Lens Mount Patents (Class 396/529)
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Publication number: 20110299847Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of mounting an interchangeable lens thereon includes first and second terminals for communicating with the interchangeable lens, and a control unit capable of switching between a first communication mode in which a clock signal is output from the first terminal and communication is performed using the second terminal based on the clock signal and a second communication mode in which communication is performed using the second terminal without outputting the clock signal from the first terminal. The control unit is configured to output a predetermined signal from the first terminal to the interchangeable lens when a predetermined condition is not satisfied in the second communication mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiromichi Sakamoto
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Publication number: 20110292279Abstract: A camera module includes a lens of heat-resistant material, a barrel receiving the lens, a baseboard mounted on the barrel by surface mounted technology, an image sensor mounted on the baseboard receiving optical signals from the lens and converting the optical signals into electrical signals, and a transmitting member transmitting the electrical signals to the circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: CHIEN-LIH LUNG
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Publication number: 20110293264Abstract: A camera module includes a camera unit, a board, and a driving unit mounted on the board and configured to drive the camera unit. The camera module also includes an elastic camera-side connecting part configured to connect a terminal of the camera unit with wiring on a first surface of the board.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventors: Koki Sato, Mitsuru Kobayashi, Tetsugaku Tanaka, Hideo Miyazawa
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Patent number: 8068168Abstract: A device for connecting a camera lens to a movie camera has a camera housing with a lens mount and a device for acquiring data relating to the camera lens connected to the lens mount. Said device further comprising a miniaturized electronic system with data memory for storing data relating to the camera lens such as lens type, serial number, conversion tables and the like, and with a contact region that is arranged on a data interface between the lens mount of the movie camera and the lens fastening means of the camera lens and which is aligned with the contact region arranged in the lens mount of the movie camera is integrated in the lens fastening means of the camera lens or in a modified lens fastening means connected to the lens fastening means of the camera lens or replacing the latter.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2005Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KGInventor: Michael B. Haubmann
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Patent number: 8066440Abstract: A camera module is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module includes a lens barrel, which supports a lens and in which the lens allows a ray of light to be incident at an imaging part, a driver, which moves the lens barrel along an optical axis, a body, which houses the lens barrel, and a buffering part, which is interposed between the lens barrel and the body when the lens barrel collides with the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae-Ho Baik, Chul-Yeub Han, Myung-Jin Lee, Seong-Ho Kang
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Publication number: 20110286736Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a camera module formed with substantially the same scale as a chip of an image sensor, includes a lens held by a lens holder, an image sensor placed in a position in which an image is formed by the lens, and a wiring board disposed between the lens and the image sensor and electrically connected to the image sensor. An opening that permits light entering the image sensor to pass therethrough is formed in the wiring board. Further, a passive component is contained in the wiring board.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Toyokazu AIZAWA, Katsuo Iwata, Takehiro Hiramatsu
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Publication number: 20110286737Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera module, including: a lens barrel having a plurality of lenses embedded therein to collect images of external subjects; a housing receiving the lens barrel; a sealing member provided between the lens barrel and the housing to seal a space therebetween; and a bonding part performing bonding treatment on a space between the lens barrel and the sealing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yong Gu Kim, Sang Jin Lee
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Patent number: 8054369Abstract: An image capturing device includes a base formed with a first receiving space defined by a bottom wall and a first surrounding wall, and a second receiving space defined by a top side of the first surrounding wall and a second surrounding wall. A lens module is mounted on the base for generating an optical image of an object. An auto-focusing module is disposed in the second receiving space for auto-focusing the optical image based on an external voltage. A sensing module is mounted in the first receiving space and on the bottom wall of the base, is disposed under the auto-focusing module, and is spaced apart from the lens module at a predetermined distance for sensing the optical image focused by the auto-focusing module so as to generate an electrical output corresponding to the optical image.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignees: Silitek Electronic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Lite-On Technology Corp.Inventors: Cheng-Te Tseng, Tzu-Kan Chen, Meng-Hsin Kuo, Chia-Hsi Tsai
