Portable Or Hand-held Patents (Class 348/376)
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Patent number: 7435020Abstract: A camera system according to the present invention includes an image pickup device having an imaging surface of an imaging range with a predetermined aspect ratio, the image circle being set larger than the imaging range to include the imaging range therein, a mount portion to which the interchangeable lens is mounted, and an opening portion having an opening for allowing luminous flux from the interchangeable lens to pass through, being located at a position spaced from the imaging surface by a predetermined distance, wherein the size of the opening of the opening portion is equal to or larger than a square formed by connecting ends of segments tilted by an angle ? with respect to an optical axis diagonally from four corners of the imaging range and extended to the opening of the opening portion, and the angle ? satisfies: 12 degrees??, wherein a distance between the opening of the opening portion and the imaging surface, herein referred to as flange back (FB), is: 35 mm?FB?50 mm.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Sumio Kawai, Yasuzi Ogata
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Patent number: 7436434Abstract: A camera includes an image sensing unit which is arranged to be pivotal with respect to a main body unit and is used to sense an object image, an azimuth sensor which is arranged in the main body unit and is used to detect the azimuth of the facing direction of the main body unit, a pivot angle detector which detects the pivot angle of the image sensing unit with respect to the main body unit, a control unit which corrects the azimuth of the facing direction of the main body unit detected by the azimuth sensor on the basis of the pivot angle detected by the pivot angle detector, and a display unit which superimposes the correction result on a through image.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsushi Shibutani
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Patent number: 7435018Abstract: A hidden image capturing device is applied to a display. The hidden image capturing device has a shell, a control module, a slide module, and an image capturing module. The slide module is disposed in the shell and controlled by the control module for sliding. Besides, the slide module enables the image capturing module to extend out or withdraw into the shell when it slides.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Inventec CorporationInventors: Ho-Ching Huang, Kuo-Yang Cheng, Chi-Fen Chang, Shu-Hua Lai, Chien-Te Li, Jian-Ming Peng
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Patent number: 7432978Abstract: A torch casing (10) with a reflector (46) and a bulb (44) incorporates camera (48, 50, 52) taking pictures through front face (64) and employs flash tube (58) behind the camera chip (50) reflecting off reflector (46) and reflected onto reflector (46) by mirrored surface (60) on the back of camera chip (50). Captured images, still or video, are exported by radio frequency unit (22) to, for example, secure and supervised store (124). Ultraviolet unit (65) causes fluorescence which is photographed by camera (48, 50, 52). Display screen (70) shows camera (48, 50, 52) images or received images. The apparatus continuously sends its position determined by GPS navigation. Sounds can be recorded, sent and received. Iris patterns and fingerprints can be recognized from an updated store.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Inventor: Mason Ricardo Storm
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Publication number: 20080239142Abstract: Disclosed is an image pickup apparatus configured to include an image pickup unit housing in which an image pickup unit that picks up images is housed, and a handle that is disposed on an upper part of the image pickup unit housing at a predetermined gap from the image pickup unit housing and is disposed approximately in parallel with an optical axis of light incident on the image pickup unit. The image pickup apparatus further includes a display unit that is placed on a lower surface of the handle and is operable when pulled out from the lower surface to display images picked up by the image pickup unit in a viewable manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventor: Katsuhiro SUZUKI
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Patent number: 7430013Abstract: A camera assembly for a mobile communication device comprises a camera, and a first portion adapted to rotate the camera. The first portion comprises a housing, a gear motor mounted in the housing for generating a rotational force, and a decelerator adapted to decelerate the rotational force for the purpose of rotating the camera.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Kyung-Tae Yang, Min-Soo Kim
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Patent number: 7428380Abstract: A portable electronic device adopts a modular design structure and includes a display screen, a picture taking module and a control module that can be swiveled relative to one another at various angles to provide different operation modes. When in use, due to the swiveling relationship between the display screen, picture taking module and control module, different operation modes can be achieved to meet the requirements of users' different using habits.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2005Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Inventec CorporationInventor: Yi-Hsin Hsieh
