Manual Manipulators On Camera Body Unit Patents (Class 396/299)
  • Patent number: 11838642
    Abstract: There is provided a camera of which operability is good regardless of the brightness of the surrounding environment. The brightness of the surrounding environment is detected by a brightness detection unit provided in a camera. The contents of settings of the camera are displayed on a sub-display 18 in a situation in which the surrounding environment is bright. The contents of settings of the camera and an image representing the set state of a shutter speed dial 33 are displayed on the sub-display 18 in a case in which the surrounding environment is dark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takao, Kentaro Tokiwa, Hirofumi Horii, Yuichi Fujimura, Takeshi Misawa, Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 11758268
    Abstract: Techniques to selectively capture media using a single user interface element are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a touch controller, a visual media capture component, and a storage component. The touch controller may be operative to receive a haptic engagement signal. The visual media capture component may be operative to be configured in a capture mode based on whether a haptic disengagement signal is received by the touch controller before expiration of a first timer, the capture mode one of a photo capture mode or video capture mode, the first timer started in response to receiving the haptic engagement signal, the first timer configured to expire after a first preset duration. The storage component may be operative to store visual media captured by the visual media capture component in the configured capture mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Ruben, Daniel James Smith, Nilesh Vinubhai Patel, Mykyta Lutsenko, William Joseph Flynn, III, Andrei Victor Constantin Gheorghe
  • Patent number: 11696015
    Abstract: Provided are a camera capable of preventing an erroneous operation with a compact configuration and has high operability, a setting method of the camera, and a setting program of the camera. A change in a setting value by the operation dial is switched between valid and invalid, and an operation by the operation dial becomes possible only in a case where the change in the setting value is valid. A setting value of an item to be set by the operation dial is displayed on a dial display provided on the operation dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Misawa, Kentaro Tokiwa, Hirofumi Horii, Yuichi Fujimura, Takeshi Misawa
  • Patent number: 11477389
    Abstract: There is provided a camera of which operability is good regardless of the brightness of the surrounding environment. The brightness of the surrounding environment is detected by a brightness detection unit provided in a camera. The contents of settings of the camera are displayed on a sub-display 18 in a situation in which the surrounding environment is bright. The contents of settings of the camera and an image representing the set state of a shutter speed dial 33 are displayed on the sub-display 18 in a case in which the surrounding environment is dark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takao, Kentaro Tokiwa, Hirofumi Horii, Yuichi Fujimura, Takeshi Misawa, Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 11297233
    Abstract: Techniques to selectively capture media using a single user interface element are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a touch controller, a visual media capture component, and a storage component. The touch controller may be operative to receive a haptic engagement signal. The visual media capture component may be operative to be configured in a capture mode based on whether a haptic disengagement signal is received by the touch controller before expiration of a first timer, the capture mode one of a photo capture mode or video capture mode, the first timer started in response to receiving the haptic engagement signal, the first timer configured to expire after a first preset duration. The storage component may be operative to store visual media captured by the visual media capture component in the configured capture mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS, INC.
