ame Electromagnetic field measuring apparatus, electromagnetic field measuring method used for the same, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing electromagnetic field measurement control program By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An electromagnetic field measuring apparatus capable of measuring an electromagnetic field for a minuscule area in which electronic devices are densely packed with a high sensitivity is provided. In an electromagnetic field measuring apparatus according to the present invention, the amplitude level of signal light (pf) is adjusted by the analyzer (34) by adjusting its angle with respect to the plane of polarization of the signal light (pf) based on an amplitude level control signal (eb) supplied from the calculation control unit (40). An amplitude level control signal (eb) is supplied from the calculation control unit (40) to the analyzer (34) based on the spectrum (ea) of an electric signal (ed) measured by an RF spectrum analyzer (39). The amplitude level ration between the carrier and the sideband contained in the signal light (ph) incident on the optical receiver (38) is controlled to a fixed value. Full Article
ame Over-current protection device and method of making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An over-current protection device has a PTC device, first and second electrodes and an insulation layer. The PTC device comprises first and second electrically conductive members and a PTC layer laminated between the first and second electrically conductive members. The first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrically conductive members, respectively. The insulation layer is disposed on a surface of the first electrically conductive member. The device is a stack structure extending along a first direction, and comprises at least one hole extending along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The value of the covered area of the hole divided by the area of the form factor of the over-current protection device is not less than 2%, and the value of the thickness of the device divided by the number of the PTC devices is less than 0.7 mm. Full Article
ame Sulfuration resistant chip resistor and method for making same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A chip resistor includes an insulating substrate, top terminal electrodes formed on top surface of the substrate using silver-based cermet, bottom electrodes, resistive element that is situated between the top terminal electrodes and overlaps them partially, an optional internal protective coating that covers resistive element completely or partially, an external protective coating that covers completely the internal protection coating and partially covers top terminal electrodes, a plated layer of nickel that covers face sides of the substrate, top and bottom electrodes, and overlaps partially external protective coating, finishing plated layer that covers nickel layer. The overlap of nickel layer and external protective layer possesses a sealing property because of metallization of the edges of external protective layer prior to the nickel plating process. Full Article
ame Chip resistor and method of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT There are provided a chip resistor and a method of manufacturing the same. The chip resistor includes a ceramic substrate; an adhesion portion formed on a surface of the ceramic substrate; and a resistor formed on the adhesion portion, wherein the adhesion portion includes at least one of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and copper-nickel (Cu—Ni). Full Article
ame Aresistive device with flexible substrate and method for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A resistive device includes a resistive layer, a flexible substrate arranged on the resistive layer, and an electrode layer. The electrode layer includes two electrode sections arranged below the resistive layer and separate to each other. Moreover, a method for manufacturing the resistive device with flexible substrate is also disclosed. Full Article
ame Movable contact and contact structure including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a movable contact movable on a fixed contact or a resistor. The movable contact includes first and second sliders. The first and second sliders are arranged in such a manner as to slide along different sliding tracks from each other on the fixed contact or the resistor in accordance with movement of the movable contact. Full Article
ame Rotary jig of battery cell and process of welding for battery cell using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a rotary jig for battery cells to successively manufacture battery cells having different sizes including a main body configured to have a hexahedral structure having a rotary rod mounted at a lower end thereof, the main body being provided at sides thereof with mounting frames having sizes corresponding to sizes of battery cells so that the battery cells can be uprightly mounted in the mounting frames in a state in which electrode terminals of the battery cells are exposed upward, a die disposed at a lower end of the main body, the die connected to the rotary rod so that the die can be rotated manually or by a rotary motor, and support members formed at the die to support the mounting frames of the main body and the battery cells mounted in the mounting frames, wherein the rotary rod is rotated so that resistance welding is performed with respect to a portion of one of battery cells to be welded using a welding rod located above the battery cell in a state in which the battery cells are mounted to the corresponding sides of the main body. Full Article
ame Ink jet recording head and method for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ink jet recording head includes a substrate having a plurality of discharge energy generation elements and having an ink supply port, a protective film provided on the substrate and configured to protect wiring connected to the discharge energy generation elements, and an ink discharge port forming member, wherein the protective film has a protruding portion, wherein the ink discharge port forming member has a beam-like protrusion, wherein the beam-like protrusion has a reinforcing rib, and wherein a separation film containing gold is formed at a portion where the protruding portion and the reinforcing rib are held in close contact with each other. Full Article
