Adjusting Mechanism Patents (Class 359/694)
  • Patent number: 12292618
    Abstract: A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a lens group; a lens support unit for accommodating the lens group; a magnet arranged on the outer surface of the lens support unit; a yoke portion spaced apart from the magnet and arranged to face the magnet; and a coil arranged on the yoke portion so as to be spaced apart from and to face the magnet between the magnet and the yoke portion, wherein the lens group, the lens support unit, and the magnet move together along an optical axis according to a current applied to the coil, the yoke portion includes a first yoke and a second yoke arranged on the first yoke, the second yoke is arranged between the first yoke and the coil, and magnetism of the first yoke is stronger than that of the second yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Seok Oh, Min Ji Kim, Jae Gwang Lee
  • Patent number: 12238270
    Abstract: Some embodiments of an example method may include receiving an input image with depth information; mapping the input image to a set of focal plane images; orienting the set of focal plane images using head orientation information to provide stereo disparity between left and right eyes; and displaying the oriented set of focal plane images. Some embodiments of another example method may include: receiving a description of three-dimensional (3D) content; receiving, from a tracker, information indicating motion of a viewer relative to a real-world environment; responsive to receiving the information indicating motion of the viewer, synthesizing motion parallax by altering multi-focal planes of the 3D content; and rendering an image to the multi-focal plane display using the altered multi-focal plane rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: InterDigital VC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Seppo T Valli, Pekka K Siltanen
  • Patent number: 12216386
    Abstract: Provided are a camera lens assembly capable of communicating with a camera body and having a controller and a memory therein. The camera lens assembly includes a user interface through which functions represented by a plurality of modes are designated by a user, a switch for selecting one of the modes to which the functions have been designated, a switch detection unit for detecting the current mode of the switch, a manual ring detection unit for detecting the operation of a manual ring provided on the outside of the camera lens assembly so that the user can operate the manual ring by a rotating method; and a lens controller for, when the operation of the manual ring is detected, carrying out a designated function according to the detected current mode of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SAMYANG OPTICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hyun Hee Lee, Ji Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 12174387
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to an optical lens and a HUD using the optical lens. The optical lens includes a first lens, a second lens, and an optical waveguide. The first lens includes at least two focal parts with different powers. Since the HUD utilizes the optical lens, the user can maintain a comfortable viewing effect when wearing the HUD for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignees: Asphetek Solution (Chengdu) Ltd., ADVANCED OPTOELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, INC., Asphetek Solution Inc.
    Inventors: Chen-An Chiang, Ying-Hung Tsai, Chung-Wu Liu
  • Patent number: 12114086
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an image sensor that generates image data, and an image processor that processes the image data. The image sensor includes a pixel array including pixels repeatedly disposed along a row direction and a column direction. Each of pixels belonging to a first row of rows of the pixel array includes sub-pixels each connected to one of a first transmission metal line, a second transmission metal line, and a third transmission metal line. In response to signals respectively applied to the first to third transmission metal lines, at least a part of charges integrated at the sub-pixels of the pixels belonging to the first row from among the pixels is diffused to corresponding floating diffusion areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Bin Yun, Kyungho Lee
  • Patent number: 12111458
    Abstract: An electro-responsive gel lens having automatic multifocal and image stabilization functions according to the present invention comprises: a first electrode and a second electrode formed on a substrate and having different polarities; and a transmissive part which is formed of an electroactive polymer, and the shape of which is deformed when a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed in the plural, and a voltage is individually applied so as to change the shape of the transmissive part in three dimensions, such that the location of the focal point of light passing through the transmissive part is changed in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: KOREA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Jin Woo Bae
  • Patent number: 12105350
    Abstract: An adjustable optical lens and camera module, and manufacturing method and applications thereof is disclosed. The camera module includes an optical sensor and an adjustable optical lens. The adjustable optical lens includes an optical structural member and at least two lenses, wherein each of the lenses is arranged in an internal space of the optical structural member. Along a vertical direction of the optical structural member, at least one lens is adapted to be adjustably pre-mounted to an internal space of the optical structural member serving as an adjustable lens. The side wall of the optical structural member is provided with at least one adjustment channel, which is positioned corresponding to the adjustable lens, so that an assembling position of the adjustable lens can be adjusted through the adjustment channel so as to align a central axis line of the adjustable optical lens with a central axis line of the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: NINGBO SUNNY OPOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mingzhu Wang, Bojie Zhao, Heng Jiang, Liang Ding, Feifan Chen, Chunmei Liu, Nan Guo, Shoujie Wang