    Inventors: William M. Ruben, Daniel J. Smith, II, Nilesh Vinubhai Patel, Mykyta Lutsenko, William Joseph Flynn, III, Andrei Victor Constantin Gheorghe
  • Patent number: 11290636
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile terminal and a method of capturing an image using the same. The mobile terminal controls a camera conveniently and efficiently to capture an image and performs focusing in various manners to capture an image. Accordingly, a user can obtain a desired image easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Woo Chang Chun, Jin Sang Yun, Ja Won Koo
  • Patent number: 11068139
    Abstract: Devices are configured to capture and share media based on user touch and other interaction. Functional labels show the user the operation being undertaken for any media captured. For example, functional labels may indicate a group of receivers, type of media, media sending method, media capture or sending delay, media persistence time, discrimination type and threshold for capturing different types of media, etc., all customizable by the user or auto-generated. Media is selectively captured and broadcast to receivers in accordance with the configuration of the functional label. A user may engage the device and activate the functional label through a single haptic engagement, allowing highly-specific media capture and sharing through a single touch or other action, without having to execute several discrete actions for capture, sending, formatting, notifying, deleting, storing, etc. Devices include any number of sensors to properly detect and act in accordance with the user engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: OneSnaps Technology Pvt Ltd
    Inventor: Yogesh Chunilal Rathod
  • Patent number: 10976915
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein include methods and systems of capturing and sending multimedia content items as electronic message. More specifically, systems and methods described herein provide users the ability to easily and effectively capture multimedia content items for inclusion in a communication session without navigating away from the communication session. Additionally, systems and methods described herein allow a multimedia content item to be sent to one or more co-users immediately following the capture of the multimedia content item without further user interaction. In other words, the system and methods can capture and automatically send a multimedia content item in response to a single user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Langholz, Lucy Congyun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10942427
    Abstract: Provided are a lens unit and a camera system capable of reducing an amount of rotation of a stop ring in a case of switching between a manual exposure mode and an auto exposure mode. The lens unit 200 includes an optical system 202 that includes at least one lens, a lens barrel 204 that houses the optical system, and a stop ring 208 that is rotatably disposed around the optical axis OA as an axis. The stop ring 208 includes a first indication area 218 and a second indication area 220. The first indication area 218 and the second indication area 220 respectively includes auto indications 218A and 220A corresponding to the auto exposure mode and exposure amount indications 218B and 220B corresponding to the manual exposure mode. The first indication area 218 and the second indication area 220 have periodicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Fujiki
  • Patent number: 10841463
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a body case formed with a through-hole that extends in a vertical direction, a substrate disposed below the through-hole and fixed to the body case, a support portion disposed inside the through-hole, a lower dial supported to the support portion so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction, and an upper dial supported to the support portion so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis independently of the lower dial. The support portion has a connection portion that constitutes a part of an outer periphery of the support portion and that is connected to the body case, and a fixing portion disposed to protrude downward on a side opposite to the connection portion across the rotation axis, wherein the support portion is fixed to the substrate via the fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Saiki
  • Patent number: 10791262
    Abstract: Provided are a camera with good operability and a display control method of the camera. Contact of a finger with a rear command dial D1 is detected. In a case where the contact of the finger with the rear command dial D1 is not detected, only setting contents of the camera are displayed on a sub-display 16 provided near the rear command dial D1. In a case where the contact of the finger with the rear command dial D1 is detected, an image picture of the rear command dial D1 is displayed in a first size on the sub-display 16. In a case where the contact of the finger with the rear command dial D1 is continuously detected for a certain period of time or more, or in a case where the rear command dial D1 is operated, the image picture of the rear command dial D1 is enlarged and displayed in a second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Tokiwa, Hirofumi Horii, Yuichi Fujimura, Takeshi Misawa, Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 10701265
    Abstract: Techniques to selectively capture media using a single user interface element are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a touch controller, a visual media capture component, and a storage component. The touch controller may be operative to receive a haptic engagement signal. The visual media capture component may be operative to be configured in a capture mode based on whether a haptic disengagement signal is received by the touch controller before expiration of a first timer, the capture mode one of a photo capture mode or video capture mode, the first timer started in response to receiving the haptic engagement signal, the first timer configured to expire after a first preset duration. The storage component may be operative to store visual media captured by the visual media capture component in the configured capture mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: William M. Ruben, Daniel J. Smith, II, Nilesh V. Patel, Mykyta Lutsenko, William J. Flynn, Andrei V. C. Gheorghe
