U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Icon_funbox Quotables

"This is the patent age of new inventions for killing bodies, and for saving souls. All propagated with the best intentions."

Lord Byron ;

Newsletter  PatentStorm News

Make the Most of Our Site

See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.

Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.

Registered users: Manage your profile.

 

Class 396/106 - Having auxiliary illumination


Subclass of Class 396 - Photography
Definition: Subject matter which includes an artificial illumination
No. of patents: 507
Last issue date: 03/13/2012


1                      
NumberTitleIssue Date
8135271Method of calibrating an autofocus lighting device of a camera
A method of calibrating an autofocus (AF) lighting device of a camera is disclosed. A reference image is captured with light projected from the AF lighting device, and a relative position of a central coordinate of the projected light with respect to a central coord...
03/13/2012
7848629Auto-focus system and auto-focus method thereof
An exemplary auto-focus method includes the following steps. An ambient brightness is measured before a pre-flash. Then, a pre-flash ambient brightness is also measured during the pre-flash is fired. A main flash ratio is subsequently calculated using the ambient br...
12/07/2010
7826736Camera and method for use with camera
A camera comprising a first imaging part for capturing IR image data of a first field of view, said first imaging part comprising IR optics, a second imaging part for capturing visible light data of a second field of view at least partially overlapping the first fie...
11/02/2010
7630621Interchangeable lens camera, camera body thereof and lens unit
In a camera body of an electronic camera, first information representing spectral characteristics of auxiliary light is read out of a nonvolatile memory under control of a CPU of the camera body. The first information is sent to a serial driver of a lens unit via a ...
12/08/2009
7620308Digital camera and method of controlling the same
In order to carry out relatively accurate AF control while eliminating the adverse effect on a reproduced moving picture, a subject is imaged every 1/30 seconds, so that subject images are obtained. Image data representing the subject images respectively correspondi...
11/17/2009
7558474Imaging device
The present invention provides an imaging device including a photographic optical system having a zoom function, an auxiliary light irradiation device which includes an auxiliary light source emitting auxiliary light and which irradiates the auxiliary light towards ...
07/07/2009
7493035Method for focusing by using a pre-flash
A method for focusing by using a pre-flash is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, the image sensor captures a first image of the object, wherein the average brightness of the first image is calculated to be Y0. Next, the image sensor...
02/17/2009
7415211Interconnections and protection between optical communications networks
An optical communications system including a submarine optical communications system, a landing station associated with the submarine optical communications system, a terrestrial optical communications system, a point of presence associated with the terrestrial opti...
08/19/2008
7415201Auto focusing device for camera and method used in auto focusing device for camera for determining whether or not to emit auxiliary light
An auto focusing device for a camera includes a focus detecting section which detects a focused state of an image taking lens an AF mode setting section sets an AF mode of the camera to either a first AF mode or a second AF mode. An auxiliary light emitting section ...
08/19/2008
7412159Image pickup apparatus and defocus amount correction value calculation method
An image pickup apparatus, in which a light is projected toward a physical object by projection means, and based on the reflected light by the physical object of the light, a defocus amount is detected (steps S2003 to S2008) by the first focus detectio...
08/12/2008
7389041Determining scene distance in digital camera images
A method for producing a distance map of scene distance values for a digital image captured by a digital camera includes capturing a first digital image of a scene under a first illumination condition, wherein the first digital image includes a plurality of pixels a...
06/17/2008
7365790Autofocus system for an image capturing apparatus
A digital camera 100 includes a photographic optical system (21) for projecting an image of a subject; a CCD (24) for converting the projected image into an image signal and outputting it; a focus driving system (25) which changes a focus...
04/29/2008
7334914Apparatus and method for aligning a substantial point source of light with a reflector feature
A combination for use in aligning a substantial point source of light with respect to an axis of a reflector is provided. The combination includes a reflector, a lamp bulb having a substantial point source of light, and a movable lamp bulb holder. The movable holder...
02/26/2008
7336037Intelligent electrical switching device
The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is directed to portable electronic devices which operate on exhaustible power sources, for example, batteries. The electronic devices of the present invention comprise at least one signal switch and a micro...
02/26/2008
7333145Camera module
A camera module comprising an image sensor array, a gain amplifier, an indicator set to indicate whether a first flash device or a second flash device is present, and a plurality of storage locations. The plurality of storage locations is configured to store an expo...
02/19/2008
7333182Range finder and method of reducing signal noise therefrom
A range finder includes an optical sensor circuit including optical sensors and an integrator circuit disposed for the optical sensors. It further includes selection switches (MOSFETs), which selectively connect optical sensors to the integrator circuit, non-selecti...
02/19/2008
7322722Light fixture
A light fixture for flush mounting against a ceiling wall includes a housing for securement in a wall hole and a light transmitting lens. The lens is flush with the wall and covers the entirety of the housing so that the housing is not viewable when installed. The o...
01/29/2008
7307251Active background control for infrared cameras
A light source is injected into an optical path of a camera to provide a controlled background to insure optimum uniformity of performance of the camera. An optical system, camera, image background measurement system, source intensity control, and light source compr...
12/11/2007
7303308Lighting apparatus
Lighting apparatus for an image-gathering device, includes a light frame supporting a plurality of light emitting diode lamps configured to emit light at a tungsten balanced colour temperature, and a focussing frame comprising a plurality of light focussing lenses c...