  • Patent number: 12044829
    Abstract: An image capturing lens assembly includes seven lens elements, which are, in order from an object side to an image side along an optical path, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element and a seventh lens element. Each of the seven lens elements has an object-side surface towards the object side and an image-side surface towards the image side. The second lens element with positive refractive power has the object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element with positive refractive power has the image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element has positive refractive power. The seventh lens element has the image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Jui Wang, Tzu-Chieh Kuo
  • Patent number: 12031704
    Abstract: An intelligent focusing method of an intelligent moving head light based on machine vision includes the following steps: prestoring coordinate positions Z21 and Z22 of the focusing assembly corresponding to stage light projection distances Smax and Smin respectively, moving the focusing assembly to a position between Z21 and Z22 after the controller receives a command to start an automatic focusing function; gradually moving the focusing assembly between Z21 and Z22 by a focusing search strategy, calculating a sharpness evaluation value Tn of a current projected image according to an image sharpness evaluation function, and determining whether Tn is greater than a preset high sharpness threshold TH if yes, completing the focusing, otherwise determining whether Tn is less than or equal to Tn-1, if yes, driving the stepper motor by the driver to operate in an opposite direction, otherwise driving the stepper motor by the driver to operate in an original direction, until Tn is greater than TH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Guangzhou Haoyang Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Weikai Jiang
  • Patent number: 12025777
    Abstract: An optical imaging lens system includes eight lens elements which are, in order from an object side to an image side along an optical path: a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element, a seventh lens element and an eighth lens element. Each of the eight lens elements has an object-side surface facing toward the object side and an image-side surface facing toward the image side. The eighth lens element has negative refractive power. The object-side surface of the eighth lens element is convex in a paraxial region thereof. The image-side surface of the eighth lens element is concave in a paraxial region thereof and has at least one critical point in an off-axis region thereof. A total number of lens elements in the optical imaging lens system is eight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Hsuan Huang
  • Patent number: 12007536
    Abstract: A photographing optical lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element, a seventh lens element and an eighth lens element. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The eighth lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the eighth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof, and both an object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof are aspheric. The photographing optical lens system has a total of eight lens elements. An air gap in a paraxial region is located between every two lens elements of the photographing optical lens system that are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 11977237
    Abstract: A position detection device of a VR device is provided. A gear rack and a gear are provided between the left lens barrel and the right lens barrel, and the gear rack is made to be occluded with the gear. A magnet is fixed at a preset position, and a magnetic induction intensity of the magnet set based on a relative position relationship between the left lens barrel and the right lens barrel in the VR device is detected by means of a Hall sensor. A distance between the Hall sensor and the magnet is calculated according to the magnetic induction intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: QINGDAO PICO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Jiu Xia
  • Patent number: 11899275
    Abstract: A lens driving device having a housing, a bobbin disposed in the housing, a first coil disposed on an outer surface of the bobbin, a first magnet disposed on the housing, a second magnet disposed on the bobbin, and a first position sensor disposed opposite to the second magnet in order to sense the second magnet. The bobbin has a first seating groove. The second magnet is disposed in the first seating groove. A lower portion of the second magnet overlaps with the first coil in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. The lower portion of the second magnet is disposed between the first coil and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Taek Lee, Kap Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 11808948
    Abstract: An optical member driving mechanism is provided, including a movable module, a first driving module, and a position detecting module. The movable module includes an optical member holder and a housing. The first driving module includes a first electromagnetic driving assembly disposed on the optical member holder and a second electromagnetic driving assembly disposed on the housing. The first driving module can drive the optical member holder to move relative to the housing. The position detecting module includes a magnetic member and a position detector. The magnetic member is disposed on the optical member holder. The position detector can detect the position of the optical member holder relative to the housing according to a variation in magnetic field direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Yi-Ho Chen, Ichitai Moto, Yi-Liang Chan, Chen-Chi Kuo, Sin-Jhong Song
  • Patent number: 11803031
