Having Wireless Remote Control Circuit Patents (Class 396/56)
  • Patent number: 9113134
    Abstract: A display control apparatus: in a virtual three-dimensional space in which is disposed a three-dimensional model of an object contained in a moving image picked up by performing successive imaging operations once by using an imaging device, draws a plurality of thumbnail images extracted from the moving image to the respective positions of the imaging device at the time when the thumbnail images were picked up and draws information that relates the thumbnail images in order in which they were picked up, thereby generating a bird's eye-display image which provides a bird's-eye-view drawing of the virtual three-dimensional space containing the three-dimensional model and the thumbnail images; and causes a display unit to display the bird's eye-display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Kashima
  • Patent number: 9113062
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a pentaprism and outer covering members. Among the photographing light flux incident from a photographing optical system, light reflected by a rotary mirror is further reflected by the reflection surface of the pentaprism to thereby reach an ocular lens. A wireless substrate on which an antenna section is mounted is arranged between the pentaprism and a front outer cover. The substrate fixing member fixes the wireless substrate and is attached to a pentaprism fixing member so as to be electrically connected to the ground section of the imaging apparatus. The ground section of the wireless substrate is connected to the substrate fixing member at a position facing the antenna section with the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system therebetween. The electrical resistivity of a region facing the antenna section in the front outer cover is set relatively higher than the periphery of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Futoshi Hirai, Toru Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9094086
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging unit that captures images; a display unit that displays the images; an antenna arranged at a predetermined position relative to the imaging unit; an antenna control unit that changes the direction of maximum gain for the antenna and controls the directionality of the antenna; a wireless unit that, via the antenna, transmits search data to at least one wireless terminal and receives response data in relation to the search data; a signal strength detection unit that detects the reception strength of the response data; an identification information extraction unit that identifies identification information for the wireless terminal that is the transmission source for the response data; a record control unit that generates data sets associating the identification information, the reception strength, and the direction of maximum gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuyuki Takahashi, Kiyoshi Toyoda
  • Patent number: 9092049
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a display unit, an antenna, an antenna control unit, a wireless unit, a reception strength detection unit, an identification information extraction unit, a recording control unit, a recording unit, a relative angle extraction unit, an estimated position calculation unit, a display control unit, an instruction input detection unit, and a wireless connection switching control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuyuki Takahashi, Kiyoshi Toyoda
  • Patent number: 9086540
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus including a ranging area selection unit configured to select an area for measuring a distance to an object to be photographed from a plurality of candidate areas preset in an area according to an angle of view of a photographing lens, the area being selected as a ranging area, an irradiation unit configured to irradiate auxiliary light onto the object to be photographed, a distance to the object to be photographed being measured in the ranging area, and a ranging unit configured to measure the distance to the object to be photographed, to which the auxiliary light has been irradiated, in the ranging area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasutoshi Katsuda
  • Patent number: 9081261
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a main body, a movable unit, a first driving unit, a second driving unit, and a control unit. The movable unit is rotatable with respect to the main body and includes a light emitting unit and an optical member disposed in front of the light emitting unit to refract incident light. The first driving unit rotates the movable unit with respect to the main body. The second driving unit moves at least one of the light emitting unit and the optical member to change relative positions. Power is supplied to the second driving unit from a power source that supplies power to the first driving unit. The control unit controls a rotation operation performed using the first driving unit and a moving operation performed using the second driving unit so that the rotation operation is performed after the moving operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiki Miyakawa, Yuji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9039306
    Abstract: The dual camera allows continuous wireless transmission of image data through radio waves to outside picture processing devices and continuous capture of images on frames of camera film rolls. A radio wave transmission attachment transmits image data though radio waves to outside picture processing devices. Several housing compartments of the dual camera receive camera film rolls. When images are captured on all frames of one camera film roll, a detachable housing compartment door is operable so that the camera film roll may be removed. While the camera film roll is being removed, the dual camera may simultaneously capture images on a remaining camera film roll in a filming position and the radio wave transmission attachment may transmit image data to outside picture processing devices without exposing the camera film roll in the filming position. Alternatively, a cable transmits radio wave image data to outside picture processing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: FIRST PRINCIPLES, INC.
