Underwater, Waterproof, Or Water-resistant Camera Patents (Class 396/25)
  • Patent number: 12161093
    Abstract: A coral ring mount device and method for the propagative culture of sessile benthic marine organisms (for example, stony corals) employing either a ring, washer or threaded nut or similar as a propagule mount upon which the coral is set in order to attach, grow and overgrow within a coral nursery system. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, once the coral is grown onto the ring mount and to its requisite size and condition, the ring mount becomes the washer through which passes a screw to secure the ring and coral to the seafloor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Inventor: Andrew Mackay Ross
  • Patent number: 12149806
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a sensor unit, a lens unit and a lens frame, a housing configured to hold the sensor unit and the lens unit, a connecting member that connects the lens frame and the housing, a cover member that covers part of a first lens disposed furthest to the image sensor, and an elastic member disposed between the first lens and the cover member. A thermal expansion coefficient of the connecting member is larger than that of each of the housing and the lens frame. The lens frame includes a first lens holding portion configured to hold the first lens. A connecting position between the connecting member and the lens frame is disposed on the image sensor side of each of a connecting position between the housing and the connecting member and a position of the first lens holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Saito, Kosuke Nozaki
  • Patent number: 12130988
    Abstract: An image capture device may include a touchscreen display, which may be used to receive user input. The image capture device may determine whether it is under water based on analysis of visual content captured by the image capture device. Responsive to determination that it is under water, the image capture device may change operation with respect to the touchscreen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Sylvain Leroy
  • Patent number: 12101579
    Abstract: A live projected display panel has a traditionally configured window frame having an LED display on a first side and a camera on a second side. The device is configured to be installed where a window would normally be placed and project the outside view upon the interior LED display. Each display is in communication with a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Inventor: Julian P. Quist
  • Patent number: 12072611
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a camera module comprising: a first body including a lens; a second body coupled to the first body, and including a hole; and a shield cover disposed within the second body, wherein the shield cover is adhered to the second body, and a portion of a side plate of the shield cover is exposed by means of the hole of the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyeong Mok Yoon, Min Woo Lee, Seung Man Jeong
  • Patent number: 12072610
    Abstract: A buoyancy adjusting apparatus includes: a volume-changeable portion configured to be coupled to a buoyancy-adjustment target; and an operation receiver configured to receive an operation from a user to change a volume of the volume-changeable portion. The volume of the volume-changeable portion is changeable according to the operation received by the operation receiver, to change the buoyancy of the buoyancy-adjustment target in fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Koseki
  • Patent number: 12060006
    Abstract: A rear view device for a motor vehicle includes a base assembly for arrangement on the motor vehicle, a head assembly attached to the base assembly and configured to move with respect to the base assembly, a camera and a camera cradle which is configured to be secured to the base assembly or the head assembly for securing the camera to the base assembly or the head assembly, the camera cradle being removably secured to the base assembly or the head assembly by a friction fit and without any separable attachment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Callum Scott-Collins, Graham Rehill, Jakub Spychala, Kane Connor
  • Patent number: 12063425
    Abstract: Interchangeable connector panel systems for fixed mount industrial scanners are disclosed herein. An example interchangeable connector panel system for fixed mount industrial scanners includes a housing including a mounting mechanism and a coupling mechanism, an image capture assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, and a first field-interchangeable removable connector module. The image capture assembly includes an optical assembly, a decoder engine, at least one image capture assembly interface, and at least one of a central processing unit or a graphics processing unit. The first field-interchangeable removable connector module couples with the coupling mechanism of the housing and is removable by a user in-field. The first removable connector module includes at least one connector module interface and an input/output (I/O) interface having a first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. DiVirgilio, Eric Trongone, Qing Tu, Darran Michael Handshaw
  • Patent number: 11980161
    Abstract: A monitoring and intervening assembly for rearing premises includes: a movable monitoring unit equipped with a unit for monitoring the rearing premises and the animals resident therein, the geographic coordinates of the unit in the premises being determinable with respect to an origin, at least one movable intervening module able to be driven and controlled by the monitoring unit, the intervening module, at rest, being installed in a storage area, the monitoring unit and the intervening module both including interacting mechanical coupling for linking one to the other, the coupling being lockable and unlockable, the monitoring unit being able to continuously monitor the premises and the animals, without however being coupled to the or one of the intervening modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: DUSSAU DISTRIBUTION