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of optical lenses, and provides a camera optical lens, including, from an object side to an image side, a first lens having a positive refractive power, a second lens a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens. At least one of the first lens to the fifth lens has a free-form surface, and the camera optical lens satisfies: 0?R7; and R10?0, where R7 denotes a central curvature radius of an object side surface of the fourth lens, and R10 denotes a central curvature radius of an image side surface of the fifth lens. The camera optical lens provided by the present invention satisfies design requirements of a long focal length and ultra-thinness while having excellent optical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Optics (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen Sun, Jia Chen
  • Patent number: 11698511
    Abstract: Provided is a camera optical lens including, sequentially from an object side to an image side: a first lens having a negative refractive power; a second lens having a refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens having a negative refractive power; a fifth lens having a refractive power; a sixth lens having a positive refractive power; and a seventh lens having a negative refractive power. At least one of the first to seventh lenses comprises a free-form surface. The camera optical lens satisfies following conditions: ?3.00?f4/f3??1.00; 2.90?d9/d10?8.50; and 2.00?d11/d12?15.00. The camera optical lens can achieve high optical performance while satisfying design requirements for ultra-thin, wide-angle lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Optics Solutions Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia Chen, Wen Sun
  • Patent number: 11668909
    Abstract: A photographing optical lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element, a seventh lens element and an eighth lens element. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The eighth lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the eighth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof, and both an object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof are aspheric. The photographing optical lens system has a total of eight lens elements. An air gap in a paraxial region is located between every two lens elements of the photographing optical lens system that are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 11647264
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera having one or more bumper arrangements to cushion lateral movement of one or more camera components. In some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may cushion lateral movement of a moveable platform as the moveable platform approaches a stationary structure. According to some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may include one or more bumper features attached to (and/or defined by) the moveable platform and/or the stationary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Zachary W. Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 11573391
    Abstract: A camera module includes a housing; a plurality of movable lens modules disposed in an internal space of the housing and configured to be movable in an optical axis direction, each of the plurality of movable lens modules comprising at least one lens; and a stopper configured to prevent contact between at least two of the plurality of movable lens modules, wherein the stopper includes a frame mounted on the housing; an extension portion extending from the frame into the internal space of the housing to face a side of one movable lens module of the plurality of movable lens modules in the optical axis direction; and a damping member disposed on the extension portion to face the side of the one movable lens module in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Hwan Kwon, Kum Kyung Lee, Nam Ki Park, Ta Kyoung Lee, Jung Seok Lee, Young Bok Yoon, Dong Yeon Shin
  • Patent number: 11555980
    Abstract: A lens barrel having one end and the other end includes: a first frame that is movable and holds optical members; a second frame that is arranged to be relatively movable toward the other end with respect to the first frame, and holds optical members; and a third frame that is mounted on the first frame so as to be movable, and holds an optical member. The first frame includes a first stopper portion that comes into contact with the third frame to limit movement toward the one end. The first frame includes a second stopper portion that comes into contact with, when the first frame is most distant from the second frame, the third frame to limit movement toward the other end. The second frame includes a third stopper portion that has a contact surface located close to the one end with respect to the second stopper portion, and that comes into contact with, when the second frame is located within a range on the optical axis where the third frame is movable, the third frame to limit movement toward the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Ito
  • Patent number: 11500175
    Abstract: An optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, an intermediate unit including one or more lens units, and a final lens unit having a negative refractive power. The second lens unit is moved toward an image plane, and a lens unit closest to the image plane in the one or more lens units included in the intermediate unit is moved toward the object in focusing from infinity to a short distance. The second lens unit satisfies a predetermined inequality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinya Okuoka
  • Patent number: 11493832
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a first barrel configured to hold a first lens unit, a fixed barrel configured to hold a final lens unit, a focus lens unit driven by an actuator, and a positioning mechanism configured to determine positions of the first barrel and the fixed barrel in a rotational direction around an optical axis. The first barrel and the fixed barrel are directly connected, and the actuator and the focus lens unit are provided in a space formed by the first barrel and the fixed barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11454780