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Publication number: 20110262126Abstract: A dust-screening member is shaped like a plate as a whole, and has at least one side that is symmetric with respect to a virtual axis on a surface of the member. A vibrating member is adjacent to one side of the dust-screening member, arranged on the surface along the one side, and configured to produce, at the surface, vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to the surface. A drive unit is configured to drive the vibrating member to produce the vibration on the surface, such that peak ridges of the vibration form a closed loop and an area including a center of the closed loop is surrounded by a node area having almost no vibrational amplitude. When a thickness of the dust-screening member is assumed to be tg and a thickness of the vibrating member is assumed to be tp, tg/tp has a dimension of 0.8.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicants: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.Inventors: Sumio KAWAI, Takashi Miyazawa, Yusuke Rimmi
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Publication number: 20110262127Abstract: A dust-screening member is shaped like a plate as a whole. A vibrating member is adjacent to one side of the dust-screening member, arranged on the surface along the one side, and configured to produce, at the surface, vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to the surface. A drive unit is configured to drive the vibrating member to produce the vibration on the surface, such that peak ridges of the vibration form a closed loop and an area including a center of the closed loop is surrounded by a node area having almost no vibrational amplitude. When a length of a side in a dust-screening member virtual rectangle corresponding to a long side of a vibrating member virtual rectangle is assumed to be LF, and a length of a long side in the vibrating member virtual rectangle is assumed to be LPFF, LPFF/LF has a dimension of 0.7.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicants: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.Inventors: Sumio KAWAI, Takashi MIYAZAWA, Yusuke RIMMI
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Patent number: 8041208Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a foreign substance removal member configured to move along a surface of an optical member to remove foreign substances, a shutter blade configured to open and close an photographic optical path, the shutter blade being disposed closer to an object side than the optical member, and a cover plate configured to restrict an operation range of the shutter blade toward the optical member side, wherein the cover plate has an opening larger than the photographic optical path, and an area other than the photographic optical path of the opening includes a standby position for the foreign substance removal member, and at least a part of the foreign substance removal member is positioned inside the opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masato Seita
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Patent number: 8029199Abstract: A camera lens holder configured to hold a camera lens when the lens is not attached to a camera body. The camera lens holder includes a back plate and an adapter plate associated with the back plate. The back plate and adapter plate may be movably connected with a hinge. The lens holder also includes a lens mount configured to engage with a camera lens associated with the adapter plate. The camera lens holder may include a lens release mechanism to selectively prohibit or allow the removal of a camera lens which has been engaged with the lens mount. Also disclosed is a lens holding system and a method of holding a spare camera lens.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Press Three Photography, Inc.Inventor: Riley Kimball
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Patent number: 8025450Abstract: A lens assembly made of porous ceramic is provided with concave sections into which an adhesive for fixing lenses inserted into a lens frame is injected. Each of the concave sections has an outward opening and a spacing wall provided between a hollow part of the lens frame and the opening. The adhesive injected into the concave sections passes through multiple pores in the lens frame made of porous ceramic, and reaches the periphery of each of the lenses, thereby fixing the lenses to an inner wall of the hollow part of the lens frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Ikuo Taki, Ryota Sasaki, Yuya Sakai, Yasunori Tanaka
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Publication number: 20110229118Abstract: An interchangeable lens to be removably attached to a camera body, includes: a receiving device that receives predetermined control data from the camera body through a first transmission path; a control device that executes predetermined control processing based upon the control data upon reception of the control data by the receiving device; a generation device that executes at predetermined intervals generation processing for generating predetermined lens data which indicates an operating state of the interchangeable lens; a transmission device that transmits the lens data to the camera body through a second transmission path, which is different from the first transmission path, upon generation of the lens data by the generation device; and a prioritizing device that gives priority to the generation processing by the generation device over the control processing by the control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuharu IMAFUJI