    Inventor: Christian Dussau
  • Patent number: 11968460
    Abstract: A system including image capture eyewear, a processor, and a memory. The image capture eyewear includes a support structure, a selector connected to the support structure, a display system (e.g., LEDs or a display) connected to the support structure to distinctly display assignable recipient markers, and a camera connected to the support structure to capture an image of a scene. The processor executes programming in the memory to assign recipients to the assignable recipient markers, receive a captured image of the scene, receive an indicator associated with the assignable recipient markers distinctly displayed at the time the image of the scene was captured, and transmit the captured image to the recipient assigned to the distinctly displayed assignable recipient markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Jiang Tham, Mitchell Bechtold, Antoine Ménard
  • Patent number: 11945376
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a recreational vehicle camera with a marker light. The recreational vehicle camera with a marker light includes a mounting housing, a lamp body assembly, a camera assembly, and a rear mounting cover. The mounting housing is provided with an accommodating cavity, a first routing hole and a second routing hole. The lamp body assembly is provided with a first cable. The camera assembly is provided with a second cable. The rear mounting cover is provided with a first cable outlet hole. The rear mounting cover is used for being fixedly connected to a recreational vehicle. The rear mounting cover detachably covers the accommodating cavity. The first cable and the second cable are threaded out of the first cable outlet hole and are electrically connected to a circuit in the recreational vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Xiangwen Lin
  • Patent number: 11863850
    Abstract: Provided is a camera module. The camera module according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a housing; a substrate arranged on the housing; a substrate supporting member arranged on the housing and supporting the substrate; and a coupling member that fixes the substrate on the housing, wherein the substrate supporting member includes a body, an extending portion which extends from the body to be disposed between the substrate and the inside surface of the housing, a hole formed in the extending portion, and a bent portion which extends from the extending portion inwardly of the hole and towards the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Da Hin Moon, Je Kyung Park
  • Patent number: 11812134
    Abstract: An electronics-enabled eyewear device provides a primary command channel and a secondary command channel for receiving user input during untethered wear, one of the command channels providing for tap input detected by motion sensor(s) incorporated in a body of the eyewear device. A predefined tap sequence or pattern can be applied to frame of the device to trigger as device function. In one example, a double tap of the device's frame causes charge level display indicating a battery charge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Hanover
  • Patent number: 11805309
    Abstract: An electronics-enabled eyewear device includes a mode indicator comprising a series of light emitters arranged on a forward-facing surface of the eyewear device, for example being provided by a ring of LEDs arranged peripherally about a camera lens opening in a front surface of an eyewear frame. The mode indicator automatically displays different visual indications corresponding to different modes of operation or states of the eyewear device. One visual indication provides an animated pattern of circulating LEDs during video capture by the eyewear device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Hanover
  • Patent number: 11762504
    Abstract: An image capture device may include a touchscreen display, which may be used to receive user input. The image capture device may determine whether it is under water based on analysis of visual content captured by the image capture device. Responsive to determination that it is under water, the image capture device may change operation with respect to the touchscreen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Sylvain Leroy
  • Patent number: 11752980
    Abstract: The invention relates to an image recording device for a body of a motor vehicle. The device comprises a housing part, an optical element having an outer surface, and a driving part for engaging an engaging part of a movable cleaning device. The movable cleaning device comprises furthermore a cleaning part, preferably formed by a wiper part, for at least partly cleaning the outer surface. The driving part is furthermore for driving the movable cleaning device to have the cleaning part at least partly clean the outer surface of the optical element. The image recording device is adjustable between a first condition in which the image recording device allows at least partly introducing or taking out the engaging part of the movable cleaning device and a second condition in which the image recording device prevents the engaging part of the movable cleaning device being taken out or being introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Fritz Brouwer
  • Patent number: 11714336
    Abstract: A camera module includes a first lens barrel configured to receive one or more lens groups, a second lens barrel coupled to the first lens barrel and configured to support a front lens disposed on an object side of the one or more lens groups, an energy generating unit configured to contact the second lens barrel and configured to supply thermal energy to the second lens barrel, and a barrel holder coupled to the first lens barrel and configured to accommodate the energy generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Seob Kim, Tae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 11678648