    Inventor: Keith A. Raniere
  • Publication number: 20150131983
    Abstract: A super-affordable wireless follow focus system designed for independent filmmakers, comprises a handheld remote transmitter unit (RTX-1) and the motor/receiver unit (DB-1) which attaches to the user's DSLR or video camera. The DB-1 lens motor is targeted towards DSLR and video cameras employing lenses with manual operation rings, but can be utilized with certain, heavier cinema lenses too. The system features open source, Arduino compatible firmware which enables a powerful array of user generated, optional settings. The system offers a flexible, wireless and user-friendly method of extending lens control to an assistant camera operator or “focus puller” enabling professional, cinematic filmmaking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: David S. Thayer, Daniel S. Arbogast
  • Patent number: 9031397
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for performing wireless communication with an external device. An instruction transmitting unit transmits an operation instruction to the external device. A response signal receiving unit receives a response signal from the external device. A first controlling unit starts a first operation relating to an imaging process in a case that a first time passes from a point of receiving the response signal by the response signal receiving unit. The external device executes a second operation relating to the imaging process in a case that a second time passes from a point of transmitting the response signal from the external device to the imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 8923692
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Vision LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Konicek
  • Patent number: 8917982
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Vision LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Konicek
  • Patent number: 8913885
    Abstract: For setting a tag ID in association with a content supposed to be provided to a portable terminal, the server acquires the location information of an illumination device of which the content is already stored in the memory and sets a tag ID in association with an illumination device that is away from the location presented by the location information by a given or longer distance. Then, the server associates and stores in the memory the set tag ID, location information of the illumination device transmitting the tag ID, content supposed to be provided. Subsequently, the server receives the tag ID and location information transmitted from a portable terminal, determines the content to transmit based on the received location information and the element stored in the memory, and transmits the determined content to the portable terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Iizuka, Shinichi Moritani
  • Patent number: 8897634
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Vision LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Konicek
  • Patent number: 8873943
    Abstract: A lens system includes an operating unit for operating a lens apparatus, an operation-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the operating unit via a transmission line, and a lens-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the lens apparatus via a transmission line. The operation-side and lens-side communication units perform wireless communication to/from each other. The operation-side communication unit includes a command selecting unit selecting a command to be transmitted to the lens-side communication unit from commands input from the operating unit, and an answer interpolating unit generating an interpolated answer by interpolating answers with respect to commands that are not selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Publication number: 20140267894
    Abstract: A camera system includes a wireless indicator that emits light to provide signals to a user. This wireless indicator is attached to a lens casing that covers the front face of the camera to protect components of the camera such as the lens. A wireless signal interface on the front face of the camera is configured to emit ultraviolet light in response to control circuitry within the camera. The ultraviolet light is transmitted through the lens casing to an excitable element. The excitable element produces visible light in response to the ultraviolet light. Any re-emitted visible light that travels back towards the camera lens and image sensor is reflected by a reflective layer, which is configured to transmit ultraviolet light while reflecting visible light. Therefore, the wireless indicator does not cause light artifacts or image flaws to appear in images captured by the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Scott Patrick Campbell
  • Patent number: 8837930
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for performing wireless communication with an external device. An instruction transmitting unit transmits an operation instruction to the external device. A response signal receiving unit receives a response signal from the external device. A first controlling unit starts a first operation relating to an imaging process in a case that a first time passes from a point of receiving the response signal by the response signal receiving unit. The external device executes a second operation relating to the imaging process in a case that a second time passes from a point of transmitting the response signal from the external device to the imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 8831418
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. Another aspect of the invention provides for gesture recognition to be used to interface with and control the camera system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Vision LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Konicek
  • Patent number: 8824882
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a remote lighting device to a camera using a hot shoe connection and a wireless communication device connected via the hot shoe connector. The wireless communication device receives a request for flash data from the camera via the hot shoe connector. The wireless communication device responds to the request with response data that mocks information that a flash would provide if the flash were connected to the hot shoe connector, such that the camera continues to provide TTL data via the hot shoe connector to the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8824879
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Vision LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Konicek
  • Patent number: 8825538
    Abstract: A system for implementing a loyalty program includes a personal terminal, an interaction terminal, and a loyalty module. The personal terminal may be associated with a user. The interaction terminal may be associated with a product or service. The interaction terminal and the personal terminal may be operable to establish a communication when in proximity of each other. The loyalty module may be operable to provide a benefit to the user in response to the communication. The benefit may be provided without regard to whether the user obtained or purchased the product or service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Gerard E. Insolia, Leonard F. Antao, Anthony J. Phillips, Haven Brock Kolls
  • Patent number: 8818182
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Vision LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Konicek
  • Patent number: 8812743