ame Liquid cartridge and image forming apparatus incorporation same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A liquid cartridge is detachably attachable to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a cartridge case, an information memory element, and a holding unit. The cartridge case includes at least two dividable case parts. The at least two dividable case parts form a front face of the cartridge case to face the apparatus body when the liquid cartridge is attached to the apparatus body. An information memory element is held at the front face of the cartridge case. The holding unit is provided in one of the at least two dividable case parts to hold the information memory element with only the one of the at least two dividable case parts. The holding unit includes a groove to receive the information memory element and a displaceable claw to hold the information memory element between the groove and the claw. Full Article
ame Laser scanning unit and image forming apparatus including the same, with laser light intensity detection, adjustment, and control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A laser scanning unit includes a laser light source, rotating polygon mirror, drive motor, and entry detection, intensity detection, intensity adjustment, and drive control portions. The laser light source radiates first and second laser lights in first second directions, respectively. The drive motor rotates the polygon mirror reflecting the first laser light. The intensity adjustment portion adjusts the first laser light in accordance with the second laser light detected by the intensity detection portion, until a second time after a first time has elapsed since the first laser light entry detection by the entry detection portion. The drive control portion, upon adjustment by the intensity adjustment portion, drives the drive motor at a first rotation speed, wherein a return light entry timing is included within the first time or from when the second time has elapsed to the timing of the entry detection portion detection. Full Article
ame Disposable digital camera with printing assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead. Full Article
ame Interrogator and system employing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An interrogator and system employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogator includes a receiver configured to receive a return signal from a tag and a sensing module configured to provide a time associated with the return signal. The interrogator also includes a processor configured to employ synthetic aperture radar processing on the return signal in accordance with the time to locate a position of the tag. Full Article
ame Radar sensor and method of detecting object using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A radar sensor and a method of detecting an object by using the same are provided. The method includes: receiving at least one radar signal reflected from the object; converting the received at least one radar signal to at least one signal in a frequency domain; accumulating the converted at least one signal for a predetermined time and extracting at least one feature from the accumulated at least one signal; and identifying the object by comparing the extracted at least one feature with at least one reference value stored in a database. Full Article
ame Radar receiver, and radar device equipped with same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a radar receiver that effectively prevents local oscillator signals from leaking out from an antenna. A receiver 21 includes a local oscillator 5, a mixer 6, a buffer amplifier 11, and a mode switcher 16. The local oscillator 5 outputs a local oscillation signal LO. The mixer 6 mixes a high-frequency signal RF received by a radar antenna 2 with the local oscillation signal LO. The buffer amplifier 11 is disposed between the local oscillator 5 and the mixer 6. The mode switcher 16 switches at least between a standby mode in which power is supplied to the local oscillator 5 and no power is supplied to the buffer amplifier 11 and a reception mode in which power is supplied to both the local oscillator 5 and the buffer amplifier 11. Full Article
ame Apparatus and method for producing a multi-pattern wireless frame By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Multi-pattern transmission of frames. The method of operations comprises transmitting a first portion of a frame using a first radiation pattern. The frame comprises one or more preambles and a single data portion associated with the one or more preambles. Thereafter, an operation is conducted to switch the radiation pattern from the first radiation pattern, used to produce the first portion of the frame, to a second radiation pattern. A second portion of the same frame is produced using the second radiation pattern. Full Article
ame Power control device using status latch module and electronic device using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power control device for an electronic device includes a power switching unit for switching to output a dc power source to a load of the electronic device according to a power switching signal, a switching detection unit for responding a power switching status to generate a switching detection signal, a status latch module for generating the power switching signal according to the switching detection signal, a first status signal and a second status signal, and a logic unit for generating the first status signal and the second status signal for the status latch module according to the power switching signal, such that the status latch module latches the first status signal and the second status signal. Full Article
ame Thin film type chip device and method for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a thin film type chip device, including: a plurality of unit circuit structures laminated on a substrate; and an adhesive layer adhering the unit circuit structures to each other. Full Article