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Publication number: 20080225161Abstract: An electronic device comprises a body, a first image capturing element, a cover and a arm. The body comprises a first surface and a second surface, with the first surface opposite to the second surface. The first image capturing element is disposed on the first surface. The cover is connected to the body, movable between a first cover position and a second cover position, wherein the cover covers the first image capturing element when the cover is in the first cover position, and the first image capturing element is actuated when the cover is in the second cover position. The arm is connected to the cover, pivoting between a first position and a second position, wherein when the arm is in the second position, a recording medium is received on a first end of the arm, and the first image capturing element captures an image data therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2007Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: WISTRON CORP.Inventors: Chu Chia Tsai, Yi Wei Tao, Chia Hsien Li, An Chung Hsieh, Yi Lang Chi, Tien Fu Lee, Meng Hsiang Chen, I Ting Chiang
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Patent number: 7422379Abstract: A stand for a camera device, the stand comprising an attachment element which is detachably fastened to the camera device and at least one support element which is displaceably connected to the attachment element. The support element is displaceable between at least two positions, a “storage” position where the at least one support element essentially lies up against an outer surface of the camera device and an “active” position where the at least one support element is displaced away from the outer surface of the camera device in order to provide a support for supporting the camera device in a steady orientation on a surface. The attachment element and the supporting element are furthermore arranged such that the attachment element remains fastened to the camera device during the displacement of the supporting element between its storage position and its active position. In this way, a stand is provided which may be very easy and convenient for the user to use.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventors: Markus Agevik, Anders Lundquist
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Publication number: 20080205875Abstract: A viewing device comprising: a handheld telescopic rod; a camera attached at a first end of the rod; and an output device mounted on a bottom half of the rod when fully extended, at an end opposite to the first end, the output device displaying images transmitted by the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2006Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventor: Jonathan Barabe
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Patent number: 7414656Abstract: A folding-type mobile terminal is provided with a camera that is capable of accurately imaging an object. This is accomplished by mounting the camera such that a viewing direction of the display of the terminal is substantially parallel to a camera imaging direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Le Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yong-Hee Lee, Joon Jang
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Patent number: 7409148Abstract: A waterproof type electronic device is composed of a disc lid 13 capable of opening and closing an opening portion (17) of a camera apparatus body (2), a buckle (12) capable of detachably fastening the disc lid (13) to the camera apparatus body (2) and a sealing member (24) provided on at least one of the buckle (12) and the camera apparatus body (2) to hermetically seal the buckle 12 and the camera apparatus body (2). When the disc lid (13) is fastened to the camera apparatus body (2) by the buckle (12), the camera apparatus body (2) is hermetically sealed at least at its part of the portion covered with the buckle (12). In this kind of related-art waterproof type electronic device, operation buttons are not formed so as to have waterproof structures and water and water component can therefore enter this waterproof type electronic device relatively easily.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Nobutatsu Takahashi, Seiya Amatatsu
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Publication number: 20080180568Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an outer housing, a capturing lens, a slide cover, and a grip projection portion. The capturing lens is disposed on a front face of the outer housing. The slide cover is slidable relative to the outer housing between a closed position covering the capturing lens and an open position uncovering the capturing lens. The grip projection portion projects from the outer housing and includes a finger placing portion that allows a user to place fingers of a user. The finger placing portion is positioned frontwardly of the slide cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Yusuke Ohnishi, Tomoyuki Kubotera, Ryo Kotake, Hisaoki Oba, Noriaki Takagi
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Patent number: 7405760Abstract: An image pickup device and a manufacturing method thereof. A digital signal processing (DSP) chip is attached on a first surface of a substrate. A CMOS image sensor (CIS) chip is attached on an active surface of the DSP chip. The DSP chip and the CIS chip may be electrically connected to the substrate by wire bonding. A housing kit having a lens configured to transmit an image to the DSP chip may be mounted on the substrate. An inner space between the housing kit and the substrate is not molded, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process and providing a thinner and/or lighter image pickup device.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Min Kyo Cho, Sa Yoon Kang, Young Hoon Ro, Young Shin Kwon