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can communicate with an external apparatus includes an instruction unit configured to receive an instruction to change a parameter in the external apparatus, and a sending unit configured to send a control signal for causing the external apparatus to change the parameter in the external apparatus, to the external apparatus according to the instruction received by the instruction unit, in which the sending unit sends, when the instruction received by the instruction unit includes an instruction to change a plurality of types of parameters in the external apparatus, the control signal a plural number of times according to the types of the parameters to be changed, to cause the external apparatus to change the parameters in a predetermined order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 8803989
    Abstract: A method of synchronizing a remote device to image acquisition by a camera body including detecting a voltage change of the camera body that occurs prior to shutter opening. The detected voltage change is used to determine a time to synchronize the remote device to image acquisition via wireless communication. For example, the detected voltage change may be used to predict when the shutter of the camera will be open. A wireless communication system for synchronizing a remote device to a camera body may include a memory having information used to synchronize the remote device to image acquisition based on the detection of the change in voltage occurring prior to a shutter opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8742890
    Abstract: An image acquisition system includes an image acquisition device and a commanding device configured as a member separate from the image acquisition device to transmit a command to the image acquisition device for controlling the image acquisition device in such a manner as to permit the image acquisition device to operate in response to the command. The image acquisition device transmits to the commanding device identification information permitting the image acquisition device to identify the commanding device. The commanding device receives the transmitted identification information and transmits a command with authentication information contains authentication information permitting the image acquisition device to authenticate the commanding device, the authentication information containing one of the received identification information and information derived from the identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Nagahiro Gocho
  • Patent number: 8718462
    Abstract: A control unit for generating a control signal comprises a base part, a control element rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the base part, a position encoder for detecting an angular position or a change in angular position of the control element relative to the base part, a control device which is adapted generate the control signal in dependence on the detected angular position or change in angular position of the control element and an electronic display device, wherein the control device is adapted to control the electronic display device to show at least one symbol arrangement. The control unit is characterized in that the electronic display device has the shape of a cylinder or of a cylinder sector whose axis coincides with the axis of rotation of the control element or extends in parallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventor: Hendrik Voss
  • Publication number: 20140122085
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present general inventive concept provide a voice controlled vibration data analyzer system, including a vibration sensor to detect vibration data from a machine-under-test, a data acquisition unit to receive the vibration data from the vibration sensor, and a control unit having a user interface to receive manual and audio input from a user, and to communicate information relating to the machine-under-test, the control unit executing commands in response to the manual or audio input to control the data acquisition unit and/or user interface to output an audio or visual message relating to a navigation path of multiple machines to be tested, to collect and process the vibration data, and to receive manual or audio physical observations from the user to characterize collected vibration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Azima Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Ralph Piety, K. C. Dahl
  • Patent number: 8693859
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus receives a signal regularly transmitted from a control apparatus, determines whether or not the imaging apparatus is disconnected from the network based on a status of the reception of the signal, transmits a request for participation in the network to the control apparatus according to a determination that the imaging apparatus is disconnected from the network to notify the control apparatus that the imaging apparatus is disconnected from the network, and participates in the network after the control apparatus receives the request for participation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Watanabe, Hideaki Ohshima
  • Patent number: 8676581
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to the use of identity information to help avoid the occurrence of false positive speech recognition events in a speech recognition system. One embodiment provides a method comprising receiving speech recognition data comprising a recognized speech segment, acoustic locational data related to a location of origin of the recognized speech segment as determined via signals from the microphone array, and confidence data comprising a recognition confidence value, and also receiving image data comprising visual locational information related to a location of each person in an image. The acoustic locational data is compared to the visual locational data to determine whether the recognized speech segment originated from a person in the field of view of the image sensor, and the confidence data is adjusted depending on this determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Flaks, Dax Hawkins, Christian Klein, Mitchell Stephen Dernis, Tommer Leyvand, Ali M. Vassigh, Duncan McKay
  • Patent number: 8655161
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless image transmission device, which includes a lens body which a lens is mounted. The lens body includes a transmitter unit that includes an encoder functioning to provide an encoded signal of wirelessly transmitted images. The lens body has an end forming a first connection section. An electronic device includes a control unit electrically connected to a receiver unit that includes a decoder functioning to wirelessly receive and convert the encoded signal of images from the transmitter unit into a decoded image signal to be applied to the control unit. The electronic device has an end forming a second connection section. The second connection section is connectable to the first connection section of the lens body. When the lens body is separated from the electronic device, the electronic device can receive image taken by the lens body in a wireless manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Yung-Chien Chen
  • Patent number: 8648921
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes: setting means for setting a transmission target period during which transmission data is transmitted to a destination apparatus; control means for resizing the transmission data in such a way that the size thereof becomes smaller than or equal to a total transfer data size of the transmission data, the total transfer data size determined based on the transmission target period; and transmission means for transmitting the transmission data having been resized by the control means to the destination apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichiro Nagao