ame Printed circuit board and method of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are a printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same. The printed circuit board includes: a base substrate; an outer circuit layer formed on an upper portion of the base substrate and including a connection pad; a first solder resist formed on the upper portion of the base substrate so that the connection pad of the outer circuit layer is exposed; and a second solder resist formed on an upper portion of an outer circuit layer and formed so that the connection pad is exposed. Full Article
ame Pre-fill system to improve brake feel and method of increasing initial flux using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are a pre-fill system to improve brake feel and a method of increasing an initial flux using the same which may reduce an invalid travel distance of a brake pedal. The pre-fill system includes a first housing connected with the master cylinder and provided with a first bore having a smaller-diameter portion and a larger-diameter portion, a second housing provided with a stepped second bore communicating with the first bore to be coupled with the first housing to define a hydraulic pressure chamber, a piston arranged in the first bore and provided with an oil channel unit, and a valve assembly adapted to open and close the oil channel unit of the piston according to the hydraulic brake pressure, wherein the piston applies pressure to the hydraulic pressure chamber through the piston to supply hydraulic pressure to the disc brake. Full Article
ame Electric motor, and device for generating a signal for controlling the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT An electric motor, having a stator (465), a rotor (470), and an apparatus for evaluating a signal provided for controlling said motor (110), comprises a receiving unit (430, 440) for receiving a control signal (PWM_mod), which is a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) onto which a data signal (DIR, DATA) is modulated. An evaluation unit (440) is provided for evaluating the modulated control signal (PWM_mod). The unit is configured to extract, from the modulated control signal (PWM_mod), data provided for operation of the motor (110). The control apparatus includes a signal generator (450) configured to generate, on the basis of the extracted or ascertained data provided for operation of the motor (110), at least one control signal for the motor (110), such as a commanded direction of rotation. Piggybacking other control data onto the PWM power level signal reduces hardware investment, by permitting omission of a signal lead which would otherwise be required in the motor structure. Full Article
ame Power supply system, vehicle including the same, control method for power supply system, and computer-readable recording medium recording program for causing computer to execute the control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A lower limit value setting unit (52) variably sets a lower limit value (Vth) of a target voltage (Vh*) in a range of a voltage that is higher than the maximum value of voltages (Vb1, Vb2) of power storage devices and is not affected by a dead time provided for converters, based on temperatures (Tb1, Tb2) and required electric powers (Pb1*, Pb2*). A maximum value selection unit (53) sets the maximum value among the voltages (Vb1, Vb2) of the power storage devices and required voltages (Vm1*, Vm2*) of motor-generators, as the target voltage. A target voltage limiting unit (54) compares the target voltage with the lower limit value (Vth), and if the target voltage is lower than the lower limit value (Vth), the target voltage limiting unit (54) sets the lower limit value (Vth) as the target voltage (Vh*). Full Article
ame Motor driven power steering and method for driving the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A motor driven power steering (MDPS) may include: a vehicle speed sensor configured to sense vehicle speed; a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a power pack; a current sensor configured to sense an amount of current applied to the MDPS; a storage unit configured to store a thermal resistance value based on the vehicle speed with respect to the temperature of the power pack; and a control unit configured to calculate an estimated temperature by reflecting the thermal resistance value based on the vehicle speed with respect to the temperature of the power pack and the current amount applied to the MDPS into a temperature estimation function, and drive a motor according to the calculated estimated temperature. Full Article
ame Display device, display system, display control method for same, electronic device, program, computer-readable recording medium, and light guide element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An interface (303) between adjacent ones of light guide sections (310) is inclined with respect to an incident surface (301) and an emission surface (302) of the light guide element (300A) so that an incident surface (311) of at least a part of the light guide sections (310) overlaps a part of a display region (202) in a liquid crystal panel (200A) and an emission surface (312) of said at least a part of the light guide sections (310) overlaps at least a part of a frame region (203) above which an image on the display region (202) is to be displayed. Furthermore, a relation 5° Full Article
ame Automated pointing and control of high resolution cameras using video analytics By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An automated method for cueing a high resolution video camera to a mobile object involves first detecting the presence of an object by a wide-area surveillance asset such as a radar and using the radar's positional information to cue the video camera iteratively, while updating the positional information each time. Then, a video analytics algorithm detects the object and generates more accurate positional and rate information on the object, which is then used to cue the video camera into a higher resolution setting for classifying/identifying the object. Once the object is identified, the positional and rate information is updated and the updated information is used to further cue the video camera into a higher resolution setting for recording a video clip of the moving object while the video camera is dynamically steered. Full Article
