium causes a computer to perform: detecting the potential of a connecting terminal connected to a connecting appliance; starting power supply via a power-supply terminal included in a connecting section that connects to the connecting appliance; and recognizing the type of the connecting appliance based on the result of detecting the potential of the connecting terminal after the power supply start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Ozaki, Masato Matsuzawa, Takeshi Kawano
  • Patent number: 9044965
    Abstract: A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20150146091
    Abstract: A system for aligning a camera view and the illumination of a lighting fixture is disclosed. The system includes a camera contained with a housing and a lighting fixture that is pivotedly attached to the housing. An angle adjuster attached to a proximate end of each of the housing and the lighting fixture converts a linear movement to the adjuster into an angular adjustment of the lighting fixture with regard to an optical axis of a camera contained with the housing. In another aspect of the invention, the system of aligning a camera view and light fixture may be attached to a magnification lenswear and a focal point of the magnification lenswear may be aligned with the aligned camera view and the illumination of the lighting fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: DESIGNS FOR VISION, INC.
    Inventors: Richard E. Feinbloom, Kenneth Braganca, Roma Montifar
  • Patent number: 9033519
    Abstract: There is provided a projection device including a device main body, and an open/close unit having a projection lens, the open/close unit being connected to the device main body in a manner openable and closable about an open/close axis formed in a vertical direction of the device main body and in a manner rotatable about a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the open/close axis. The projection lens is, in a closed state in which the open/close unit is closed with respect to the device main body such that the projection lens faces outward, provided on an upper side of the rotation axis of the open/close unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yamazaki, Katsumi Ikuta, Atsuko Kashiwagi, Nobutaka Saitoh, Nobuhito Ebine
  • Patent number: 9030604
    Abstract: A housing for protecting a wafer-level camera module and fixing the wafer-level camera module to a printed circuit board (PCB) includes: four side plates, defining a quadrilateral frame; four supporting plates each fixed to a lower portion of an inner face of a corresponding one of the four side plates, each supporting plate having a top face supporting a portion of the camera module; and four bottom plates each fixed to a lower portion of an outer face of a corresponding one of the four side plates, each bottom plate having a bottom face fixed to the PCB. The housing is capable of addressing the issues of poor housing-PCB soldering, paint falling off and surface scratching and improving the efficiency in UV lamp-utilized UV adhesive curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ye Tao, Wei Yuan, Bo Jiang
  • Patent number: 9030603
    Abstract: The invention provides a prompting apparatus comprising a foldable prompting box which includes two symmetrical opposite walls which can be open and closed, a bottom board which can be folded up and released, and a rear wall, which jointly define a space for housing a two-way see-through mirror and the lens of the camera. The cover defines a space for a user to slide in a tablet device which runs a prompting software application. The pre-designed text is displayed on the tablet device's screen at a speed that the speaker feels comfortable to read. When the apparatus is not in use, the prompting box can be easily folded into a flat compact for the user's convenience to carry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Linda Vito
  • Patent number: 9030605
    Abstract: To provide a studio camera adaptor capable of easily controlling a remote controller even when shooting takes place at audience seats in a studio The present invention provides a studio camera adaptor for using a portable video camera as a studio camera, the studio camera adaptor including: a main body unit having: a bottom part for having the portable video camera attached thereto; and a side wall part rising from the bottom part; and a remote controller attachment unit provided to the side wall part for having a remote controller attached thereto, the remote controller being used for adjustment of at least one of zoom, focus, and aperture of the portable video camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nihon Video System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kentaro Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 9030606
    Abstract: A camera system includes a wireless indicator that emits light to provide signals to a user. This wireless indicator is attached to a lens casing that covers the front face of the camera to protect components of the camera such as the lens. A wireless signal interface on the front face of the camera is configured to emit ultraviolet light in response to control circuitry within the camera. The ultraviolet light is transmitted through the lens casing to an excitable element. The excitable element produces visible light in response to the ultraviolet light. Any re-emitted visible light that travels back towards the camera lens and image sensor is reflected by a reflective layer, which is configured to transmit ultraviolet light while reflecting visible light. Therefore, the wireless indicator does not cause light artifacts or image flaws to appear in images captured by the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Patrick Campbell
  • Patent number: 9025080
    Abstract: A camera system includes a camera and a camera housing structured to at least partially enclose the camera. The camera comprises an internal heat sink thermally coupled to electronics of the camera and a lens ring positioned around a lens of the camera. The camera housing comprises a thermal conductor. An interior portion of the thermal conductor makes contact with the lens ring when the camera is enclosed within the housing, and an exterior portion extends outside the housing. The thermal conductor is configured to transfer heat from the interior of the housing to the exterior to dissipate heat from the camera's electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Samuels, David Christophe Northway