  • Publication number: 20140037280
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for performing wireless communication with an external device. An instruction transmitting unit transmits an operation instruction to the external device. A response signal receiving unit receives a response signal from the external device. A first controlling unit starts a first operation relating to an imaging process in a case that a first time passes from a point of receiving the response signal by the response signal receiving unit. The external device executes a second operation relating to the imaging process in a case that a second time passes from a point of transmitting the response signal from the external device to the imaging apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 8643735
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes: selection means for selecting transmission data to be transmitted to a destination apparatus; setting means for setting a transmission target period during which the selected transmission data is transmitted; control means for resizing the transmission data in such a way that the size thereof becomes smaller than or equal to a total transfer data size of the transmission data, the total transfer data size determined based on the transmission target period; display control means for controlling display of transmission information on the transmission data resized by the control means on a screen; and transmission means for transmitting the transmission data resized by the control means to the destination apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichiro Nagao
  • Patent number: 8644695
    Abstract: A lens system includes an operating unit for operating a lens apparatus, an operation-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the operating unit via a transmission line, and a lens-side communication unit performing bidirectional communication to/from the lens apparatus via a transmission line. The operation-side and lens-side communication units perform wireless communication to/from each other. The operation-side communication unit includes a command selecting unit selecting a command to be transmitted to the lens-side communication unit from commands input from the operating unit, and an answer interpolating unit generating an interpolated answer by interpolating answers with respect to commands that are not selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Natsume
  • Patent number: 8632264
    Abstract: A unit which includes a camera includes a movable member which can close an optical input port to the camera to provide a zone of privacy in the vicinity of the unit. The member can be moved manually or remotely by electrical signals, or received wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Paul Schmit, John M. Kovach, Robert John Probin
  • Publication number: 20140010524
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more remote photographic flash devices from a camera. An antenna is connected to the camera housing. Wireless functionality within a camera provides wireless communication of a signal from within the camera body to one or more remote devices. In one example, a flash synchronization signal of the camera body may be wirelessly communicated using a wireless communication functionality within the camera body and the antenna. The wireless communication can be utilized for actuating one or more remote devices, such as for triggering one or more remote flash devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130330066
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing. The housing includes a window and defines an inner space. A light guiding element is attached on the front panel and received in the inner space. The light guiding element includes a front portion engaged in the window and a rear portion, and a through hole is extending from the front portion to the rear portion. A camera module is received in the inner space and includes a camera body and a light pervious cover plate. The camera body includes a lens module inserted in the through hole, and the light pervious cover plate is fixed in the window. A printed circuit board is received in the inner space. At least one remote signal receiver is mounted on the printed circuit board, faces the rear portion, and configured for receiving remote signal directed by the light guiding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: FU-FA LE
  • Patent number: 8600224
    Abstract: A system and method for converting power control value standards during photographic wireless communication from a camera to one or more remote lighting devices. A power control value of a camera may be converted to a different standard for wireless communication and converted to another standard for delivery to a remote lighting device. Different lighting devices may utilize different standards and have conversion to those appropriate standards at the receiver side even where the lighting device standard differs from the camera standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130302022
    Abstract: A moving body photographing system, apparatus, method and program wherein an individual can easily take a photograph while operating the moving body. A portable terminal moves together with a moving body and includes a moving body photographing module for inputting a condition when the moving body is to be photographed to reserve photographing. A wireless communication section and a moving body communication section transmit information representing the inputted condition and representing a position of the portable terminal to a management apparatus and a photographing apparatus. The management apparatus and the photographing apparatus include a wireless position measurement section for measuring a position of the moving body moving together with the portable terminal. A camera apparatus is provided for photographing the moving body in accordance with a condition inputted to the portable terminal based on the position information of the moving body measured by the moving body position measurement means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro OYAMA
  • Patent number: 8577215
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for performing wireless communication with an external device. An instruction transmitting unit transmits an operation instruction to the external device. A response signal receiving unit receives a response signal from the external device. A first controlling unit starts a first operation relating to an imaging process in a case that a first time passes from a point of receiving the response signal by the response signal receiving unit. The external device executes a second operation relating to the imaging process in a case that a second time passes from a point of transmitting the response signal from the external device to the imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 8571401
    Abstract: A control system for controlling power states of a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting. The control system is configured to detect one or more camera body signals generated as a function of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. The control system generates a first power state change signal in response to the detected camera body signal(s) and transmits the power state change signal to the remote device so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state. The control system also implements a preset delay and causes the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8571400
