Camera Support Patents (Class 396/419)
  • Patent number: 11110865
    Abstract: A vehicle display device includes a display configured to display a video; a first mirror configured to reflect the video displayed in the display; and a second mirror configured to reflect the video reflected on the first mirror, wherein a distance from eye point of occupant of vehicle to a reflecting image formed by the second mirror is optically extended such that it becomes longer than a distance from the eye point of the occupant to a display surface of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: JVCKENWOOD Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Kobayashi, Yuki Wada
  • Patent number: 11076074
    Abstract: A camera module comprising: a housing; a lens assembly that is fixed to the housing and comprises at least one lens; a circuit board that is arranged inside the housing and comprises a first circuit board and a second circuit board, on which image sensors arranged to face the lens are mounted, respectively; and a first shield can arranged inside the housing so as to support edges of the first and second circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JeKyung Park
  • Patent number: 11029584
    Abstract: A camera mount comprising: a sliding mount component comprising: a sliding base; protrusions protruding outward from a bottom surface of the sliding base; and a sliding mount component locking mechanism; and a rail mount component comprising: a rail base; and a rail mount component locking mechanism; wherein the sliding mount component is configured for insertion into the rail mount component, and wherein the sliding mount component is connected to the rail mount component by the sliding mount component locking mechanism forming a connection with the rail mount component locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Aaron Clearman
  • Patent number: 11016369
    Abstract: A camera supporting base includes a mounting platform with a mounting surface, a lower surface, and a recess area. The mounting surface is raised above and non-coplanar with the lower surface of the mounting platform. The camera supporting base also includes a pliable mass surrounding the mounting platform. The mounting surface of the mounting platform is recessed below a highest contour of the pliable mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: James Harrison Elias
  • Patent number: 10992792
    Abstract: A mobile device has at least one grip handle disposed on the back surface of the mobile device. The grip handle comprises at least one grip surface that enables a user to grasp the mobile device and use it with one hand of the user. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen Lorance Smith
  • Patent number: 10875469
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a vehicle vision system includes a housing with a lens holder at a first housing portion and a connector portion at a second housing portion. The connector portion is configured for connecting to vehicle wiring when the camera assembly is installed at a vehicle. A circuit element is disposed within the housing and a plurality of electrical connector elements is disposed at the connector portion of the second housing portion. Each of the electrical connector elements includes a first end portion configured for electrically connecting to circuitry of the circuit element and a second end portion configured for electrically connecting to the vehicle wiring. The first end portions of the electrical connector elements include flexible elements that, during mating of the first housing portion to the second housing portion, flex as the first end portions engage the circuitry and make electrical connection with the circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jamie A. Mleczko, Jonathan D. Conger, Steven V. Byrne
  • Patent number: 10841465
    Abstract: Self leveling camera heads are described. The camera heads can be used in a range of applications including drain inspection systems. The camera heads include inductive and capacitive coupling to transfer signals from and electrical power to an image sensor assembly in the camera head. Also described are drain inspection systems using the camera heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ridge Tool Company
    Inventor: James Dvorsky
  • Patent number: 10834302
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus, comprising: a first imaging section having a plurality of imaging sections arranged so that parts of their image capturing ranges overlap; a second imaging section configured to generate a detailed image by capturing a part of an image capturing range of the first imaging section; a combining section configured to generate a wide-angle image by combining images captured by the plurality of imaging sections; a transfer section configured to transfer the wide-angle image; and a control section configured to control a maximum charge accumulation time period that can be set to the plurality of imaging sections in the first imaging section to be greater than a maximum charge accumulation time period that can be set to the second imaging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 10757300
    Abstract: A camera housing is provided which prevents dust and mist from adhering to a camera lens and which makes it possible to secure clear imaging despite continuous use. The camera housing comprises a front portion provided at a position opposite of the lens surface of an internally provided camera lens, a rear portion provided at a position opposite of the front portion, and another side portion. The front portion has an opening, and the rear portion and/or side portion has an air ejection port. The diameter of the inscribed circle of the opening is 0.9 time or less the diameter of the inscribed circle of the front portion, and the area of the air ejection port is 0.1 time or more the area of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kei Irie, Hisashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10728515
    Abstract: An image device for generating panoramic depth images includes at least two image capturing groups. Each image capturing group of the at least two image capturing groups includes at least three image capturers. A size of each image capturer of the at least three image capturers is a first length, a distance between two adjacent capturing devices of the at least three image capturers is a second length, and a ratio of the second length to the first length is not less than a predetermined value. Depths of at least three depth maps corresponding to the at least two image capturing groups are applied to generating a panoramic depth image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: eYs3D Microelectronics, Co.
