Lens Mounted Illumination Unit Patents (Class 396/199)
  • Patent number: 11599997
    Abstract: A method to acquire dental images of a patient with a support defining a chamber that is in communication with an outside of said chamber via a first opening and via a second opening. The method includes the following steps: fixing a mobile phone in front of the second opening; positioning the first opening in front of a mouth of the patient; and acquiring at least one dental image by means of the mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DENTAL MONITORING
    Inventors: Philippe Salah, Laurent Debraux, Thomas Pellissard, Guillaume Ghyselinck
  • Patent number: 11310398
    Abstract: An integrated hands-free, point of view, action-sports, digital video camera (or camcorder) (10) includes: a rotary horizon adjustment controller (14) for adjusting the orientation of a horizontal image plane (16) recorded by an image sensor with respect to the orientation of a camera housing (22); a laser alignment system with laser sources (48) capable of projecting light to define a horizontal projection axis (52) that is coordinated with orientation of the horizontal image plane (16); a manually operable switch (80), which covers a microphone (90) whenever the switch (80) is in the OFF position, for controlling video data capture; and a “quick-release” mounting system (120) that retains a desired orientation of the camera (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Contour IP Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Green, Marc Barros, David Thorpe, Chunshik Kim, Felix Ballerstedt, David Randall Knaub, Oved Valadez, Peter Kettenring, Margaret Novotny, Laura O'Donnell, Jeff Howard
  • Patent number: 10484584
    Abstract: A method of operating a device to obtain biometric information from a subject includes the step of orienting a device relative to a subject such that a first portion of the device faces the subject, wherein a second portion of the mobile device comprises a camera, the first and second portions being different sides of the device. The method may further includes the steps of operating an optical assembly that is movably coupled to the device, the optical assembly being configured to modify an optical pathway of at least the camera in a direction of the subject and acquiring imaging data of the subject using the camera. The method may further includes the steps of analyzing the acquired imaging data to generate biometric information corresponding to the subject and generating a report using the biometric information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Princeton Identity, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Perna, Barry E. Mapen, David Alan Ackerman
  • Patent number: 10295887
    Abstract: A low-glare fluorescent-powder LED light device includes a shell, a multi-frequency directional light source, a high-frequency directional light source, and an electrical control circuit. The shell has a surrounding wall, which defines a front opening and a rear opening and has an inner surface extending along a central axis. The multi-frequency directional light source, including at least one fluorescent-powder LED, is disposed at the inner surface of the shell. The high-frequency directional light source, including a plurality of high-frequency LEDs, is disposed at the inner surface of the shell such that the high-frequency LEDs are arranged in radial symmetry about the central axis. The electrical control circuit can drive the multi-frequency directional light source and/or the high-frequency directional light source. The central light beams emitting from the high-frequency LEDs do not reach the fluorescent-powder LED, so that the fluorescence interference of the fluorescent-powder LED can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Agieminds Micro Optics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 9488526
    Abstract: Assembly for selecting matching colors to base colors of user articles. The assembly comprises a substrate provided with a plurality of selection areas that have mutually differing selection colors. The assembly further comprises a cover having a first main surface provided with a first base color and having a second main surface. The cover is provided with a window. The assembly is provided with holding means for holding the cover to the substrate in a first cover position wherein, by means of the window, at least one selection area is exposed. The second main surface is provided with a second base color. The window and the holding means are arranged for holding the cover to the substrate in a second cover position wherein, by means of the window, at least one selection area is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: BRAND NEW IDEAS SARL
    Inventor: Carita Vets
  • Patent number: 8989569
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including an apparatus comprising a curved reflector having an interior and an open end. The curved reflector includes a curved light-reflecting surface and a pair of reflective surfaces. A light module is positioned around a perimeter of the open end of the reflector, the light module including a first side having one or more interior light sources thereon to direct light toward the interior of the reflector and a second side having one or more exterior light sources thereon to direct light away from the reflector. A waveguide module is coupled to the light module and aligned so that light from the one or more exterior light sources is launched into the waveguide module. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Messina, Thomas J. Driscoll, Kyle M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8768159