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Patent number: 7403706Abstract: The present invention provides a camera in which a flash emission section is aligned with a self-timer light-emitting indicator section and the amount of slide of a slide door is minimized. The camera includes; a housing with an opening for an image-taking optical system and a first opening through which both the flash emission section and the self-timer light-emitting indicator section appear; and a slide door with a second opening having a cover partially attached thereto. The opening for the image-taking optical system, the first and second openings and the amount of slide of the slide door are arranged such that, when the slide door is closed, part of the first opening overlaps with part of the second opening and the overlapped part of the first opening is shielded by the cover provided in the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Soichiro Nakao, Satoru Goto
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Patent number: 7401987Abstract: A photographing lens includes an eccentricity adjusting frame which holds an eccentricity adjusting lens group serving as a part of a photographing optical system of the photographing lens; a lens support frame, an axis of which is coincident with a predetermined optical axis of the photographing optical system, supporting the eccentricity adjusting frame in a manner to allow the eccentricity adjusting frame to move in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined optical axis during an assembly-stage of the photographing lens; and a fixed aperture member having a circular aperture, the fixed aperture member being integrally formed with the lens support frame so that a center of the circular aperture coincides with the axis of the lens support frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventor: Norio Sato
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Patent number: 7400346Abstract: A digital camera with printer which is configured to print images taken by the camera is provided. The camera includes a casing having an elongate socket having open and closed ends, a first industry standard interface located at the closed end of the socket and a printer unit received within the socket and having a printhead. The printer unit has a second interface compatible with the first interface, whereby the printer unit is detachably engaged with the casing by sliding the unit into the socket to engage the first and second interfaces together.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7400358Abstract: The card attachment apparatus is provided such that, when a card-like recording medium is inserted or pulled out, the attachment unit is rotated a predetermined angle to project from the device and a blocking cover is simultaneously pulled in, thereby allowing memory card to be pinched and taken out in an easy manner. This attachment unit has top face cover on which operation button is provided, thereby eliminating a space in a main body of camcorder in which operation button is provided. When opening section is moved, the attachment unit is opened and the memory card can be inserted or pulled out.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiromi Amano, Yoshitada Moriyasu
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Publication number: 20080159731Abstract: An image photographing apparatus includes a main body, a first button manipulation unit placed on the main body to be used in a high angle photographing operation, and a second button manipulation unit placed on the main body to be used in a low angle photographing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Byeong-su KIM, Yeon-moo Chung
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Publication number: 20080158413Abstract: A mouse adapted with a network camera to provide double benefits of operating as a mouse and a network camera includes a window disposed on a base of the mouse; a lens built in the window; a dustproof slide lid being placed on the window to protect the lens when not used; a recess being each disposed on both sides on the bottom of the mouse; a hook being received in the recess by having one end of the hook pivoted into one end of the recess; both hooks when pulled out of their respectively recesses to hang the mouse on an upper edge of a monitor for mouse to serve as a network camera; and when each hook being pushed into the recess and the dustproof lid being closed to protect the lens for the mouse to function as a mouse.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventor: Hui-Hu Liang
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Patent number: 7394978Abstract: Usability of device is improved for an imaging device that images a target object mounted on a table. In order to hold a camera head 120 and an illumination unit 130 with respect to a table 110 on which a target object is mounted, an imaging device 100 coaxially and rotatably supports a camera head holding arm 140 and an illumination unit holding arm 150 at an elevated portion 118, which is located at an inner-left corner of the table 110, such that degrees of inclinations of the arms may be variable with respect to the table 110. The arms are rotatably and axially supported at the elevated portion 118 such that the camera holding arm 140 can rotate with an accompanying rotation of the illumination unit holding arm 150 and the illumination unit holding arm 150 can rotate independently with no accompanying rotation of the camera holding arm 140.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Elmo Company LimitedInventors: Kazuhiro Sukenari, Hiroshi Yamakose