    Inventor: Chi-Feng Lee
  • Patent number: 10698294
    Abstract: Resistance feedback control of drive signals for plural SMA actuator wires in an SMA actuation arrangement is performed. Target resistance values are set representing a desired position of a movable element with respect to the support structure. Measures of resistance of each SMA actuator wire are detected. Errors are derived from the target resistance values and the detected measures of resistance, the errors being adjusted by offsets. The powers of the drive signals supplied to SMA actuator wires are controlled. in accordance with the adjusted errors. The offsets have values selected to adjust the actual position of the movable element to match the desired positions represented by the target resistance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Cambridge Mechatronics Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Benjamin David Brown
  • Patent number: 10681251
    Abstract: A camera module comprising: a housing; a lens assembly that is fixed to the housing and comprises at least one lens; a circuit board that is arranged inside the housing and comprises a first circuit board and a second circuit board, on which image sensors arranged to face the lens are mounted, respectively; and a first shield can arranged inside the housing so as to support edges of the first and second circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jekyung Park
  • Patent number: 10676030
    Abstract: At an imaging device, a camera that captures images is housed in an outer cover and is provided at a vehicle exterior, and captures images of the vehicle exterior via a cover lens that is provided at an outer wall. A step portion, which causes an outer peripheral surface that is at the outer wall side to protrude-out further than an outer peripheral surface that is at a side opposite the outer wall, is provided at an outer peripheral surface of the outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Toshinari Nakai, Tomonori Ichikawa, Hidetaka Nomura
  • Patent number: 10661761
    Abstract: A foreign matter removal device of the present invention is a foreign matter removal device that removes foreign matters adhering to a lens (101) included in an in-vehicle camera (100), including a camera bracket (91) that attaches the in-vehicle camera (100) to a rear bumper panel (200b) of a vehicle in a state in which the lens (101) is exposed toward the outside of the rear bumper panel (200b) of the vehicle, a high-pressure air generation unit disposed inside the rear bumper panel (200b) and configured to generate high-pressure air, and a nozzle unit provided with a nozzle (22) that injects the high-pressure air toward the lens (101), wherein a through-hole (92) is formed in the camera bracket (91), and the high-pressure air generated by the high-pressure air generation unit passes from the inside to the outside of the rear bumper panel (200b) through the through-hole (92), and is injected from the nozzle (22) toward the lens (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kimura, Junji Baba, Akinobu Kubota, Yasuhiro Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10661712
    Abstract: The bird's-eye view image system is provided with a plurality of cameras for acquiring a surrounding image of the work vehicle, a display unit for displaying a bird's-eye view image based on the image acquired by the plurality of cameras, and a control unit for causing a bird's-eye view image to be generated and displayed by the display unit. The plurality of cameras have a first front camera provided in the traveling body for acquiring an image ahead of the travelling body, a first rear camera provided in the traveling body for acquiring an image backward of the traveling body, a right camera provided on the swivel base for acquiring an image rightward of the swivel base, and a left camera provided on the swivel base for acquiring an image leftward of the swivel base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ishihara, Keiji Sato, Hideyuki Higashi
  • Patent number: 10630872
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a vehicle vision system includes a housing having a lens module and a housing portion that includes a connector portion configured for connecting to a vehicle wiring. An imager circuit board includes an imager at a first side. The imager circuit board is disposed in the housing such that the imager is aligned with the lens of the lens module. A connector circuit board is disposed in the housing and spaced from the imager circuit board. Circuitry of the connector circuit board is electrically connected to circuitry of the imager circuit board via a plurality of spring-loaded connectors that electrically connect at the second side of the imager circuit board and at a first side of the connector circuit board. A connector structure of the connector portion is electrically connected to circuitry of the connector circuit board at the second side of the connector circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Sauer, Marc Sigle
  • Patent number: 10604084
