Folding Or Collapsible Camera Patents (Class 396/348)
  • Patent number: 12000558
    Abstract: Provided is a lens assembly applied to a head lamp, and the lens assembly may fix each of a plurality of lenses in an appropriate position to maintain an appropriate distance between the light source and the lens, thereby acquiring a resolution required by a high-resolution adaptive driving beam (ADB) lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young Geun Jun
  • Patent number: 10334192
    Abstract: Optical imaging systems are presented with high performance physical optics in conjunction with advanced image processing technique specifically tuned with respect to those physical optics to realize compact, very high resolution imaging systems. Clever geometric arrangements of lens elements and translation systems to effect motion between those arrangements support very compact storage modes and high performance imaging modes in the same device. As such, these imaging systems disclosed are particularly useful for photography and videography applications where highly portable and compact platforms are in demand. Systems which are small enough to be integrated with a common smartphone computing platform can produce very high resolution images comparable to those of high end digital single lens reflex DSLR systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ALMALENCE INC.
    Inventor: Dmitry Shmunk
  • Patent number: 9654677
    Abstract: A case for a photographic device with a primary visual interface comprising a screen is disclosed. The case comprises a body, an optical viewfinder assembly having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion being recessed into the body, and the top portion configured to slide between a closed position, where a top plane of the top portion is substantially flush with a top of the body, and an open position where the top portion is above the top of the body, thereby exposing an aperture in the viewfinder assembly; and a track and a track guide in mechanical communication, wherein one of the track and the track guide is attached to the optical viewfinder, to permit the top portion of the optical viewfinder assembly to slide between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Vincent J. Catanzaro
  • Patent number: 8896710
    Abstract: A zoom lens barrel capable, even if it has an image shake correction mechanism and a diaphragm mechanism, of decreasing a distance between lens groups of a photographing optical system of the lens barrel, whereby the lens barrel size can be reduced and the magnification can be increased, and capable of preventing a collision between diaphragm blades of the diaphragm mechanism and the lens groups from occurring when vibration, impact, or the like is applied to the lens barrel. When apart of an image shake correction lens intrudes into an aperture of diaphragm blades, a restricted portion of a lens holding member and a restricting portion of a diaphragm restrict a maximum movement of the lens holding member in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, thereby restricting a maximum amount of movement of the image shake correction lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kudoh
  • Patent number: 8861098
    Abstract: When the lens barrel is in the storage state, a part of a lens group and a group cylinder are inserted into an aperture of a diaphragm unit and a shutter blade of a shutter unit is closed for light shielding. With this arrangement, the cylinder length in the storage state is shortened, and the performance degradation of an image sensor and optical components provided on a front side of an image sensor can be prevented as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ishimasa
  • Patent number: 8814447
    Abstract: In one general aspect, the computing device can include a base portion, and a display portion moveably coupled to the base portion, the display portion including a display bezel and an image sensor disposed within the display bezel. The computing device can also include an extension member coupled to the display portion and associated with a lens. The extension member can be configured to move at least a portion of the lens in a direction away from the image sensor to a position disposed outside of the display bezel and to move the portion of the lens in a direction towards the image sensor to a position disposed within the display bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: William Hambergen
  • Patent number: 8717482
    Abstract: A lens assembly includes a base frame, an image sensor, a lens barrel, a lens and a backoff mechanism. By means of the backoff mechanism, the image sensor is mounted at the base frame and movable between an operative position and a non-operative backoff position. When the image sensor is in the operative position, the lens barrel is in a first position far frame the base frame, and the optical axis of the lens intersects the image sensor. When the lens barrel is moved to a second position close to the base frame, the image sensor is moved to the non-operative backoff position, and the optical axis of the lens is not intersected with the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Duen-Kwei Hwang, Kai-Kun Chen
  • Patent number: 8534933