ame User programmable motor vehicle driving parameter control system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A user programmable motor vehicle driving parameter control system includes a motor vehicle including at least one active aerodynamic control element, and a user/vehicle interface member, and a controller including a memory having stored therein a user defined deployment schedule and a processor configured and disposed to selectively deploy the at least one aerodynamic control element based on the user defined deployment schedule. Full Article
ame Communication process for elements composing a home or industrial electrical energy distribution network and devices for implementing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A communication process between two constitutive elements of the network of electricity distribution in a domestic or industrial premise including circuit breakers, electrical modules, switches, electrical plugs and light connection devices. The process including the following steps: assignment by a protocol such as DHCP, BootP or RARP of a first IP address to a first element of the power distribution network, assignment of a second IP address to a second element, and establishment of a communication between the first and second elements of the power distribution network. Full Article
ame Protein renaturation microfluidic devices and methods of making and using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Microfluidic devices having a protein renaturation component and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include microfluidic devices that include a separation medium with a first flow path and a protein renaturation component in fluid communication with the separation medium and having a second flow path. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic and validation assays. Full Article
ame Molecularly imprinted polymer for detecting the pentraxin, and method for preparing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a molecularly imprinted structure for detection of a pentraxin protein and a method for preparing the same by synthesizing a reactive group-pentraxin protein ligand complex specifically reacting with the pentraxin protein and being polymerizable with a crosslink agent to detect a pentraxin protein by using the complex. The present disclosure also provides a chip for detection of a C-reactive protein and a method for preparing the same, the chip including a molecularly imprinted layer having excellent sensitivity to a C-reactive protein and an improved binding force to a metal substrate by using click chemistry. Full Article
ame Biomolecule fixing board and method of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention provides a biomolecule modifying substrate comprising biomolecules selectively fixed to given regions thereon. The biomolecule modifying substrate comprises: a substrate at least comprising a first surface and a second surface; a first linker molecule comprising a hydrocarbon chain and a functional group capable of selectively binding to the first surface at one end of the hydrocarbon chain, which is bound to the first surface via such functional group; a second linker molecule comprising a reactive group capable of binding to the hydrocarbon chain of the first linker molecule, which is bound to the first linker molecule via a bond between the reactive group and the hydrocarbon chain; and a biomolecule bound thereto via the second linker molecule. Full Article
ame Circular stapler with increased lumen diameter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A surgical stapling device is provided having a shell assembly including an outer housing portion having areas of varying wall thicknesses. Individual staple pockets in a row of staple pockets are positioned in areas of thinner wall thicknesses. Areas of increased wall thicknesses form longitudinally extending strengthening ribs along an inner surface of the outer housing portion. The longitudinally extending strengthening ribs may be solid, indented in the wall of the outer housing portion and or bisected by a slot extending through the outer housing portion. Full Article
ame Liquid composition and ink set, and image-forming process and apparatus using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a colorless or pale-colored liquid composition comprising a cationic substance, wherein the liquid composition contains in combination a cationic substance and a nonionic polymeric substance. Full Article
ame Alkylborazine compound and production method for the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:00:00 EDT In the process of synthesizing alkylborazine compound represented by the chemical formula 2, by a reaction of a halogenated borazine compound represented by the chemical formula 1 with a Grignard reagent, thus synthesized alkylborazine compound is washed with water, or subjected to sublimation purification or distillation purification at least three times, and/or subjected to distillation purification at least twice. In the formulas, R1 independently represents alkyl group; R2 independently represents alkyl group; and X represents halogen atom. Full Article
ame Sheet punching device and image forming apparatus having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Aug 2006 08:00:00 EDT A sheet punching device that cuts holes in a sheet while punches are entering die holes, in which a plurality of punch trains along each of which a plurality of punches are aligned on a rotating shaft in parallel with the rotating shaft are disposed in the rotation direction of the rotating shaft, and the die holes are disposed in correspondence with the punches of the punch trains. Full Article
ame Drug-transfer device, drug-delivery system incorporating the same, methods of fabricating the same, and methods of enabling administration of a drug By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST Devices capable of deterring or preventing bulk extraction of drugs from, for example, drug-delivery systems are exemplarily disclosed. In one embodiment, such a device may include a package releasably retaining a drug and an agent. The agent is configured to suppress a physiological effect of the drug when the agent contacts the drug or is coadministered with the drug. The cell package is configured such that an amount of the drug is selectively releasable with respect to the agent when the package is operably proximate to an encoded key. The package, however, may be configured to impose a relatively high likelihood that either the drug will not be accessed or the drug will be contaminated by the agent if access to the contents of the package is sought without the use of an encoded key. Full Article