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Patent number: 7394485Abstract: Disclosed is a combination image-capturing apparatus and method. A combination image-capturing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a main body, a combination image-capturing unit installed on the main body to be location-changeable that include first and second signal processing units, and first and second recording media. The combination image-capturing apparatus further comprises a mode selection switch unit for generating an operation mode signal corresponding to a selected image-capturing unit according to position changes of the combination image-capturing unit, a photo switch for generating an image-capturing trigger signal, and a control unit for controlling storage of the first and second formatted signals in the first recording medium and the second recording medium if the image-capturing trigger signal is received.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong-Ho Kim
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Publication number: 20080151072Abstract: An image pick-up device includes a camera body; a lens barrel mounted to the camera body; a pop-up type flash device that is retracted in the camera body when not in use and projected from the camera body when in use; and a structure including a gripping surface provided by one side surface of the camera body and an open portion provided in a given surface that extends between a front end of the gripping surface and a front part of the lens barrel. The flash device is retracted in the camera body through the open portion when not in use and projected sideward to the outside of the camera body through the open portion when in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Norikatsu Ohmori, Goushi Koike, Tatsuya Yamazaki, Noriaki Takagi
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Publication number: 20080151099Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises a body, a cover, an input interface, a display, an image capture device and a fixing arm. The cover is rotatably connected to the body. The input interface is disposed on the body. The display is disposed on the cover. The image capture device is disposed on the cover. When an image medium is fixed on the fixing arm, the image capture device captures image data from the image medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: WISTRON CORP.Inventors: Kuo-Kun LIN, Chu-Chia Tsai, Wei-Hong Liu, Wen-Chin Wu, Chia-Hsien Lee, Deng-Zhou Zheng, An-Chung Hsieh, Yi-Chun Chen
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Patent number: 7391467Abstract: A hinge apparatus for an image photographing apparatus wherein the hinge apparatus rotatably connects a housing with respect to a main body so that the housing can rotate in a predetermined rotation range. The hinge apparatus includes a fixing bracket secured to the main body, a hinge unit secured to the housing and connected to the fixing bracket to be reciprocatingly rotatable within a predetermined angle, a shaft member for rotatably connecting the hinge unit and the fixing bracket so that the hinge unit and the fixing bracket can be rotated with respect to each other, and a sensing unit disposed on the hinge unit and/or the fixing bracket to sense the relative rotational range of the hinge unit with respect to the fixing bracket.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nam-il Kim
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Patent number: 7390130Abstract: The camera support base of the invention is designed to meet the need for a stable, lightweight, compact, economical fixture that can be removably affixed to a photographic camera to safely support the camera when it is set down out-of-hand. A preferred basic design of the camera support base comprises a three legged device that assumes the overall general shape of a “T”, having a flat horizontal top portion or plate bisected by a flat perpendicular vertical portion in the same plane. The widths of the top portion and the vertical portion can be the same or different with a width wide enough at the juncture of the two portions to assure contact with the bottom part of a camera sufficient to support the camera and secure it to the base.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Inventor: John Soulvie
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Patent number: 7391465Abstract: An electronic device with a rotatable image capture device. The electronic device includes a body and an image capture module. The body includes a first surface, a second surface and a sleeve. The second surface is opposite the first surface. The image capture module is disposed in the body, and includes a rotary shaft and a charge-coupled device. The image capture module rotates among a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position. The rotary shaft is disposed in the sleeve in a manner such that it can move between a fifth position and a sixth position. When the rotary shaft moves between the fifth position and the sixth position, the image capture module can rotate through the first position, the second position, the third position, and the fourth position.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Wistron Corp.Inventors: Yang-Po Chiu, An-Chung Hsieh, Deng-Zhou Zheng, Yu-Hsin Chen, Ming-Chin Yang, Ying-Fung Lau
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Patent number: 7388616Abstract: An attachment structure of a camera module for attaching to a housing a camera module having an image capturing element portion mounted on a substrate and a lens portion provided on said image capturing element portion. The attachment structure includes an elastic member which is elastically deformed in a thickness direction, arranged between said substrate and said housing, and a latching portion provided on said housing. The camera module engages with said latching portion, and movement of said elastic member in the restoring direction is restricted.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Kyocera CorporationInventor: Masato Yamazaki
