Lens Mount Patents (Class 396/529)
  • Patent number: 7832951
    Abstract: A digital still camera includes a camera main unit and a lens unit or lens assembly. The camera main unit has an image processor for image processing of an image being formed by image pickup. A frame memory stores the image during image processing. The lens unit is secured to the camera main unit removably, and has an image sensor for forming the image by detecting object light passed through a photographing lens. A subsidiary image memory has a storage capacity according to a pixel number of the image sensor, for storing the image in a temporary manner in addition to the frame memory, to shorten image processing time. In one embodiment, at least one of the frame memory and the subsidiary image memory is caused to store luminance component data and chrominance component data of the image obtained according to an image signal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Izumi Miyake
  • Patent number: 7831139
    Abstract: A camera module includes a barrel for receiving at least a first lens, an actuator, and a holder. The actuator includes an annular stator and a carrying member. The stator is connected to the barrel and defines a plurality of spaced parallel inner branches in an inner side thereof. The carrying member is received in the stator and defines a through hole therein for receiving at least a second lens. The carry member defines a plurality of spaced parallel outer branches in the outer sidewall thereof. The outer branches are alternately interleaved between the inner branches and have a voltage thereacross for driving the carrying member to move forward and backward. The holder is connected to the barrel and configured for receiving the barrel and the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pei-Ching Kuo
  • Publication number: 20100278524
    Abstract: Camera module embodiments and methods of manufacturing camera modules are provided. A camera module can include a housing and a printed circuit board having an image sensor. The housing can be mounted to the printed circuit board using a surface mount technology. In a method of manufacturing the camera module, the image sensor and the housing can be mounted to the printed circuit board, and a lens and a filter can be coupled to an upper portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Jae Kun Woo
  • Patent number: 7824115
    Abstract: An exemplary camera module includes a lens mount, a lens unit, a magnet unit, a printed circuit board (PCB)-based Rogowski coil and a blade spring. The PCB-based Rogowski coil is fixed around the lens unit. The PCB-based Rogowski coil establishes an induced magnetic field when an electric current is applied thereto. The induced magnetic field interacts with the magnet unit to generate a magnetic force moving the lens unit telescopically. The blade spring includes a plurality of ribs. Each rib includes a moveable end connected with the lens unit and an opposite fixed end. The moveable end moves together with the lens unit with respect to the fixed end to cause the ribs to distort and generate an elastic force. The lens unit stops at a focal position when the magnetic force and the elastic force come to a balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wun-Chang Shih, Ching-Hsing Huang, Cheng-Fa Weng, Jen-Te Wang, Huai-Chao You, Da-Yi Wen, Biao Wang, Yun-Ming Hu
  • Patent number: 7822339
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens which can communicate with a camera body to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attached to exchange data of the interchangeable lens, includes a logic IC serving as an interface via which the interchangeable lens communicates with the camera body; a memory which is provided independent of the logic IC, connected to the logic IC, and stores the data of the interchangeable lens; and a controller, connected to the logic IC, for controlling operations of the interchangeable lens. The logic IC selectively switches connections of terminals thereof with the memory and the controller for communication therewith upon receiving a communication signal from the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Numako, Kazuhiro Kagami
  • Patent number: 7819592
    Abstract: A lens changeable digital camera has an imaging section, including an image sensor for capturing a subject image via the photographing lens, a display section capable of displaying image information and/or character information, a shielding section capable of being moved into and out of an imaging light path of the image sensor, a detection section for detecting an operation to remove the photographing lens, and a control section for, after the shielding section has been moved out of the imaging light path, causing execution of an exposure operation for a specified period in the imaging section, and causing display of a moving image on the display section based on image data acquired by the exposure operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Matsuzawa, Kazuki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7819559
    Abstract: A light-source cover for controlling transmission of light from a light source mounted in a portable device is made of an optical material. The front surface of the light-source cover has a knurl finish composed of linear grooves and the back surface thereof has a spin finish composed of ripple grooves. Alternatively, both the front and back surfaces of the light-source cover have knurl finishes composed of linear grooves. Still alternatively, only the back surface of the light-source cover has a knurl finish or a spin finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomotaka Nishihara, Kimiaki Imai
