Body Structure Or Housing Patents (Class 396/535)
  • Patent number: 8078050
    Abstract: A camera module and an assembling method thereof are provided. The camera module includes a circuit board, a base plate, an image chip, a holder and a lens assembly. The circuit board includes a first surface, a second surface and a hollow portion running through the first surface and the second surface. The base plate is fixed on the second surface of the circuit board such that the hollow portion of the circuit board is sheltered by the base plate. The image chip is disposed on the base plate and accommodated within the hollow portion. The holder is fixed on the first surface of the circuit board. The lens assembly is fixed on the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Jung Hsiao
  • Publication number: 20110293264
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Koki Sato, Mitsuru Kobayashi, Tetsugaku Tanaka, Hideo Miyazawa
  • Publication number: 20110286735
    Abstract: A camera assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a camera cassette slidably receivable in a front end thereof. The slide-in cassette includes a sled having a pair of legs slidably receivable in respective ones of a pair of complementary longitudinal slide guide recesses located in the housing and aligned substantially parallel to the central axis thereof, an electrical connector located at a rear end of the sled, a camera electrically coupled to the electrical connector, and an apparatus disposed at a front end of the sled for coupling the camera to the front ends of the sled and the housing such that the optical axis of the camera is located generally concentric with the central axis of the housing and disposed at a selectably adjustable angle relative thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Marcel Tremblay
  • Publication number: 20110255000
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a housing. A camera module may be mounted within the housing. The housing may have a camera window with which a lens in the camera module is aligned. To rotationally and laterally align the camera module with respect to the camera window and the electronic device housing, an alignment structure may be mounted to the housing in alignment with the camera window and housing. The alignment structure may be formed form a ring-shaped structure with an opening. The alignment structures may have sidewalls that form an alignment groove for the camera module. The camera window may be formed from a circular opening in a layer of opaque material deposited on a transparent housing member such as a planar layer of glass. During the process, a laser tool may be used to trim the opening in the opaque material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Trent Weber, Scott Myers, David A. Pakula, Matthew Hill, Erik L. Wang, Richard Hung Minh Dinh
  • Publication number: 20110229119
    Abstract: An exemplary portable electronic device includes a housing, a camera assembly, and a deformable protective member. The camera assembly includes a circuit board and a camera unit. The protective member defines a through cavity. The through cavity receives the camera unit. The housing resists against and deforms the protective member and the circuit board resists against the protective member, sealing the through cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventor: Shi-Xu LIANG
  • Patent number: 8023038
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens, an image sensor, a carrier carrying the image sensor, two spring supporting members, a frame, a base and a printed circuit board. The carrier has a comb-shaped first electrode having a number of first teeth. The carrier is suspended in the frame by the two spring supporting members, and is movable in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the image sensor. The base has a comb-shaped second electrode having a number of second teeth. The first teeth and second teeth are arranged in a staggered fashion. The printed circuit board provides a potential difference between the first and second electrodes, whereby an electrostatic force is generated between the first and second teeth to drive the first teeth to move towards the second teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 8014667
    Abstract: An imaging device is provided, in which a front sheet metal casing and/or a back sheet metal casing can be secured to a top sheet metal casing without the necessity of providing any screw holes in the top surface of the top sheet metal casing in order to secure the top sheet metal casing to the front sheet metal casing and/or the back sheet metal casing. The top sheet metal casing includes a top plate and a secured sheet metal casing secured to the top plate such that at least a portion of its perimeter is spaced apart from the top plate at a predetermined distance. A flange provided to the front or back sheet metal casing is inserted between the top plate and the secured sheet metal plate, so that an engagement pin provided to the secured sheet metal plate is fitted in an engagement hole provided in the flange, thereby securing the front or back sheet metal casing to the top sheet metal casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Saiki
  • Patent number: 8009979