    Abstract: A lens apparatus of which an image side part is detachably mountable to an accessory includes a lens unit that includes a lens disposed closest to the image side part and a holding member that holds the lens, and is movable in an optical axis direction, and a restrictor configured to restrict a movement of the lens unit. When the lens unit is located at a first position, the accessory is not mountable to the lens apparatus, and when the lens unit is located at a second position, the accessory is mountable to the lens apparatus. The restrictor restricts the lens unit from moving without bringing the lens unit into contact with the accessory when the accessory is attached to the lens apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11409073
    Abstract: A camera module includes a housing having an internal space, a reflecting module including a reflecting member on a movable holder movably supported by an inner wall of the housing in the internal space, and a lens module disposed behind the reflecting module in the internal space, and including lenses aligned in an optical axis direction so that light reflected by the reflecting member is incident thereto. The movable holder is configured to move the reflecting member in a first axis direction approximately perpendicular to the optical axis direction and a second axis direction approximately perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first axis direction with respect to the housing. The lens module includes at least two lens barrels disposed on sidewalls of the housing, linearly movable in approximately the optical axis direction, and including the lenses divided and disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Sun Lee, Chul Wan Park
  • Patent number: 11378773
    Abstract: An embodiment comprises: a housing including first side parts and second side parts; a bobbin arranged inside the housing, and including first side parts corresponding to the first side parts of the housing and second side parts corresponding to the second side parts of the housing; a first coil arranged on an outer surface of the bobbin; a first magnet arranged on the first side parts of the housing; a second magnet arranged on any one among the second side parts of the bobbin; and a position sensor arranged on any one of the second side parts of the housing, and sensing a strength of the magnetic field of the second magnet, wherein the second magnet is located outside the first coil, and the outside of the first coil is an opposite side of a central side of the bobbin on the basis of the first coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Taek Lee, Kap Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 11294154
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an afocal attachment that allows for alteration of received electromagnetic radiation (or “light”) prior to entry into the telescope. For example, a rifle scope may have a base magnification of 2×, and the afocal attachment may allow magnification of a received image at levels ranging from 2× to 4×. In this example, the entire telescope system with the afocal attachment installed will have an overall magnification of 4× to 8×. In another example, the magnification of the telescope can be increased, transforming a telescope with a 4× magnification into a telescope with a higher effective magnification. In some instances the afocal attachment's optical axis can be configured to permit independent adjustment, allowing for easy removal and reinstallation of the afocal attachment without a need to re-adjust the telescope itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Torrey Pines Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Volfson
  • Patent number: 11287604
    Abstract: A lens device includes: a movable lens capable of being moved in a direction of an optical axis; a target position information acquiring unit that acquires information of a target position of the movable lens; a target position information transmitting unit that transmits the information of the target position to a movable lens operation device including a movable operating member for moving the movable lens and an operating member driving unit that drives the operating member; and a movable lens driving unit that performs first driving for moving the movable lens based on a position of the operating member detected by an operating member position detection unit that detects the position of the operating member, and the operating member driving unit drives the operating member based on the information of the target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsu Wada
  • Patent number: 11249274
    Abstract: Provided is a lens unit. A second lens is provided with a flange surface section that surrounds a lens surface. An image-side flange surface has an image-side flange surface inner-circumferential section which is shaped like a ring-shaped groove, and also has a ring-shaped image-side flange surface outer-circumferential section formed to the outside of the inner-circumferential section. The image-side flange surface inner-outer circumferential section is coated with black ink. The image-side flange surface outer-circumferential section is provided with boss-shaped positioning surface at six equidistant locations along the outer circumference. Ejector pin contact sections are formed between adjacent positioning surface, and said contact sections contact the ejector pins at the time of separation from the mold during resin molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yosuke Kanzaki
  • Patent number: 11224128
    Abstract: Provided are a device and method for molding an FPC and a plastic part, which belongs to the field of FPC processing technology. The method for molding an FPC and a plastic part includes preprocessing a preform and connecting an FPC to the outer cylindrical surface of the preform; and forming a coating on the outer cylindrical surface of the preform by using the device for molding an FPC and a plastic part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: DONGGUAN LUXSHARE PRECISION INDUSTRY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jiaoping Cao, Zhenhua Liu, Yun Feng
  • Patent number: 11156795