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Patent number: 8016498Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of effectively removing dust attached to an optical member due to mounting/removing of a photographic lens in a power-off state, to thereby prevent degradation of image quality. In the image pickup apparatus, when position information of a contact brush that moves in a manner interlocked with mounting/removing of the photographic lens differs immediately after execution of power-on operation from position information obtained immediately after execution of power-off operation, it is determined that photographic lens mounting/removing operation was carried out during power-off, and a camera microcomputer outputs a warning advising cleaning of the optical member.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Futoshi Hirai
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Publication number: 20110217034Abstract: Provided is a spacer member of a camera module which fixes a border of an elastic member for elastically supporting a lens holder upward and downward to a housing, and a camera module equipped with the same. The spacer member for a camera module, which is disposed between a cover and a plate spring of the camera module so as to fix a border of the plate spring to a housing, is characterized in that the spacer member is formed of an elastic material having cushion performance, and the spacer member is compressed toward the plate spring by the cover so that the plate spring is fixedly compressed to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2009Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: HYSONIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Jae Chang You, Duk Yeol Lee, Ji Hoon Lim
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Patent number: 8011839Abstract: A lens barrel includes: a barrel body; a mount that is attached to an end of the barrel body and has a connection portion to be connected to an imaging apparatus body; and a substrate that is disposed on an attachment surface of the mount that is attached to the barrel body and on which a controller for controlling the action of the barrel body is formed, wherein the mount has a locking member that protrudes from the attachment surface and locks an operation member for operating a mechanism in the barrel body, and the substrate has a clearance that prevents interference with the locking member.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kiyomitsu Furuyama, Takashi Koyama, Shohei Uno
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Patent number: 7997812Abstract: A camera module is provided with a lens part including a lens and a lens barrel, a holder coupled with the lens part and formed with a first conductive layer, and a printed circuit board electrically connected to the first conductive layer while supporting the holder.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Min Soo Kim
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Patent number: 7988371Abstract: A camera module includes a mount for holding a lens directly or indirectly, a cover plate glass with transparency fixed to the mount. A solid-state imaging device is mounted on the cover plate glass. The cover plate contacts a plurality of ribs formed in the mount, and the mount and the cover plate are positioned.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.Inventors: Susumu Aoki, Tsuyoshi Maro
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Patent number: 7980773Abstract: A camera module includes a sensor for converting incident light incident thereto into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal therefrom, a glass cover for transmitting therethrough light to the sensor, the light being the incident light; a flexible printed circuit for receiving as an input thereto the electric signal outputted from the sensor, a lens unit for focusing the incident light onto the sensor, and a pedestal for holding the lens unit, the pedestal including a sidewall section which includes a lower end surface being fixed onto the flexible printed circuit by use of adhesive. A depression is formed along the sidewall section of the mount to discard the adhesive therein.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.Inventors: Susumu Aoki, Ikuo Shinta
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Publication number: 20110170853Abstract: When communication is made between a camera and an interchangeable lens by a conventional synchronization method, an operation for checking Busy is required between communications, and operating performances of the camera and interchangeable lens may not be occasionally improved. Provided is a camera and interchangeable lens system in which a communication method between a camera and an interchangeable lens can be changed to one of synchronous communication and asynchronous communication. The synchronous communication is made first while the camera serves as a master. The camera measures a time interval of a signal pulse output from the lens at a predetermined time interval in response to a command from the camera to the interchangeable lens for change of the communication to the asynchronous communication. The camera determines a baud rate for the asynchronous communication and then changes the communication method between the camera and the interchangeable lens to the asynchronous communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toshifumi Osawa
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Publication number: 20110158636Abstract: A lens assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens and a fourth lens. The first lens has a first flange on a surface thereof, with the first flange having a first receiving groove. The second lens has a second flange on a surface thereof and a positioning protrusion on the other surface opposite to the second flange. The positioning protrusion is received in the first receiving groove. The second flange defines a second receiving groove. The third lens has a third flange on a surface thereof and a positioning protrusion on the other surface opposite to the third flange. The positioning protrusion is received in the second receiving groove. The fourth lens has a fourth flange on a surface thereof, and the fourth flange defines a fourth receiving groove for receiving the third flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: HUNG-LUNG HO
