With Support Patents (Class 359/811)
  • Patent number: 10423056
    Abstract: A light source unit includes a plurality of light sources that light source elements which emit laser beams and collimator lenses which collect the laser beams emitted from the light source elements are combined therein. Pencils of light emitted from the light source elements are made to be collected in different collecting degrees between the light sources respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 10425563
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus including a first magnet, a housing, a bobbin, around which a coil is wound and which moves in a first direction in the housing, an upper elastic member disposed on upper surfaces of the bobbin and the housing, a lower elastic member disposed under lower surfaces of the bobbin and the housing, and a damping member disposed between the upper or lower elastic member and the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Seong Min Lee, Jun Taek Lee, Byung Wook Son
  • Patent number: 10406993
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle in which a vehicle-mounted camera is attached to a glass surface on a vehicle interior side of a window glass of a vehicle body, and includes a seat fixed to the glass surface and including a seat surface extending along a predetermined direction and preferably formed by machining, includes determining the predetermined direction on the basis of an inclination angle of the glass surface to set an optical axis direction of the vehicle-mounted camera in any direction. The method of manufacturing provides a vehicle-mounted camera that is low in costs and includes an optical axis with an angle which is easy to adjust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yushi Takehara
  • Patent number: 10409026
    Abstract: A lens driving device includes a movable part, a plate spring that movably supports the movable part, a coil provided on the movable part, and magnets facing the coil. An outer portion of the movable part includes protrusion opposing parts where first restricting protrusion and second restricting protrusions face each other in an optical axis direction and non-opposing parts where the first restricting protrusion and the second restricting protrusions do not face each other in the optical axis direction, the coil is formed by winding a conductor wire around the outer portion in a circumferential direction and includes first coil portions positioned in the protrusion opposing parts and second coil portions positioned in at least some of the non-opposing parts, and the width of the second coil portions in the optical axis direction is greater than the width of the first coil portions in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Inagaki, Hiroshi Osada, Toshiyuki Tanaka, Ken Okochi, Akiyoshi Sarudate
  • Patent number: 10401591
    Abstract: A lens driving apparatus includes a holder, a metal cover, a carrier, a sensing magnet, a printed circuit board, a position sensor, a coil and at least one driving magnet. The metal cover is coupled with the holder and has an opening. The carrier is assembled to a lens assembly having an optical axis, wherein the carrier is disposed in the metal cover and is movable along a direction parallel to the optical axis. The sensing magnet is coupled with the carrier. The printed circuit board is disposed near to one of the four lateral sides of the holder. The position sensor is disposed on the printed circuit board and corresponds to the sensing magnet. The coil is disposed on an outer surface of the carrier. One of the driving magnet is disposed in the metal cover and corresponds to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: LARGAN DIGITAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Sheng Tseng, Wen-Hung Hsu, Ming-Ta Chou
  • Patent number: 10386616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method of fabricating a wafer level optical lens assembly. The method includes providing a wafer substrate having a plurality of lens shapes arranged side by side, and providing a spacer substrate having a plurality of spacer posts. The method further includes applying a first polymer liquid on a specific location chosen from the group of: (1) positions located on the wafer substrate between the plurality of lens shapes; (2) positions located on the contact surface of the spacer posts; and (3) a combination thereof. The method further includes contacting the wafer substrate with the spacer substrate such that the spacer posts force the first polymer liquid to flow towards the lens shapes, followed by curing the first polymer liquid, and applying a second polymer liquid onto the lens shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Anteryon Wafer Optics B.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Adrianus Maria Mouws, Edwin Maria Wolterink, Koen Gerard Demeyer
  • Patent number: 10365542
    Abstract: A lens barrel is detachably attached to a camera body, and includes an exterior unit, a rear frame, a tripod mount, and a tripod lock screw. The exterior unit includes an optical system. The rear frame is mounted to the exterior unit so as to be rotatable around an optical axis. An outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel is configured with the exterior unit and the rear frame. The tripod mount is provided on the rear frame to be fixed to a tripod. The tripod lock screw fixes a rotational position around the optical axis of the rear frame to the camera body at a predetermined rotational position, in a state in which the lens barrel is mounted to the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumio Shinano, Tetsuya Morita, Hideaki Kawane
  • Patent number: 10359597