  • Patent number: 7819593
    Abstract: A lens module includes a lens, a lens module and a base. The lens barrel receives the lens therein. The lens barrel includes a hollow cylindrical body, a beveled distal end and a flange. The hollow cylindrical body includes a smooth peripheral side surface free of thread formed thereon. The flange extends outwardly from the cylindrical body. The flange defines an annular groove in a peripheral surface thereof. The base includes a hollow cylindrical holding body coaxially receiving the cylindrical body therein. The holding body has a first distal end, a second distal end and an inner smooth surface. The beveled distal end is configured for facilitating insertion of the cylindrical body in the cylindrical holding body. The flange is configured for being clamped by a tool and being moved toward or away from the base using the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keng-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 7806607
    Abstract: A drive frame 34 serving as a cylindrical molded article includes a drive frame main body 34a, three first cam grooves 34c, three second cam grooves 34d, three first gate portions 84b, and three high-density regions H. The first gate portions are formed at the end of the cylindrical portion, and are vestiges of gates in injection molding. The high-density regions H are regions in which there is the highest proportion of the axial direction dimension accounted for by the first cam grooves 34c and the second cam grooves 34d with respect to the axial direction dimension of the drive frame main body 34a. The first gate portions 84b are disposed at a location closer to one of two adjacent high-density regions than the other in the circumferential direction of the two adjacent high-density regions H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Iyoda, Suguru Nakao
  • Publication number: 20100247092
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder, a first rotating cylinder, a linear movement cylinder which moves integrally in an axis direction with the first rotating cylinder, and a second rotating cylinder. The linear movement cylinder has equal to or more than three projections in an outer circumferential surface. The first rotating cylinder has equal to or more than three cutouts corresponding to each projection of the linear movement cylinder in an inner circumferential surface, and each cutout has a shape corresponding to a shape of each projection. Each cutout is formed in parallel with an axis of the first rotating cylinder, and in which each projections of the linear movement cylinder is inserted. An end of each cutout extends to a groove in a circumferential direction, each projection is guided in the groove, and the first rotating cylinder and the linear movement cylinder is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Terunori Koyama
  • Patent number: 7801439
    Abstract: There is provided an image taking device with removable optical unit, with which it is possible to operate the power supply of the image taking device body without operating a power switch, and operation of the power supply of the image taking device body is made easy. The image taking device with removable optical element is provided with an image taking device body, a lens unit (optical unit) that is removable with respect to the image taking device body, an attachment detection unit for detecting attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body, and a system controller (control unit) for turning a power supply of the image taking device body on upon detection of attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body by the attachment detection unit. The system controller is configured to turn off the power supply of the image taking device body in a state where attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body is not detected by the attachment detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Nagata, Minoru Omaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Toshiyuki Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7785024
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging sensor. The sensor includes a semiconductor chip receiving light from an object through a light receiving surface and performing photoelectric conversion of the received light; a translucent member provided on an upper surface of the chip to protect the chip; and plural electrode terminals provided on a lower surface of the chip. The apparatus also includes an optical system which is provided on a light receiving region, which is on a surface of the translucent member and is arranged at a position facing with the light receiving surface to focus the light from the object on the light receiving surface; and a resin material which reinforces a bonding strength between a circuit board on which the sensor is mounted and the electrode terminals of the sensor, and shields a region outside the light receiving region of the translucent member from light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Noriyuki Fujimori
  • Patent number: 7787043