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a vision system of a vehicle includes a front housing portion having a lens, a circuit board having an imager and circuitry having an electrical connecting element, and a rear housing portion having a rear attachment portion and a mounting portion configured to attach at a vehicle. When the front housing portion is joined with the rear housing portion, the electrical connecting element of the circuit board is aligned with an aperture of the attachment plate and a connecting end of an electrical connector protrudes through the aperture to electrically connect with the electrical connecting element of the circuit board. A structural element of the electrical connector is attached at the attachment plate of the bracket to seal the aperture and to maintain electrical connection of the connecting end of the electrical connector with the electrical connecting element of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Conger, Steven V. Byrne
  • Patent number: 10604120
    Abstract: Sensor cleaning devices, methods, and systems are provided. Output from sensors of a vehicle may be used to describe an environment around the vehicle. In the event that a sensor is obstructed by dirt, debris, or detritus the sensor may not sufficiently describe the environment for autonomous control operations. In response to receiving an indication of an obstructed sensor, the sensor cleaning devices, methods, and systems described herein may proceed to remove the obstruction from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Austin L. Newman
  • Patent number: 10604082
    Abstract: A camera unit includes a camera main member; a camera bracket assembled to the camera main member by a first engagement device (for example, a combination between an engagement projection, and an engagement hole or claw); and a fixing bracket assembled to the camera bracket by a second engagement device (a combination between an engagement projection and an engagement hole) so as to mount the camera main member on an attachment object. The first engagement device includes an engagement portion provided in the camera main member, and an engagement piece provided moveably in the camera bracket so as to become engageable with the engagement projection accompanied by a moving displacement. The fixing bracket includes a control portion disposed in a movement space of the engagement piece in a state wherein the camera bracket is assembled by the second engagement device, so that the engagement piece thereof becomes unmovable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Kensuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10578952
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes a camera unit and a casing enclosing the camera unit. The camera unit includes an optical lens and an image sensing module. The casing includes a first housing body, a second housing body attachable to the first housing body, a front enclosure, and a back enclosure. The first housing body, the second housing body, the front enclosure, and the back enclosure jointly enclose a receiving space. A first ventilating window is disposed on the first housing body or the second housing body, and a second ventilation window is disposed on the back enclosure. The first ventilating window and the second ventilation window are configured to provide ventilation to the receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yin Tang, Hualiang Qiu, Feihu Yang
  • Patent number: 10564526
    Abstract: A two-piece extendable L-plate provides clearance between a camera and a quick-release receiver securing the camera to a support permitting a camera having cables connected to the side of the camera's body to be secured in either a landscape or a portrait orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Really Right Stuff, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Johnson, Sr., Matthew L. Burk
  • Patent number: 10560613
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a vehicular vision system includes a housing that accommodates a lens and a circuit board. An imager is disposed at the circuit board and optically aligned with the lens, and circuitry is disposed at the circuit board and electrically connected with the imager. The housing includes a rear housing portion that has an aperture therethrough, with the aperture aligned with an electrical connecting element of the circuit board. A bracket includes a mounting portion configured to attach at the vehicle and at the rear housing portion. With an electrical connector electrically connected to the electrical connecting element of the circuit board, the bracket is attached at the rear housing portion, and a structural element of the electrical connector is clamped between the bracket and the rear housing portion to maintain electrical connection of the electrical connector with the electrical connecting element of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Conger, Steven V. Byrne
  • Patent number: 10509301
    Abstract: According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided which allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to be releasably coupleable to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and configured to receive a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Karen Taxier, Luke VanDuyn, Matthew Bailey
  • Patent number: 10471906