    Abstract: An optical system is provided, including a base, a first lens driving module and a second lens driving module. The first lens driving module includes a first holder, a first magnet, and a first coil corresponding to the first magnet, wherein the first holder is used to hold a first optical element and has a first side. The second lens driving module includes a second holder, a second magnet, and a second coil corresponding to the second magnet, wherein the second holder is used to hold a second optical element and has a second side. The first side is adjacent and parallel to the second side, and no magnet is disposed on the first side or second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Fu-Yuan Wu, Kuo-Chun Kao, Sin-Jhong Song
  • Patent number: 10338339
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lens module. The lens module includes a lens barrel including a first barrel wall forming an optical aperture and a second barrel bending and extending from the first barrel wall. The second barrel wall includes a first inner wall and a first outer wall opposite to the first inner wall. One lens is arranged in the lens barrel, and the lens includes a side wall connecting an object side and an image side, a part of the side wall from the lens attaching to the first inner wall. A gap is formed between another part of the side wall and the first inner wall. A size of the part forming the gap between the side wall and the first inner wall along a direction of an optical axis accounts for at least one second of a total height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Jia Wan
  • Patent number: 10330464
    Abstract: A contactlessly measuring measuring system having a contactlessly measuring measuring device with a light transmitter portion and a light receiver portion, for determining the position of a tool or for determining the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool, wherein an optical lens arrangement for shaping and focusing a light beam from the light transmitter portion to the light receiver portion is associated with the light transmitter portion and/or the light receiver portion, the optical lens arrangement being accommodated in a lens mount, and the lens mount having an inner and an outer sleeve which in each case is cylindrical, at least in sections, and the lens arrangement is inserted into the inner sleeve, which is at least partially enclosed by the outer sleeve, and the lens mount together with the lens arrangement is accommodated in a wall of the light transmitter portion and/or of the light receiver portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: BLUM-NOVOTEST GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Dilger, Norbert Moersch, Gregor Maier
  • Patent number: 10271718
    Abstract: An image pickup unit includes: a focus switching type observation optical system including fixed lenses and a moving lens; fixed frames that hold the fixed lenses; a moving frame that is arranged to be movable back and forth in a direction along a photographing optical axis of the observation optical system and holds the moving lens; and a correction frame fixed in the fixed frames, configured to house the moving frame such that the moving frame can advance and retract, including a stopper that abuts the moving frame to restrict movement in one direction of the photographing optical axis, and being slightly adjustable to realize one of focal lengths of the observation optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Wataya, Akira Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 10267956
    Abstract: Structures for scattering light at multiple wavelengths are disclosed. Scattering elements are fabricated with different geometric dimensions and arrangements, to scatter or focus light at the same focal distance for each wavelength, or at different focal distances according to the desired application. Scattering elements can be circular or elliptical posts, allowing polarization dependent scattering. The elements can have different orientations to scatter light from multiple wavelengths at the desired focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ehsan Arbabi, Amir Arbabi, Andrei Faraon
  • Patent number: 10261225
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter defining a light transmissive region for light of a specific wavelength range to pass therethrough, and a non-light transmissive first sheet body preformed and adhered to a surface of the filter. The first sheet body has a first opening with a shape conforming to that of the light transmissive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignees: Lite-On Electronics (Guangzhou) Limited, Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chun-Lung Lin, Gaowei Xie, Haichao Du
  • Patent number: 10261283
    Abstract: An optical lens including a lens barrel, a fixing ring, and at least one lens element is provided. A bonding surface is provided on an inner side of a periphery of an end of the lens barrel, and a plurality of micro-structures are disposed on the bonding surface in a ring-shaped arrangement. The micro-structures protrude from the bonding surface. The fixing ring is disposed inside the bonding surface of the lens barrel. The lens element is disposed inside the lens barrel. The micro-structures on the bonding surface and the fixing ring are dissolved by a solvent, so as to fix the lens element inside the lens barrel. An assembling method of the optical lens and a lens barrel are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: GENIUS ELECTRONIC OPTICAL (XIAMEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Lin, Yu-Ming Chen, Chia-Wei Chuang
  • Patent number: 10215953