    Abstract: Provided is a lens apparatus in which serial communication and parallel communication between a camera body and the lens apparatus are performed and resumption of the serial communication is accomplished after occurrence of a communication error, and controlling of a controlled object being controlled through the parallel communication is transferred to temporally controlling through the serial communication, in which, by setting a state of the controlled object when the controlling is transferred to controlling through the serial communication, to be coincident with a state during controlling through the parallel communication, the controlled object to be controlled through the parallel communication is not affected by an effect caused due to a communication error in the serial communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Chikatsu Moriya
  • Patent number: 7782559
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens unit, a magnet, a stator and an elastic element. The stator includes an upper coil seat with an upper coil wound therearound and a lower coil seat with a lower coil wound therearound. The upper and the lower coils establish an induced magnetic field when electric currents are applied thereto. The induced magnetic field interacts with the magnet to generate a magnetic force driving the lens unit into a telescopic movement. The elastic element includes a plurality of ribs. Each rib includes a fixed end connected with the stator and an opposite movable end. The moveable end moves together with the lens unit with respect to the fixed end to cause the ribs to deform and generate an elastic force. The lens unit stops at a focal position when the magnetic force and the elastic force come to a balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Lt.d, Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Hsing Huang, Cheng-Fa Weng, Jen-Te Wang, Huai-Chao You, Da-Yi Wen
  • Patent number: 7780365
    Abstract: Camera module embodiments and methods of manufacturing camera modules are provided. A camera module can include a housing and a printed circuit board having an image sensor. The housing can be mounted to the printed circuit board using a surface mount technology. In a method of manufacturing the camera module, the image sensor and the housing can be mounted to the printed circuit board, and a lens and a filter can be coupled to an upper portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Kun Woo
  • Publication number: 20100209097
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens which is removably mounted on a camera body including an image sensor includes a tilt unit configured to move a lens unit in a tilt direction with respect to the image sensor, a shift unit configured to move the lens unit in a shift direction with respect to the image sensor, a changing unit configured to change a relative angle between the shift unit and the tilt unit by relatively rotating the shift unit and the tilt unit, a detection unit configured to detect the relative angle, and a control unit configured to transmit to the camera body a detection result of the relative angle detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiko Sasaki, Takeya Nakayama, Hiromu Yasuda, Yuki Nagao
  • Publication number: 20100196003
    Abstract: Provided is a zoom lens system including a compact focusing lens unit and having a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system of the present invention includes an aperture diaphragm A, a first lens unit G1 having negative optical power and being closest to the object side, a third lens unit G3 arranged on the object side relative to the aperture diaphragm A and being adjacent to the aperture diaphragm A, and a fourth lens unit G4 arranged on the image side relative to the aperture diaphragm A and being adjacent to the aperture diaphragm A. At the time of zooming, interval between the aperture diaphragm A and the third lens unit G3 arranged on the object side relative to the aperture diaphragm A and being adjacent to the aperture diaphragm A varies, and interval between the aperture diaphragm A and the fourth lens unit G4 arranged on the image side relative to the aperture diaphragm A and being adjacent to the aperture diaphragm A varies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyoichi Miyazaki, Keiichi Zaitsu
  • Publication number: 20100196002
    Abstract: Provided is a zoom lens system including a compact focusing lens unit and having a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system of the present invention includes, in order from object side to image side, a first lens unit G1 having positive optical power, a second lens unit G2 having negative optical power, a third lens unit G3 having negative optical power, and a fourth lens unit G4 having positive optical power. An aperture diaphragm A is arranged on the object side adjacent to the fourth lens unit G4. Further, the fourth lens unit G4 includes, in order from object side to image side, a lens element L8 having positive optical power, a lens element L9 having positive optical power, and a lens element L10 having negative optical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuneo Uchida, Nobuyuki Adachi
  • Patent number: 7756405
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens selectively mountable to a first-type camera body and a second-type camera body, the first-type camera body including a first mount ring to which the interchangeable lens is mountable, the second-type camera body including a second mount ring to which the interchangeable lens is mountable, an outer diameter of the second mount ring being smaller than an outer diameter of the first mount ring. The interchangeable lens includes an annular packing made of a resilient material. An inner peripheral surface of the annular packing is positioned radially outside the second mount ring when the interchangeable lens is mounted to the second-type camera body. The inner peripheral surface of the annular packing is positioned radially inside an outer peripheral surface of the first mount ring when the interchangeable lens is mounted to the first-type camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Iikawa