    Abstract: A lens module, including: a lens barrel having a receiving space, a set of lenses received in the receiving space, the set of lenses including at least a first lens and a second lens close to the first lens, and a positioning structure fixing the first lens to the second lens. The first lens includes a first optical portion for imaging and a first fixing portion surrounding the first optical portion, and the second lens includes a second optical portion for imaging and a second fixing portion surrounding the second optical portion. The positioning structure includes a positioning part arranged on one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, and a holding part arranged on the other one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion. The holding part holds the positioning part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: AAC Optics Solutions Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Jia Wan
  • Patent number: 11159661
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens module including lenses and a reflecting module disposed in front of the lens module. The reflecting module is configured to change a path of light to direct the light toward the lens module. The reflecting module includes a holder in which a reflecting member configured to change the path of the light is mounted and a first housing supporting the holder. The holder is configured to slide with respect to the first housing to enable rotation of the reflecting member with respect to a first axis and a second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Bok Yoon, Nam Ki Park, Bong Won Jeong, Sang Ho Seo, Jae Kyung Kim
  • Patent number: 11140312
    Abstract: The invention relates to a long-range optical device comprising at least one sight channel and an image capturing channel with a camera module, wherein the sight channel and the image capturing channel are coupled to one another by means of an adjusting mechanism such that a first image detail observed in the sight channel essentially corresponds to a second image detail captured by the camera module; at least one interface module for establishing a connection with an electronic terminal; a processing unit; at least one memory unit, wherein the memory unit is formed for storing parameters and/or functions, wherein an electronic operating button is provided for retrieving a preselected parameter and carrying out a function. The invention moreover relates to an observation and image capturing system and a method for the retrieval of parameters and/or the execution of functions with an observation and image capturing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Salzburger, Christoph Heinrich, Christoph Frech, Daniel Nindl, Helmut Wiedermann, Gerd Schreiter
  • Patent number: 11125967
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for utilizing a focus state calibration object for determining calibration data for a variable focal length (VFL) lens system which includes a VFL lens (e.g., a tunable acoustic gradient lens). The calibration object includes a planar tilted pattern surface on which a set of focus state reference regions (FSRRs) are distributed (e.g., a tilted grating). The FSRRs have known geometric relationships relative to the planar tilted pattern surface and have known region relationships relative to one another. A plurality of camera images is acquired at different phase timings of the periodic modulation, and calibration data is determined based at least in part on analyzing the plurality of camera images. The determined calibration data indicates respective phase timings of the periodic modulation that correspond to respective effective focus positions of the VFL lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Gerard Gladnick, Dawn Keehnel, Vahan Senekerimyan
  • Patent number: 11119307
    Abstract: An optical unit includes: a first actuator for driving a first movable barrel; a second actuator for driving a second movable barrel; a first contact surface for defining a first frontmost end position which the first movable barrel takes; a second contact surface for defining a rearmost end position which the first movable barrel takes; a third contact surface for defining a frontmost end position which the second movable barrel takes; a fourth contact surface for defining a rearmost end position which the second movable barrel takes; and a contact member formed on the first movable barrel, having a fifth contact surface which is brought into contact with a distal end surface of the second movable barrel, and defining a first stop position or a second stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruyuki Nishihara
  • Patent number: 11099366
    Abstract: A zoom lens, comprises: in order from an object, a first lens group (G1) having positive refractive power; a second lens group (G2) having negative refractive power; a third lens group (G3) having positive refractive power; a fourth lens group (G4) having negative refractive power; and a fifth lens group (G5) having positive refractive power, wherein, upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between each of lens groups and a lens group adjacent thereto changes to satisfy the following conditional expression: 2.90<|MV5/MV2|<11.50 where, MV5 denotes, upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, a moving amount of the fifth lens group with an image surface as a reference; and MV2 denotes, upon zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state, a moving amount of the second lens group with the image surface as the reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Saburo Masugi
  • Patent number: 11067780
    Abstract: A zoom lens, comprises: in order from an object, a first lens group (G1) having positive refractive power; a second lens group (G2) having negative refractive power; a third lens group (G3) having positive refractive power; a fourth lens group (G4) having negative refractive power; and a fifth lens group (G5) having positive refractive power, wherein, upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between each of lens groups and a lens group adjacent thereto changes to satisfy the following conditional expression: 2.90<|MV5/MV2|<11.50 where, MV5 denotes, upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, a moving amount of the fifth lens group with an image surface as a reference; and MV2 denotes, upon zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state, a moving amount of the second lens group with the image surface as the reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Saburo Masugi