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Publication number: 20080136961Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for indicating operation of an imager by positioning a notification light within the no light zone that is between the imager and a lens and/or approximately in the same plane as the imager. The notification light can be configured to operate according to the duty cycle of the imager, that is, the light can be inactive while the imager is collecting light and can be active while the imager is not collecting light, without affecting the quality of the image capture or video recording. By positioning the notification light in the no light zone, there may be better utilization of the surface area of a camera or mobile communication device or other device with a camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.Inventors: RICK LATELLA, ROGER W. ADY, KEVIN W. JOHNSON
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Patent number: 7385597Abstract: In an information processing device, system operations can be simply performed while a screen of a display body is viewed, even when the display body is folded against a main body. In the information processing device, a display body with a screen arranged on the front surface is connected to a main body having a keyboard mounted thereon so as to rotate in opening/folding directions and in a turning direction, and an operating button is positioned to be operable when the back surface of the display body is close to the main body. Also, a system menu is displayed on the screen according to operation of the operating button.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Junko Fukuda, Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Keigo Ihara, Takanori Nishimura
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Patent number: 7385630Abstract: A hand held digital camera with printer is provided which includes a casing having an elongate socket with open and closed ends, an image sensor for capturing an image, a memory for storing an image captured by the image sensor, a user interface, a first industry standard interface located at the closed end of the socket and a printer unit received within the socket. The printer unit has a second interface compatible with the first interface, whereby the printer unit is detachably engaged with the casing by sliding the unit into the socket to engage the first and second interfaces together. The printer unit has a printhead, such that when the printer unit is engaged in the socket a user may manipulate the user interface to cause a captured image to be printed by the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7385629Abstract: A digital camera with printer, configured to print, on demand of a user, images taken by the camera is provided. The camera has a casing having an elongate socket that is open at one end, a first industry standard interface located within the socket and a printer unit received within the socket. The printer unit has a second interface compatible with the first interface, whereby the printer unit is detachably engaged with the casing by inserting the unit into the socket to engage the first and second interfaces together. The printer unit has a paper cartridge configured for holding a plurality of individual pages and a printhead for printing on the pages. When the printer unit is engaged in the socket, substantially the entire paper cartridge is located within the socket.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7385646Abstract: The present invention discloses an image-taking apparatus which can be easily assembled. An image-taking apparatus has an image-pickup unit and an exterior member which is made of a metal and in which the image-pickup unit is inserted and contained. Here, the image-pickup unit has a projecting portion on an end face in a direction in which the image-pickup unit is inserted into the exterior member, the projecting portion projecting from the end face. The exterior member is produced by drawing and has a second opening portion in a face locating opposite to a first opening which is formed by drawing. The projecting portion projects out of the second opening portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keita Iwai
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Patent number: 7385628Abstract: A hand held digital camera with printer, configured to print, on demand of a user, images taken by the camera is provided. The camera has a casing having an elongate socket that is open at one end, a user interface disposed on the casing, a first industry standard interface located within the socket and a printer unit received within the socket. The printer unit has a second interface compatible with the first interface, whereby the printer unit is detachably engaged with the casing by inserting the unit into the socket to engage the first and second interfaces together. The printer unit has a printhead for printing an image captured by the camera and when the printer unit is engaged in the socket the first and second interfaces connect such that a user may manipulate the user interface to cause a captured image to be printed by the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7385647Abstract: A housing cover of an image photographing apparatus has a main body mounting therein a deck for recording and reproducing information on an image input through a camera unit and a circuit board. A housing is openably hinged on one side of the deck to mount and separate an image recording medium to and from the deck. A door encloses an outside of the housing and is formed on one side of an outer casing of the main body. The door includes a groove part engaged with the housing by a plurality of screws. The groove part is provided with a hand grip for concealing the screws exposed to the outside and forming a grip part for a user to grip. Accordingly, gripability for carriage and use, and an aesthetic appearance of the image photographing apparatus are improved.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Cheul-hae Park