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including a curved reflector having an interior and an open end; a light module positioned around a perimeter of the open end of the reflector, the light module including a first side having one or more interior light sources thereon to direct light toward the interior of the reflector and a second side having one or more exterior light sources thereon to direct light away from the reflector; and a light pipe coupled to the light module and aligned so that light from the one or more exterior light sources is launched into the light pipe. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Messina, Thomas J. Driscoll, Kyle M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8746906
    Abstract: A light source module for macro photography is disclosed. The light source module is for connecting to a lens of an image capturing apparatus and bearing against a plane surface to capture the image of the plane surface. The light source module includes a barrel, a contact unit and a lighting unit. The barrel has a rear portion for connecting to the lens and a front portion opposite to the rear portion. The contact unit is arranged on an end face of the front portion. The contact unit has a plurality of contact pads arranged at intervals on the end face for contacting with the plane surface. The lighting unit is arranged on the inner surface of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Lumos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 8594495
    Abstract: The invention provides a short-range photographic light source module for use in an image capture device and the image capture device provided with the same. The image capture device comprises an imaging lens having a light axis. The short-range photographic light source module is mounted in correspondence at the imaging lens to serve as a light source when the image capture device is capturing an image of a target object at a short range. The module further includes a sleeve tube having a rear end portion, a front end portion, an interior side connecting the front end portion to the rear end portion, a light shield portion, and a first illuminating unit and a second illuminating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lumos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 8559811
    Abstract: A flashlight module adapted to be disposed on an image capturing device is provided. The image capturing device has a main body, a lens disposed on the main body and a lens ring disposed around the lens. The flashlight module includes a body and a flashlight. The body has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the body is pivoted to the lens ring through the first end. The flashlight is disposed in the body. When the body is in a first status, the first end and the second end are adapted to be attached to the lens ring. When the body is in a second status, the second end is popped up to a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventor: Tzu-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 8515274
    Abstract: An illumination device including a light guide unit in which an optical path through which light propagates is formed in an annular shape such that the light propagating in the optical path is emitted from a front surface side of the light guide unit; a local reflection unit provided on the rear surface side of the light guide unit such that light is emitted from only a portion of the front surface side of the light guide unit; and a light source that moves between the light guide unit and the local reflection unit. When the light source is positioned on the light guide unit side, light output from the light source propagates in the optical path of the light guide unit and is emitted from the front surface side in an annular shape. When the light source is positioned on the local reflection unit side, the light output from the light source is reflected by the local reflection unit and emitted in a concentrated manner from only the portion on the front surface side of the light guide unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Daijo
  • Patent number: 8374498
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising: a diffuser defining a camera lens hole in a top portion of said diffuser, said diffuser adapted to receive at least one set of low angle lights; and a plurality of lights mounted on said diffuser in proximity to said camera lens hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M Pastore
  • Patent number: 8346076
    Abstract: An inspection device for visually inspecting an image sensor of a digital recording device, such as a digital camera. The inspection device includes a tubular housing and a lens mounted therein. The housing is configured to engage a lens interface of a camera body. A lighting assembly is provided that is configured to illuminate the image sensor when the inspection device is coupled to a digital camera body so that the image sensor may be visually inspected for contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Delkin Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Wood, Walter Parkola
  • Publication number: 20120243860
    Abstract: The invention provides a short-range photographic light source module for use in an image capture device and the image capture device provided with the same. The image capture device comprises an imaging lens having a light axis. The short-range photographic light source module is mounted in correspondence at the imaging lens to serve as a light source when the image capture device is capturing an image of a target object at a short range. The module further includes a sleeve tube having a rear end portion, a front end portion, an interior side connecting the front end portion to the rear end portion, a light shield portion, and a first illuminating unit and a second illuminating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: LUMOS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 8224174
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Pastore