    Abstract: An optical unit, in particular a facet mirror unit, includes an optical element and a supporting device. The optical element has an optical surface, in particular an elongate optical surface, which defines a plane of main extension and a direction of main extension in the plane of main extension. The supporting device includes a supporting unit and an actuator unit. The actuator unit is configured for tilting the optical surface, in that a tilting moment is exerted on the optical element by way of the actuator unit. The tilting moment runs in an inclined manner in relation to the plane of main extension. The supporting unit is configured to predefine a tilting axis for the optical surface that lies substantially in the plane of main extension of the optical surface when there is tilting of the optical surface by the tilting moment of the actuator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Boaz Pnini-Mittler
  • Patent number: 10209479
    Abstract: A lens driving device having a leaf spring; a suspension wire, having one end thereof joined to the leaf spring; a supporting plate to which the other end portion of the suspension wire is joined; a lens retaining portion that is supported by the leaf spring and the suspension wire; and a driving portion for driving the lens retaining portion in a direction that is perpendicular to the optical axial direction of the lens. The leaf spring and/or the supporting plate is joined to the suspending wire through a joining material that is provided on a primary face, where the wettability of the primary face in respect to the joining material is greater than the wettability, in respect to the joining material, of the face on the opposite side from the primary face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruka Matsuhisa, Kenzo Imai
  • Patent number: 10180555
    Abstract: A shade for a camera module is disclosed. The shade includes an optical aperture; a deformed portion extending outward from a wall of the optical aperture; and a fixed portion extending outward from the deformed portion. The deformed portion includes a body and a plurality of notches communicating with the optical aperture, and the notches pass through an upper surface and a lower surface of the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Chuandong Wei
  • Patent number: 10137543
    Abstract: A compound optical assembly is constructed from a plurality of stacking elements for spacing, aligning, and retaining optical elements within the assembly. Stacking faces of the stacking elements are measured and low-order surface errors are extracted, represented by mathematical approximations having a primary angular frequency. The stacking elements including the optic holders are relatively oriented to promote complementarity between the low-order surface errors of mating stacking faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Grejda, Todd Robert McMichael
  • Patent number: 10107987
    Abstract: A lens holder drive device has: a lens holder; a fixing part that includes a base member disposed below the lens holder; a drive mechanism; an upper-side plate spring; a lower-side plate spring; and a position detection unit that detects the position of the lens holder in the optical axis direction. The drive mechanism has: a drive coil fixed to the perimeter of the lens holder; a yoke having a substantially square columnar shape; and a drive magnet disposed to face the drive coil in a first direction which is orthogonal to the optical axis direction. The position detection unit includes: a sensor magnet attached to an outer circumferential surface of the lens holder in a second direction which is orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the first direction; and a magnetic sensing element that faces the sensor magnet and is provided to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Osaka, Takashi Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 10054758
    Abstract: A camera module is provided, the camera module including a mover mounted with a lens, a stator movably supporting the mover to an optical axis direction of the lens, balls interposed at one side and the other side between the mover and the stator, a ball distance maintainer constantly keeping a distance between balls to a first direction, fixation means restricting a relative movement of the mover and the stator to a first direction, and permission means allowing a relative displacement of the mover and the stator to the first direction and restricting the relative displacement of the mover and the stator to a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MDPULSE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin Kuk Kim
  • Patent number: 10054757
    Abstract: A motor vehicle camera module (12) having a lens assembly (20), a housing (22) forming a front end (50) surrounding an opening (28), an image sensor (24) carried by a back wall (32) within the housing (22) adjacent an image plane (A). The housing (22) having a lens holder (53) between the front end (50) and the back wall (32). The camera module (12) has a tube (26) fixed to the lens holder (53) at the front end (50). The tube (26) surrounds the opening (28) and extends from the opening (28) into the housing (22). The lens assembly (20) is connected to a tube bottom end section by threads (71, 72). The thermal expansion coefficient of the tube (26) is higher than that of the lens holder (53). The threads (71, 72) extends over less than half of the axial length (hL) of the lens assembly (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: VEONEER SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Per Knutsson, Peter Fredriksson
  • Patent number: 10038832
    Abstract: A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is proposed, the camera module including a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with an image sensor, a housing member arranged at an upper surface of the PCB, a bobbin movably positioned at an inner side of the housing member, an upper elastic member connected to an upper surface of the housing member and to an upper surface of the bobbin, and a space forming part formed at one side of the housing member to provide a moving space to the upper elastic member when the bobbin makes a relatively vertical movement to the housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Seong Min Lee, Jun Taek Lee