  • Patent number: 11036026
    Abstract: An apparatus controlling a position of a camera module includes an operating coil disposed on a housing of the camera module to face a magnetic member disposed on a lens barrel of the camera module, a driving circuit providing a driving current to the operating coil, a capacitor circuit having a capacitor value to form a resonance circuit together with the operating coil to resonate at a resonance frequency varied depending on an inductance value of the operating coil; a resonance maintaining circuit maintaining a level of a resonance signal generated by the operating coil and the capacitor circuit, a resonance frequency detecting circuit detecting a resonance frequency signal from the resonance signal generated by the operating coil and the capacitor circuit, and a control circuit configured to control the driving circuit in response to the resonance frequency signal from the resonance frequency detecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Man Pang, Youn Joong Lee, Ja Hwi Cho, Je Hyeon Yu, Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 10995831
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary barrel, a rotary barrel, and a movable barrel. The movable barrel includes a cam follower fitted to a straight groove in the stationary barrel and a cam groove in the rotary barrel. The surface of the cam follower to be in contact with the inner wall surface of the cam groove and the surface of the cam follower to be in contact with the inner wall surface of the straight groove have an arc shape convex toward the outside, and the cam follower is in point contact with the inner wall surfaces of the cam groove and the straight groove. The cam follower includes a first slit that is cut in from the distal end toward a proximal end thereof in parallel to an axis and a second slitcut in from an outer peripheral portion of the cam follower toward an inner peripheral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 10951135
    Abstract: A linear driving mechanism capable of moving a driven object smoothly and lengthening its service life. A first vibration element and a second vibration element sandwich a friction member therebetween. A first holding member holding the first vibration element is rotatably supported by a first shaft. A second holding member holding the second vibration element is rotatably supported by a second shaft. An urging part moves the first holding member and the second holding member to press these vibration elements against the friction member. A coupling member couples the first holding member with a driven object. A pressing part presses the coupling member against a moving body including the first and second holding members. A direction of a pressing force of the pressing part intersects with the first shaft when the coupling member couples with the first holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Shihoh
  • Patent number: 10908392
    Abstract: A photographing optical lens assembly includes lens elements including, in order from an object to an image side, a first lens group, a second lens group and a third lens group. The first lens group includes a first lens element and a second lens element. The second lens group includes a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The third lens group includes a sixth lens element, a seventh lens element and an eighth lens element. The first lens element has positive refractive power. The seventh lens element has an object-side surface and an image-side surface being both aspheric. The eighth lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein both an object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof are aspheric, and the image-side surface of the eighth lens element has at least one reflection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Hsuan Huang
  • Patent number: 10802242
    Abstract: A camera lens assembly is described. The camera lens assembly includes a support member. The camera lens assembly also includes a moving member having a major planar surface and AF terminal pads located at or near the major planar surface, wherein the moving member is mounted to the support member. And, the camera lens assembly includes an auto focus assembly having AF terminal pads, wherein the auto focus assembly is mounted to the moving member and the AF terminal pads of the auto focus assembly are electrically connected to the AF terminal pads of the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark A. Miller, Yasushi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10795111
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a camera module comprising: a lens module which generates an optical image of an object; a circuit board unit which processes the optical image generated by the lens module and has elements mounted on first and second surfaces thereof; and a cable unit which supplies power to the circuit board unit, wherein the circuit board unit comprises a connector coupled to the cable unit, and wherein the camera module is arranged between the connector and the circuit board unit and fixes the connector on the circuit board unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Yeal Han, Jung Mi Kim
  • Patent number: 10754119
    Abstract: An imaging lens assembly has an optical axis and includes a plastic barrel, a lens set and a retaining element. The plastic barrel includes a first channel and a second channel. The lens set is disposed in the plastic barrel and includes at least one adjustable lens element, wherein an outer diameter surface of the adjustable lens element includes a plurality of axial rotation structures, each of the axial rotation structures is in a protruding strip shape, and at least one of the axial rotation structures is disposed correspondingly to the second channel of the plastic barrel and exposed. The retaining element is disposed in the plastic barrel and includes an anti-releasing structure, which is disposed correspondingly to the first channel of the plastic barrel to avoid the lens set being released from the plastic barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Chi Tang, Ming-Ta Chou, Ruei-Yang Luo