  • Patent number: 10367999
    Abstract: Techniques to selectively capture media using a single user interface element are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a touch controller, a visual media capture component, and a storage component. The touch controller may be operative to receive a haptic engagement signal. The visual media capture component may be operative to be configured in a capture mode based on whether a haptic disengagement signal is received by the touch controller before expiration of a first timer, the capture mode one of a photo capture mode or video capture mode, the first timer started in response to receiving the haptic engagement signal, the first timer configured to expire after a first preset duration. The storage component may be operative to store visual media captured by the visual media capture component in the configured capture mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: William M. Ruben, Daniel J. Smith, II, Nilesh V. Patel, Mykyta Lutsenko, William J. Flynn, Andrei V. C. Gheorghe
  • Patent number: 10289287
    Abstract: Devices are configured to capture and share media based on user touch and other interaction. Functional labels show the user the operation being undertaken for any media captured. For example, functional labels may indicate a group of receivers, type of media, media sending method, media capture or sending delay, media persistence time, discrimination type and threshold for capturing different types of media, etc., all customizable by the user or auto-generated. Media is selectively captured and broadcast to receivers in accordance with the configuration of the functional label. A user may engage the device and activate the functional label through a single haptic engagement, allowing highly-specific media capture and sharing through a single touch or other action, without having to execute several discrete actions for capture, sending, formatting, notifying, deleting, storing, etc. Devices include any number of sensors to properly detect and act in accordance with the user engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: OneSnaps Technology Pvt Ltd
    Inventor: Yogesh Chunilal Rathod
  • Patent number: 10157433
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein can allow an inspector or other user to document damage or other information at a house using a mobile device, such as their cell phone. The mobile device can execute an application that allows the user to select a house and a property feature of the house. The user can then take pictures or video, which are stored according to the house and property feature for later retrieval. The user can also select a tag that gets stored and retrieved based on the house and property feature. The user can further record audio for association with the pictures or video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Inventor: Earl Randolph
  • Patent number: 10110815
    Abstract: Techniques to selectively capture media using a single user interface element are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a touch controller, a visual media capture component, and a storage component. The touch controller may be operative to receive a haptic engagement signal. The visual media capture component may be operative to be configured in a capture mode based on whether a haptic disengagement signal is received by the touch controller before expiration of a first timer, the capture mode one of a photo capture mode or video capture mode, the first timer started in response to receiving the haptic engagement signal, the first timer configured to expire after a first preset duration. The storage component may be operative to store visual media captured by the visual media capture component in the configured capture mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: William M. Ruben, Daniel J. Smith, II, Nilesh V. Patel, Mykyta Lutsenko, William J. Flynn, Andrei V. C. Gheorghe
  • Patent number: 10091400
    Abstract: A rotatable-swingable input device that has high reliability at low cost and that improves operability. Optical sensors, an elastically deformable holder, and switches are disposed on a wiring board. A shading member has a plurality of shading parts that are arranged in a circumferential direction and pass a space between a light projecting section and a light receiving section of the optical sensor when an operation member is rotated. A click spring contacts with a concavo-convex part of the operation member to generate click feeling. The holder has an inner annular part holding the operation member and shading member, and an outer annular part having pressure parts each of which deforms and pushes one of the switches when the operation member is swingingly operated. The optical sensors are arranged between the inner annular part and outer annular part without overlapping with the click spring to interpose one of the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiro Yamamoto, Keita Iwai
  • Patent number: 10070063
    Abstract: An integrated application program for video shooting, video sharing, video editing and contact information management on a mobile device. Upon being invoked, the application program directly enters into the video shooting mode of a graphical user interface (GUI) where a user can start to shoot a video after interacting with the GUI only once. Further, contact information is represented using a grid like visual object within the GUI. A grid includes a plurality of pictorial tiles, each representing a contact group. The social grid is customizable by user configurations and/or automatically based on a number of predefined factors. Once recipients are selected from the grid, the video message can be transmitted to the selected recipients. All functionalities can be within a single application program resident on the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: GRIDEO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Keith Bockhold, Murray Bockhold, Richard Cowart, Robert W. Saint John, Dave Wolf