  • Patent number: 7750940
    Abstract: An update file for updating a program in a camera head is read out of a memory card by using a body central processing unit, and names of a manufacturer, a product type, and a version are extracted. The names acquired from the memory card are compared with names of the manufacturer, the product type, and the version acquired from the camera head. Update data included in the update file are transmitted to a non-volatile memory in the camera head to update the program in the camera head only when the names of the manufacturer and the product type coincide with one another and when the version of the update file is newer than the version of the program in the camera head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7748915
    Abstract: A camera module having an inner wall installed and a method for forming the camera module are disclosed. The camera module includes a lens; a sensor component for sensing light gathered by the lens; and a fixing module, for fixing the lens. The fixing module includes an inner wall that is installed on the sensing component. The inner wall of the fixing module protects a sensing region of an image sensor from unwanted matter resulting from manufacturing or from the outside environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Shyan-Haur Jane
  • Patent number: 7748916
    Abstract: A lens barrel for holding a lens group therein has a body with a peripheral on which an external thread is formed. The external thread has a plurality of turns which are partially interrupted by at least one threadless segment such that the external thread has at least one of the turns completely extending around the periphery of the body. As a result of the threadless segment, the friction which is generated upon screwingly engaging the lens barrel into a coupling socket can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Chih Li
  • Patent number: 7744296
    Abstract: A camera module (200) includes a lens module and a base (210) with a sensor installed thereon. The base is provided with at least two supporting protrusions (222) extending therefrom. Each protrusion is oriented the lens module, and the lens module is fixedly to and contacts with the at least two supporting protrusions. A colloid layer surrounding the sensor is sandwiched between the second end of the holder and the base. Electronic components are disposed on the circuit board and covered by the colloid layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: He-Ming Wu, Fu-Chieh Chan, Shin-Wen Chen, Fu-Yen Tseng
  • Publication number: 20100158508
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Min Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20100158509
    Abstract: A camera module having a housing; a lens section mounted in the housing; an IR cut filter mounted in the housing so as to cut infrared rays from the incident light passing through the lens section; and an image sensor module composed of a double-sided flexible printing circuit board (FPCB) in which a window for transmitting the incident light passing through the IR cut filter is formed, an image sensor which is attached on one side of the double-sided FPCB so as to cover the window; and at least one electric part which is attached on the other side of the double-sided FPCB having the image sensor attached thereto, the image sensor module being coupled to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho Kyoum Kim, Hyoung Woo Nam
  • Patent number: 7736074
    Abstract: A cartridge type attachment lens is arranged in front of a digital camera for receiving card lenses. A cuboid shaped shell is removably attached to a camera lens. A battery and a lighting unit as a light source for the close-up photography are in the shell. A plurality of parallel slots are each disposed on one lateral side of the shell, and each slot extends inwards to form a sliding groove in the shell for accommodating the card lens. Multiple card lenses can be inserted the shell to form arbitrary permutation and combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Lumos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 7736073
    Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus adapted to receive a detachable lens apparatus having a mechanical shutter includes an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of a subject, a communication unit configured to enable communication with the lens apparatus, and a control unit configured to perform an image generating operation using a video signal supplied from the image-capturing unit. The control unit controls timing of the image generating operations performed together with a plurality of opening and closing operations of the mechanical shutter on the basis of information received via the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20100142939