    Abstract: An imaging device unit and an electronic apparatus including the imaging device unit are provided. The imaging device unit includes: an imaging device comprising a surface on which an optical image of a subject is to be formed, and for converting the optical image to an electrical signal; an optical unit disposed nearer to the subject than the imaging device; a piezoelectric element mounted on the optical unit to vibrate the optical unit; and an air stream supply unit for generating an air stream by using a change in a capacity of a predetermined space, the air stream being generated due to vibration of the piezoelectric element to supply the air stream to a surface of the optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Shirono
  • Patent number: 7983555
    Abstract: An exemplary camera module includes a barrel, a holder, and a compressed resilient spring member. The barrel includes a first cylindrical part and a first threaded part. The first threaded part includes external threads. The barrel further includes a first surface facing the object side. The holder includes a second cylindrical part and a second threaded part. The second threaded part includes internal threads. The holder further includes a second surface facing the image side. The barrel is coupled to the holder via the internal threads and the external threads. A fit between the internal threads and the external threads is a clearance fit. The resilient spring member is sandwiched between the first surface of the barrel and the second surface of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chai-Wei Lee, Hou-Yao Lin, Sheng-Jung Yu
  • Patent number: 7983556
    Abstract: A novel digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit including a body, a housing including an opening for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a contaminant trap formed by an isolated annular space between the lens unit and the opening of the housing. In a particular embodiment, the opening of the housing includes surfaces having at least two different perimeters, the smaller of which slidably engages the outer surface of the lens unit. The contaminant trap collects and contains any contaminants before they reach vulnerable components such as the image capture device and/or other optical components within the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Flextronics AP LLC
    Inventors: Lothar R. Westerweck, Albert John Y. Chua, Bahram Afshari, Dennis R. Berube, John W. Toor, Elaine B. Bogue
  • Patent number: 7983557
    Abstract: A camera consists of a first unit and a second unit removably connectable to the first unit. The first unit is provided with an imaging section including an optical system and an imaging device, that enables to capture high-quality images. The first unit is formed with a grip portion for holding and handling the camera as a combination of the first unit and the second unit. The second unit is provided with a driving device including a CPU, a lens driver circuit, a stop driver circuit and a timing generator, and a second imaging section including an optical system and an imaging device, that enables to capture relatively low-quality images. While the second unit is connected to the first unit, the driving device drives the imaging section of the first unit. While the second unit is not connected to the first unit, the driving device drives the imaging section of the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Misawa, Akihisa Yamazaki, Soichiro Nakao
  • Patent number: 7977584
    Abstract: The invention provides an electric apparatus unit which can be easily assembled. The electric apparatus module includes an upper case, a lower case assembled with the upper case and having an opening, an electric apparatus unit accommodated in the upper case and the lower case, a connection unit including a board, a connector mounted on the board and connected to the electric apparatus unit, and a connecting member, a first end of the connecting member attached to the board and a second end of the connecting member guided to outside of the lower case through the opening, and an assembling portion provided on the connection unit and the lower case and assembling the connection unit to the lower case, the assembling portion enabling the board to move along surficial direction of the board and restricting the board to move in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Kameyama
  • Publication number: 20110158630
    Abstract: In order to provide an electronic photographing apparatus capable of reduction in size and cost and obtaining a stable photographic image, the invention includes a structure having an electric circuit board and an electronic photographing apparatus constituting unit (barrel unit, strobe unit, display device unit, battery case, recording medium case) attached to the electric circuit board and a box-shaped exterior body in which the structure is inserted and housed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicants: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
    Inventors: Toshifumi NAKANO, Tsuyoshi FUKUTA
  • Publication number: 20110158637
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dome security camera. The camera includes a housing having a circuit part. A hemispherical cover is coupled to the housing. A camera module includes a casing which has a lens mounted on a central portion thereof and coupled to a barrel, a plurality of LEDs, and a sensor. A bracket is provided in the housing and coupled to the casing in such a way that it is rotated and open or closed. The casing has a hemispherical shape, and an annular coupling step is provided on a lower end of the casing. The bracket is a cylindrical member having an opening on an upper end thereof, and includes an enlarged part provided on the upper end of the opening and coupled to the casing, and a cut groove formed by cutting a side surface of the bracket, with a knob inserted into the cut groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: POWERTECH ELECTRONICS