  • Patent number: 10051181
    Abstract: Techniques to selectively capture media using a single user interface element are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a touch controller, a visual media capture component, and a storage component. The touch controller may be operative to receive a haptic engagement signal. The visual media capture component may be operative to be configured in a capture mode based on whether a haptic disengagement signal is received by the touch controller before expiration of a first timer, the capture mode one of a photo capture mode or video capture mode, the first timer started in response to receiving the haptic engagement signal, the first timer configured to expire after a first preset duration. The storage component may be operative to store visual media captured by the visual media capture component in the configured capture mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: William M. Ruben, Daniel J. Smith, II, Nilesh V. Patel, Mykyta Lutsenko, William J. Flynn, Andrei V. Gheorghe
  • Patent number: 9749434
    Abstract: A network product display method, apparatus, system, server and terminal are disclosed in the present invention, and belong to the field of computer technology. The method includes: collecting behavior events transmitted by at least one terminal, and the behavior events are generated according to operations on the displayed network product; adjusting the lifetime of the network product according to the behavior events, and the lifetime is the remaining display time of the network product. The present invention, by collecting the behavior events generated according to the operations on the network product and adjusting the lifetime of the network product according to the collected behavior events, solves the problem that lots of server resources are occupied when more network products are released by the server, and achieves the effect that the server resources occupation is reduced and the survival of the fittest of the network products is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Min Chen
  • Patent number: 9733551
    Abstract: A variable-position operation device, provided on an electronic-device body, includes a variable-position operation member which shifts upon an operation thereof; a first electrical contact which shifts in accordance with the operation of the variable-position operation member; a second electrical contact which detects a shifted position of the first electrical contact, which is in sliding contact with the second electrical contact, in accordance with a shifted position of the variable-position operation member; and at least one light-emitting element, wherein a light-emitting state of the light-emitting element changes in accordance with the shifted position of the variable-position operation member. The second electrical contact is provided on a first board. The light-emitting element is provided on a second board, the second board being provided as a separate member from that of the first board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9544478
    Abstract: The rotary dial apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a housing; a dial being rotatably held relative to the housing; a magnet rotating in accordance with rotation of the dial; and a magnetic sensor disposed in the housing and detecting rotation of the magnet. The magnet and the magnetic sensor are disposed in different regions from each other with a wall being interposed between the magnet and the magnetic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaura, Koji Yasuda, Gaku Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9408587
    Abstract: An ultrasound machine is operated by executing a protocol. Executing the protocol configures the ultrasound machine, controls for operating the ultrasound machine and a display for the ultrasound machine. Protocols may be defined to provide a streamlined configuration of controls for operating the ultrasound machine, and to provide instructions that guide a user's operation of the ultrasound machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ultrasonix Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Laurent Pelissier, Bill Zhang, Tomas Bobovsky
  • Patent number: 8666220
    Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes an operating section having dual functions depending on being in an image capture mode or in a reproduction mode respectively. While one of the recording mode and the reproduction mode is being carried out, in response to start of the other mode, a controlling function of the operating section is switched to the function of the other mode, and in response to the completion of the other mode, the function of the operating section is switched to the function of the one mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Tsukui
  • Patent number: 8657657
    Abstract: A table game system includes a dealer's game table for performing a table game. A movable capturing part captures game media used in the table game, and allows at least changing of a capturing direction of the movable capturing part. An operating part is arranged in a game player space provided at a position distant from the dealer's game table, and can change the capturing direction of the movable capturing part. A display part can display an image of the game media captured by the movable capturing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kyoraku Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8428453
    Abstract: An electronic device includes digital image sensors to capture visual media, a display to present the visual media from the digital image sensors and a touch controller to identify haptic contact engagement, haptic contact persistence and haptic contact release on the display. A visual media capture controller alternately records the visual media as a photograph or a video based upon an evaluation of the time period between the haptic contact engagement and the haptic contact release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Snapchat, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Thomas Spiegel, Robert Cornelius Murphy