  • Patent number: 8224175
    Abstract: A photographic apparatus having ring light module includes a camera, a support base and a plurality of light units. The camera has a lens having an optical axis. The support base is connected to the camera and surrounds the lens. The support base includes an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall, and a bottom wall connected the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall. The bottom wall and the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall cooperatively define an accommodating groove. The angle between the bottom wall and the inner peripheral wall is an acute angle. The light units are arranged in the accommodating groove and fixed on the bottom wall and emit light beams in an oblique direction with respect to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lumos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Publication number: 20120121245
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including a curved reflector having an interior and an open end; a light module positioned around a perimeter of the open end of the reflector, the light module including a first side having one or more interior light sources thereon to direct light toward the interior of the reflector and a second side having one or more exterior light sources thereon to direct light away from the reflector; and a light pipe coupled to the light module and aligned so that light from the one or more exterior light sources is launched into the light pipe. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSCAN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael C. Messina, Thomas J. Driscoll, Kyle M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8139934
    Abstract: A photograph device is provided. The photograph device includes a body, a lens device mounted on the body, and an illuminating device mounted on the body and surrounding the lens device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Instrument Technology Research Center
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Huang, Feng-Chang Hsu, Chien-Shing Lee, Tai-Shan Liao, Fong-Zhi Chen, Jung-Ru Yu
  • Patent number: 8107808
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including a curved reflector having an interior and an open end; a light module positioned around a perimeter of the open end of the reflector, the light module including a first side having one or more interior light sources thereon to direct light toward the interior of the reflector and a second side having one or more exterior light sources thereon to direct light away from the reflector; and a light pipe coupled to the light module and aligned so that light from the one or more exterior light sources is launched into the light pipe. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Messina, Thomas J. Driscoll, Kyle M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8000594
    Abstract: An apparatus including a curved light-reflecting surface including a pair of opposing curved edges and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges that extend between corresponding endpoints of the opposing curved edges; a pair of reflective surfaces, each reflective surface being attached to a corresponding one of the curved edges; at least one flange coupled to one of the pair of longitudinal edges and projecting toward the opposing longitudinal edge; and at least one light source mounted on the at least one flange. Other embodiments and aspects are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Messina
  • Publication number: 20110025899
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microlens array with integrated illumination, an imaging system with such a microlens array, an image detection device and also a method for producing the microlens array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Philipp Schmaelzle, Jacques Duparre, Martin Punke, Peter Dannberg, Reinhard Voelkel, Andreas Braeuer
  • Publication number: 20110013139
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fundus camera objective for recording an eye fundus. The invention further relates to a camera (30) having a fundus camera objective (20). Moreover, the invention relates to a ring light (18) that is connected to the fundus camera objective (20) or a camera (30) and serves the purpose of illuminating the eye (4) surroundings. The fundus camera objective (20) can be connected to a general analog or digital camera (30), it being possible to replace individual components and thus to adapt easily to more modern cameras or other intended uses. The fundus camera objective for recording an eye fundus comprises an objective (22), a tube (19) and an ocular (28), the fundus camera objective (20) having a fundus camera objective connection unit (31) on the camera side and being capable of coupling to a camera (30) via the fundus camera objective connection unit (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Leopold Bär, Ingeborg Fromberg
  • Patent number: 7822335
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising covering a camera lens with a light pipe adapted to: substantially encircle at least a portion of a camera lens that is adapted to focus an image representing an object of photographic interest; extend from a proximal region of said light pipe located substantially adjacent a plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest, the plurality of lighting elements located, relative to the object of photographic interest, substantially adjacent a base of the camera lens and substantially behind a face of the camera lens; and convey light from the plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M Pastore
  • Patent number: 7805070