    Abstract: A sensor bracket includes a plate-shaped bracket, a front surface of which is attached to an inner surface of a windshield of a vehicle, the plate-shape bracket having a camera that detects a state around a vehicle mounted on a back surface, reference surfaces provided on a back surface of the plate-shaped bracket, the reference surfaces being parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Kasai, Mitsuru Tokiwa, Tadahiro Matori, Takahiro Ohmoto
  • Patent number: 10416538
    Abstract: A camera mounting system has an upper mount component, a lower mount component, and a base mount component. The upper mount component secures the camera and has a ball protrusion that reciprocally couples with a socket of the lower mount component. The upper mount component can rotate 360 degrees relative to the lower mount, and can pivot 90 degrees or more relative to the lower mount component. The lower mount component couples with the base mount component in a plurality of orientations. This camera mounting system allows for a large range of motion for the camera relative to the mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Aaron Clearman
  • Patent number: 10404920
    Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus includes a correction lens, a movable member configured to hold the correction lens and to move on a spherical surface with a predetermined point as a center on an optical axis for an image stabilization, and a base member configured to movably hold the movable member and including a second surface that contacts a first surface on the movable member when the movable member moves. At least one of the first surface on the movable member and the second surface on the base member inclines to the predetermined point so as to approach to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taro Murakami
  • Patent number: 10351072
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a vision system of a vehicle includes a front housing portion having a lens, a circuit board having an imager and circuitry having an electrical connecting element, and a rear housing portion having a rear attachment portion and a mounting portion configured to attach at a vehicle. When the front housing portion is joined with the rear housing portion, the electrical connecting element of the circuit board is generally aligned with an aperture of the attachment plate and a connecting end of an electrical connector protrudes through the aperture to electrically connect with the electrical connecting element of the circuit board. A structural element of the electrical connector is attached at the attachment plate of the bracket to seal the aperture and to maintain electrical connection of the connecting end of the electrical connector with the electrical connecting element of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Conger, Steven V. Byrne
  • Patent number: 10326905
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a package comprising an image and metadata of the image including ambient condition data, storing the package in a memory, receiving a request for the image, outputting the image in response to the request, determining a context of the request, determining, using the context of the request, a substitute for the ambient condition data, and outputting the substitute for the ambient condition data with the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Itzhack Goldberg, James R. Kozloski, Clifford A. Pickover, Neil Sondhi
  • Patent number: 10317939
    Abstract: To provide a wearable computer excellent in extendibility and capable of being stably worn. A main body 2 which is equipped with cases 4, 6 and a flexible arm 8 is ring shaped main body having a part opened. The case 4 includes therein a computer, etc. The case 6 includes therein a battery for supplying electric power to the computer, etc. The flexible arm 8 is flexible and thus can be easily deformed. A connector case 10 is provided at a center portion of the flexible arm 8. The connector case 10 is provided with connectors for external device connection 36, 36, . . . In the present embodiment, a USB connector is employed as the connectors for external device connection 36, 36, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: WESTUNITIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahito Fukuda, Tadatoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10293760
    Abstract: A sensor bracket that holds a sensor having an engaging protrusion, the sensor bracket includes: a locking concave section to which a side surface of the engaging protrusion is locked in a abutting state, the side surface of the engaging protrusion being formed so as to cross with a protruding direction of the engaging protrusion; a displacement allowing section that is provided adjacent to the locking concave section, and that allows a displacement of the engaging protrusion during engaging and separating between the engaging protrusion and the locking concave section in a direction crossing with the protrusion direction of the engaging protrusion; and a movement restricting wall that is disposed below the displacement allowing section and that suppresses a downward movement of the engaging protrusion when the engaging protrusion is displaced during separation from the locking concave section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tadahiro Matori