    Abstract: A coral ring mount device and method for the propagative culture of sessile benthic marine organisms (for example, stony corals) employing either a ring, washer or threaded nut or similar as a propagule mount upon which the coral is set in order to attach, grow and overgrow within a coral nursery system. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, once the coral is grown onto the ring mount and to its requisite size and condition, the ring mount becomes the washer through which passes a screw to secure the ring and coral to the seafloor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Andrew MacKay Ross
  • Patent number: 11670004
    Abstract: An image capture device may be calibrated using calibration parameters. Optical medium through which the image capture device captures images may be changed. The calibration parameters of the image capture device may be dynamically modified to account for the change in the optical medium. The image capture device may be operated in accordance with the modified calibration parameters to capture images through the optical medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Rahmouni, Maxim Karpushin, Thomas Derbanne
  • Patent number: 11643919
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and/or method for making observations down a wellbore are provided. The wellbore observation system may comprise a mandrel that can be run downhole, and telescoping tracks can be utilized to move a camera and semi-conforming inflatable bladder out of the mandrel and into the wellbore. Once the bladder is inflated, it displaces high turbidity fluid in the wellbore to allow the camera to move about a track and observe the wellbore unobstructed. An alternative embodiment allows the mandrel and telescoping tracks to be utilized with other tools to perform cleaning, fishing, diagnostic, and analytic operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Spoked Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Bryce Elliott Randle, Shane Joseph Triche, Heath Lawrence Triche
  • Patent number: 11535173
    Abstract: At a camera device for a vehicle, a camera images an obverse side of a glass cover via the glass cover. A water repelling film is formed on an obverse side surface of the glass cover. A transparent conductive film of the glass cover generates heat, and the glass cover is heated. Because the transparent conductive film is electrically conductive, electrical resistance of an obverse side surface of the water repelling film can be lowered by the transparent conductive film, and charging of the obverse side surface of the water repelling film can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Suguru Fujisaki, Masakazu Iwatsuki, Kenichi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 11533455
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Kunio Nobori, Takeo Azuma, Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 11491908
    Abstract: The invention proposes a lighting device for a motor vehicle comprising a matrix light source that performs a lighting function within the motor vehicle. The same source is used, together with a photodiode, to estimate the time of flight of captured light pulses initially generated by the matrix source. It becomes possible to detect objects and/or gestures using light in the visible spectrum, and without having to use specific pulse sources dedicated for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Zdravko Zojceski, Samuel Daroussin
  • Patent number: 11226545
    Abstract: A dome (102) for a monitoring camera system comprises several monitoring cameras. The dome is formed from a transparent material, and has a toroidal shape with a rotational symmetry along a rotational angle (?) around a first axis of symmetry (S1). An outer segment of the dome, in section, has a shape further defined by a second axis of symmetry (S2) arranged at a first radius (R) from the first axis of symmetry (S1) and is orthogonal to the first axis. The outer segment has a curvature following a second radius (r) over an angle (?) around the second axis of symmetry (S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: AXIS AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Axelsson
  • Patent number: 11175565
    Abstract: A camera housing includes four walls configured to enclose and secure a camera: a top wall, a bottom wall, a right wall, and a left wall. The bottom wall includes a first segment and a segment coupled by a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism comprises a tongue component coupled to the second segment and a groove component coupled to the first segment. The tongue and groove components are configured such that the tongue component securely couples the second segment to the first segment when the camera frame is in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, the first and second segment can decouple and the left wall and second segment rotates upwards relative to the top wall such that a camera can be inserted or removed from the camera system. The camera housing also includes a button interface, an input/output interface, and a mounting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Wroblewski, Kielan Crow, Himay Rashmikant Shukla, Ryan Harrison
  • Patent number: 11163400
    Abstract: An image capture device may include a touchscreen display, which may be used to receive user input. The image capture device may determine whether it is under water based on analysis of visual content captured by the image capture device. Responsive to determination that it is under water, the image capture device may change operation with respect to the touchscreen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: GOPRO, INC.