    Inventors: Kyung Jung, Na Young Kang
  • Publication number: 20110150461
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging sensor configured to convert a subject image passing through a photographing optical system into an electrical signal, a holding member configured to hold the imaging sensor, and a dust-proofing member configured to surround the circumference of a light reception surface of the imaging sensor. An urging portion is integrally formed with the dust-proofing member urging the holding member in a direction that the holding member is apart from the photographing optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hase
  • Publication number: 20110135297
    Abstract: A housing assembly for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The portable electronic device includes a camera assembled therein. The housing assembly includes a base housing and a cover. The base housing has an aperture defined therethrough for exposing the camera to light and facilitating picture taking. The cover is made of transparent material and is mounted on the base housing to cover the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventor: CHAO-YUAN CHENG
  • Publication number: 20110123189
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a camera includes a case provided with an opening portion and a front unit fixed to the case to cover the opening portion. The front unit includes a sensor holder having a sensor support unit which is housed in the case and to which an image sensor is fixed and a fitting portion protruding from the sensor support unit to the outside of the case, a front cover provided with a fitting hole in which the fitting portion is fitted and covering the opening portion, and a fixing unit which detachably fixes the front cover to the sensor holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Tetsuo Saito
  • Publication number: 20110116784
    Abstract: A camera protecting assembly is disclosed including a cover defining an opening, a fixing member and a housing. The fixing member includes a base portion, a fixing portion connected to the base portion, and a securing slot enclosed between the base portion and the fixing portion. The housing attaches the cover and the fixing member. The securing slot secures the circumferential wall of the opening, and the fixing portion is fixed to the cover. The assembly method is accordingly disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventor: CHAO-YUAN CHENG
  • Publication number: 20110116785
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for opening and closing a camera door, which can automatically open and close a lens of a camera installed at a mobile phone and the like. The apparatus for opening and closing a camera door, includes a base which is formed with an opening portion and disposed at a front surface of a lens; a rotational shaft; a driving part for rotating the rotational shaft; and a door of which one end encloses the rotational shaft so as to slide along the rotational shaft and thus to open and close the opening portion, wherein a male screw thread is formed on an outer surface of the rotational shaft, and a female screw thread is formed on an inner surface of other end of the door so as to be engaged with the male screw thread, and the door is slid along the rotational shaft when the rotational shaft is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: HYSONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Pyo Lee, Hyun Cheal Bang, Sang Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 7945156
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuya Mayumi
  • Patent number: 7940517
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic device including: a housing included in an exterior package; and a plate-like cover that is provided for one face of the housing and is movable between a close position and an open position. The one face includes an open/close face and a non-open/close. The open/close face is hidden by the cover at a close position of the cover and is exposed from the cover at an open position of the cover. The non-open/close face is exposed from the cover at the close position of the cover and is hidden by the cover at the open position of the cover. A support mechanism is provided to movably support the cover between the close position and the open position. The non-open/close face protrudes frontward from the face for a thickness of the cover in comparison with the open/close face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kitagawa, Michinobu Yanagisawa, Mamoru Abe, Takashi Uchiumi, Naoko Sema
  • Patent number: 7936557
    Abstract: The portable electronic device according to the present invention comprises a cabinet including an opening defined in a front surface thereof, a cover body opening and closing the opening of the cabinet, and a pivoting mechanism for pivotally supporting the cover body to the cabinet, the pivoting mechanism comprises a shaft and a pair of bearings supporting the shaft, the cabinet has an attaching part for attaching a string-like member, and the attaching part projects from the front surface of the cabinet. In this portable electronic device, the attaching part is disposed adjacent to the pivoting mechanism, the shaft which is a component of the pivoting mechanism includes a projecting part projecting toward the attaching part from one of the bearings closer to the attaching part, and the projecting part extends along a back surface which is a reverse side of the front surface of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daizo Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110097070