ame Drug-transfer device, drug-delivery system incorporating the same, methods of fabricating the same, and methods of enabling administration of a drug By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST A method of enabling administration of a drug includes determining, within a drug-transfer device including cells, a location of at least one cell and generating information identifying the determined location. A user may be provided with the drug-transfer device. The drug is retained within the at least one cell when the user is provided with the drug-transfer device. The method also includes encoding a key with the information and providing the user with the key before, after or when the user is provided with the drug-transfer device. Drug retained within the at least one cell is selectively releasable when the key is operably proximate to the drug-transfer device and is encoded with the information. The key can be encoded with the information before and/or after being provided to the user. In some embodiments, the key is encoded based on instructions transmitted over a network. Full Article
ame Absorbent food pad and method of using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a food preservation system that includes an absorbent food pad that has absorbent material to absorb exuded liquids from a food product, and has an oxygen scavenging system to modify the atmosphere in the food package. Also described is a method of using the absorbent food pad to enhance appearance of the food product and extend shelf life. Full Article
ame Yeast extract containing γ-Glu-X or γ-Glu-X-Gly and a method for producing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A yeast extract containing a peptide, such as γ-Glu-X and γ-Glu-X-Gly, wherein X can represent an amino acid or an amino acid derivative other than Cys and derivatives thereof, is prepared by culturing a yeast in a medium containing a peptide such as γ-Glu-X, γ-Glu-X-Gly and X-Gly, and preparing a yeast extract from the obtained cells. Full Article
ame Laser-welded joint structure between insulation frame and bearing cup of fan and method of forming same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A laser-welded joint structure between insulation frame and bearing cup of fan includes a base having a bearing cup and a stator having at least one insulation frame. The insulation frame includes a sleeve portion defining a bore axially extending therethrough. The sleeve portion is provided on an inner wall surface with at least one pressing section that radially projects into the bore to press a lower side against an upper end of the bearing cup and a bearing received therein. A portion of at least one lateral side of each pressing section that is in contact with the upper end of the bearing cup is melted by laser beam to form a laser-welded joint, so that the insulation frame and the bearing cup are integrally connected together at reduced manufacturing cost and have increased structural strength. A method of forming the laser-welded joint structure is also disclosed. Full Article
ame Suction duct with adjustable diametric fit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A suction duct for a compressor such as a scroll compressor may include a plastic ring body with a metal screen heat staked in a window of the ring body to filter refrigerant gas entering the motor cavity. The ring body may be in surrounding relation of the motor and resiliently compressed in the housing through intermittent contact with the inner housing surface to better seal around the inlet port. Oil drain channels and stabilizing ribs may be along the outside surface of the ring body. Full Article
ame Camera system and focus detecting method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A camera system according to the present invention, comprising: an interchangeable lens comprising: a zoom position detecting section configured to detect a zoom position corresponding to a focal length of the photographing optical system; and a lens control section configured to input the zoom position and transmit it to the camera body, and a camera body comprising: a body control section configured to communicate with the lens control section, a focus detecting section configured to detect an in-focus position of a focus lens included in the photographing optical system, and a zoom position memory section configured to memorize the zoom position which is transmitted from the lens control section and received by the body control section, wherein when transmitting the in-focus position to the lens control section, the body control section transmits the memory zoom position memorized in the zoom position memory section to the lens control section. Full Article
ame Camera protection module for portable device case By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mobile device case defining an aperture and a camera protection module within the aperture. The camera protection module may be a separate element from the case shell or may be formed as an integral part of shell. Full Article
ame Camera module with threadless lens barrel engagement design By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A camera module with a lens barrel containing a lens, and a lens carrier that slidably receives the lens barrel. Each of the exterior surface of the lens barrel and the interior surface of the lens carrier include a seating surface formed thereon. One of the exterior surface of the lens barrel and the interior surface of the lens carrier include a plurality of protrusions for controlling the relative position of the lens barrel and the lens carrier. The other of the exterior surface of the lens barrel and the interior surface of the lens carrier include a plurality of channels that are sized and arranged so as to slidably receive the protrusions to allow for the lens barrel to be slid into the lens carrier. The channels also each include a transverse section to allow the lens barrel to be pivoted about an optical axis of the lens barrel. Full Article