    Abstract: A first system for mounting a camera to an arm is disclosed. Specifically, the first system comprises a bracket system, an arm mount, and a hinge system. Said bracket system is capable of supporting a camera. Said hinge system comprises a clasping device having a first portion and a second portion. Said hinge system connects said bracket system and said arm mount, and said first portion and said second portion of said clasping device are capable of selectively releasing and reattaching to one another and thereby release and reattach said bracket system and said arm mount. Further, a second system for mounting a camera to an arm is disclosed. Specifically, the second system comprises a bracket system, an arm mount, and a hinge system having a bending point. Said bracket system is capable of supporting a camera. Said hinge system connects said bracket system and said arm mount. Said hinge system comprises a flexible portion comprising a flexible material. Said bending point is in said flexible portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Brent Wayne Sherwood
  • Patent number: 8503874
    Abstract: A three-Dimensional (3D) imaging apparatus is provided. The 3D imaging apparatus includes a first member including a first region and a second region therein; at least one second member movably coupled to the first member such that the at least one second member is movable out of and into the second region; a plurality of lens units disposed in the first region while the at least one second member is disposed in the second region, wherein, when the at least one second member moves out of the second region, at least one of the plurality of the lens units moves from the first region into the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takashima Masahiro, Tae-kyung Kim
  • Patent number: 8463335
    Abstract: A battery cover assembly for a portable electronic device is disclosed including a base member, a first cover member mating with the base member, a second cover member positioned between the base member and the first cover member, a third cover member engaging with the first cover member, a camera assembly secured to the base member, and a locking assembly engaging with the third cover member. The first cover member can horizontally rotate along the second cover member. The first cover member is rotatably attached to, and cannot be detached from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Mu-Wen Yang, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 8243373
    Abstract: When the lens barrel is in the storage state, a part of a lens group and a group cylinder are inserted into an aperture of a diaphragm unit and a shutter blade of a shutter unit is closed for light shielding. With this arrangement, the cylinder length in the storage state is shortened, and the performance degradation of an image sensor and optical components provided on a front side of an image sensor can be prevented as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ishimasa
  • Patent number: 8137005
    Abstract: A lens barrel has a drive frame, a first lens frame, a zoom motor, and a control device. The drive frame has three first cam grooves. The first lens frame has cam pins inserted into the first cam grooves. The zoom motor rotationally drives the drive frame. The control device limits the drive range of the zoom motor so that the cam pins do not stop near the wide-angle position of the imaging region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai Shintani
  • Publication number: 20120039594
    Abstract: A lens barrel assembly, a camera including the lens barrel assembly, and a method of assembling a lens barrel are disclosed. The lens barrel assembly is provided that includes an optical lens, a unitary barrel having an outlet slit defined therethrough, and a flexible printed circuit board extending through the outlet slit to communicate signals between an area inside the barrel and an area outside the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-bae Lee, Young-eun Kim
  • Patent number: 8057111
    Abstract: A lens barrel assembly and a camera including the lens barrel assembly are provided. The lens barrel assembly includes a barrel case accommodating at least one optical lens, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) configured to transmit signals between an area inside of the barrel case and an area outside of the barrel case. The barrel case comprises an outlet slit formed in the barrel case. The outlet slip being configured for extending the flexible printed circuit board to the area outside of the barrel case. Accordingly, the lens barrel assembly has an improved extension structure for extending the flexible printed circuit board which is configured to transmit signals between the inside and the outside of the lens barrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-bae Lee, Young-eun Kim
  • Patent number: 7885525
    Abstract: A lens barrel which is capable of increasing the total length of the lens barrel in a shooting state even in a case where the collapsed lens barrel length is short, with a simple construction. A shooting optical system is disposed movably in an optical axis direction. A lens barrel driving member moves the shooting optical system in the optical axis direction while rotating around the optical axis. A lens barrel driving member moving unit moves the lens barrel driving member in the optical axis direction in a transition region during which the lens barrel moves between a shooting state and a non-shooting state while the driving member rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Terada
  • Patent number: 7796883
    Abstract: An apparatus, with moving parts, having a flexible circuit configured such that its fatigue life is enhanced. The apparatus includes a first component, a second component, and a positioning mechanism between the first component and the second component. The positioning mechanism enables movement of the first component and the second component between at least a proximate position and a spaced-apart position. Also included between the first component and the second component is a flexible circuit that has a first end coupled to the first component and a second end coupled to the second component. The flexible circuit is configured as a compliant spring that can extend and collapse in a predefined shape when the components are spaced-apart and proximate, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna Darbha, Paul Hornikx, Juscelino Okura, Jagtar Singh Saroya