  • Patent number: 10277785
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Kevin Edward Booth, Tyler Scott Wilson, Nicholas Webb, Jason Evans Goulden, William Dong, Jeffrey Law, Rochus Jacob, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Oliver Mueller, Scott Mullins, Brian Conner
  • Patent number: 10215951
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module, and the present invention comprises: a lens unit; a lens barrel for fixing the lens unit; a substrate unit, which has an image sensor mounted thereon, for converting light incident through the lens unit into an electric signal; and a housing accommodating the substrate unit in an inner space thereof and of which one side is coupled to the lens barrel, and the present invention can comprise: a transmission coil accommodated inside the housing so as to form an electric field, and a conductive heating element arranged on an outer surface of the lens unit or on an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel, and in which an induced current is generated by the electric field formed by the transmission coil. Since the present invention heats a lens by wirelessly supplying power to a heating element through simple configurations such as a transmission coil and the heating element, large changes are unnecessary in the volume and the structure of a camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Ryong Park, Jae Hun Sung, Jung Hoo Seo, Se Kyu Lee, Soo Min Jeong
  • Patent number: 10075624
    Abstract: A portable camera is provided for, including a camera section, a body section, and an attachment portion, wherein the camera section and the body section are configured to contact one another along an angled surface that allows the camera section to swivel with respect to the body section. The attachment portion may also be connected to the body section via a magnet and may further include ports for attaching to a charging and/or data cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gustavo Fontana, Mark A. Zeh, Brian David Mulcahey
  • Patent number: 10063788
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image acquirement section, a correction section, and an image production section. The image acquirement section acquires an image signal representing an image, the image signal is generated by light receiving elements that receive lights from a specific space preliminarily defined in a vicinity of a vehicle via a near infrared passing filter mainly transmitting near infrared lights and a visible light passing filter transmitting visible lights and near infrared lights, respectively. The image includes multiple areas and indicates the specific space projected onto a plane. The correction section corrects each area of the image by amplifying intensity of near infrared lights with an increasing amplification factor when a difference between the intensity of near infrared lights and intensity of visible lights and near infrared lights becomes smaller. The image production section produces a new image based on the corrected areas of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazushige Hattori, Hirotaka Suzuki, Nobuhiko Inoue, Kazuhide Ohta
  • Patent number: 9998669
    Abstract: A camera gimbal is provided. The camera gimbal includes a gimbal barrel; a lens barrel configured to support a camera module thereon, and assembled to the gimbal barrel; and a connection unit configured to interconnect the gimbal barrel and the lens barrel, wherein the lens barrel is connected to be freely rotatable, wherein the connection unit provides a rolling axis, a yawing axis, and a pitching axis of the lens barrel, and wherein the lens barrel assembled to the connection unit is configured to maintain a horizontal posture by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoon-Seok Kang, Sungjin Park, Baeseok Lim
  • Patent number: 9979865
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted electronic apparatus includes: a camera that captures images of an outside of the vehicle; a storage chamber in which the camera is stored; a lid that opens and closes an aperture extending between an inside of the storage chamber and an outside of the storage chamber. Moreover, the vehicle-mounted electronic apparatus further includes an opening switch that is actuated in response to pressure applied to the lid and that sends a signal for opening a door of a luggage compartment of the vehicle when the opening switch is actuated. Thus, the opening switch and the camera can be disposed in a same position of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomohisa Koseki, Masashi Otomi
  • Patent number: 9948837
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include a modular video camera system that can be adapted to mount to a number of different surfaces and perform a number of different functions. Some embodiments include a video camera housing having a front portion with a camera lens and infra-red (IR) emitter disposed thereon, a mounting apparatus to couple to and secure the camera system to a window pane such that the front portion of the housing faces the window pane, and a silicone-based compound, placed between the IR emitter and the window pane, that is translucent to IR light and prevents IR light from reflecting off of the window pane and into the camera lens. Some embodiments include a video camera system with a battery pack coupled to a base support having an orientation adjustment apparatus to prevent inadvertent adjustments to an orientation of the video camera system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Andrew Gartrell, Aron Michael Rosenberg, Gaurav Bradoo, Timucin Kip