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Publication number: 20080122945Abstract: A mobile electronic device with an image sensor and a shutter key. The shutter key includes a touch sensor and a resilient switch. A processor in the device is configured to activate an automatic camera function, such as an autofocus function when a user touches the touch sensor. The processor is also configured to photograph a subject when the user presses the shutter key and thereby activates the resilient switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventor: Petri Ahonen
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Patent number: 7375759Abstract: A digital image capturing apparatus includes a housing, a first hole installed on the front side of the housing for inputting light from the front, a second hole installed on the rear side of the housing for inputting light from the rear, a reflector module installed in the housing for reflecting the light input from the first hole or the second hole, a photosensor installed in the housing for sensing the light from the reflector module, and an image generating module installed in the housing for generating an image according to the light sensed by the photosensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Transpacific Plasma, LLCInventor: Yu-Chieh Lin
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Patent number: 7372504Abstract: One of first and second picture-taking operating devices is placed in a rear surface of a camera body, while the other of the picture-taking operating devices is placed in a front surface of the camera body. An operator can selectively use the two picture-taking operating devices and can therefore be prevented from erroneously operating the operating devices. Each of the picture-taking operating devices is provided so that its operating direction is parallel to the optical axis of a picture-taking lens. Therefore, camera shake due to an operating force can be reduced. When the first picture-taking operating device is operated, picture data on a subject is recorded on a first recording medium. When the second picture-taking operating device is operated, picture data on the same subject is recorded on a second recording medium. The two picture-taking operating devices are selectively used to distribute picture data to the corresponding recording mediums.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Yuichi Fujimura
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Patent number: 7372503Abstract: A camera-assisted presentation apparatus, which is one of imaging apparatuses, has a table including a fixation member and two extension members, and a camera support assembly with a video camera attached to one end thereof. The two extension members are attached to the fixation member in a pivotally rotatable manner. In a service state of the camera-assisted presentation apparatus, the fixation member and the two extension members are extended to form one identical plane and ensure a wide area, on which a material for presentation is mounted. In a non-service state of the camera-assisted presentation apparatus, the two extension members are folded down to a camera holder member and an arm member of the camera support assembly. This arrangement significantly reduces the whole size of the camera-assisted presentation apparatus in its non-service state and effectively enhances the portability of the camera-assisted presentation apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Elmo Company LimitedInventors: Haruo Maeda, Kazuhiro Sukenari, Hiroshi Yamakose
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Patent number: 7365787Abstract: A mobile device with an integrated camera responsive to signals from a camera activator. The mobile device includes application programs capable of editing documents. The user triggers the device operating system to switch from an active application program in which the user is editing a document to a camera application by activating the camera activator. The user then captures an image by again triggering the camera activator, whereupon the active application is restored and the image data is inserted within the document. The captured image is directly inserted into an input field within the open document in the active application.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Research in Motion LimitedInventor: Jonathan Nobels
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Patent number: 7362373Abstract: A portable electronic device with a camera includes: a main body (14); a cover body (12); a driver gear (162) fixed relative to the cover body and having a plurality of teeth (1622); a driven gear (164) having a plurality of teeth and meshing with teeth of the driver gear; a lens (1642) installed in the driven gear; and a hinge mechanism pivotally connecting the main body with the cover body. When the cover body is rotated to an open position, the driver gear rotates with the cover body, thereby driving the driven gear to rotate. The lens in the driven gear is thereby exposed to the external environment for taking photos. When the cover body is rotated back to a closed position, the lens is thereby rotated back into the main body where it is protected from the external environment.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ming-Chiang Tsai