  • Patent number: 7785021
    Abstract: A retractable lens camera includes: a lens barrel; three or more lens groups provided in the lens barrel; a retracting unit that retracts the lens barrel and the lens groups into a camera body; and a displacing unit that displaces at least two lens groups to an escaping space out of an optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Kato
  • Patent number: 7677815
    Abstract: A photographic device that includes a main body, a lens barrel and a barrel-positioning mechanism, which is operably coupled to the lens barrel and the main body. The barrel positioning mechanism is capable of moving the lens barrel between a retracted position, in which the lens barrel is within the main body, and an extended position, in which the lens barrel projects out of the main body. In some embodiments, the barrel positioning mechanism is a purely mechanical component that moves the lens barrel between the retracted position and the extended position in response to the lens barrel being pushed in a direction generally towards the main body. In other embodiments, the barrel positioning mechanism includes an electrical motor that helps extend and retract the lens barrel. In some embodiments, the extension/retraction of the lens barrel is triggered by software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Lane, Gino Garcia, Young Kim, Eric J. Wahl
  • Patent number: 7632023
    Abstract: A camera comprising: a camera body on which an image taking lens and an image display portion are provided, and a grip portion connected to the camera body so as to be foldable and extendable, wherein the grip portion can be moved to a first position at which it is folded to cover the image display portion and to a second position at which it is extended to function as a grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 7628553
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus in which the movement of a barrier blade in a direction toward the lens surface caused by external force can be limited without increasing the strength of the barrier blade. The apparatus comprises a barrier blade which is movable between a closing position at which the barrier blade closes a light entrance aperture of an image pickup lens and an opening position at which the barrier blade opens the light entrance aperture, and a drive member which drives the barrier blade. The drive member includes a supporting portion which limits the movement of the barrier blade toward a lens surface side, and the supporting portion is located outside the light entrance aperture when the barrier blade is at the opening position and located inside the light entrance aperture when the barrier blade is at the closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaori Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7625139
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an optical member that bends and changes the optical path of the incident light; a first lens group, that is driven to retract at least partially inside the image sensing apparatus when a picture is not to be taken and to be projected outside the image sensing apparatus and toward the subject when a picture is to be taken; and a second lens group, as well as a lens barrier for protecting the first lens group when said first lens group is retracted inside the image sensing apparatus. The optical member moves to a position where the optical path of the optical image of the subject, which is incident via the first lens group, is changed to the direction of the second lens group when a picture is to be taken, and moves to a position where it is withdrawn from this area when a picture is not to be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Seita
  • Patent number: 7613389
    Abstract: The image taking lens has the minimum effective diameter lens whose effective diameter is minimum, and the maximum effective diameter lens whose effective diameter is maximum on the most image side, and in the space generated in the minimum effective diameter lens periphery by the difference of the outer diameter of the minimum effective diameter lens and the outer diameter of the maximum effective diameter lens, at least a part of an actuator for driving focusing lens group moving at the time of focusing is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Suzuki, Masae Sato, Susumu Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7566178
    Abstract: A dustproof structure adapted to an image-capturing device, includes a dustproof cover body, two movable dustproof vanes, a rotating element, and a bottom seat. The dustproof cover body has a first through hole. Two corresponding movable dustproof vanes movably pivot in the dustproof cover body. The rotating element movably disposes on the two movable dustproof vanes, and the rotating element has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole and a plurality of support ribs formed on two side faces thereof. The bottom seat is fixed on a bottom side of the dustproof cover body for preventing the rotating element from being moved longitudinally, and the bottom seat has a third through hole corresponding to the first and second through holes. The rotating element is moved transversely in a predetermined range between the two movable dustproof vanes and the bottom seat via a part of the support ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Hui Hung
  • Patent number: 7537399