  • Patent number: 9912831
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a package comprising an image and metadata of the image including ambient condition data, storing the package in a memory, receiving a request for the image, outputting the image in response to the request, determining a context of the request, determining, using the context of the request, a substitute for the ambient condition data, and outputting the substitute for the ambient condition data with the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Itzhack Goldberg, James R. Kozloski, Clifford A. Pickover, Neil Sondhi
  • Patent number: 9876994
    Abstract: According to one aspect, personalized vehicle ambient lighting on a vehicle is provided. Presence information associated with a user is detected. Image color information is captured from an image is taken by a camera such that the user is within the image. Image color information associated with the user is extracted from the image. Red, green, blue (RGB) color values indicative of a color associated with the user are created. A light emitting diode (LED) activation scheme based on the RGB color values associated with the user is generated. Portions of a plurality of RGB LEDs are activated based on the LED activation scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian K. Lickfelt
  • Patent number: 9756296
    Abstract: According to one aspect, personalized vehicle ambient lighting on a vehicle is provided. Presence information associated with a user is detected. Image color information is captured from an image is taken by a camera such that the user is within the image. Image color information associated with the user is extracted from the image. Red, green, blue (RGB) color values indicative of a color associated with the user are created. A light emitting diode (LED) activation scheme based on the RGB color values associated with the user is generated. Portions of a plurality of RGB LEDs are activated based on the LED activation scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian K. Lickfelt
  • Patent number: 9731662
    Abstract: A solution that offers increased comfort for the user and increases the value of the vehicle is obtained with an assembly for a vehicle, having a carrier housing, which has a through-hole, a drive unit, which is attached to the carrier housing, a camera unit, which can move between a standby position and an active position and a protective lid, which can move between an open position and a closed position. An actuating element is movably coupled to the drive unit and forces the protective lid into its open position when the vehicle is driven in reverse and the camera unit is in the active position. The camera unit assumes a collision monitoring position when the vehicle is being driven forwards, in which position the protective lid is disposed in its closed position, and in which the camera unit is disposed at a monitoring opening formed in the protective lid, for filming the following or preceding traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Barthel, Stephan Wietkamp
  • Patent number: 9725049
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for holding a camera, which serves in particular as a parking assistance in a vehicle, said device having a housing (10) in which a carriage (20), to which said camera can be secured, is movably accommodated, wherein said carriage (20) can be driven by a gear system (30). The gear system (30) has a first swiveling element (31) and a second swiveling element (32) which are connected to the carriage (20) in an articulated matter, and each swiveling element (31, 32) is rotatably mounted on the housing (10) in such a way and the carriage (20) is rotatably mounted on each swiveling element (31, 32) in such a way that the carriage (20), between a resting position (A) and an operating position (B), carries out at least a first movement phase (I) and a second movement phase (II).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerd Buschmann
  • Patent number: 9724980
    Abstract: A windshield defogging system and method are provided. The system includes a heated windshield with an electrical heating element, an air circulation system with a blower to provide a stream of air over a surface of the windshield and a controller configured to select a duty cycle for the heating element based upon air circulation system operating parameters and environmental conditions such as ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Bryan Hoke, Alan Douglas Wallington, Alan Gutowski, Amy Golden
  • Patent number: 9661230