    Abstract: Lens barrel 3 includes a stationary frame 20, a drive frame 30, a rotation cam frame 70, and a first lens frame 60. The drive frame 30 is supported by the stationary frame 20 to be movable in a Y axis direction along an optical axis of an imaging optical system O and rotatable around the optical axis in response to a drive force. The rotation cam frame 70 is supported by the drive frame 30 to be movable in the Y axis direction relative to the drive frame 30 in response to the drive force. The first lens frame 60 supports a first lens group G1 included in the imaging optical system O, and is supported by the rotation cam frame 70 to be movable in the Y axis direction relative to the rotation cam frame 70 in response to the drive force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori HONSHO, Tetsuya UNO, Keishi IWASAKI, Keiji SAKAMOTO, Hideyuki HASHI, Shinichi IWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20100134678
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a cover, a printed circuit board, and a lens module mounted on the printed circuit board and covered by the cover. The cover and the lens module both define a light transmitting hole. The cover includes a retaining portion, the lens module includes a latching portion engaged with the retaining portion of the cover, thus ensuring the coaxiality of the light transmitting holes of the cover and the lens module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventor: BANG-XI XU
  • Patent number: 7726890
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a lens-interchangeable camera which has operability equal to a right-handed user and a left-handed user without necessity of any addition of extra members and without sacrificing a design for a smaller size. Since a camera according to the present invention does not need any extra members, a user-friendly camera which eliminates any disadvantage for a use by left-handed persons at a high level that any conventional cameras have not yet achieved can be achieved. Also, since a camera body can be disposed on a left side as needed even for a right-handed user and the right-handed user can operate the camera body only with his/her left hand, this form is convenient when the user picks up images while the user is operating another apparatus with his/her right hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 7720374
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module, which comprises a packaged image sensor, an IR filter, a lens and a holder for holding these components and has a reduced overall size and height. A camera module according to the present invention comprises an image sensor package having a translucent substrate formed thereon; and a holder having a lower end attached to the translucent substrate of the image sensor package. At this time, the holder comprises a horizontal portion formed with a through-hole and a connecting portion extending downwardly from an edge of the horizontal portion, and an end surface of a lower end of the connecting portion is formed with an inner stepped portion so as to be attached to a peripheral portion of a top surface and a lateral surface of the translucent substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Optopac Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Seok Kim, Hyeok-Hwan Kwon, Hyun-Kyu Choi, Hwan-Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 7715702
    Abstract: A lens adapter is disclosed. The lens adapter includes: an adapter ring having a flexible fitting portion and an installation portion in which an optical component is mounted, the fitting portions being fitted over a fitting engagement portion of a lens ring mounted around a lens portion facing a front surface of an imaging apparatus; and a lock ring fitted over an outer surface of the adapter ring, the lock ring being manipulated so as to be moved between a locked position where the lock ring is opposite to the fitting portions fitted over the fitting engagement portion and flexure of the fitting portions is prevented and an unlocked position where the lock ring is retracted from the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Nobumasa Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7708481
    Abstract: A camera includes a housing, a camera lens and a supplemental lens mechanism positioned on the housing and located in front of the camera lens. The supplemental lens mechanism includes a supplemental lens set, a carousel, a holder, a bracket, and a positioning ring. The supplemental lens set includes a number of supplemental lenses configured for producing different imaging effects. The carousel is disposed in front of the camera lens. The holder joins with the carousel to hold the supplemental lens set. The bracket is disposed in the housing of the camera and accommodates/carries the carousel. The positioning ring couples to the bracket to hold the carousel. The carousel can rotate in the bracket to make a selectable one of the supplemental lenses in the supplemental lens set align with the camera lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Hsin Huang
  • Patent number: 7703997
    Abstract: An image sensor module comprises an image sensor chip, at least one lens layer, and at least one bonding layer. The image sensor chip has an image capturing zone manufactured with an image capturing element, and a partition zone surrounding the image capturing zone. The at least one lens layer is stacked on the image sensor chip, having a transparent substrate and a lens mounted on the transparent substrate and adapted to focus the projected image onto the image capturing zone of the image sensor chip. The at least one bonding layer is arranged corresponding to the partition zone of the image sensor chip and bonded between the image sensor chip and the at least one lens layer, mixing of a glue agent and a plurality of spacer elements with which the height of each the spacer elements is determined to be the height of the bonding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Visera Technologies, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Wen Lee, Tzu-Han Lin, Pai-Chun Peter Zung, Chien-Pang Lin