    Inventor: Sylvain Leroy
  • Patent number: 11155243
    Abstract: An optical system to facilitate vehicle operation, a cleaning system to clean an optical element of the optical system and a hollow, protective plastic enclosure for use therein are provided. The cleaning system includes a flexible house having first and second ends, a nozzle fluidly coupled to the hose at the first end of the hose and a hollow protective plastic enclosure having a passageway extending through the enclosure and housing a portion of the hose within the passageway. The enclosure is configured to receive a camera assembly within an interior of the enclosure. The nozzle is configured and positioned at the first end of the hose to direct the flow of a cleaning fluid therethrough to an exterior surface of a transparent optical element to clean the exterior surface to allow the camera assembly to have an unobstructed view of an environment outside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Keller, Darius John Preisler
  • Patent number: 11099461
    Abstract: A camera-lens waterproofing device is provided, including a shell, a camera lens, a cover ring and an outer cover. A mounting hole is formed in a surface of the shell. The camera lens includes a body and a lens. One end of the body is disposed to the mounting hole, and the other end of the body extends out of the mounting hole. The lens is located at the other end of the body. The cover ring is connected to the body in a sleeving manner and fixed on the mounting hole. The outer cover is fixed at a periphery of the lens in a sleeving manner to form a first-layer waterproof structure and disposed on the surface of the shell, and covers the exterior of the cover ring. The cover ring abuts between the camera lens and the shell to form a second-layer waterproof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Long-Sing Ye, Chih-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 11092883
    Abstract: A device for processing images are provided. The device a support bar, a mounting housing mounted with a camera lens, and a connector configured to connect the support bar to the mounting housing. The mounting housing is integrally rotatable with the connector with respect to the support bar. The mounting housing may further be mounted with an ultrasonic probe and a lightening device. The ultrasonic probe is configured to monitor a predefined change, such as a change in an occupation state of a parking space, and the camera lens and the lightening device is controlled at least by the monitored change. When the ultrasonic probe monitors that a car is leaving or entering a parking space, the camera lens and the lightening may be switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liyun Zheng, Hui Zhan, Wenji Li, Dong Ye, Qilin Chen
  • Patent number: 11065653
    Abstract: A determining unit 31 determines an image region of a foreign material in an imaged image generated by an imaging unit 22 by using an imaging optical system 21. A setting unit 32 sets a pressure, injection time, an injection direction of air injected to the foreign material, an injection pattern obtained by combining them and the like based on a determination result. A foreign material removal processing unit 33 adjusts air injection by an air injection adjusting unit 331 based on the setting by the setting unit 32 and injects from an air injecting unit 332 to the imaging optical system 21 to remove the foreign material adhering to the imaging optical system 21. The air is injected according to an adhesion condition of the foreign material, so that the foreign material adhering to the imaging optical system may be optimally removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Oba, Tooru Kihira
  • Patent number: 11052434
    Abstract: A positive air pressure system resists debris accumulation on an active surface and comprises a frustum-shaped shroud with a baffle plate therein dividing the shroud into baffles, including a positive pressure chamber and a passive back pressure chamber interconnected through an orifice in the baffle plate. An inlet opening is formed in the shroud and in fluid communication with the proximal baffle and a positive pressure air source and to receive air through the inlet opening from the positive pressure air source and create a high-pressure region, greater than a pressure region in the passive back pressure chamber, and in front of the active surface and to expel air out of the positive pressure chamber and into the passive back pressure chamber through the orifice in the baffle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Gillies, Paul Moosie
  • Patent number: 11006081
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Kunio Nobori, Takeo Azuma, Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 10747090
    Abstract: An underwater housing includes a mounting plate, a first dome attached to a first surface of the mounting plate, and a second dome attached to a second surface of the mounting plate in a back-to-back configuration. A camera mount for a dual-lens camera is oriented at a tilt angle relative to a plane of a mounting plate. The dual-lens camera has laterally offset back-to-back lenses. The tilt angle is set such that the optical axes of the dual-lens camera intersect the center points of the respective domes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Campbell, Timothy Macmillan, Andrew Ganzon
  • Patent number: 10698298
    Abstract: A camera housing includes four walls configured to enclose and secure a camera: a top wall, a bottom wall, a right wall, and a left wall. The bottom wall includes a first segment and a segment coupled by a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism comprises a tongue component coupled to the second segment and a groove component coupled to the first segment. The tongue and groove components are configured such that the tongue component securely couples the second segment to the first segment when the camera frame is in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, the first and second segment can decouple and the left wall and second segment rotates upwards relative to the top wall such that a camera can be inserted or removed from the camera system. The camera housing also includes a button interface, an input/output interface, and a mounting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Wroblewski, Kielan Crow, Himay Rashmikant Shukla, Ryan Harrison