12/04/2007
7283736Imaging apparatus and imaging method
An imaging apparatus including a ranging device for measuring a distance to a subject, a device for radiating fill-light to the subject, and a re-ranging determining device for determining as to whether re-measurement is executed based on a measured result of the ra...
10/16/2007
7280147Auto focusing apparatus and image inputting apparatus
An auto focusing apparatus comprises a contrast AF (auto focusing) means (10), an outside light AF means (20), a release button (30), a focusing accurate priority button (40) and control means (50). The control means controls the c...
10/09/2007
7264372Apparatus and method for aligning a substantial point source of light with a reflector feature
A combination for use in aligning a substantial point source of light with respect to an axis of a reflector is provided. The combination includes a reflector, a lamp bulb having a substantial point source of light, and a movable lamp bulb holder. The movable holder...
09/04/2007
7259375Special effects video camera
The invention provides a video camera fitted with telemetry means which provide, in parallel with the image, information relating to the distance of each of the filmed points of an image. A clip key calculated on the information relating to the distance may be calcu...
08/21/2007
7248795Image projection apparatus, projection image pattern, laser drive apparatus, camera apparatus
Image projection apparatus wherein, a focusing lens is controlled when a shutter is operated so that a contrast signal, obtained when a luminance signal from a camera signal processing circuit is supplied to an auto focusing detection circuit, may become maximum. A ...
07/24/2007
7228070Image projection apparatus, projection image pattern, laser drive apparatus, camera apparatus
Image projection apparatus wherein, a focusing lens is controlled when a shutter is operated so that a contrast signal, obtained when a luminance signal from a camera signal processing circuit is supplied to an auto focusing detection circuit, any become maximum. A ...
06/05/2007
7226185Illumination system with alignment mechanism and method
An illumination system including a plurality of light source modules each including a light-emitting surface and a dome lens, an illumination target and at least one optical device disposed between at least one of the light source modules and the illumination target...
06/05/2007
7221437Method and apparatus for measuring distances using light
A method and device for measuring a distance to an object with light determines the distance by measuring the relative intensity of light reflected from the object and traveling over two or more paths of differing optical length. Light is emitted by one or more ligh...
05/22/2007
7204418Pulsed illumination in imaging reader
A target is illuminated with high intensity light pulses to make the target appear stationary to a solid state imager of an imaging reader to improve reader performance at high swipe speeds of the target. ...
04/17/2007
7202902Image monitor apparatus controlling camera and illumination in order to optimize luminance of picked-up image
In an image monitor apparatus for monitoring an image: a camera picks up an image; an emission control unit controls at least one light emitting element; an image signal acquiring unit performs analog-to-digital conversion of the image picked up by the camera so as ...
04/10/2007
7196844Imaging optical device, in particular binoculars or telescope
An imaging optical device, in particular binoculars or a telescope, comprises, in addition to a casing, an optical system with at least two optical components, the distance of which relative to one another is adjustable for focus setting of the optical system. This ...
03/27/2007
7193731Optical displacement sensor
Optical displacement sensor may possess light-emitting element(s) for projecting light onto distance measurement target(s), and light-receiving element(s) capable of receiving light reflected from distance measurement target(s) and disposed such that light-receiving...
03/20/2007
7193651Camera system, lens apparatus and camera
A camera system has a camera with a photosensitive member that records optical images; and a lens apparatus removably mounted on the camera and forming an optical image with an image taking optical system including a focus lens. Focus control of the focus lens is ch...
03/20/2007
7160258Capsule and method for treating or diagnosing the intestinal tract
A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract a...
01/09/2007
7158182Camera that engages in a focusing operation through a contrast method
A camera includes: an image-capturing element that captures a subject image through a photographic lens having a focusing lens; an evaluation value calculation unit that calculates focus evaluation values at a plurality of lens positions assumed by the focusing lens...
01/02/2007
7149420Auto-focusing lens with progressive variable focal element
An improved method and module for auto focusing utilizes a variable thickness focus element. A different thickness, and thus a different focus, is optically coupled to an image sensor by rotating the focus element. Movement along the optic axis is not required. This...
12/12/2006
7145598Image pickup apparatus capable of making effective depiction by reducing pixel signals
An image pickup apparatus is provided with a number-of-pixels reducing circuit arranged to form a reduced image by reducing to a predetermined number the effective pixels among all pixels owned by an image sensor in such a manner that the method for reducing the eff...
12/05/2006
7145602Exposure control method for digital camera
An apparatus and method for controlling exposure of a digital camera with high precision by setting a proper exposure amount by emitting auxiliary light during auto-focusing, detecting the luminance level of an object, and carrying out an exposure controlling operat...
12/05/2006
7145647Measurement of spatial coordinates
A system for measurement of spatial coordinates comprising a probing tool and a main measuring unit, wherein said probing tool comprises a reflective object element, observation mechanism located in a known position and orientation relative to said reflective object...
12/05/2006
7136521Optical arrangement for producing stereoscopic images
An optical arrangement for stereoscopic viewing of objects which is outfitted with an imaging system and with at least one lens group with a fixed focal length which is arranged between the imaging system and a viewed object for changing the imaging scale. This is a...
11/14/2006
7133277Electronic device
A miniaturized electronic device including a battery storing container having an opening for placing a battery in and out, a recording medium storing part for storing a recording medium detachably, and a plurality of circuit boards constituting predetermined circuit...
11/07/2006
1                      
 
Sign InRegister
Username  
Password   
forgot password?