    Abstract: A digital still camera includes a lens mount mechanism, positioned on a front face of a camera body, for securing a lens assembly to the camera body removably. A door shaped cover is secured to the camera body, and shiftable between first and second positions while the lens assembly is removed. The door shaped cover, when in the first position, is closed on the front face to cover the lens mount mechanism, and when in the second position, is open from the front face to allow loading of the lens assembly and to operate as a grip. A flexible pad sheet of rubber is deformable resiliently when the door shaped cover is retained in the first position by a retaining mechanism, for tightly closing between the front face and a cover inner surface of the door shaped cover opposed to the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuya Mayumi
  • Patent number: 7526195
    Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus includes: a first display panel; and a second display panel which performs a first motion that moves the second display panel between a first position, where the second display panel covers the first display panel, and a second position, where the first display panel is exposed, and performs a second motion in a generally perpendicular direction to the first motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-min Oh
  • Patent number: 7522830
    Abstract: In an image sensing device in which a hinge mechanism is secured to the side face of the main body of the image sensing device and an image display unit for displaying a captured image is mounted by the hinge mechanism so as to be free to rotate, a light-emitting device for emitting light toward a subject is accommodated inside the hinge mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Hirai
  • Patent number: 7515182
    Abstract: In a digital camera, a solid state imaging device is used to catch subject light so that an image signal is created. The digital camera contributes to effectively implementing further thinness as compare with the conventional ones. A second lens group is revolved between a position on the optical axis and a saving position coming into a hollow portion beside the CCD solid state imaging device, so that the second lens group comes into the hollow portion at the time of the collapse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Fujinon Corporation, FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Omiya, Yoshihiro Ito, Takehiko Senba, Hiroshi Endo
  • Patent number: 7486332
    Abstract: A camera has a lens system that includes a lens barrel incorporating therein an image taking lens, the lens barrel being variable in a barrel length between a collapsed state in which the barrel length is relative short and a photographic state in which the barrel length is relative long. The lens barrel comprises a light quantity control member that controls quantity of photographic light passing through the image taking lens, and a light quantity control member saving and advancing mechanism that provides such a control that when the lens barrel changes over from the photographic state to the collapsed state, the light quantity control member is saved from a photographic optical axis, and when the lens barrel changes over from the collapsed state to the photographic state, the light quantity control member is advanced to the photographic optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignees: FUJIFILM Corporation, Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Endo, Yoshihiro Ito, Takehiko Senba, Akio Omiya
  • Patent number: 7480005
    Abstract: A compact and light digital camcorder, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises a camcorder body, and a camera unit moving into and out from a top portion of the camcorder body in a length direction of the camcorder body. The camera unit comprises a camera adjusting unit, such that the camera unit is received in the camcorder body when not in use, and is protruded out from the camcorder body when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeong-je Jeon
  • Patent number: 7480454
    Abstract: Mobile equipment includes LEDs supplied with a current to emit red light, green light and blue light, FETs and a booster circuit for controlling the current supplied. The current supplied is controlled to supply all of the LED with a current of a low level to illuminate an object in a shooting mode with light for illumination. Thus in the shooting mode a white spot light illuminates the object, and the object can clearly be confirmed. At the moment of shooting, a current supplied can be increased at a burst to emit white flashlight to illuminate the object. A satisfactory image can thus be obtained. The source of light for illumination can be formed of miniature, light-weight LED, and does not impair in mobility mobile equipment having the source of light incorporated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7471888
    Abstract: A cellular telephone handset has a built-in image pickup device. A lid shaped reception unit is slidable on a transmission unit or main body between closed and open positions, lies on a first surface of the main body when in the closed position, and uncovers at least part of the first surface when in the open position. An image sensor to pick up an image is contained in the main body. A first lens element receives object light incident thereon. Plural second lens elements in the main body have an optical axis extending in a sliding direction of the lid shaped reception unit, for introducing the object light to the image sensor. A path bending prism introduces the object light to the second lens elements by changing an optical path of the object light from the first lens element. An optical path length of the second lens elements is changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Fuyuhiko Maeda, Akihisa Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7470071