  • Patent number: 8326136
    Abstract: A control system for communicating with a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting using a camera body. The control system is configured to detect a preset pattern of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. In response to detecting of the preset pattern, the control system either communicates a power state change signal to the controlled device or causes the camera body to enter into a controlled device control mode that changes the functionality of one or more camera body controls from a camera body functionality to a controlled device control functionality, or both. Such a system can allow a photographer to control a controlled device while remaining at the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Publication number: 20120155848
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a mobile device system capable of viewfinder operation includes a memory device, a photosensitive device capable of receiving light providing an image of an external object, a video screen, and a processing device coupled at least indirectly to each of the memory and photosensitive devices and the screen, where the processing device provides signal(s) to the screen configured to cause the screen to operate as a viewfinder that displays a further image based upon the external object image. The mobile device further includes at least one sensing device either distinct from or associated with the screen, and configured to detect input commands indicated by movement or positioning of at least one object. The processing device causes the screen to display a plurality of options and subsequently to modify the further image displayed by the viewfinder in accordance with the detected commands. Related operational methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: MOTOROLA-MOBILITY, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL LABOWICZ, KEVIN FOY, ANDREW WELLS
  • Patent number: 8000597
    Abstract: An input device for zooming and shutter releasing includes a shutter release button; a pressing protrusion; a tact switch located on a substrate and configured to be pressed when the shutter release button is pressed downward; a rotary member rotatably supported at the periphery of the shutter release button; a magnet configured to be rotated in association with rotation of the rotary member, the magnet having a through hole at the center thereof, the pressing protrusion supported to extend through the through hole; and a magnetic sensor located at a position to face the through hole in the height direction and configured to detect a rotational magnetic field that is generated by the magnet because of the rotation of the rotary member, the tact switch and the magnetic sensor arranged side by side on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Alps Electic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takeya, Yasunoi Sasaki, Takashi Onodera, Keiji Ito
  • Patent number: 7885511
    Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes an operating section having dual functions depending on being in an image capture mode or in a reproduction mode respectively. While one of the recording mode and the reproduction mode is being carried out, in response to start of the other mode, a controlling function of the operating section is switched to the function of the other mode, and in response to the completion of the other mode, the function of the operating section is switched to the function of the one mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Tsukui
  • Publication number: 20100329661
    Abstract: A game scouting camera including a processing system having an operating system and a memory device and a user interface operably connected to the processing system that has (a) a visual display, (b) at least one operation key for inputting user commands, and (c) a multiple-stage manual switch movable to multiple alignment positions to control multiple camera functions during a camera setup procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: NON TYPICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Mark J. Cuddeback
  • Patent number: 7756410
    Abstract: A side face of an external flash device is provided with an illumination operation button, and side and lower faces thereof are provided with illumination light emitters. Each of the illumination light emitters has a built-in LED and turns on by pressing the illumination operation button. When an image is captured under a dark environment, a user can operate the operation ring, and operating dials and under the illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiko Senba
  • Patent number: 7738785
    Abstract: A camera with a first assembly and a second assembly. The second assembly is moveably provided on the first assembly and is movable between a first position at which operation members are covered and a second position at which the operation members are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 7606483
    Abstract: An electroluminescent display device includes an electroluminescent display, and at least one switch which is positioned adjacent to an inner surface of the electroluminescent display, the switch being activated upon an outer surface of the electroluminescent display being pressed to resiliently deform the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 7539409
    Abstract: A camera has an operation member and a display processor. The operation member is operated to select specific camera information from a series of camera information associated with a photograph. The display processor displays the plurality of setting items with a captured image on a display. The operation member has a first selecting member and a second selecting member. The firs t selecting member is operated to designate a setting item along a first direction in order, and in accordance with the arrangement of the plurality of setting items. The second selecting member is opposite to the first selecting member, and is operated to designate a setting item in order along a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. The display processor performs a selection-display process to express a setting item selected by an operation of the first selecting member or second selecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsushita, Toshihiro Hamamura