    Abstract: A structure of a housing mounted with a lens unit is provided that is capable of withstanding internal pressure changes and ensures shock-resistance while being waterproof and thin. This structure for a housing includes a lens unit 8 that is mounted in housings 3 and 4, a porous film 11 that is attached to the inner surface toward a ventilation hole 31 formed in the housing 3, an elastic member 9 that is interposed between the lens unit 8 and the porous film 11, and a shock-absorbing member 10 that is interposed between the housings 3 and 4 and the lens unit 8. The elastic member 9 is a lens holder that is interposed between the porous film 11 and a portion of the shock-absorbing member 10, and has a through-hole 91 in an area corresponding to the ventilation hole 31 in the housing 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu KUROKAWA, Takayuki Satou
  • Patent number: 7933515
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Iyoda, Atsushi Inoue, Ryuichi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7933516
    Abstract: A camera body includes a body mount, an imaging element, an imaging element circuit board, a main circuit board, and a metal heat radiating plate. The body mount allows the lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element is disposed on the opposite side of the body mount from the side where the lens unit is mounted, and converts an optical image of the subject into image data. The imaging element circuit board is electrically connected to the imaging element and controls the imaging element. The main circuit board is disposed on the opposite side of the imaging element from the body mount, and includes a camera controller. The heat radiating plate is disposed between the imaging element and the main circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Iyoda, Atsushi Inoue, Ryuichi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7929859
    Abstract: In a camera device 1a with a shutter button 2 for transmitting an externally-applied pressing force to a switch 7, a boss 24 has a first end attached to the shutter button 2, and a second end opposed to the switch 7, a coil spring 6a has a first winding portion 61a and a second winding portion 62a, which are respectively wound into first and second shapes about a common central axis As, the second shape includes the first winding portion 61a, and the second end of the boss 24 is inserted into the first winding portion 61a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Saiki
  • Patent number: 7929858
    Abstract: An image-capturing element that receives light of a subject image entering within a camera body through an interchangeable photographic lens is packaged and is mounted at the camera body via a holder. A camera-side mounting surface and a holder-side mounting surface are machined in advance and formed respectively relative to the mounting surface for the photographic lens formed at the camera body and the light-receiving surface of the image-capturing element. By mounting the image-capturing apparatus with the camera-side mounting surface and the holder-side mounting surface placed in contact with each other at the camera body using screws, the light-receiving surface is aligned with the image-forming position of the photographic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ezawa, Keiji Osawa, Akira Yamamoto, Takayuki Uchiyama, Yousuke Kowno, Katsumasa Nishijima, Tomoyuki Takada
  • Patent number: 7914212
    Abstract: A protecting assembly (20) for a camera used in a portable electronic device (10) is provided. The protecting assembly (20) includes a positioning member (14) fixed to a body section (11) of the electronic device (10) and a protecting member (16). The protecting member (16) is mounted on the positioning member (14) and arranged over the camera (12). A process for protecting a camera using the protecting assembly (20) is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Publication number: 20110064403
    Abstract: A dome-shaped camera includes a casing having an axis. A camera unit is supported on the casing. A dome-shaped cover is at least partly transparent, and covers the camera unit. A flange portion has a first contact portion and a second contact portion. The first contact portion is in contact with an end of the dome-shaped cover. The second contact portion is in contact with the casing. A position of the first contact portion in a radial direction with respect to the axis of the casing differs from that of the second contact portion. The flange portion is fixed to the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Nakano, Hiroyuki Ishiwata
  • Publication number: 20110064402
    Abstract: Embodiments related to establishing and maintaining precision alignment in an optical system are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides an optical device comprising an outer casing and a rigid optical support disposed within an interior of the outer casing and to which a plurality of optical components are mounted. The embodiment further comprises a printed circuit board spatially separated from the optical support and the plurality of optical components, wherein one or more electrical components are mounted to the printed circuit board. The embodiment also comprises one or more electrical conductors electrically connecting the one or more electrical components to the one or more optical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dawson Yee