  • Patent number: 7699547
    Abstract: A compact camera module mainly includes an image sensor chip, a module case and a lens module. The image sensor chip has an active surface, a back surface and a plurality of side surfaces, wherein a sensor region is formed in the active surface. A plurality of lateral contact fingers is formed on the side surfaces. The image sensor chip is plugged in a cave of the module case, a plurality of electrically contact components disposed on inside walls of the cave electrically connect the lateral contacting fingers. The lens module is mounted on the module case to seal the image sensor chip. Because the electrically contact components can replace the bonding wires to electrically connect the lateral contacting fingers, the compact camera module can be reworked and tiny.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20100092167
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Nuno
  • Patent number: 7697828
    Abstract: An integrated optical auto focus and zooming system is provided, which includes a first optical lens, a first hollow casing, a second hollow casing, a plurality of piezoelectric elements. The first optical lens is placed in the first hollow casing, the first hollow casing and the second hollow casing are screwed with each other, and the plurality of piezoelectric elements are attached either on the first hollow casing or the second hollow casing. Upon the excitation of mechanical vibrations by the plurality of piezoelectric elements, a traveling wave is generated on the attached casing, so as to drive the other casing to rotate and then to move axially. Additional lens groups and casings can be added in the same way so to achieve multiple relative motions between lens groups and image sensor, and thus achieving the objectives of focusing and zooming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: Boly Media Communications (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Xiaoping Hu, Bin Tian, Yi Li, Tieying Zhou, Cunyue Lu, Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 7690852
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus on which an interchangeable lens is detachably mounted, which includes a mount unit to which the interchangeable lens is attached. In the imaging apparatus, the mount unit is provided with, on its periphery, a colored area having a specific color along an outer edge of said mount unit, and with respect to a specific interchangeable lens, which meets a predetermined requirement on adaptability to said imaging apparatus, among interchangeable lenses, a mount unit, which is connected to the mount unit of the imaging apparatus, of the specific interchangeable lens is provided with, on its periphery, a colored area having the same color as the specific color along an outer edge of the mount unit of the specific interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kato, Shin Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20100080552
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Ikuo Taki, Ryota Sasaki, Yuya Sakai, Yasunori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7677819
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens, a lens barrel, a lens holder, a circuit board, an image sensor, and an elastic member. The lens barrel receives the lens therein and includes a flange protruding over the lens barrel. The lens holder is affixed to the circuit board to receive the image sensor therein. The elastic member is disposed between the lens barrel and the lens holder. A rim is formed on the lens holder. The elastic member has one end contacting the rim of the lens holder and the opposite end contacting the flange. The elastic member biases the lens barrel against the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Hsaing Chao, Kuan-Te Huang
  • Patent number: 7677818
    Abstract: In a main body of a camera, a recording unit is disposed which is capable of recording specific information of a photographing lens or an accessory. When the specific information of the presently attached photographing lens or accessory has been already registered in the recording unit, the main body of the camera does not acquire all the specific information from the attached photographing lens or accessory by data communication. In a case where the specific information of the attached photographing lens or accessory has been registered in the recording unit, the only identification information of the interchangeable lens or accessory can be enough, even if the data communication is necessary. In consequence, a communication time with respect to the interchangeable lenses or various types of accessories can be reduced as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Akiyama, Yoichi Ito, Takeshi Kindaichi
  • Patent number: 7670071
    Abstract: An exemplary objective holder engages with a PCB substrate having an image sensor and several passive components arranged thereon. The passive components surround the image sensor. The objective includes a lens barrel extending from a side of a base, and a plurality of walls extending from an opposite side of the base. The walls enclose a chamber thereamong for receiving the image sensor and define notches therein for receiving the passive components therein. A transparent cover is received in the objective holder between the lens barrel and the chamber. An adhesive is used to connect the objective holder to the PCB substrate. The PCB substrate is rested on the walls. At least one of the notches communicates the chamber to an exterior for outgassing and is sealed by a mass of sealing material after a heating process of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Jen Cheng, Wen-Ching Lai, Wen-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 7670072