    Abstract: Discussed is an image display apparatus including a main body; a display unit displaying at least one screen image; a capturing unit mounted on the main body and capturing an image using a single image sensor; a drive unit that receives a control signal for selectively activating any one of first and second modes that differ depending on whether or not to use an infrared light-cut filter, to drive the capturing unit; and a controller that outputs a first control signal for establishing a connection between the single image sensor and the infrared light-cut filter when one screen image for capturing an image corresponding to a first function is displayed and that outputs a second control signal for establishing a connection between the single image sensor and a visible light-cut filter when another screen image for capturing an image corresponding to a second function is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kwanghun Kwon, Jinho Hyun
  • Patent number: 9649991
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a rear camera for a vehicle, may include a rear glass in which a mounting hole is perforated; a camera housing in which a camera module is embedded; and a wiper pivot which enters the mounting hole from an internal side of the rear glass, and has an end of an external side coupled with a wiper blade, in which the camera housing is mounted so that the wiper pivot passes through the camera housing, and is fixed between the wiper blade and the rear glass, in a manner that the camera housing is coupled so that the wiper pivot passes through an upper portion of the camera housing, and a camera module is located at a lower portion of the camera housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yong-Hun Lee, Soo-Kyoung Yang, Yong Lee, Sang-Sul Lee, Tae-Yub Kim, Ju-Yong Park, Yun-Seok Oh, Yong-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 9621770
    Abstract: A camera system includes a camera mounting frame having a plurality of camera mounts. Each camera mount is configured to hold a respective camera at a respective lens orientation such that mounted cameras provide different respective lens orientations relative to each other, with each mounted camera providing a different field of view facing outward from the mounting frame. The camera system may provide obstruction-free, fully spherical image and video capture to record spherical images or spherical videos in which the nadir hole and/or a physical support element of the camera system is eliminated or reduced in size during the digital stitching process of the image or video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Joergen Geerds
  • Patent number: 9609186
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a receptacle configured to receive a mobile computing device that has an integrated image capture component. Further, the apparatus comprises a first handle having a first handle top portion that is operably connected to the receptacle and a first handle bottom portion that is operably connected to the receptacle. In addition, the apparatus comprises a second handle having a second handle top portion that is operably connected to the receptacle and a second handle bottom portion that is operably connected to the receptacle. The apparatus also comprises a tripod receiver that is operably attached to the first handle. The tripod receiver receives a tripod connector to connect a tripod to the first handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: iOgrapher, LLC
    Inventors: David Basulto, Jason Ivey
  • Patent number: 9505345
    Abstract: A vehicle ambient lighting system enables a user to define a personalized ambient lighting color. The ambient lighting system includes a camera capturing image color information from a colored surface forming the user defined ambient lighting color selection. An image processor creates RGB color values representing the color of the colored surface and a generates an LED activation scheme using the RGB color values. A plurality of RGB LEDs are activated in accordance with the LED activation scheme to produce vehicle ambient lighting having a color matching the user defined ambient lighting color selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian K. Lickfelt
  • Patent number: 9491339
    Abstract: A camera system includes a camera mounting frame having a plurality of camera mounts. Each camera mount is configured to hold a respective camera at a respective lens orientation such that mounted cameras provide different respective lens orientations relative to each other, with each mounted camera providing a different field of view facing outward from the mounting frame. The camera system may provide obstruction-free, fully spherical image and video capture to record spherical images or spherical videos in which the nadir hole and/or a physical support element of the camera system is eliminated or reduced in size during the digital stitching process of the image or video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Joergen Geerds
  • Patent number: 9405172
    Abstract: A wearable mount is disclosed for holding a portable electronic image capture device. The mount includes a base mount comprising an abutment portion configured securely attach the base mount, a cradle assembly attaching to the portable electronic image capture device, and a flexible arm connecting the base mount to the cradle assembly and permitting the user to adjust an orientation of the portable electronic image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventors: Frazier Cunningham, III, Cindita Cunningham