    Abstract: An inspection device for visually inspecting an image sensor of a digital recording device, such as a digital camera. The inspection device includes a tubular housing and a lens mounted therein. The housing is configured to engage a lens interface of a camera body. A lighting assembly is provided that is configured to illuminate the image sensor when the inspection device is coupled to a digital camera body so that the image sensor may be visually inspected for contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Apical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Parkola, Martin J. Wood
  • Patent number: 7725021
    Abstract: A lighting system of the present invention includes a master flash device, a remote flash device, a support part, and a light guiding member. The master flash device emits light in accordance with a light emission control of a camera. The remote flash device has a light-receiving part that receives the light of the master flash device and emits light in accordance with the light-receiving result of the light-receiving part. The support part has the remote flash device mounted at a place where the light of the master flash device is shielded by a shooting lens or a camera. The light guiding member optically forms a detour optical path that guides the light of the master flash device to the light-receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7712907
    Abstract: A ring flash adapter of the flash uses a clamping device attached to the external flash of the camera, and using the lightguide (1) the, light can be transmitted from the flash into circular body. The lightguide has a flat circle and a head with an incidence surface and a reflecting surface. The lightguide also has an even number of separate, parallel, inter-connected shaped belt segments inserted in the head. The foreside of the circle forms an emission surface; the rear side is provided with a system of “V” shaped teeth to reflect light on the emission surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Dalibor Zyka
  • Patent number: 7697838
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus which can efficiently condense light from a light source such as an LED. The illumination apparatus has a light source and an optical member disposed on the side of light irradiation of the light source. The optical member has an incident surface, an emergent surface having a positive optical power, and a reflecting surface reflecting part of light from the incident surface and leading it to the emergent surface. The reflecting surface is formed further away from an irradiation optical axis than a normal to the emergent surface at a position of the emergent surface closest to the reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 7664388
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device with a lens-rotation mechanism, which comprises: a casing having a driving device, such as the casing of a camera, a mobile phone or a video camera; and a lens-rotation system installed to the casing and having at least two transmission elements. Those two transmission elements are respectively coupled to the driving device and driven by the driving device to move horizontally and vertically, and those two transmission elements further drive the lens-rotation system to rotate. Thereby, the device with a lens-rotation mechanism proposed by the present invention can control the rotation of a lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventor: Yu-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 7604361
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7539407
    Abstract: An ornament plate of a ring-shape made of a metal with a high heat radiation effect, for instance, aluminum, is attached to an end surface on an object side of a lens barrel such that the ornament plate covers the whole front part of the lens barrel. Four kinds of LEDs of high luminance type constructing an LED light source are attached to the lens barrel through the ornament plate used as a substrate. A light diffusion cover made of a transparent resin is attached to the front of the ornament plate for covering the LEDs. When using the flash, a high voltage current is applied to the LEDs to emit flash light. Each LED generates heat. However, the heat is radiated through the ornament plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Maeda
  • Publication number: 20090034958
    Abstract: An apparatus for attracting the gaze of a subject to be photographed is disclosed. The subject may, for example, be an infant, young child or pet. The apparatus may include a plurality of light sources disposed about a lens of the image-capturing device. Once activated, the device may cause one or more of the plurality of light sources to flash, thereby attracting the gaze of the subject. Once the gaze is attracted, an image of the subject may be captured where the subject is looking into the camera lens. The plurality of light sources may be light emitting diodes (LEDs). The apparatus may be operable to be mounted to an existing lens. The apparatus may be a lens or camera with the plurality of light sources attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Karl Allen Dierenbach
  • Patent number: 7486885
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus applies uniform light beams having a fixed angle distribution as illumination light to obtain illumination having a uniform light distribution. The illumination apparatus includes a light source and an optical member having an incidence surface on which light is made incident and an emission surface through which the light made incident on the incidence surface is emitted as illumination light. The optical member further has a light direction conversion surface disposed so as to face the emission surface for, while regulating a traveling direction of light made incident on the incidence surface within the optical member, and guiding the light to the emission surface. The optical member also has a plurality of prism-like portions each having a total reflection surface and a reincidence surface continuously formed in the light direction conversion surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 7424216