  • Patent number: 7539408
    Abstract: The single-lens reflex camera body is provided with: a detector that detects which of a first lens unit or a second lens unit is attached; a rotation operator which accepts a rotating operation to adjust a diaphragm value of the lens unit attached to the camera body; and a controller which transmits the diaphragm value that is adjusted at the rotation operator to the lens unit attached to the single-lens reflex camera body, and having a configuration where an operating direction of the diaphragm ring when a rotating operation is performed at the diaphragm ring to adjust the diaphragm value is the same as an operating direction of the rotation operator when the rotating operation is performed at the rotation operator. Thereby, the diaphragm value can be set easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Makoto Azuma, Kaoru Mokunaka
  • Patent number: 7502069
    Abstract: A minimized camcorder including a knob for a mode-changing device. The camcorder includes a knob rotatably installed on a case. A knob holder is provided for holding the knob on the inside of the case to prevent the knob from separating from the case. A plate spring is installed inside the case and has locking swells to provide tactile feedback. A ring plate rotates together with the knob holder and has locking parts formed with a plurality of holes into which the locking swells are locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeong Sam Son
  • Patent number: 7477839
    Abstract: A waterproof housing is provided with an engaging member that can engage with rotary members provided respectively on a plurality of cameras. The rotary members can be rotated from the outside of the waterproof housing. Accordingly, the plurality of cameras can be stored and operated selectively in a single waterproof housing. For example, the engaging member can be configured in such a manner that a plurality of multiple recessed portions are provided concentrically so that each one of the plurality of rotary members can be fitted to any one of the recessed portion out of the multiple recessed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Funahashi, Shinichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7426344
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus provided with a plurality of rotating-operation members, in which respective disk sections of the plurality of rotating-operation members are arranged to be at least partially overlapped, to thereby enable it to achieve space-saving. As the electronic apparatus capable of achieving the space-saving, there is included a film camera, a digital camera, and a video camera, that is an image pick-up device. Rotational axes extended from respective disk sections may be parallel coaxial or parallel non-coaxial, or may be inclined to each other. Additionally, in order to prevent surfaces from being scratched or damaged by mutual contact between the disk sections, a protrusion may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Naohiro Tsuchida
  • Publication number: 20080193121
    Abstract: An operation member cover is attached to a rear surface of a digital camera through a pair of grooves, and an upper end (up button portion) and a lower end (down button portion) of a cross key are exposed from openings of the operation member cover. Inside the groove, an attachment detection sensor is provided to detect attachment of the operation member cover. When the operation member cover is detected, a controller of the digital camera sets inaccessible photographic conditions to preset conditions for entry level users. Also, the controller gets the up and down button portions, exposed from the openings, to function as a flash photography setting button and a self-photography setting button. The digital camera now becomes a simplified, easy-to-use camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7379666
    Abstract: An electronic appliance is provided, which can be produced at a low cost, and in which there is a degree of freedom in a setting value and any one of a number of setting values can be set as an operating condition with a simple operation. A digital camera 1 includes a first operation switch (for example, a shutter dial 2) that allows an operator to select a first state assigned one setting value (for example, a shutter speed) or a second state assigned a plurality of setting values, a liquid crystal monitor 9 that displays the setting values assigned to the second state when the second state is selected with an operation switch, and a second operation switch (for example, an auxiliary dial 7) that allows the operator to select any one of the setting values displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Mokunaka
  • Patent number: 7352964
    Abstract: The present invention provides a highly operable easy-to-use camera having a simple configuration without losing a locking function. In a camera comprising: a rotary operation dial 7 to be operated rotationally; a lock arm 5 for locking the rotary operation dial 7 relative to a predetermined position; and a body case 2 to be fitted with the rotary operation dial 7 and the lock arm 5, a rotary operation portion 71 of the rotary operation dial 7 and a button operation portion 51 of the lock arm 5 are disposed in proximity to each other on adjacent faces of the body case 2; a lock groom 73 formed in a predetermined position of a lower face rib 72 of the rotary operation dial 7, the lower face rib 72 lying inside the body case 2, is arranged in such a manner that a fitting portion 53 of the lock arm 5 can be fitted thereinto; and an urging means 9 for urging the lock arm 5 from inside to outside of the body case 2 is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Kishii