  • Patent number: 7907842
    Abstract: A collapsible lens barrel includes a first holding frame (2) for holding a first lens group (L1), a second holding frame (5) for holding a second lens group (L2) that is disposed on an image plane side with respect to the first lens group (L1), an actuator (6) for moving the second holding frame 5 in an optical axis direction, and a tubular cam frame (17) including a plurality of cam grooves that are formed at substantially equal intervals around a circumferential direction for moving the first holding frame (2) in the optical axis direction. The actuator (6) is attached to a portion in the cam frame (17) where the cam grooves are not formed. The first lens group (L1) is moved using the cam grooves, and the second lens group (L2) is moved using the actuator (6), so that a faster zooming speed and a lower zooming noise can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Yutaka Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20110058805
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an image sensor unit, a retaining member configured to retain the image sensor unit on a photographer side and to retain an optical member on an object side, a first sealing member configured, when the image sensor unit is mounted on the retaining member, to form a closely sealed space by sealing between the image sensor unit and the retaining member, the first sealing member being provided on the photographer side of the retaining member, and a second sealing member configured, when the optical member is mounted on the retaining member, to form a closely sealed space by sealing between the optical member and the retaining member, the second sealing member being provided on the object side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Asai, Masanori Sakai
  • Patent number: 7894720
    Abstract: A shooting system includes a main body, a recording/reproducing unit, and an interface box. The main body includes a first housing having a plurality of outer surfaces of different orientations. Two different outer surfaces of the first housing provide first and second attachment parts, each attachment part having main-body-side connectors. The recording/reproducing unit has a second housing which constitutes an exterior thereof and provides a recording/reproducing-unit-side attachment part attachable to both the first and second attachment parts. The recording/reproducing-unit-side attachment part provides recording/reproducing-unit-side connectors connectable to the main-body-side connectors. The interface box has a third housing which constitutes an exterior thereof and provides an interface-box-side attachment part attachable to both the first and second attachment part. The interface-box-side attachment part provides interface-box-side connectors connectable to the main-body-side connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Sakata
  • Patent number: 7880806
    Abstract: An imaging operation controller including a casing, a control panel attached to a back part of the casing and having a plurality of operating members and function indicators that indicate the functions of the operating members and placed near the operating members, respectively. The control panel includes a base plate attached to the casing, a mounting plate placed on the base plate and a printed indicator sheet placed on the mounting plate. The plurality of operating members are supported on the base plate, indicator lighting light sources are supported on the base plate at positions respectively corresponding to the function indicators so as to emit light backward. The indicator lighting light sources are white light-emitting diodes attached to the base plate so as to emit light backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Maeda
  • Patent number: 7881606
    Abstract: A split mechanism for a coaxial photographing device, especially a split mechanism between a photographing unit and a light projection unit of a photographing device used for a full-time surveillance to facilitate an image adjustment or maintenance, uses primarily the photographing unit as a base of support, with the removable light projection unit being assembled coaxially at an image taking end. After the light projection unit is disassembled and changes a position, it can be linked at a constant direction temporarily and can keep operating by using a linking device which is split linearly, such that a calibration light wave needed for adjusting the images can be provided, and the light projection unit can be easily aligned with an axis to be assembled at position upon assembling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: I-Hsin Huang
  • Patent number: 7874743
    Abstract: A pressure equalizing housing may be used to house equipment (e.g., one or more mechanical and/or electronic devices). The pressure equalizing housing may include a pressure equalization device to provide pressure equalization between an internal pressure inside of the housing and an ambient pressure outside of the housing. The pressure equalization prevents relatively humid air outside of the housing from passing into the housing and thus prevents or substantially minimizes condensation inside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas F. Berkey, Michael Camelia
  • Patent number: 7866900