  • Patent number: 10025063
    Abstract: A lens assembly includes at least a pair of lenses fixed in a lens barrel and an additional lens initially having at least one degree of freedom of movement with respect to the other lenses. The additional lens can be fixed in a desired alignment position with respect to the other lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: MEMS START, LLC
    Inventor: Roman Carlos Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 9949617
    Abstract: The invention provides an endoscope having a lens holder, wherein the lens holder includes a body containing a sintered feedstock and machined surfaces. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing the endoscope which includes the steps of molding a metal blank by a MIM process, wherein the metal blank is “near net shape” and has a sprue, a post, and optionally an outer shell, machining the inner surfaces and then the outer surfaces of the metal blank to form a lens holder, installing a lens in the lens holder, and assembling the lens holder having the lens into the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Kin Ming Kwan
  • Patent number: 9933592
    Abstract: A passive 5x athermalized afocal beam expander comprising a housing integrally formed of a single material. Using titanium for the housing as well as lens materials having a minimal change of index of refraction over changes in temperature provides for a 5x athermalized afocal beam expander constructed to operate in a wavelength range from about 1460 nm to about 1675 nm at temperatures ranging from about ?40 degrees Celsius to about +75 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Peters
  • Patent number: 9929531
    Abstract: An optical module includes a base portion having a top-surface metal layer on a top surface of a base, a semiconductor element on the top-surface metal layer and an optical element optically-coupled to the semiconductor element and bonded to the base with adhesive at a first side surface of the base at a side of the optical element being optically-coupled. A pull-back area is formed on the top surface by disposing a second side surface at the side, of the top-surface metal layer at a retracted position to the first side surface at the side. Between an adhesion area where the base and the optical element are bonded and a mounting portion below an optical-power-outputting surface of the semiconductor element, the top-surface metal layer has an adhesive flow stopping portion formed, by patterning, so as to prevent the adhesive from flowing through the pull-back area to the mounting portion's side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Ishige, Naoki Hayamizu
  • Patent number: 9915763
    Abstract: A stacked-lens assembly includes a lower substrate and an upper substrate. The lower substrate includes a lower-substrate top surface having thereon a lower element and an inner spacer, the inner spacer at least partially surrounding the lower element. The upper substrate includes an upper-substrate bottom surface opposite the lower-substrate top surface and having thereon an upper element and an outer spacer, the outer spacer (i) being attached to the inner spacer and (ii) at least partially surrounding the upper element. In any cross-section of the stacked-lens assembly parallel to the upper substrate and including both the inner spacer and the outer spacer, the entirety of the inner spacer is within a perimeter of the outer spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Ping Chen, Tsung-Wei Wan
  • Patent number: 9891402
    Abstract: An optical mount, comprising an outer ring (1), an inner ring (2), at least two manipulator units, by means of which the inner ring (2) is adjustable with respect to the outer ring (1) in an adjustment plane perpendicular to a mount axis, and at least one clamping unit (0) acting independently of the manipulator units. The clamping unit (0) is formed by a threaded hole (4), which is directed radially to the mount axis (1.1) in the outer ring (1), and a screw (5) supported in said threaded hole (4), said screw (5) having a through hole (8) along the screw axis (5.0) which is connected with the inner ring (2) in the clamping condition via an adhesive gap (7) filled with adhesive (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Optical Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Erbe, Frank Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9876947
    Abstract: The optical apparatus includes an optical system forming an optical image on a rectangular image capturing surface having long and short sides, a plastic lens, a holder holding the plastic lens, and a pressing member pressing the plastic lens to the holder. One of the plastic lens and the holder includes first and second protrusions located on mutually opposite sides across an optical axis in a first direction parallel to the short sides. Another of the plastic lens and the holder includes a first hole portion into which the first protrusion is inserted to prevent a displacement thereof in a second direction parallel to the long sides and the first direction and a second hole portion into which the second protrusion is inserted to prevent a displacement thereof in the second direction and to allow a relative displacement thereof in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masayasu Mizushima
  • Patent number: 9859327