  • Patent number: 10690879
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a movable device to adjust an optical system, an operation section, and a display section. The operation section has a coupling section to be coupled with the movable device to control movement of the movable device. The display section is disposed in line with the operation section in a direction around an optical axis of the lens barrel to overlap with the operation section in a direction of the optical axis. The display section includes a display body that is movable in displaying a state of the optical system adjusted by the movable device. The display body of the display section is disposed to overlap the coupling section of the operation section in a radial direction of the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Ooya
  • Patent number: 10666839
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product to correct for optical distortion in media captured by a camera in a liquid environment. The method includes detecting immersion of an image capturing device in a liquid environment. The method further includes determining a most recent location of the image capturing device and accessing a geographical database to determine a specific liquid environment that is associated with the most recent location. The method further includes automatically retrieving a corrected camera refractive index corresponding to the specific liquid environment. The method further includes intercepting live image data of a current scene that is captured by at least one camera sensor of the image capturing device and applying the corrected camera refractive index to the live image data to correct for an optical distortion in the live image data. The method further includes providing the corrected live image data to an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Martin R. Pais, Mark F. Valentine
  • Patent number: 10649317
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a spherical window, a reflector, an image sensor, a housing and a snap ring. The reflector has a focus point located at a center of a sphere defined by an outer surface of the window. Light entering the window at an angle perpendicular to the outer surface of the window and traveling to the focus point is reflected onto the image sensor by the reflector. The window and housing have first and second grooves, respectively. In order to couple the window to the housing, the snap ring is placed in the second groove, the snap ring is compressed with the window and then the snap ring is allowed to expand so that the snap ring is located in both the first and second grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Batelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Brad A. Thomas, Matthew P. Rubal
  • Patent number: 10514525
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a tip member, a lens hood, and a sliding member. The tip member is disposed on a subject side in an optical axis direction, and includes an optical system. The lens hood moves between a storage position and a use position in the optical axis direction. The sliding member is provided on an inner circumferential surface side of the lens hood. When the lens hood moves from the storage position to the use position, the sliding member moves to the subject side in the optical axis direction in a state where the sliding member is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the tip member. In a state where the lens hood is located at the storage position, an interval of at least a portion of a clearance formed between the inner circumferential surface of the lens hood and the outer circumferential surface of the tip member is narrowed toward the subject side in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Fumio Shinano, Tetsuya Morita
  • Patent number: 10321030
    Abstract: A submersible camera housing specifically configured for use with a portable digital video camera includes a generally bullet-shaped main body having a top, a bottom, a forward end and an open rearward end, and a clear cover removably affixed to the rear end forming a watertight seal with the main body. A battery power source is removably disposed within a battery receiving cavity and electrically connected to a light. A video camera cavity is specifically sized and shaped for receiving a popular digital video camera snugly therein. The clear end cover is adapted for threaded engagement with the read end of the main body and includes an O-ring which forms a watertight seal between the cover and the main body thereby preventing water penetration into the housing interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 10225481
    Abstract: An underwater sensor is configured to detect an underwater state in which at least part of an exterior of the electronic apparatus is located in the water and an above-water state in which the at least part of the exterior is not located in the water. An acceleration sensor is configured to detect acceleration. An image sensor includes a transparent member located in the exterior and is configured to receive light entering through the transparent member and generate a captured image. At least one processor is configured to identify a water surface image among a plurality of captured images generated by the image sensor, based on the acceleration and a transition timing at which one of the underwater state and the above-water state changes to the other state, the water surface image being captured when the transparent member reaches a water surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Tamegai
  • Patent number: 10203588
    Abstract: A camera system with six faces and a front housing is configured to capture images and audio content from external the camera body. The camera system includes an interior audio assembly protected from external environments by a waterproof membrane. The camera system includes drainage ports on the bottom face and the left face of the camera system to encourage moisture to drain from the system. A first drainage channel couples the internal audio assembly to the first drainage port on left face of the camera system and a second drainage channel couples the drainage port on the left face of the camera system to the drainage port on the bottom face of the camera system. A third drainage channel exists between the front face of the camera system and the front housing, the third drainage channel coupling the first and second drainage channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Randall Clyne