  • Patent number: 9025033
    Abstract: A surveillance camera is positioned and positionable at a stationary surveillance position for monitoring. The surveillance camera has a calibration tool that is constructed or configured for ascertaining the stationary surveillance position of the surveillance camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Niem, Wolfgang Niehsen, Hartmut Loos
  • Publication number: 20150116592
    Abstract: An accessory that is detachably mounted to a camera body, includes: a first communication unit that communicates with the camera body using a first transmission line; a second communication unit that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, communicates with the camera body by using the first transmission line and a second transmission line that is different from the first transmission line; and a changeover unit that, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, changes over communication with the camera body from communication by the first communication unit to communication by the second communication unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Tomoaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9019431
    Abstract: A portable video and imaging system includes a camera for capturing video of an event, and a video recording device for recording the captured video of the event. The camera is housed in a first housing, the recording device is housed in a second housing, and the first and second housings are physically separate. Various embodiments provide for the system to be mounted to a user's body, an article of clothing, such as a shirt or a hat, to a vehicle, or to an ancillary component carried by the user, such as a firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Digital Ally, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Phillips, Jason R. Troxel
  • Patent number: 9013629
    Abstract: The invention provides a prompting apparatus comprising a collapsible prompting box and a mounting and adjusting assembly. The prompting box includes two symmetrical opposite walls, a bottom frame, a bottom, a top frame and a cover, which jointly define a space for housing a two-way see-though mirror and the lens of the camera. The two symmetrical opposite walls can be folded inwardly when the mirror can be folded up to the top frame. The cover defines a space for a user to slide in a tablet device which runs a prompting software application. The pre-designed text is displayed on the tablet device's screen at a speed that the speaker feels comfortable to read. The mounting and adjusting assembly couples the prompting box with the camera. When the apparatus is not in use, the prompting box can be easily folded for carrying convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Linda Vito
  • Patent number: 9007521
    Abstract: The present invention is a camera system which is usable with a mobile terminal. The camera system includes a lens module and at least one mechanism for changing optical properties by interacting with the lens module. The camera system may be built into the mobile terminal or attached thereto as an external module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Jarkko Viinikanoja, Jukka Yrjanainen
  • Patent number: 9007522
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to an optical system having multiple (e.g., two or more) optical components attached to a retainer portion, and the retainer portion may be removably attached to mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, media players, and the like. In some embodiments, the optical components may be permanently or removably attached to the same face of the retainer portion. The optical system may be oriented in at least two different positions with respect to a mobile electronic device. In a first position, a first optical component may be generally aligned with an onboard camera of the mobile electronic device, and in a second position a second optical component may be aligned with the onboard camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: olloclip, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick D. O'Neill, Chong Pak, Joshua Cantor
  • Patent number: 9001228
    Abstract: An image sensor array for capturing image information for automatic image data processing. The image sensor array includes a multiplicity of identical sensor cells. Each sensor cell respectively comprises at least one image sensor with a dedicated sensor optical system. A frame buffer is configured to store image information from the at least one image sensor. An evaluation unit is configured to process the image information. At least one data interface to a directly adjacent sensor cell. The sensor cells are arranged in at least one row so that a capture region of an image sensor of the directly adjacent sensor cell overlaps. The at least one data interface to the directly adjacent sensor cell is configured to access the image data of the capture region. The respective valuation unit of the sensor cells is configured to determine a correlation of items of the image data in the capture region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Westfaelische Hochschule Gelsenkirchen, Bocholt, Recklinghausen
    Inventor: Lothar Howah
  • Patent number: 8988599
    Abstract: A controllable lighting system may include a plurality of light source groups, a group controller for each light source group, a master controller, and a network communication system. Each group controller may be configured to control the light sources in its light source group based on a group control command. The master controller may be configured to receive a master control command relating to the light sources and to issue a group control command to each of the group controllers that collectively effectuate compliance with the master control command. The network communication system may be configured to communicate the group control commands from the master controller to the group controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Paul Debevec, Xueming Yu, Mark Bolas, Graham Fyffe, Jay Busch, Pieter Peers, Abhijeet Ghosh