    Abstract: A light diffuser for a camera used in macro photography, the diffuser formed from a prism having a body that includes an opening to accommodate the camera lens such that the body is positioned adjacent the camera flash unit for receiving and redirecting light throughout the body to exit a front face thereof around the lens and illuminate the subject in a desirable manner. Ideally the body is a unitary transparent material having facets formed thereon to provide internal reflection. One or more filter elements aid in conditioning the light processed in the diffuser body, such as diffusing, adding color to, and focusing the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Ronnie K. Liem
  • Patent number: 7422353
    Abstract: A light-emitting device is disclosed which enables efficient use of luminous flux and achieves a desired light emission characteristic. The light-emitting device has an optical member which has an emergence surface and a plurality of optical portions, each of the optical portions including a first surface which directs light incident thereon to the emergence surface. The plurality of first surfaces are inclined on the same side with respect to the emergence surface. The light-emitting device also has a light guiding member which directs light from a light source to the plurality of optical portions from one side of a direction in which the plurality of optical portions are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 7373081
    Abstract: A stroboscopic flash device for a digital camera having a plurality of stroboscopic flash units mounted on a ring-like holder provided removably attached to a lens barrel of the digital camera comprising a circumferential position adjustment mechanism to adjust a circumferential position of the two stroboscopic flash units along the ring-like holder, an upward and leftward position adjustment mechanism to adjust an upward and downward position of a flash face of the stroboscopic flash units and a rightward and leftward position adjustment mechanism to adjust a rightward and leftward position of the flash face of the stroboscopic flash units, the circumferential position adjustment, the upward and downward position adjustment mechanism and the rightward and leftward position adjustment mechanism being adapted to indicate the optimum stroboscopic flash positions relative to every photographic part of the photographic object by distinguishing them by a pointer corresponding to any of colored indication parts and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Sonictechno Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Toya
  • Publication number: 20080085111
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus has a first adaptor, an illumination apparatus body, and a light emitter housing. The first adaptor can be removably attached to a viewing device. The illumination apparatus body is removably coupled to the first adaptor and defines a viewing aperture. The light emitter housing is coupled to the illumination apparatus body and disposed laterally from the viewing aperture. A movable block is disposed in the light emitter housing so as to be movable with respect to the light emitter housing. A light emitter is disposed within the movable block such that the movable block is capable of being moved so that light emitted from the light emitter can be directed toward the viewing center axis of the viewing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: OPTILUME LTD
    Inventor: James A. Fowler
  • Patent number: 7352387
    Abstract: To provide a camera that is suited to shoot both a demagnified image and a magnified image. The camera includes a housing body 11 containing a CCD 15, and a lens barrel 12. An abutted member 20 having an objective lens 40 therein is engaged with the lens barrel 12 and a rotatable manually-controlled member 30 is fitted around that lens barrel. The abutted member 20 moves back and forth in the direction of an optical axis K in response to the rotation of the manually-controlled member 30. A user moves the objective lens 40 back and forth by moving the abutted member 20 back and forth to shoot either a demagnified image or a magnified image. A demagnified image is photographed with the abutted member 20 contained in the lens barrel 12. A magnified image is photographed with the abutted member 20 projected from the lens barrel 12. An end of the abutted member 20 is positioned so that the focal point of the objective lens 40 falls on the center thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Scaler Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7224501
    Abstract: A light-emitting device is disclosed which allows efficient irradiation of light from a plurality of light sources to achieve a predetermined light emission characteristic and has a small size. The light-emitting device has an optical member which includes a first reflecting surface which reflects light incident thereon from a first light source, a second reflecting surface which reflects light incident thereon from a second light source, and an emergence portion which causes the light from the first reflecting surface and the light form the second reflecting surface to emerge therefrom. The optical member reflects the light by the second reflecting surface and then transmits the light through the first reflecting surface to guide the light to the emergence portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 7136582