    Abstract: A locking positioning mechanism includes a first element and a second element, the first element and second element rotatable relative to one another about a common rotational axis between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation and axially translatable relative to one another. The mechanism further includes one or more first locking surfaces of the first element and one or more second locking surfaces of the second element. The second locking surfaces are configured to clear the first locking surfaces in the unlocked orientation. The second locking surface is configured for an interference fit with a first locking surface in the locked orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Tella, Robert G. Ritter
  • Patent number: 7670070
    Abstract: An optical system comprises an imaging arrangement (1?, 1?) that transmits an image to an image plane; a sensor; and one or more locator elements that locate the imaging arrangement (1?, 1?) to provide the image on the sensor. Tolerances of the locator element(s) allow a lateral translation and a rotation of the imaging arrangement (1?; 1?) around a nominal rotation point. A parameter of the optical system is selected such that a movement, resulting from either the lateral translation or the rotation, of an optical axis (OA) on the sensor is at least partly counteracted by a movement, resulting from either the lateral translation or the rotation, of the image on the sensor with respect to the optical axis (OA). Thereby, the optical system is wholly or partly self-compensating with respect to tolerances affecting the angular position or the lateral position of the imaging arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Anoto AB
    Inventor: Thomas Craven-Bartle
  • Patent number: 7665915
    Abstract: A camera module, including a printed circuit board, an image sensor chip, and a housing, is provided. A plating line can be formed in an inner layer of the printed circuit board. A method of manufacturing the camera module can include connecting the plating line of the inner layer of the printed circuit board to a pattern of an outer layer using a via hole, performing a plating process, and forming an image sensor, the housing, and a lens part on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 7663686
    Abstract: A lens module includes a barrel defining a through hole, at least one plastic lens accommodated in the through hole and a UV/IR cut filter mounted on the barrel and configured for preventing entry of both UV light and IR light into the barrel. The lens module has a UV/IR cut filter mounted on the barrel configured for preventing entry of both UV light and IR light into the barrel, so it can prevent UV light damaging plastic lenses, and accordingly can improve the useful life of the lens module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
  • Patent number: 7664390
    Abstract: A camera module package comprises a housing having a lens section mounted therein; a circuit board having a window through which light transmitted through the lens section of the housing passes; an image sensor that is flip-chip bonded to a lower surface of the circuit board; and an impact absorbing member attached to an upper surface of the circuit board, of which the side surface serves as a coupling guide which is coupled to an inner periphery of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Sub Cho, Jung Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20100034531
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a camera module, the camera module including a housing that includes one or more lenses which are sequentially fixed and coupled and of which the focus does not need to be adjusted; a holder assembly that is coupled to a lower end portion of the housing; and a main substrate that is coupled to a lower end portion of the holder assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min Chul Go
  • Patent number: 7658559
    Abstract: A lens-shutter coupling unit having a coupling structure of a lens shutter and a shutter unit capable of miniaturization and high-precision arrangement of a lens group, is provided. A shutter driving part for moving shutter blades and a filter driving part for moving an ND filter are disposed near an outer periphery of a protruding part of a lens group that protrudes from a barrel. The shutter driving part and the filter driving part can be disposed in a position (inner periphery) near an optical axis of the lens group. The center of rotation of the shutter blades and the ND filter can also be disposed near the optical axis of the lens group, and the shutter blades and the ND filter can be reduced in size. As a result, since the space at the time of retreat can be reduced, the shutter unit can be reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Fujita
  • Patent number: 7653293
    Abstract: A camera system used for shooting an image, determines whether or not a predetermined shake component due to a mechanical shutter is added to a shake component detected by a shake sensor in dependence upon the type of a shutter (a mechanical shutter or an electronic shutter), and selects the determined component accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunori Masuda