    Abstract: Various optoelectronic modules are described that include an optoelectronic device (e.g., a light emitting or light detecting element) and a transparent cover. Non-transparent material is provided on the sidewalls of the transparent cover, which, in some implementations, can help reduce light leakage from the sides of the transparent cover or can help prevent stray light from entering the module. Fabrication techniques for making the modules also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hartmut Rudmann, Simon Gubser, Susanne Westenhöfer, Stephan Heimgartner, Jens Geiger, Sonja Hanselmann, Christoph Friese, Xu Yi, Thng Chong Kim, John A. Vidallon, Ji Wang, Qi Chuan Yu, Kam Wah Leong
  • Patent number: 9817198
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical module. The optical module of the present disclosure may include: a base, the base being provided with a fixing part configured to place a lens; the lens located in the fixing part; and a laser, located on the base, the laser being configured to transmit an optical signal to the lens, where fixing adhesive is filled symmetrically in gaps between two symmetric sides of the lens and the fixing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignees: Hisense Broadband Multimedia Technologies Co., Ltd., Hisense Broadband Multimedia Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiquan Yang, Xianpeng Du, Hao Wang, Hongwei Mu, Fang Liu
  • Patent number: 9799802
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a light emitting module. A light emitting module according to an embodiment includes a light source unit including a light emitting device; a body including a lower portion on which the light source unit is arranged, a wall portion arranged on the lower portion and configured to surround the light source unit, and an upper portion arranged on the wall portion; an optical member arranged on the light source unit to transmit light from the light emitting device; and an adhesive member arranged between the wall portion of the body and the optical member to couple the body and the optical member, wherein the upper portion of the body is arranged between the light emitting device and the adhesive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ha Na Kim, Byung Mok Kim
  • Patent number: 9791658
    Abstract: An optical module (10) having at least one beam-forming element (14) and having at least two retainer brackets (20) for fastening the optical module (10) to a carrier (30) are provided. In this connection the retainer brackets (20) have a first support element (22a) at a first spacing with respect to the lens (14) and a second support element (22b) at a second spacing different from the first spacing with respect to the beam-forming element (14) in order to selectively fasten the optical module (10) to the carrier (30) at the first spacing or at the second spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Johannes Eble, Sebastian Matt
  • Patent number: 9779515
    Abstract: Spatio-temporal light field cameras that can be used to capture the light field within its spatio temporally extended angular extent. Such cameras can be used to record 3D images, 2D images that can be computationally focused, or wide angle panoramic 2D images with relatively high spatial and directional resolutions. The light field cameras can be also be used as 2D/3D switchable cameras with extended angular extent. The spatio-temporal aspects of the novel light field cameras allow them to capture and digitally record the intensity and color from multiple directional views within a wide angle. The inherent volumetric compactness of the light field cameras make it possible to embed in small mobile devices to capture either 3D images or computationally focusable 2D images. The inherent versatility of these light field cameras makes them suitable for multiple perspective light field capture for 3D movies and video recording applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ostendo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hussein S. El-Ghoroury, Zahir Y. Alpaslan, Jingbo Cai, Marty Maiers, Philip Warner, Dale A. McNeill
  • Patent number: 9726847
    Abstract: Disclosed is a camera module. The camera module includes a lens assembly comprising a plurality of lens units having a polygonal outer peripheral portion, a lens barrel receiving the lens assembly, a fixing unit fixing the lens assembly to the lens barrel, a housing coupled with the lens barrel, and a sensor unit in the housing. The lens barrel is provided in a lower portion thereof with a receiving groove, and the receiving groove has a shape corresponding to a shape of the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myoung Jin An, Seung Man Jeong, Jin Han Song, Kee Tae Um
  • Patent number: 9712764
    Abstract: Spatio-temporal light field cameras that can be used to capture the light field within its spatio temporally extended angular extent. Such cameras can be used to record 3D images, 2D images that can be computationally focused, or wide angle panoramic 2D images with relatively high spatial and directional resolutions. The light field cameras can be also be used as 2D/3D switchable cameras with extended angular extent. The spatio-temporal aspects of the novel light field cameras allow them to capture and digitally record the intensity and color from multiple directional views within a wide angle. The inherent volumetric compactness of the light field cameras make it possible to embed in small mobile devices to capture either 3D images or computationally focusable 2D images. The inherent versatility of these light field cameras makes them suitable for multiple perspective light field capture for 3D movies and video recording applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ostendo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hussein S. El-Ghoroury, Zahir Y. Alpaslan, Jingbo Cai, Marty Maiers, Philip Warner, Dale A. McNeill
  • Patent number: 9696518