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Patent number: 7969668Abstract: A lens arrangement includes two lenses. Each lens includes an optical portion having an optical axis, a non-optical portion surrounding the optical portion, and an engagement portion extending along the optical axis from the non-optical portion. One of the engagement portions includes an outer wall and an inner wall parallel to the outer wall with an annular groove defined therebetween, while the other engagement portion defines a corresponding annular space for receiving the outer wall and the inner wall therein, therefore the engagement portions are interferentially engaged with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuan-Hsu Chou
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Publication number: 20110150460Abstract: An exemplary camera module includes a lens barrel defining an aperture for light entering the lens barrel and a lens received in the lens barrel. The lens includes a central optical portion aligned with the aperture of the lens barrel and a fixing portion around a periphery of the optical portion for fixing the lens in the lens barrel. An outside surface of the fixing portion of the lens is beveled relative to an optical axis of the camera module.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: CHENG-YI LAI
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Publication number: 20110150459Abstract: A camera module includes a lens barrel, a first lens and a second lens. The lens barrel includes a substantially cylindrical inner wall. The first lens is received in the lens barrel. The first lens includes a first circumferential side surface spaced from the inner wall. The second lens is engaged with the first lens and received in the lens barrel. The second lens includes a second circumferential side surface. The second circumferential side surface has a first portion contacting the inner wall and a second portion spaced from the inner wall, thus a gap defined between the second portion and the inner wall. Adhesive is applied in the gap between the second portion and the inner wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: CHIA-CHUN CHANG, SHIH-CHIEH YEN, HUNG-LUNG HO
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Patent number: 7955010Abstract: A camera apparatus and a camera system of the present invention are configured so that a lens unit is attachable/detachable. The lens unit contains at least a lens and an iris, and contains a memory storing setting information required for operating the lens and the iris. When a camera microcomputer checks detection information stored in a memory in a sub-microcomputer at a time of start-up of the camera apparatus, and first detection information is stored in the memory, the setting information is acquired from the lens unit. When second detection information is stored in the memory, the setting information is acquired from another memory in the camera apparatus. Due to this configuration, the time for shifting the switch-on to a photographable state is shortened, and the ease of convenience can be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Akihiro Tamura
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Patent number: 7945156Abstract: A camera which has a compact configuration, can be easily assembled and has excellent appearance, and an assembling method thereof are provided. An outer cover body of the camera is formed in a tubular shape. The outer cover body has: a lens attachment portion for attaching the lens unit; a lens opening portion through which a lens barrel of the lens unit attached to the lens attachment portion is inserted; and a hole through which the lens unit can pass, and the lens unit is housed inside the outer cover body and is attached to the lens attachment portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Kazuya Mayumi
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Patent number: 7934879Abstract: A camera module includes a lens module, an image sensor, a circuit board for supporting the image sensor, and a lens holder for connecting the lens module and the circuit board. A method for fabricating the camera module includes the following steps. Firstly, at least one cleaning hole is created in the lens holder, and the at least one cleaning hole is filled with a removable sealing stuff. Then, the printed circuit board, the image sensor, the lens holder and the lens module of the camera module are combined together. Then, a testing procedure is performed to detect whether any pollutant is present within the assembled camera module. Once any pollutant within the assembled camera module is detected, the sealing stuff is removed from the at least one cleaning hole, a cleaning procedure is done to remove the pollutant, and the at least one cleaning hole is sealed again.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.Inventors: Hsiang-Kai Liao, Po-Chun Chang
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Publication number: 20110097072Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a lens system mount (4) for a lens system (1) of a camera, which can be used for vehicle applications, comprising the following method steps: The lens system mount (4) and a front housing shell (5) of the camera are produced as a single component in one working operation. The lens system mount (4) and the front housing shell (3) are made from metallic materials or plastic material with glass-fiber contents. The system mount (4) manufactured as a single piece with the front housing shell (3) is adapted to the length of the lens system (1) by machining.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2005Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Frank Gottwald, Uwe Apel