    Abstract: A pan head apparatus includes a head unit for mounting a camera, a base unit having a stationary portion, a rotating mechanism, and a rotary portion which is rotated with respect to the stationary portion by the rotating mechanism, and a connecting member which pivotally connects the head unit and the rotary portion of the base unit. In addition, a detector detects whether or not the head unit is set in an upright state with respect to the base unit by pivot motion of the connecting member. When the detector detects that the head unit is upright, rotation of the rotary portion by the rotating mechanism is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Ibaraki, Masaru Kuwabara, Zhen Liang
  • Patent number: 7448811
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a lens barrel, which includes a photographic lens including a plurality of lens units, at least one lens surface of the photographic lens facing an imaging plane being a concave surface, and an optical diaphragm. The optical diaphragm is at least partly stowable in a space defined by the concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuichi Nagae
  • Patent number: 7435016
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an image sensor on which an object image is formed via a photographing optical system; a radially-retracting device which moves the image sensor between a photographing position, at which the image sensor is located on a common optical axis of the photographing optical system, and a radially-retracted position; and a flexible PWB for electrically connecting the image sensor to an image processing circuit. The flexible PWB includes a fixed portion positioned in front of the retracted position of the image sensor, and a free-deformable portion extending from the image sensor toward the fixed portion. The free-deformable portion forms a shape to accommodate and cover the image sensor when the image sensor is radially retracted to the radially-retracted position, and is extended to form a shape to uncover the image sensor when the image sensor is positioned in the photographing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 7433722
    Abstract: A portable phone 1 includes a first housing 2, a second housing 4 having a display section 14, and a hinge section 3 that connects the first housing 2 and the second housing 4 so that the display section is positioned horizontally when placing the portable phone 1 on an object. The hinge section 3 includes a first rotation axis 5 that allows the hinge section 3 and the second housing 4 to rotate toward the first housing 2 and with a second rotation axis 6 that is disposed orthogonal to the first rotation axis 5 in a region apart from the second central face ?2 in the second housing 4. The distance between the second rotation axis 6 and the side face 4b on the second rotation axis 6 part with respect to the second central face ?2 in the second housing 4 is configured in such a way as to either substantially equal or be shorter than the distance between the first rotation axis 5 and the front face 7a of the first housing 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akemi Sakamoto, Kimiaki Imai
  • Patent number: 7425100
    Abstract: A clam shell style electronic product (10) includes a base housing portion (12), a flip housing portion (26) pivotably coupled to the base housing portion, a display (28) mounted in the flip housing portion, and a camera (16) in the base housing portion that can be selectively angled to a desired position relative to the display. The camera can be in a position substantially perpendicular to the base housing portion when the camera is locked in a stored position. In the stored position, a camera viewing angle (15) is substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to the base housing portion and not necessarily aligned with a display viewing angle (20) for the display. The camera can rotate to a position substantially perpendicular to a display viewing angle (30) when the flip housing portion is in an open position and the camera is in an unstored (or unlatched or released) position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio C. Castaneda, Francis M. Staszesky
  • Patent number: 7362968
    Abstract: A combination camera and a DSC lens control method using the same, including a lens position check unit for checking a position of a DSC lens if electric power is applied, and a switching unit for switching the DSC lens to a closed state if the lens position check unit decides that the DSC lens is open. Thus, if the power is applied in the DVC mode after the combination camera is turned off when the DSC lens has been open, the combination camera can efficiently switch the DSC lens to the closed state to thereby eliminate a user's inconvenience of using the DVC picture-taking mode during the open state of the DSC lens, or the inconvenience of switching the mode to the DSC image-capturing mode to close the DSC lens and then switching the mode to the DVC picture-capturing mode for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuie-sup Kim
  • Patent number: 7331724
    Abstract: A portable device includes a camera section, a camera image display, a first case having a first surface having the display therein and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second case that can be positioned over the second surface of the first case, a rotation axis section supporting the second case to the first case rotatably about an axis perpendicular to the first surface of the first case, and a camera/display operation section. The camera section has an optical axis, and the rotation axis section accommodates the camera section so that the optical axis is parallel to the rotation axis. The operation section is on the first surface of the first case opposite an image-capturing direction of the rotation axis of the rotation axis section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hasegawa, Susumu Otsuki, Teruo Nanmoku, Katsumasa Yamaguchi, Toshiyuki Tsumura