    Abstract: A device for adjustably positioning an optical component includes a holding unit, which is which at least partly composed of a magnetostrictive material, and a mechanism for generating a magnetic field having a predetermined directional and amplitude distribution in the region of the holding unit. The holding unit has, in a predefined direction, an expansion which can be varied by a specific absolute value by the effect of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hembacher
  • Patent number: 9678336
    Abstract: A lens assembly includes a lens barrel, a plurality of lenses and at least one light-shielding member. The lens barrel extends along an axis and includes a peripheral wall that surrounds the axis and defines a receiving chamber. The peripheral wall has open and aperture-forming ends that are opposite to each other and respectively adjacent to image and object sides of the lens assembly. The lenses are disposed in the receiving chamber in sequence along the axis between the aperture-forming and open ends. The light-shielding member is disposed in the receiving chamber and includes an annular light-shielding body and an adhesive layer for positioning the annular light-shielding body relative to at least one of the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chang Cho, Zhenmu Chen
  • Patent number: 9664873
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a positioning unit for an optical element in a microlithographic projection exposure installation having a first connecting area for connection to the optical element, and having a second connecting area for connection to an object in the vicinity of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Weber, Jens Kugler
  • Patent number: 9634225
    Abstract: An artificial muscle structure has an electro-active polymer (EAP) layer having a frusto-conical shape and whose tip has an opening formed therein for use as a camera variable aperture. First, second and third electrode segments are formed on a rear face of the EAP layer. The second segment is positioned in a gap between the first and third segments so as to be electrically isolated from the first and third segments. The second segment has an opening formed therein that is aligned with the opening in the EAP layer. A complementary electrode is formed on a front face of the EAP layer. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aurelien R. Hubert, Douglas S. Brodie, Iain A. McAllister, Jeffrey N. Gleason
  • Patent number: 9591780
    Abstract: A compliable unit in an compliable network comprises a first layer including at least one device component at a first region of the first layer, and a second layer including at least one compliable element at a first region of the second layer to transfer the at least one device component to a desired location. The first layer and the second layer are arranged in a stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: IMEC Taiwan Co.
    Inventors: Kevin Huang, Chihchung (Gary) Chen
  • Patent number: 9583662
    Abstract: A solar concentrator has frame members connected together to form a framework, and a flexible sheet attached to the framework such that the flexible sheet takes a loose shape and can flex in response to shaping forces exerted thereon. The sheet has a reflective surface located between the frame members. A shaping force system is operative, when activated, to exert the shaping forces on the sheet, the shaping forces configured to draw the sheet from the loose shape into a desired shape such that solar rays striking the reflective surface are focused on a target, and a solar energy receiver is attached to the framework at a location corresponding to the target. Thin wall tubing filled with pressurized air can provide strong light frame members. When the shaping force system is deactivated, the flexible sheet reverts substantially to the loose shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SHEC Energy Corporation
    Inventor: James Thomas Beck
  • Patent number: 9557515
    Abstract: A camera module, in particular, for a vehicle, the camera module including at least: an objective mount and an objective, which is held in the objective mount and has a lens holder and at least one lens secured in the lens holder, the objective being fixed in position in the objective mount by a frictional connection between an outer surface of the lens holder and an inner surface of the objective mount. A plurality of frictional connection devices spaced apart in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer surface of the lens holder and/or on the inner surface of the objective mount, in order to generate the frictional connection. To insert and to adjust the objective, the objective mount is preferably asymmetrically deformed in an elastic manner, and the objective is placed into the deformed objective mount, and the elastic deformation is subsequently removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Brinks, Uwe Apel, Ulrich Seger
  • Patent number: 9557516
    Abstract: An optical system includes a lens assembly and a light source. The lens assembly includes an optical lens positioned to transmit and refract light provided by the light source, and a lens holder coupled to the optical lens and maintaining a position of the optical lens relative to the light source. The optical lens is coupled to the lens holder with a bonding agent arranged in an interrupted configuration at positions proximate to a circumference of the optical lens. The light source provides light to the optical lens of the lens assembly that has an optical footprint that includes a plurality of high-intensity regions separated from one another by low-intensity regions and the bonding agent is positioned in a circumferential orientation relative to the light source such that the bonding agent is spaced apart from the high-intensity regions of the optical footprint of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Grejda, Keith Ernest Hanford, Kevin J Magierski, Todd Robert McMichael