ame Image capturing apparatus and control method of the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor configured to capture an image; a vibration detection unit configured to detect a vibration; a vector detection unit configured to detect a motion vector from images; a first correction unit configured to optically correct an image blur; a second correction unit configured to electrically correct the image blur; a first calculation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of the vibration, a first vibration correction amount for controlling the first correction unit; a second calculation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of the motion vector, a second vibration correction amount for controlling the second correction unit; and a control unit configured to control the first and second calculation units so that the first and second vibration correction amounts are suppressed when a vibration amount is greater than a first threshold. Full Article
ame Methods for enhancing camera focusing performance using camera orientation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic system for enhancing camera focusing on a portable electronic device is disclosed. The system comprises a body, a bus, and a camera module coupled to the bus and comprising a photosensitive substrate and a lens assembly wherein the lens assembly comprises a lens capable of being selectively moved to a distance from the photosensitive substrate for light focus thereon. Further, it comprises an accelerometer coupled to the bus and configured to generate orientation information, said orientation information indicating contemporaneous orientation of the body with respect to a predetermined reference. It also comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the bus. The memory comprises instructions that when executed implement an autofocus program configured to automatically determine the distance based on: 1) image data captured by said camera module; and 2) the orientation information generated by the accelerometer. Full Article
ame Image capture apparatus and method of controlling the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image capture apparatus comprises an inclination detection unit which detects an inclination of the image capture apparatus, a display unit which displays the inclination of the image capture apparatus, and a predetermined reference orientation set for the image capture apparatus, a still state determination unit which determines that the image capture apparatus is in a still state, if a variation of the inclination falls within a predetermined range, and a reference orientation setting unit which sets the reference orientation of the image capture apparatus, wherein the reference orientation setting unit does not set the reference orientation if the still state determination unit determines that the image capture apparatus is not in the still state. Full Article
ame Moving member control apparatus and imaging apparatus incorporating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a moving member control apparatus that makes sure unerring control of a moving member having an ill-balanced structure and an imaging apparatus that incorporates that control apparatus. Full Article
ame Image shake correcting apparatus and control method for same, lens barrel, optical apparatus, and imaging apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The CPU acquires the output of an angular velocity sensor and performs image shake correction. An angle 1 calculating unit integrates a signal from which an offset component is removed to calculate an angle 1. An angular velocity subtraction amount calculating unit calculates an angular velocity subtraction amount based on a signal obtained by subtracting a first offset from the output of the angular velocity sensor and a signal obtained by subtracting a second offset from the output of the angle 2 calculating unit. An angle 2 calculating unit integrates a signal obtained by subtracting the angular velocity subtraction amount from the output of the angular velocity sensor to calculate an angle 2. The CPU performs image shake correction based on the angle 1 prior to operation of a release SW, whereas the CPU performs image shake correction based on the angle 2 after operation of the release SW. Full Article
ame Wireless camera apparatus and wireless camera device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wireless camera apparatus includes a power supply track and a wireless camera device detachably installed on the power supply track. The wireless camera device has a camera module and a linking module fixed on the camera module. The linking module has a connecting unit and a conductive unit electrically connected to the camera module. When the wireless camera device is installed on the power supply track, the connecting unit is coupled to the power supply track, and the conductive unit is electrically connected to the power supply track. Thus, the instant disclosure provides the wireless camera apparatus, which is adjustable to any position of the power supply track according to the user's demand. Besides, the instant disclosure further provides a wireless camera device. Full Article
ame Camera with hot shoe unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A camera includes a body and a hot shoe unit on which a strobe light is detachably installable. The hot shoe unit is rotatably installed on the body. Full Article
ame Viewfinder and imaging apparatus including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A viewfinder 3 includes a finder optical system S2 including first and second lens groups L1, L2; a zoom frame 6 provided with first and second cam grooves 63, 64 configured to rotate about an optical axis A2 to move the first and second lens groups L1, L2 in the optical axis direction in accordance with the shapes of the first and second cam grooves 63, 64; and a diopter adjuster 9 configured to adjust the diopter of the finder optical system S2. The diopter adjuster 9 changes the position of the zoom frame 6 in the optical axis direction to adjust the diopter of the finder optical system S2, and adjusts, during rotation of the zoom frame 6, the position of the zoom frame 6 in the optical axis direction such that the diopter of the finder optical system S2 is maintained. Full Article