    Abstract: Methods for providing a flash management feature (“FMF”) in a camera system include obtaining a flash intensity value calculated for a flash device by a camera, saving the calculated flash intensity value in memory, accepting a user-provided adjustment of the calculated value, saving the adjusted flash intensity value in a memory, and providing, when the camera transmits the calculated value to the flash device for use during image acquisition, the adjusted value to the flash device instead of the calculated value. A communication device to provide a FMF includes a microprocessor configured to obtain a calculated flash intensity value from a camera, a memory, and a user interface configured to display and allow a user to adjust the calculated value. The microprocessor stores the adjusted flash intensity value in memory, and signals the flash device to emit light at the adjusted value during image acquisition by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin James King
  • Patent number: 8558886
    Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises an antenna system and a control system. The control system receives operator inputs and transfers control signals indicating a direction. The antenna system receives the control signals, and in response, points a camera to the direction, opens a door to expose the camera, operates the camera to collect video, and transfers the video. The antenna system receives additional control signals, and in response, closes the door to protect the camera from external environmental elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: John Charles Borjas
  • Patent number: 8559804
    Abstract: An external device for wirelessly synchronizing a remote device to image acquisition of a camera with switching of a transceiver from receive mode to transmit mode in response to receipt of a first signal by the external device generated after a trigger of the camera is activated. The external device includes a wireless communication functionality and a connector for connecting the external device to a port of the camera providing access to the first signal. The external device includes auto mode switcher for switching the transceiver from a receive mode to a transmit mode. A system including a camera and an external device configured to switch from receive mode to transmit mode in response to a signal from the camera generated after a trigger of the camera is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8538250
    Abstract: A control system for communicating with a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting using a camera body. The control system is configured to detect a preset pattern of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. In response to detecting of the preset pattern, the control system either communicates a power state change signal to the controlled device or causes the camera body to enter into a controlled device control mode that changes the functionality of one or more camera body controls from a camera body functionality to a controlled device control functionality, or both. Such a system can allow a photographer to control a controlled device while remaining at the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8532476
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more remote photographic flash devices from a camera body having a lower portion and an upper portion. An antenna is connected to the upper portion of the camera body. Wireless functionality within a camera body provides wireless communication of a signal from within the camera body to one or more remote devices. In one example, a flash synchronization signal of the camera body may be wirelessly communicated using a wireless communication functionality within the camera body and the antenna. The wireless communication can be utilized for actuating one or more remote devices, such as for triggering one or more remote flash devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130230304
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for performing wireless communication with an external device. An instruction transmitting unit transmits an operation instruction to the external device. A response signal receiving unit receives a response signal from the external device. A first controlling unit starts a first operation relating to an imaging process in a case that a first time passes from a point of receiving the response signal by the response signal receiving unit. The external device executes a second operation relating to the imaging process in a case that a second time passes from a point of transmitting the response signal from the external device to the imaging apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 8526808
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a remote lighting device to a camera using a hot shoe connection and a wireless communication device connected via the hot shoe connector. The wireless communication device receives a request for flash data from the camera via the hot shoe connector. The wireless communication device responds to the request with response data that mocks information that a photographic lighting device would provide if the photographic lighting device were connected to the hot shoe connector, such that the camera continues to provide TTL data via the hot shoe connector to the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Lab Partners Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 8467672
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. Another aspect of the invention provides for gesture recognition to be used to interface with and control the camera system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Konicek
  • Patent number: 8446478
    Abstract: An optical device with an imaging device for forming an image of a subject with a lens device, including a lens unit, a movable member making the lens unit movable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit, an image pickup device imaging the subject image formed by the lens device, a fixed member limiting the movement of the movable member in the optical axis direction, at least three balls rolling between the movable and fixed member, a vibration detecting unit, and a pitch and yaw direction drive units for driving the movable member in the pitch and yaw directions within the optical axis orthogonal plane, respectively. The pitch and yaw direction drive units press the movable member toward the fixed member side by means of magnetic pressing forces caused by magnetic attractive action between drive magnets and yokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20130121674
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more remote photographic flash devices from a camera body having a lower portion and an upper portion. An antenna is connected to the upper portion of the camera body. Wireless functionality within a camera body provides wireless communication of a signal from within the camera body to one or more remote devices. In one example, a flash synchronization signal of the camera body may be wirelessly communicated using a wireless communication functionality within the camera body and the antenna. The wireless communication can be utilized for actuating one or more remote devices, such as for triggering one or more remote flash devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: LAB PARTNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: LAB PARTNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.