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Patent number: 7359003Abstract: A compact appliance providing high resolution display capability in an ergonomically designed package. Subassemblies of the device are mechanically coupled to avoid interference between a user's hands and face while the device is used, while concurrently providing ergonomically located control for substantially all functions of the device.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Synerdyne CorporationInventors: Mark S. Knighton, Marc Goldman, David S. Agabra, David D. Drobnis, Jill E. Haynie
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Patent number: 7345696Abstract: A folding mobile communications terminal according to the present invention is a folding mobile communications terminal that has a photographing function and is openable/closable. This folding mobile communications terminal detects whether the folds are closed, and disables the photographing function if the folds are closed.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuaki Nakae, Toru Matsuo, Nao Hirota
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Patent number: 7339624Abstract: A camera-equipped recording/reproducing apparatus is equipped with a lens assembly having a lens group and a body having a first side face and a second side face opposite to the first side face when viewed from an object to be photographed. The body is provided in series with and behind the lens assembly in a direction of an optical axis of the lens group when viewed from the object. A monitor screen is provided on the first side face of the body. A grip is provided on the second side face of the body. The grip houses a recording/reproducing unit. The grip is rotatable about an axis almost orthogonal to the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Nakanishi
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Patent number: 7330607Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an auto-zooming operation of a mobile terminal. The apparatus and method for controlling an auto-zooming operation of a mobile terminal can automatically adjust the size of a target subject captured by an image capture device such as a camcorder to be equal to a predetermined size irrespective of a distance between the image capture device and the target object.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jee-Young Jung, Jae-Ik Jung
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Patent number: 7324070Abstract: A monitoring device, process and system use an image recording device for recording an image falling on the eyes of the user of the device. The monitoring device includes a display and a signal processor with which at least the image signals recorded by the image recording device can be evaluated. An input medium and a storage medium are used for storing and retrieving information about the topology of the building. An instantaneous position of the user of the device is determined by evaluating the image signals sent by the image recording device by pattern recognition.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaAInventor: Werner Jumpertz
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Publication number: 20080012962Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a grip section projecting from the body of the apparatus to a side and being to be gripped by a user by putting his/her palm thereto. In this case, a zoom key changing the angle of view is placed on the top surface of the grip section. The end surface of the grip section on the user side functions as a finger-put surface to which the thumb is to be put. A finger-hook projection projects upward from the top surface of the grip section on the subject side about the zoom key.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: Sony CorporationInventor: Daisuke Terakado
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Patent number: 7317475Abstract: This invention has as its object to appropriately inform the user of reception of an incoming call in accordance with the operation mode of a video camera upon arrival of call. To achieve this object, an apparatus has a telephone and video camera in a single housing, and comprises a device for muting a ringing tone during image sensing by the video camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2004Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideyuki Arai, Kazuhiro Takahashi
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Patent number: 7306305Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor device for sensing an image. A processor processes the sensed image. A pagewidth printhead prints the sensed image. An ink supply arrangement supplies ink to the print head and the image is printed on print media from a supply of print media. The supply of print media is pre-marked with tokens designating that postage has been paid so that each image printed out on the print media has one such token associated with it.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Publication number: 20070279521Abstract: A camera portion of a portable consumer device obtains data from a field of view, and at least a portion of the data is used to determine existence of an object in the field of view for which the information is available from a reference source. An indication is then provided to the user that the object is in the field of view. This can all be accomplished by a functionality, such as computer software, that executes on one or both of the device and a distal server. Objects within the field that the system can identify and provide information are deemed “linkable.” Once a user is presented with an indication of which objects around him are linkable, he can then directly point and click on the linkable objects without the “trial-and-error” process of pointing and clicking on non-linkable objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventor: Ronald H. Cohen