Moving Photocell Patents (Class 396/118)
  • Patent number: 8471947
    Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image taking optical system, an optical filter into which the light from the image taking optical system enters, an image pickup element electrically converting the optical image formed by the light that has passed through the optical filter, an image pickup element holding member holding the image pickup element together with the optical filter, and a lens holding member holding an image surface side lens unit disposed closest to the optical filter. The lens and image pickup element holding members are moved relatively to each other in an optical axis direction, and include dust-proof walls that surround a space between the image surface side lens unit and the optical filter and mutually overlap in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction in an entire range where the lens and image pickup element holding members are relatively moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidekazu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8427799
    Abstract: A circuit comprises a plurality of segments and a clamp circuit. Each of the plurality of segments comprises a bond pad coupled to a multi-bonded pin via a respective bond wire and a conductor coupling the bond pad to a respective internal connection. The bond pad from each of the plurality of segments is coupled to the same multi-bonded pin. The clamp circuit comprises a plurality of input pins and a plurality of clamp transistors. Each input pin is coupled to the bond pad of a respective one of the plurality of segments via the respective conductor. Each clamp transistor is coupled to a respective one of the input pins, wherein each of the plurality of clamp transistors is configured to prevent a voltage on the respective conductor from exceeding a respective voltage limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Claudio Collura, Allan R. Warrington, Neil E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8355052
    Abstract: A photographic apparatus comprises a movable platform and a controller. The movable platform has an imager that captures an optical image through a taking lens, and is movable and rotatable on an xy plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the taking lens. The controller calculates an inclination angle of the photographic apparatus, which is formed by rotation of the photographic apparatus around the optical axis, as measured with respect to a level plane perpendicular to the direction of gravitational force, and performs a controlled movement of the movable platform for an inclination correction based on the inclination angle. The controller calculates the inclination angle but stops the controlled movement when the photographic apparatus is set to a sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Uenaka
  • Patent number: 8139262
    Abstract: A terminal 102 creates setting data 400 and inputs setting data 400 into an image output apparatus 101. The image output apparatus 101 sets the initial settings, operation settings, equipment settings, etc. based on the setting data, holds the setting data, and performs various processes based on the set settings and the held setting data. In addition, the image output apparatus 101 performs a media identification process, a media reader switching process, and the like using a media detection means 117, a media reader switching means 118, and the like, and allows only the use of the insertion opening of a predetermined media reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Hamashima, Jun Yoshida, Naoji Shibasaki, Yasuko Deushi, Nobuho Mori
  • Patent number: 8120645
    Abstract: An adjuster plate is provided between a front rail and a camera unit body having cameras. Pre-dimensioned positioning pins protrude from upper and lower surfaces of the adjuster plate. The positioning pins protruding from the upper surface of the adjuster plate are positioned by being fitted in pin fitting holes provided in the front rail. The positioning pins protruding from the lower surface of the adjuster plate are positioned by being fitted in pin fitting holes provided in the camera unit body. Even when the positions of the pin fitting holes in the front rail are changed, it is possible to cope with the change by only changing the protruding positions of the positioning pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Katahira, Nobuo Namiki
  • Patent number: 7630622
    Abstract: An autofocusing method is implemented in an image capture device comprising a lens and a sensor module. The relative positions of lens and the sensor module are adjusted for autofocusing based on a factor. First, the relative positions of the lens and the sensor module are adjusted based on a first unit of the factor to determine a plurality of states of the lens and the sensor module, where the lens renders clearer images on the sensor module. The states are utilized to estimate a best state achievable by focusing based on a second unit of the factor, where the lens renders a clearest image on the sensor module. The second unit is finer than the first unit. The lens or the sensor module is driven to the best state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Hung Hsieh, Ching-Jung Tsai, Yu-Ting Lee
  • Patent number: 7615729
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for focusing an image on a pixel array. The method includes the steps of continuously changing the distance between a lens and a pixel array between a first distance and a second distance and obtaining an image projected onto the pixel array through the distance is changing. The apparatus includes a lens and an electromechanical structure to continuously change the distance between the lens and the pixel array between the first distance and the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7590339