  • Patent number: 7145593
    Abstract: The present provides a mobile terminal device includes first and second housings foldably coupled to each other by a hinge portion, and the first housing can turn in the direction orthogonal to the unfolding/folding direction. The mobile terminal device also includes a first camera provided for a surface opposed to said second housing in a state that the device is folded, and a second camera provided for a surface of the first or second housing on the opposite side to the surface having the first camera, when the two housings are unfolded at an angle of about 90° and the first housing turns at an angle of about 90° to the second housing, and a sensor for detecting a positional relation between the two housings according to a change of the angle between the two housings. According to the detected position, operations of the first and second camera are stopped/started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignees: Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd, NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiya Yamaguchi, Noriyoshi Satoh, Muneoki Kamata, Yasuyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7129984
    Abstract: A control method for an electronic device such as a digital camera, having a mechanical driving member comprising a collapsible barrel, a lens barrier and the like, which performs mechanical operations, and a system controller which controls the overall device including the mechanical driving member is provided. In accordance with turning on of power supply to the system controller, the mechanical driving member is driven until the device enters a main-operation stand-by status, in parallel to start of an OS by the system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Okada, Keihiro Kurakata
  • Patent number: 7058293
    Abstract: A retractable lens barrel includes a rear holder which holds a first optical element, and is movable along the axis thereof between an operational retracted positions; an annular member movable relative to the rear holder without rotation; a retractable holder holding a second optical element, and movable between an aligned position where the second optical element is aligned with the axis and a displaced position where the second optical element is displaced relative to the axis; a position control device controlling the annular member and retractable holder to move between an operational position at the aligned position and a retracted position at the displaced position. The rear holder and the retractable holder having contact surfaces which contact each other only if movement of the annular member and retractable holder to the retracted position occurs and the rear holder has not fully moved to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 7050244
    Abstract: A zoom lens barrel comprises an exterior unit, which mainly forms an exterior portion, an optical unit having an image pickup optical system built therein, and a control unit and can be detachably mounted on a single-lens reflex camera. The optical unit includes first and second group lenses as the image pickup optical system, which can move forward and rearward in zooming and focusing, and a third group lens which can move forward and rearward in zooming. Particularly, in focusing, a first group lens holding frame for holding the first group lens and a second group lens holding frame for holding the second group lens are driven forward and rearward in a different amount in an optical axis direction through a cam follower and two cam grooves by driving a focus ring in rotation, thereby focusing is executed. The lens barrel can cope with a forward/rearward movement required in zooming and focusing and can be reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Hayashi, Hidenori Akita
  • Patent number: 7039308
    Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam ring, and a linearly movable frame movable supporting an optical element. The cam grooves are located at different positions in the optical axis direction and which trace a same reference cam diagram. All cam grooves are partial cam grooves each having at least one end opening at at least one of opposite ends of the cam ring, so as not to include an entire portion of the reference cam diagram. Cam followers are located at different positions at least in the optical axis direction and are respectively engageable in the cam grooves. At least one of the cam followers remains engaged in a corresponding cam groove while at least one of the other of the cam followers comes out of the end opening and is disengaged therefrom when the linearly movable frame moves to movement limit in the optical-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 6764184
    Abstract: A telescopically collapsible image projector has a tri-segmented body. Within the body is mounted a light source, an imaging device such as a fully colour LCD display capable of receiving electronic signals representing images for display, keystone correction means, focusing means, and heat dissipation means. In its operating configuration the body segments are fully extended and a rigid optical pathway is established. Upon full extension, heat sinks in the form of air voids are created to collect radiated heat from operating components of the projector. A forced air system comprising a fan/motor combination draws cooling air in through the body of the projector and exhausts heated air through an exhaust port. In its stowed configuration, the heat sink air voids are used as stowage space to enable the body segments of the projector to telescopically collapse within each other forming a compact object with a small stowage foot print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Steve Carkner