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Patent number: 7933515Abstract: A camera body includes a body mount to which the lens unit can be mounted, a metal main frame supporting the body mount, an imaging element configured to convert an optical image of the subject into image data, an intermediate part disposed along a thermal conduction path formed between the main frame and the imaging element, and a metal heat radiating member connected to the intermediate part.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Makoto Iyoda, Atsushi Inoue, Ryuichi Nagaoka
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Patent number: 7924344Abstract: An exemplary objective holder for engaging with a PCB substrate having an image sensor and several passive components arranged thereon, includes a base and several continuously connected walls extending from the base. The walls enclose a chamber thereamong for receiving the image sensor and define notches therein for receiving the passive components.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Su-Jen Cheng, Wen-Ching Lai, Wen-Chang Chen
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Patent number: 7920336Abstract: A barrel includes a through-hole through which an interlocking lever passes, the interlocking lever provided on a barrier drive member to receive a rotational force. The barrier drive member includes a flange portion in a circumferential direction. The flange portion is positioned at the same phase as the interlocking lever and covers the through-hole from an optical axis direction during a rotation of the barrier blades from an open state to a closed state.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Taro Murakami
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Publication number: 20110076007Abstract: According to one embodiment, a camera module includes an insulating substrate 13 having an imaging device 18, solder balls 21, a cylindrical lens holder 14, a shield 12, and a mounting board 11. The solder balls 21 are formed on a rear face of the substrate 13. The lens holder 14 is fixed on the substrate 13 and is composed of an upper large-diameter portion 14-1 and a lower small-diameter portion 14-2. The shield 12 is composed of a cylindrical side portion 12-2 fitted onto the small-diameter portion 14-2 and fixed on the rear face of the large-diameter portion 14-1 and a plate-shaped bottom portion 12-1 in contact with the rear face of the substrate 13 and having an opening. The mounting board 11 is on an upper surface of which the plate-shaped bottom portion 12-1 is so mounted as to come in contact with the upper surface and the insulating substrate 13 or the imaging device 18 is connected with the upper surface by the plurality of solder balls 21.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Masaki TAMOYAMA, Junichi Abe
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Publication number: 20110063497Abstract: An imaging apparatus system includes an interchangeable lens 100 and a camera body 200. The interchangeable lens 100 includes an optical system configured to generate an optical image of a subject, a first communication unit 106, and a lens controller 105 configured to control driving of the optical system in synchronization with a reference signal received through the first communication unit. The camera body 200 includes a second communication unit 201 that can communicate with the first communication unit 106, and a body controller 203 configured to send the reference signal to the lens controller 105 through the second communication unit 201. The body controller 203 sends announcement information preliminarily announcing switching of the cycle of the reference signal, to the lens controller 105. The lens controller 105, when receiving the announcement information from the camera body, performs a preparation operation for switching the cycle of the reference signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Kawazoe, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Koji Shibuno
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Patent number: 7897242Abstract: A plurality of undulations are continuously formed on a front surface and a back surface of at least a beam portion in an injection molded article, and warpage generated by molding is prevented. Injection molding of the present invention is effective for, for example, prevention of the warpage of a beam generated by influences of light intercepting ridges formed on an inner surface of a lens barrel or the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Kazuya Hirose
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Patent number: 7894714Abstract: Taking lenses 11—4, 11—3, and 11—2 are housed in a lens frame 12. Then, the O-ring 13 is fitted into a groove 11—1a provided on the periphery of the taking lens 11—1, and the taking lens 11—1 is housed in the lens frame 12. Subsequently, an anterior surface 14b of a lens holder 14 in a screwing direction (directions of arrows P and P?) comes into contact with a wall surface 12b of the lens frame 12. Then, the lens holder 14 is gradually screwed into the lens frame 12. Thereby, a deformable portion 12c of the lens frame 12 on an O-ring 13 side of the wall surface 12b is deformed in such a direction (directions of arrows Q and Q?) as to press the O-ring 13.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Fujinon CorporationInventor: Naoki Sasaki
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Patent number: 7883281Abstract: An interchangeable lens system includes an interchangeable lens capable of communication between the interchangeable lens and a camera body. The interchangeable lens includes a camera identifying unit that identifies a camera body from information obtained by the communication between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. In response to a data transmitting request instruction transmitted from the camera body through the communication, the camera identifying unit converts reply data into a format adapted for the camera body on the basis of an identifying result of the camera identifying unit, and transmits the reply data.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuya Higuma