    Abstract: A camera control apparatus, includes two actuators, each including a piezoelectric body and a stick-shaped shaft provided on the piezoelectric body, the piezoelectric body being configured to be modified based on application of an AC voltage, a rotating part including two circular-shaped members rotatably provided, the circular-shaped members being configured to sandwich two of the shafts; an electric power source part configured to apply the AC voltage to the piezoelectric bodies; and a rotation control part configured to change a shooting direction of a camera apparatus directly connected to the circular-shaped members in rotational directions of the circular-shaped members based on the amount of rotation of the circular-shaped members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Securion 24. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Mutsuo Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110002685
    Abstract: A camera module and an assembling method thereof are provided. The camera module includes a circuit board, a base plate, an image chip, a holder and a lens assembly. The circuit board includes a first surface, a second surface and a hollow portion running through the first surface and the second surface. The base plate is fixed on the second surface of the circuit board such that the hollow portion of the circuit board is sheltered by the base plate. The image chip is disposed on the base plate and accommodated within the hollow portion. The holder is fixed on the first surface of the circuit board. The lens assembly is fixed on the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Jung Hsiao
  • Publication number: 20110002686
    Abstract: A movement mechanism of a mover includes a base body disposed in an inner part of an outer case of an imaging device; a mover that is movable in a first movement direction with respect to the base body between a receiving position and a projecting position, and has a locked portion; a pressing spring that presses the mover from the receiving position toward the projecting position; a moving base capable of moving in a second movement direction between a lockable position to the base body and a lock release position; a lock lever that is supported by the moving base rotatably between a lock position and an unlock position; and a driver that is connected to the moving base and is a drive source for moving the moving base in the second movement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kusatsugu
  • Patent number: 7860390
    Abstract: An imaging element package includes: an imaging element chip having an imaging surface; a substrate on which the imaging element chip is mounted; an optical member that allows light to pass; and a supporting body having a body portion where a through-opening serving as a light path for imaging is formed, and an attachment portion that is provided in the body portion and is to be attached to an attachment position. The substrate is attached to the body portion so as to close one end of the opening in a through direction in a state where the imaging surface faces another end from the one end of the opening in the through direction, and the optical member is attached to the body portion so as to close the other end of the opening in the through direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kaoru Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 7859591
    Abstract: A camera module unit includes a printed wiring board overlaid on a shielding enclosure. A camera module is supported on the surface of the shielding enclosure. The camera module is located inside a recess defined in the printed wiring board. A shielding metal plate covers over the camera module. An elastic piece is defined in the shielding metal plate. The elastic piece is resiliently received on the surface of the shielding enclosure. The shielding metal plate realizes a sufficient shielding for the camera module in the camera module unit. Electric current is allowed to easily run from the charged shielding metal plate to the shielding enclosure through the elastic piece. The camera module is supported on the shielding enclosure inside the recess. The height of the camera module is reduced above the printed wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanaka, Yoshifumi Kajiwara, Hiroaki Sakashita, Yoshiya Matsumoto, Kazunori Murayama, Atsuko Yamamoto, Takehisa Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7853143
    Abstract: A camera has an outer case member and a lens barrel unit having a movable lens movable along a straight line. The relation between the shape of the outer case member and the layout of the lens barrel unit is such that when the camera falls in the same direction as the straight line to contact with a flat surface for the first time, the camera contacts the flat surface at a portion other than directly below the center of gravity. Examples of the camera disclosed include a camera having the lens barrel unit disposed tilted in the outer case member, a camera whose outer case member has a wedge-like shape, and a camera having a projection formed at the outer case member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignees: Olympus Corporation, Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Takashi Miyazawa, Shuhei Kaneko, Takeshi Hiroshima
  • Patent number: 7848639
    Abstract: A camera module 100a includes a lens unit 1a which includes a lens 11 and a lens holder 12 holding the lens 11 therein, and an image sensing unit 2a which includes a solid-state image sensor 24 and a transparent lid section 26 which is arranged so as to face the receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 24, provided with a space S therebetween. The lens holder 12 blocks unnecessary light to the transparent lid section 26 by engaging the lens holder 12 with a whole periphery part of the transparent lid section 26. Thus, it is possible to provide a solid-state image sensing device, which realizes adequate camera function by blocking unnecessary light to the transparent lid section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7848640