    Abstract: A digital camera is provided with a photographing lens, an image capturing element, which is configured to capture an optical image of an object formed by the photographing lens, a coarse movement control system configured to control a position of the photographing lens in a direction of an optical axis by a motor, and a fine movement control system configured to control a position of an image receiving area of the image capturing element in the direction of the optical axis is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: HOYA Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 7417210
    Abstract: A multi-spectral sensor system and methods are disclosed. One aspect of the invention comprises a multi-spectral sensor system mountable to a mobile platform. The system may comprise an image capturing system, a first translation stage affixed to the image capturing system and a stationary optics assembly. The system may further comprise a motion controller configured to move the first translation stage and image capturing system across the stationary optics along a traveling direction opposite of a traveling direction of the mobile platform and at substantially the same rate as the mobile platform is moving during a stare operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Ax, Jr., Neil Z. Sherman
  • Patent number: 7136104
    Abstract: A mirror box comprises a quick return mirror and an optical low-pass filter. When observing a subject image, the quick return mirror is set to a reflecting position, in which the quick return to mirror is inclined to the optical axis of a photographing lens group by approximately 45 degrees so that incident light is reflected to a view-finder. The optical low-pass filter is set to a non-functioning position, in which the optical low-pass filter is inclined to be parallel to the quick return mirror, and is close to the quick return mirror. When carrying out a photographing operation, the quick return mirror is retracted from the optical axis, and is set to a retracted position, which is parallel to the optical axis. The optical low-pass filter is set to a functioning position which is perpendicular to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Fuchimukai
  • Patent number: 5969760
    Abstract: An electronic still camera is disclosed which adjusts focus to an object image by mechanically moving an electronic sensor within the electronic still camera. The electronic sensor is moved along an optical path of the electronic still camera. In this way, the sensor follows the focal plane of the image, thus tracking a focused image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Ernest, John C. Ostrowski, Massimo A. Russo
  • Patent number: 5838374
    Abstract: A calculation circuit compares a current focus evaluation value provided from a focus evaluation value generation circuit, with a focus evaluation value, of one preceding field stored in a memory, to determine whether a CCD is in-focus or not. The calculation circuit provides a driving signal VD to a linear motor so that the CCD moves toward the in-focus position. A position prediction circuit predicts the position where the CCD arrives after a predetermined time period according to the driving signal VD. A comparator circuit compares a predicted result from the position prediction circuit with the actual moved position of the CCD detected by a position detection circuit to provide a signal Dpr corresponding to an amount of load according to the comparison result. A correction value determination circuit and a bias determination circuit correct the level of driving signal VD in response to signal Dpr to supply a second corrected driving signal VD2 to a voice coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5677754
    Abstract: A reticle is scanned in a predetermined direction relative to an illumination field of a predetermined shape. In synchronism therewith, a shot-area defined on a photo-sensitive substrate (or wafer) is scanned in the opposite direction relative to an exposure field which is optically conjugate to the illumination field. Through these scanning operations, a pattern formed on the reticle is transferred onto the shot-area on the photosensitive substrate. The illuminance of an illumination light is measured during a time period when the illumination field is in an acceleration region and before reaching the shot-area, and the amount of exposure onto the shot-area is controlled based on the results of the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Makinouchi
  • Patent number: 5650840
    Abstract: A method of detecting a focus position of a projection optical system at a high throughput and with high accuracy. A sensor pattern (SP) which is provided on a wafer stage (WS) as a light-receiving part of a photoelectric sensor (PES) is moved in the direction of an optical axis (AX) of a projection optical system (PL), and at the same time, it is moved in a direction (X) perpendicular to the optical axis (AX). While doing so, a reticle pattern (RP) which is provided on a reticle (R) is illuminated by illuminating light (IL) for exposure, and an image of the reticle pattern (RP) is formed on the sensor pattern (SP) through the projection optical system (PL). Light passing through the sensor pattern (SP) is received by the photoelectric sensor (PES), and a focus position is detected on the basis of the intensity of the transmitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Taniguchi