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Publication number: 20110026915Abstract: A camera module is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module includes a lens barrel, which supports a lens and in which the lens allows a ray of light to be incident at an imaging part, a driver, which moves the lens barrel along an optical axis, a body, which houses the lens barrel, and a buffering part, which is interposed between the lens barrel and the body when the lens barrel collides with the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Jae-Ho Baik, Chul-Yeub Han, Myung-Jin Lee, Seong-Ho Kang
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Patent number: 7880132Abstract: A camera module lens cap is provided to protect a camera module in a mobile device where the camera module is exposed. The camera module lens cap includes an optically transparent member for positioning adjacent a camera lens, and a housing for carrying the optically transparent member. The housing includes an overhanging lip for engaging a base of the camera module.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd, STMicroelectronics SAInventors: Stuart Brodie, Hazel McInnes, Kum Weng Loo, Mickael Miglietti, Eric Saugier
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Patent number: 7874746Abstract: Disclosed are a camera module and a mobile terminal having the same, capable of simplifying the manufacturing process while reducing the fault rate and improving reliability of products. The camera module can include a camera housing having a support protrusion with an aperture formed at a center thereof and a predetermined mounting section provided at an inner portion; a plurality of lenses inserted and mounted in the mounting section of the camera housing so as to receive an optical image of a subject, where the support protrusion is provided at an upper portion of the lenses; an IR cut-off filter disposed below the lenses while sealing the mounting section; an image sensor; and a printed circuit board that digitalizes an image signal output from the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2007Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin Ho Lee
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Publication number: 20110013901Abstract: The invention provides an imaging module in which a lens barrel is reliably adhered and fixed to a device holder regardless of the amount of adjustment and a method of adjusting the imaging of the imaging module. An imaging module includes: a lens barrel that is a cylindrical body with an opened front surface and an opened rear surface and has an imaging lens held therein; and a device holder including a cylindrical portion which faces an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel with a gap therebetween and surrounds the outer circumferential surface of at least a portion of the lens barrel close to the rear surface. An imaging device is fixed to the device holder at a position facing the rear surface of the lens barrel, and the lens barrel is adhered to the device holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventor: Makoto UTSUGI
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Patent number: 7873270Abstract: An interchangeable lens type camera system includes a camera body and an interchangeable lens mountable to the camera body. An error detector detects whether a communication error occurs between a communication unit of the camera body and a communication unit of the interchangeable lens. A display unit displays a first error handling message when the error detector detects the communication error at a time of activation of the interchangeable lens, and displays a second error handling message when the error detector detects the communication error after activation of the interchangeable lens.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Akihiro Tamura
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Patent number: 7871204Abstract: Disclosed is a lens barrel capable of placing at least a part of multiple lens groups in a retraction status in which the part of the multiple lens groups are accommodated in the lens barrel, and at least a part of the multiple lens groups in a photographing status in which the part of the multiple lens groups are moved closer to an object. The distance between a first lens group (11) located closest to the object and a second lens group (12) located second closest to the object changes in the optical axis direction. A spring mechanism (30) having a compression spring function and a torsion coil spring function in combination is arranged between the first lens group (11) and the second lens group (12). This spring mechanism biases (30) at least the second lens group (12) in the optical axis direction and in a rotational direction in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Katsuhiko Nuno
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Patent number: 7864461Abstract: A camera module includes a rear lens barrel, a front lens barrel assembled to the rear lens barrel, the front lens barrel and the rear lens barrel together forming a housing space, a lens holder that holds an imaging optical system and is housed in the housing space, a guiding mechanism that movably supports the lens holder along the optical axis of the imaging optical system, and a driving unit that moves the lens holder along the optical axis of the imaging optical system, the driving unit including a magnet provided in the lens holder and a coil that faces the magnet. The rear lens barrel has a bottom wall that faces the housing space. The coil includes first and second coils disposed in the rear lens barrel on opposite sides of the optical axis in the housing space.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Satoru Yoshioka, Takahiro Okabe, Masashi Nishimoto, Yasutaka Takahashi, Mitsuru Ichikawa, Satoshi Imai