  • Patent number: 10048572
    Abstract: A camera cover includes a cover outer surface which is a convex curved surface of which a lowermost part in a vertical direction is downwardly projected in the vertical direction; a first region which is provided at a predetermined radius around a substantially lowermost point of the convex curved surface; and a second region which is provided on the cover outer surface other than at the first region. The second region includes a first hydrophilic region having hydrophilic properties, and the first region has lower hydrophilic properties than those of the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Yasuda, Toyokazu Yoshino
  • Patent number: 10042236
    Abstract: A digital camera (an imaging device) includes: a camera body (an imaging device body); a flash light emitter having a stored state in which the flash light emitter is stored in the camera body and a projected state in which the flash light emitter projects from the camera body; and a packing (an elastic deformation member). The digital camera has a drip-proof specification in which the packing is pressed and deformed between the flash light emitter and the camera body in the stored state, thereby drip-proof sealing a clearance between the camera body and the flash light emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Oki, Ryousuke Tamaki, Takahiro Ikemizo
  • Patent number: 10021303
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium, and an electronic apparatus system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a display screen, a back camera, a submergence sensor, and at least one processor. The back camera is located in a back surface opposite to a front surface on which the display screen is located. The submergence sensor is configured to measure a physical quantity that varies when the electronic apparatus is submerged in water. The at least one processor is configured to detect, based on the physical quantity measured by the submergence sensor, a submergence state in which the back camera is located underwater. When detecting the submergence state, the at least one processor causes the back camera to start capturing a video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoki Iwaizumi
  • Patent number: 9516209
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit for capturing a subject and generating image data of the subject, an operation input unit for receiving inputs of operation signals containing a release signal for instructing the imaging unit to shoot, an acceleration detector for detecting an acceleration of the imaging apparatus, a state detector for separately detecting a case in which the imaging apparatus is overland, a case in which the imaging apparatus is underwater and a photographer shoots while swimming, and a case in which the imaging apparatus is underwater and the photographer shoots while changing a water depth, and a control unit for performing operation control depending on an input into the operation input unit and/or into the acceleration detector according to a state detection result by the state detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yuko Watanabe, Yoko Saito, Tomoko Kobayashi, Koichi Shintani
  • Patent number: 9277127
    Abstract: A waterproof camera includes an image pickup section, a display section that displays image data, a mode setting section that sets a semi-underwater mode in which both objects under water and above water are simultaneously photographed, and a display control section that limits a display range of the display section when the semi-underwater mode is set, wherein the mode setting section controls the position of a photographing lens or the like to adjust a focus balance of at least one of under water and above water, and the display control section displays both object images under water and above water within a limited display range of the display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Nonaka, Kazuya Nakabe
  • Patent number: 9268200
    Abstract: A camera housing comprises a four-sided frame. A first side of the four-sided frame includes a first segment, a second segment, and a latch mechanism with a first latch component and a second latch component. The first latch component and the second latch component are pivotally coupled such that in a closed position, the frame securely encloses a camera and in an open position, the first segment and the second segment are separable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Aaron Clearman, Rudy Lucas Samuels, Richard Gioscia
  • Patent number: 8897633
    Abstract: An in-vehicle camera unit has a body to which a lens is attached and prevention members that prevent water drops from falling on the lens. Specifically the body has a top surface where the lens is arranged, a front surface of the lens being exposed to an outside of the body. The prevention member is provided in or on the top surface across the front-back direction of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Syo Okuda
  • Patent number: 8879899
    Abstract: A stereoscopic beam splitter having cameras with submersible lenses, such that the entire apparatus is filled with water when submerged. Submersible lenses designed to capture high-quality images underwater are utilized, allowing an underwater three-dimensional stereoscopic camera apparatuses to forgo a sealed housing with window port traditionally found in underwater stereoscopic beam splitter systems. The lack of a sealed housing and window port allows for drastically improved underwater image capturing performance and greater pressure caused by deeper water, in addition to making said apparatuses lighter and more compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Pawel Achtel
  • Patent number: 8837928
    Abstract: A camera housing comprises a four-sided frame. A first side of the four-sided frame includes a first segment, a second segment, and a latch mechanism with a first latch component and a second latch component. The first latch component and the second latch component are pivotally coupled such that in a closed position, the frame securely encloses a camera and in an open position, the first segment and the second segment are separable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Aaron Clearman, Rudy Lucas Samuels, Richard Gioscia