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a lighting apparatus which is to be installed in a color camera, which is capable of providing the stable quantity of light from a light source such as an LED, and which is capable of stabilizing color tones of an image captured with the color camera. In order to attain this object, in the lighting apparatus according to the present invention, the temperature control for the camera is also simultaneously carried out using a thermal transfer member for enhancing heat transfer between a Peltier element used for the temperature control for an LED case with built-in LEDs, and the LED case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Hayami, Masaaki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7127163
    Abstract: A ring illuminator (20) has a light channeling section (22) with an input face (24) optically coupling the light channeling section (22) to a flash unit (16) of a camera (12) for obtaining flash illumination therefrom. A ring section (26) is optically coupled to the light channeling section and extends around an aperture for fitting the ring illuminator around a lens (14). The ring section has a rear surface (30) for positioning toward the body of the camera. The rear surface has a plurality of light redirecting features (28) for redirecting at least a portion of the flash illumination from within the ring section outward from the camera, around the lens of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Junwon Lee, Steven J. Hansen, Rongguang Liang
  • Publication number: 20040131347
    Abstract: An improved process of matching the color of a paint to the pre-existing color of a vehicle is provided. The process includes the steps of exposing a photo-reactive film to the surface of the vehicle whose paint color is to be matched. Once exposed, pigments in the film are activated to mimic precisely the color of the vehicle. The pigments are then extracted, isolated and mixed with a neutral base paint solution, which is tinted by the pigments to match the color of the vehicle. The tinted and matched solution is used for painting or touch-up work on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Lowery
  • Publication number: 20020154911
    Abstract: An improved process of matching the color of a paint to the pre-existing color of a vehicle is provided. The process includes the steps of exposing a photo-reactive film to the surface of the vehicle whose paint color is to be matched. Once exposed, pigments in the film are activated to mimic precisely the color of the vehicle. The pigments are then extracted, isolated and mixed with a neutral base paint solution, which is tinted by the pigments to match the color of the vehicle. The tinted and matched solution is used for painting or touch-up work on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Lowery
  • Patent number: 6430371
    Abstract: Disclosed is a ring light guide device for a camera. The ring light guide device comprises a housing having an adaptor inserting hole which is formed therethrough at a side thereof in a manner such that the adaptor inserting hole has an axis which is coaxial with a center axis of a lens of the camera, the housing being detachably coupled on a rear surface thereof with a camera fitting adaptor by the fact that the camera fitting adaptor is inserted into the adaptor inserting hole, light receiving section installed opposite to a light source of the camera, for receiving light which is emitted from the light source; light path changing section for changing a path of light received by the light receiving section in a manner such that the light is irradiated toward an object in a direction which is substantially parallel to the center axis of the lens of the camera; and irradiation adjusting section for adjusting an amount of light which is irradiated to the object, depending upon a camera-to-object distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Sung Hwan Cho
  • Patent number: 6404984
    Abstract: A self-contained dental camera uses white diodes to provide sufficient illumination for dental imaging without unduly depleting battery power. The illuminated dental work is imaged by a camera, preferably a CCD, and the resulting video signal is transmitted to a base station for display on a monitor. The camera unit may be disposed in a holder on a base station to recharge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics
    Inventors: Adrian Parvulescu, John M. Van Ryzin
  • Patent number: 6400906
    Abstract: An improved process of matching the color of a paint to the pre-existing color of a vehicle is provided. The process includes the steps of exposing a photo-reactive film to the surface of the vehicle whose paint color is to be matched. Once exposed, pigments in the film are activated to mimic precisely the color of the vehicle. The pigments are then extracted, isolated and mixed with a neutral base paint solution, which is tinted by the pigments to match the color of the vehicle. The tinted and matched solution is used for painting or touch-up work on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Lowery
  • Patent number: 5765047
    Abstract: A lens camera having a viewfinder mechanism and an adjustable strobe light generating unit, wherein the zoom viewfinder mechanism has a disk cam to cause a lens group of a viewfinder optical system to move back and forth in an optical axis direction according to a difference of the distances in the radial direction from the rotation center of shafts of individual lenses of the lens group, the shafts fitting in grooves of the disk and driving the individual lenses of the lens group in order to perform variable power of a zoom viewfinder. Drive gears drive the disk cam and one of the drive gears is a helical gear which has a predetermined angle for a lead angle, the rotation center of the disk cam and the rotation axis direction of the one drive gear being positioned so as to intersect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Miyamoto, Isao Soshi, Minoru Kato, Junichi Omi