  • Patent number: 6571063
    Abstract: A protective cover for a camera having a housing with front and rear portions, the front portion including a mounting structure for an image capture lens and the rear portion having an electronic image display, the protective cover, including front and rear portions, the cover being slideably mounted on the camera so that it is effective in at least a first camera active position and in a second camera storage position, and the rear portion including an opening corresponding to the electronic image display such that, in the first camera active position, the opening corresponds to and permits viewing of the electronic image display and in the second camera storage position, the rear portion covers the electronic image display to protect such electronic image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dale F. McIntyre, Michael W. DeVries
  • Patent number: 6554497
    Abstract: A compact camera has a camera case that covers up more than half of a camera body in a resting position where the camera case covers a taking lens, a flash projector, a battery chamber and a cartridge chamber. By sliding the camera case to a working position uncovering the taking lens and the flash projector, the flash projector springs up to a flashing position, and a main switch is turned on. Then, a lens barrel is protruded out of the camera body. Locking mechanisms are provided to stop the camera case at the working position. The camera case is allowed to move from the working position to the resting position by stowing the flash projector into the camera body. The camera case is allowed to move from the working position in an uncoving direction by operating a knob that is mounted in a room provided inside the battery chamber. The battery chamber is located behind the flash projector in the stowed position, and a battery chamber lid and the flash projecotr are mounted rotatable about the same axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Kobayashi, Yoji Naka, Yutaka Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6527461
    Abstract: A lens cover assembly for a folding camera includes a main frame assembly and a lens assembly pivotally mounted on the main frame assembly and movable between a closed position in which the lens assembly is disposed at least in part within the main frame assembly and an open position in which the lens assembly upstands from the main frame assembly, the lens assembly having a lens therein. A lens cover member is pivotally mounted on the lens assembly and is movable between a first position in which the lens cover member completely covers the lens, and a second position in which the lens cover member is removed from the lens. A mechanical linkage interconnects the main frame assembly and the lens cover member and is operative, upon moving the lens assembly from the closed position to the open position, to move the lens cover member to the second position, and further operative, upon moving the lens assembly from the open position to the closed position, to move the lens cover member to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Launie, Robert L. Stephansky
  • Patent number: 6491448
    Abstract: A slide cover is movably attached to a camera body. The slide cover is moved to a photographing position when a picture is taken. At the time of photographing, the slide cover is utilized as a right-hand grip. A rear face of the slide cover is provided with a zoom operating member which is swingable around a horizontal shaft. An upper side of the zoom operating member is a telephoto operating portion, and a lower side thereof is a wide-angle operating portion. The telephoto operating portion and the wide-angle operating potion are vertically arranged so as to be perpendicular to a moving direction of the slide cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6431768
    Abstract: A digital camera having a camera body which includes a main surface and a lens surface substantially orthogonal to the main surface, a photographic lens of a photographic optical system positioned on the lense surface, and an optical viewfinder unit rotatably attached to the main surface such that the optical viewfinder unit is rotatable to a position substantially orthogonal to the main surface of the camera body and in a plane substantially parallel to said lens surface. An operation unit is positioned in the camera body such that operations buttons are arranged on the main surface of the camera body and, when the optical viewfinder unit is in a closed position, the operation buttons are substantially covered to protect against unintentional operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoko Nakamura
  • Patent number: RE42717
    Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam ring, and a linearly movable frame movable supporting an optical element. The cam grooves are located at different positions in the optical axis direction and which trace a same reference cam diagram. All cam grooves are partial cam grooves each having at least one end opening at at least one of opposite ends of the cam ring, so as not to include an entire portion of the reference cam diagram. Cam followers are located at different positions at least in the optical axis direction and are respectively engageable in the cam grooves. At least one of the cam followers remains engaged in a corresponding cam groove while at least one of the other of the cam followers comes out of the end opening and is disengaged therefrom when the linearly movable frame moves to movement limit in the optical-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nomura