  • Patent number: 7346276
    Abstract: The present invention provides a highly operable easy-to-use camera having a simple configuration with a few parts without losing a locking function. In a camera comprising: a rotary operation dial 6 to be operated rotationally; a locking function for locking the rotary operation dial 6 relative to a predetermined position; and a body case 2 to be fitted with the rotary operation dial 6, the rotary operation dial 6 is made of elastic body in an integrated manner, the rotary operation dial 6 comprising a lock lever part 63 having an operation lever 631 and a hook 632 which lie, respectively, outside and inside of the body case 2 relative to the rotary operation dial 6, the hook 632 being adapted to be fitted into a lock groove 23 formed inside the body case 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Kishii
  • Patent number: 7082265
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a terminal, an armature which can contact the terminal, a knob member which moves between a first position and a second position, sliding the armature on the terminal, a first energizing member which energizes the knob member in the direction of the first position, a rotation operation member which can move the knob member and can rotate between a third position corresponding to the first position and a fourth position corresponding to the second position, and a second energizing member which energizes the rotation operation member in the direction of the third position when the rotation operation member rotates from the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenya Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 7054551
    Abstract: A mode selection device and a multi-function button containing such a device are provided. The mode selection device includes a case, a chassis and a dial. The case has a hole; the chassis, lying under the case, includes a latch and a set of slots. The latch is between the slots. The dial, installed in the hole, includes a recess and a set of protuberances corresponding to the slots. The recess is located in the center of the dial. The protuberances are located under the dial and engage with the slots. When the latch engages with an edge of the dial, the latch, the slots and the protuberances together keep the relative position between the dial and the chassis unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Yu Liao, Jih-Yung Lu
  • Patent number: 6999675
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a terminal, an armature which can contact the terminal, a knob member which moves between a first position and a second position, sliding the armature on the terminal, a first energizing member which energizes the knob member in the direction of the first position, a rotation operation member which can move the knob member and can rotate between a third position corresponding to the first position and a fourth position corresponding to the second position, and a second energizing member which energizes the rotation operation member in the direction of the third position when the rotation operation member rotates from the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenya Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 6965734
    Abstract: Pawls are formed on an outer peripheral portion of an operation dial at intervals equal to step rotating angles of the operation dial so that a user's finger nail can be placed on one of the pawls to rotate the dial. When the finger nail is placed on one of the pawls to rotate the operation dial, the finger nail placed on that pawl abuts against a stopper provided on a camera main body. Thus, rotation of the operation dial is stopped at each step rotating angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignees: IDT Data System Limited, Fuji Film Axia Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Raymond Chan, Yiu Hung Li, Nobuaki Higashi, Mikihiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20040264953
    Abstract: Pawls are formed on an outer peripheral portion of an operation dial at intervals equal to step rotating angles of the operation dial so that a user's finger nail can be placed on one of the pawls to rotate the dial. When the finger nail is placed on one of the pawls to rotate the operation dial, the finger nail placed on that pawl abuts against a stopper provided on a camera main body. Thus, rotation of the operation dial is stopped at each step rotating angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Raymond Chan, Yiu Hung Li, Nobuaki Higashi, Mikihiko Kato
  • Patent number: 6650835
    Abstract: A photographing device having an operation member to be operated by an external operation, a memory device for memorizing a plurality of control sequences to be conducted according to an operation of the operation member, a setting device for setting a requested control sequence among the plurality of control sequences by correlating the requested control sequence with the control sequence to be controlled by the operation of the operation member, and a control sequence execution device for executing the requested control sequence set by the setting means, according to the operation of the operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Uesaka, Yoshito Katagiri, Nobuhiro Yamauchi, Hiroyuki Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 6570622
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided, which is compact in size but allow the effective use of space inside the apparatus. The image pickup apparatus comprises a sound output section, and an operating member for operating the image pickup apparatus. The operating member has formed therein through holes for transmitting sounds output by the sound output section to an outside of the image pickup apparatus. Typically, the operating member switches between operation modes of the image pickup apparatus. The sound output section is arranged inside the operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Shibayama, Atsushi Matsushima