    Abstract: According to an enclosure for electric equipment of an aspect of the present invention, the enclosure having the plurality of accommodation portions accommodating separate contents, respectively, can be formed by one molding without assembling a plurality of components, which can reduce the number of assembling processes. Also, formation by one component eliminates a gap which would be generated by assembling components, which can improve enclosure strength and designability and reduce manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7845864
    Abstract: A cover assembly includes a main body, a control, an outer cover, a protective cover, and a transmitting member. The control is slidably mounted in the main body. The outer cover is detachably mounted in the main body. A protective cover is rotatably engaged in the outer cover. A transmitting member is rotatably mounted in the main body, with one end fixed on the control and another end engaging the protective cover. The control slides relative to the main body, and the transmitting member rotates the protective cover relative to the outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Jin-Feng Gao, Yong Jiang
  • Patent number: 7848638
    Abstract: A lens assembly in a digital still camera has a lens housing. First and second movable lenses/lens groups are contained in the lens housing, and supported in respectively first and second lens holders. A guide rod guides movement of the first and second lenses/lens groups in an optical axis direction with the lens holders. A shutter unit is disposed between the lens holders. A shutter actuator drives the shutter unit. A containing chamber in the lens housing contains the shutter actuator. A first motor is disposed between the guide rod and an inner surface of the lens housing and near to a first surface of the shutter unit, and moves the first lens holder. A second motor is disposed between the guide rod and the containing chamber and near to a second surface of the shutter unit, and moves the second lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFLIM Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiko Senba
  • Patent number: 7811010
    Abstract: A small-diameter positioning tube is formed in an external wall surface of a housing (upper case and lower case) that is a constructional element of a camera body via a stepped part. When the camera body is attached to a mounting base using screws, a positioning tube is fitted into an opening, and the stepped part is caused to abut on an outer peripheral edge of an upper surface of the opening. In this state, the screws are fastened so that the fastening force of the screws can be received by an abutting part between the stepped part and the opening. If the invention is constructed in this way, the fastening force of the screws does not directly act on the lens holding member that is received and fixed inside the housing, even if the camera body is firmly attached to the mounting base by the fastening force of the screws, any distortion caused in the lens holding member or a lens can be relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsumaro Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20100254700
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a mount fixing member to which a lens mount is fixed; a connected body obtained by integrally connecting a plurality of constituent units including a battery holder unit, the plurality of constituent units provided around the mount fixing member; and a front member fixed to the connected body and integrated therewith, wherein the mount fixing member is fixed to the front member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ueda, Hideo Fukumoto, Takuya Hara, Yoshinori Sugiyama, Shigekazu Inaba
  • Patent number: 7805071
    Abstract: There is provided an inexpensive camera module 1 having shieldability. The camera module 1 has a housing 2 which is molded from resin so that layers of the resin are formed on both sides of a metal plate 5 and in which an inside space for accommodating a group of lenses 6, 7 is formed and which is opened at least in one direction, a lid 3 for sealing the opened part of the housing 2, and a substrate 4 on which an imaging element 10 is mounted. In the housing 2, the metal plate 5 is partially exposed, and the lid 3 composed of conductive material and ground patterns 22 on the substrate 4 are in conductive contact with exposed parts 19, 21 of the metal plate 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Mitani
  • Patent number: 7804541
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes a main body 1 incorporating an image pickup element, an operation part that is placed on the main body 1 and can be operated by a user, and a seventh surface 107 provided on the main body 1, on which, when the user takes a picture while holding the main body 1, the thumb of the hand holding the main body 1 can be left in a stand-by state. The operation part includes rotation operation parts that are placed in the vicinity of the seventh surface 107 and are rotatable, and the rotation operation parts are arranged so that at least a part of the same faces the seventh surface 107. With this, a movement amount of the fingers of the user is reduced, whereby the operability is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yushi Ogino