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Patent number: 7852579Abstract: A camera module includes a lens unit which constitutes an optical system of the camera module; a holder which houses the lens unit and is displaceable along an optical axis direction of the lens unit, and the coil having a hollow cylindrical portion; a coil having a cylindrical form and provided around the cylindrical portion of the holder; a yoke and magnets provided on the yoke for providing a magnetic field to the coil; upper and lower leaf springs for supporting the holder so that the holder is displaceable along an optical axis direction of the lens unit; and an imaging element provided below the lens unit. The holder has coil holding portions to which the coil is fitted for fixedly providing the coil around the cylindrical portion of the holder without using an adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiko Osaka, Takashi Ishizawa
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Patent number: 7850376Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of effectively removing dust attached to an optical member due to mounting/removing of a photographic lens in a power-off state, to thereby prevent degradation of image quality. In the image pickup apparatus, when position information of a contact brush that moves in a manner interlocked with mounting/removing of the photographic lens differs immediately after execution of power-on operation from position information obtained immediately after execution of power-off operation, it is determined that photographic lens mounting/removing operation was carried out during power-off, and a camera microcomputer outputs a warning advising cleaning of the optical member.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Futoshi Hirai
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Patent number: 7850377Abstract: A mounting structure for a plurality of lenses, wherein at least three lenses are arranged with their optical axes set to coincide with each other, the lenses located at both ends in the optical axis direction are provided with parts facing each other, and the mutually facing parts of the lenses are fixed to each other with an adhesive. The mounting structure, wherein all the lenses except the lenses located at both ends in the optical axis direction are fixed in the state of being clamped between the lenses located at both ends in the optical axis direction by shrinkage during curing of the adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hideo Okamoto, Nobuyuki Adachi, Noritoshi Eguchi
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Patent number: 7845058Abstract: An exemplary method for assembling a lens unit and a light-receiving unit into a camera module is provided. The lens unit includes a mountable surface. The light-receiving unit includes a light-receiving surface and a mounting surface. The method includes a mountable surface detecting step, a mountable surface repositioning step, a mounting surface detecting step, a mounting surface repositioning step, and a mounting step. The mountable surface detecting and repositioning steps detect and reposition the lens unit to make the mountable surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit. The mounting surface detecting repositioning steps detect and reposition the light-receiving unit to make the mounting surface parallel to the light-receiving surface. The mounting step mounts the light-receiving unit to the lens unit in the manner that the mounting surface parallel to the light-receiving surface is biased against the mountable surface perpendicular to the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ying-Chih Chen
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Patent number: 7845867Abstract: A camera module includes a lens unit (30) and a stator (20). The lens unit includes a lens barrel (310), a lens (312) received in the lens barrel and a permanent magnet (32) fixedly mounted around the lens barrel. The stator is for receiving the lens unit therein. The stator includes a coil seat (21b) and a coil (22b) wound therearound. The coil seat includes a base (211b) and at least a connector (24) fixed on one side of the base. The at least a connector is electrically connected with the coil and includes a connecting pin (246) extending towards a bottom surface of the base. The connecting pin is made of an electrically conductive material and adapted for electrically connecting to a printed circuit board arranged under the base.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ching-Hsing Huang, Cheng-Fa Weng, Jen-Te Wang, Huai-Chao You, Da-Yi Wen
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Patent number: 7848634Abstract: An interchangeable lens connects in a prescribed position to a support surface on a camera of a camera system using a locking apparatus. A method and apparatus for identifying interchangeable lenses uses optical radiation. After the locking operation is performed, a defined optical radiation is directed from two or more, preferably six, light transmitters arranged in the support surface to reflecting or absorbing surfaces on the locking apparatus which are assigned to said light transmitters. The radiation returning from the respective reflecting/absorbing surfaces is picked up by light receivers arranged next to the light transmitters in the support surface. A binary coded signal for identifying the interchangeable lens is formed from the output signals of the light receivers.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Leica Camera AGInventors: Gerhard Kranz, Oliver Zielberg, Robert Denk, Ulrich Lies