  • Patent number: 8988603
    Abstract: An imaging unit includes an imaging device that transmits an image data to an external display device; and an installation portion that is attachable to and detachable from the display device. The imaging device includes a communication part that transmits an image data to the display device, an outer barrel, and an imaging element. The installation portion includes a slider that is slidable with respect to the outer barrel, a first attached body that is connected to the slider, a second attached body that can change its gap with the first attached body, and a biasing member that biases the first attached body and the second attached body in a direction in which a gap therebetween becomes narrowed, in which the display device is grasped by the first attached body and the second attached body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Okabe, Osamu Mizukami, Yuuji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8976248
    Abstract: Monitoring system of person coming to entrance comprises camera for capturing image of the person and recorder for the captured image, the system informing the person of the image recordation for deterring a crime in bad visit case or making polite notice in goodwill visit case. Unlock system has an intercom for visitor to request unlock and a self unlock operating portion for resident. If unlock done through intercom with acquaintance confirmed, polite notice is preferred, whereas “note record” is added to the image record in case of intercom unlock with unacquainted assumed. If unlock done by resident, the information and the image recordation are withheld. If entrance in a group detected, “note record” is added to the image record in case bad person successively follows goodwill person duly unlocking entrance. Privacy of acquaintance visitor image is protected by password. “Note record” is added to image record without voice message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: NL Giken Incorporated
    Inventor: Masahide Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150062425
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes a microphone unit and an attachment unit. The attachment unit includes a camera shoe attachment section to be attached to a camera shoe and a damper housing cylinder fixed to the camera shoe attachment section. A holder is fixed to a lower end of an inner cylinder of a protruding section protruding from the microphone unit. The lower end of the inner cylinder is pivotally supported by a second damper contained in the damper housing cylinder through the holder. The middle portion of the protruding section is supported by a first damper contained in the damper housing cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: TEAC Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Matsumoto, Norio Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8964111
    Abstract: The illumination apparatus includes a reflector unit to reflect a light flux from a light source. The reflector unit includes a first reflector and a second reflector whose relative positions are changeable to change an illumination angle. At a first illumination angle, the second reflector is disposed inside the first reflector, and the light flux from the light source is reflected by the second reflector to exit from the reflector unit. At a second illumination angle smaller than the first illumination angle, the first reflector is disposed further on a light exit side than the second reflector, and the light flux from the light source is reflected by at least one of the first and second reflectors to exit from the reflector unit. A distance between the light source and the second reflector at the second illumination angle is shorter than that at the first illumination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiji Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8964114
    Abstract: An external accessory that can be attached to and detached from an electronic apparatus equipped with a power source unit includes: a first power receiving unit that receives power from the power source unit of the electronic apparatus; a second power receiving unit that receives power from the power source unit of the electronic apparatus; a decision-making unit that makes a decision as to whether or not the first power receiving unit is receiving power; a function execution unit that executes a predetermined function by using power received at one of the first power receiving unit and the second power receiving unit; and a control unit that engages the function execution unit in operation continuously when an affirmative decision is made by the decision-making unit, and engages the function execution unit in operation intermittently when a negative decision is made by the decision-making unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Riichi Higaki, Koichiro Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20150049244
    Abstract: The present invention provides the following camera. A first camera-side contact pin is a pin corresponding to detection of a signal change caused by coupling of a camera accessory. A second camera-side contact pin is a pin corresponding to supply of power for communication with the coupled camera accessory. A third camera-side contact pin is a pin corresponding to supply of a driving force to an actuator of the camera accessory. The first, second, and third camera-side contact pins are disposed in such a manner that, when a camera-side mount shifts from a first state to a second state, the third camera-side contact pin contacts first and second accessory-side contact surfaces, the second camera-side contact pin contacts the first accessory-side contact surface, and the first camera-side contact pin does not contact the second and third accessory-side contact surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Tokunaga, Takashi Hasegawa, Tetsuya Nishio, Yoshihiko Konno, Hiroshi Kikuchi, Azusa Sugawara
  • 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