  • Patent number: 10732401
    Abstract: An optical unit includes: a fixing part including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion, and a fixing part main body; a movable part arranged slidably relative to the fixing part main body; and a voice coil motor including a magnetic portion, and a coil arranged at the fixing part main body and positioned on a radially outer side of the fixing part main body with respect to the magnetic portion, the voice coil motor being capable of moving the movable part relative to the fixing part main body along a direction of the optical axis. A maximum dimension of the fixing part main body in a first direction parallel to a magnetization direction of the magnetic portion is greater than a maximum dimension of the fixing part main body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the direction of the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadashi Ito
  • Patent number: 10715730
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a damper arrangement that may be used to dampen motions of a dynamic component. In some embodiments, the damper arrangement may be used in a camera module that includes a stationary component and a dynamic component. For instance, the dynamic component may hold a lens such that the lens moves together with the dynamic component. In various examples, the damper arrangement may include an interface member that extends from the stationary component or the dynamic component to at least partially into a viscoelastic material within a pocket configured in the stationary component, the dynamic component, or both. The interface member may be configured to traverse within the viscoelastic material to dampen motion of the dynamic component, for example, during operation of a lens actuator to move the dynamic component along an optical axis of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Xu, Qiang Yang, Yoshiyuki Takase, Aurelien R. Hubert
  • Patent number: 10712528
    Abstract: A lens moving mechanism includes a first lens guide unit which guides a lens mount, on which a lens for projecting light is mounted, in two orthogonal axis directions among three orthogonal axis directions including an optical axis direction of the light. The first lens guide unit includes a first track rail and a second track rail which are disposed to intersect each other in the two orthogonal axis directions, and one or a plurality of slider blocks which are mounted to be relatively movable on both or either of the first track rail and the second track rail. The one or plurality of slider blocks are disposed at an intersecting portion between the first track rail and the second track rail in one axis direction orthogonal to the two orthogonal axis directions, or are disposed to at least partially overlap each other in the one axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Hirota, Marie Shimamura, Hajime Fukushima
  • Patent number: 10690905
    Abstract: An imaging module of the invention includes: an image-sensing unit that includes an image-sensing device; a lens that has a front end and is optically connected to the image-sensing device; and a frame that is fixed in position with respect to the image-sensing device and includes a lens barrel having an insertion space, into which the front end is to be inserted in at least an optical axis direction. In a state where movement of the lens in a direction intersecting with the optical axis direction is limited, the insertion space is capable of receiving the lens in the direction such that the lens approaches the image-sensing device. The lens is fixed to the lens barrel at a position at which the lens is optically connected to the image-sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Usuda, Kenichi Nakatate
  • Patent number: 10694085
    Abstract: An optical sensor housing includes a sensor housing body including an enclosure wall upstanding from a bottom portion and a substantially open top portion defining a cavity in which the optical sensor assembly is located, at least one aperture, and at least one engaging part projecting orthogonally from an outside surface of the sensor housing body, a sensor housing cover including an open central portion, at least one integrally molded compliant flange configured to engage the sensor housing body engaging part and to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body, and longitudinal ridges extending outwardly and disposed substantially along the length of the sensor housing cover. The sensor housing engaging parts and flanges can provide a quick-lock mechanism operable to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body without the use of tools or fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: MTD PRODUCTS INC
    Inventors: Jay E. Maggard, Gregory Gorsage, Aaron D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10649184
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of an optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a front unit having a plurality of lenses, an aperture stop, and a rear unit having a positive refractive power. In at least one embodiment, a positive lens and three or more negative lenses are disposed in the front unit, and the material of negative lenses included in the front unit, the focal length of the front unit, and the focal length of the entire optical system are set appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosuke Eguchi
  • Patent number: 10554888
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus of the disclosure includes a base that has a power transmitter for transmitting power wirelessly; and a movable unit that has a power receiver for receiving power wirelessly from the power transmitter, an imager operating on the basis of power received by the power receiver, and a first communicator transmitting image information acquired by the imager wirelessly. The movable unit is movable relative to the base. According to the disclosure, it is possible to improve reliability of transmission and reception of a signal and power, and it is possible to alleviate deficiency due to limitation on the number of operation times caused by a mechanical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Eguchi, Ryuuichi Yatsunami, Hideki Tatematsu