  • Patent number: 9547148
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lens driving device which can limit rotations caused by torque generated when a lens is inserted or disassembled. The state that the lens driving device is damaged can be distinguished, and the finished product rate and reliability of a camera assembly are improved more easily. The lens driving device includes a lens support, a coil disposed on the lens support, a fixing assembly and springs for supporting the lens support to move along the optical axis, and a magnet yoke. Extruding clamping parts closer to the upper side than a mounting surface for the springs to mount are arranged on the lens support, the magnet yoke is provided with bending parts extending from the edge part of the opening part downwardly, and the bending parts of the magnet yoke are located closer to the upper side than the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: HUIZHOU DAYAWAN EVER BRIGHT ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY CO, JSS OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., HUIZHOU DAYA BAY JSS OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY.CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 9527161
    Abstract: A welded structure may include a first member having a spherical surface part, and a second member which is formed in a plate shape. A part of an end face of the second member before laser welding is performed is formed to be a contact end face having a contact part with which a part of the spherical surface part is contacted. The second member is formed with a joining part including the contact end face and the joining part is joined to the spherical surface part by laser welding. At least before laser welding is performed, a plate thickness of the joining part is thinner than a plate thickness of a portion of the second member except the joining part and the spherical surface part of the first member and the end part of the second member are joined to each other by laser welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Watanabe, Kazuhiko Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 9488798
    Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes front and rear lens group support frames, a first spring member provided to bias the front lens group support frame and a diaphragm in directions away from each other, and a second spring member provided to bias the diaphragm and the rear lens group support frame in directions away from each other. Spring loads of the first and second spring members are determined such that, when the front and rear lens group support frames approach each other during zooming, one and the other of the first and second spring members are compressed and not compressed, and the other of the first and second spring members is compressed after the one of the first and second spring members is fully compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takamitsu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9442269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mount assembly comprising two monolithic mounts in which optical components (1.3, 2.3), which can be translationally and rotationally adjusted in relation to each other, are held. The adjustment movements can be carried out without influencing one another, by providing one of the mounts as a rotational mount (1) and the other as a translational mount (2), which substantially only permit a translational and/or a rotational movement within the adjustment region provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Optical Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Reichmann, Stefan Franz, Marco Bornschein, Matthias Bening
  • Patent number: 9432558
    Abstract: An image capturing module having a built-in dustproof structure includes an image sensing unit, a housing frame and an actuator structure. The image sensing unit includes a substrate and an image sensing chip disposed on the substrate. The housing frame is disposed on the substrate to surround the image sensing chip. The actuator structure includes a lens holder disposed on the housing frame and a movable lens assembly movably disposed inside the lens holder. More precisely, the lens holder has a first surrounding structure disposed on the inner surrounding surface thereof, and the movable lens assembly has a second surrounding structure disposed on the outer perimeter surface thereof and located above the first surrounding structure, and the first surrounding structure of the lens holder and the second surrounding structure of the movable lens assembly are mated with each other to form the built-in dustproof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo-Hao Peng, Po-Chih Hsu
  • Patent number: 9417427
    Abstract: A zoom lens includes a driving device, a zooming frame, and a lens group, wherein the driving device has a lens barrel. The zooming frame is located in the lens barrel, and has a body, a first lens holder, and a second lens holder which are pivotally connected to the body. The body is drivable by the driving device to reciprocally move between a first position and a second position. The first lens holder is respectively pivoted between a third position and a fourth position on the body along with the body being moved between the first position and the second position. The second lens holder is pivoted between a fifth position and a sixth position on the body in the same way. The lens group has a first lens sub-group provided on the first lens holder, and a second lens sub-group provided on the second lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: SINTAI OPTICAL (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., ASIA OPTICAL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Duen-Kwei Hwang, Ming-Chih Chang