A previewing system has a remote control that is detachably fixed to an image-capturing device. The remote control comprises a display panel and a control panel. A user can detach the remote control from the image-capturing device and use the control panel of the remote control to remotely control functionality of the image-capturing device. Furthermore, with the display panel, the user can preview an image that the image-capturing device will capture.

Remote control unit with previewing device for an image-capturing device

A camera housing positionably coupled to an electronic appliance is disclosed. Preferably, the camera housing is positionable in two discrete positions such that the camera can be positioned to face towards or away from the user. The appliance includes a recess sized to receive the camera housing. A cellular telephone includes a camera housing which is positionable in two discrete positions. In the first position, the camera faces the user. In the second position, the camera faces away from the user. The camera housing is coupled to the cellular telephone by a hinge mechanism that latches the camera into one of the two positions.

Discreetly positionable camera housing

A digital video camera system may utilize a joint video and still image pipeline that simultaneously acquires, processes, transmits and/or stores digital video and high resolution digital still image photographs. The joint pipeline may include a video pipeline optimized for digital video frames and a high resolution still image pipeline optimized for high resolution digital still images. The digital video camera system may also concurrently acquire and process video frames and high resolution still image in burst mode using delayed encoding technology.

Delayed encoding based joint video and still image pipeling with still burst mode

The present invention relates to methods of manufacturing ultra-compact camera modules, adjusting them, post production, to precise focal point settings, and sealing the precisely aligned assembly to maintain the focal point. Also, the invention specifically relates to ultra-compact camera module apparatuses.

Camera module back-focal length adjustment method and ultra compact components packaging

A technique for assembling camera modules that includes attaching optical elements, such as an optics stack, directly to the upper surface of an image sensor. A housing may be provided to partially surrounded the optics stack. Alternatively, the housing can be provided by a transfer molding process. This technique can be applied in array processing scenario and solder balls can be attached to the bottom of the image sensor to provide an efficiently-produced and low cost camera module.

Attachment of wafer level optics

A compact through-the-lens digital camera (1) comprising an objective lens unit (10), an image sensing device (20), an internal display device (30), an eye lens unit (40), an optical system (51, 53, 97, 97, 99), control and processing circuitry (60), function select controls (70), and an external interface (90). The optical system is switchable between an image framing mode optical path, wherein light is directed from the objective lens unit to the eye lens unit (40), an image capture mode optical path (56), where light is directed from the objective lens unit to the image sensing device, and an image review mode optical path, wherein light is directed from the display device to the eye lens unit. The control and processing circuitry switches the optical system between the optical paths and controls the image capture, processing, storage and display on the display device, the operation of the zoom and auto focus functions and function select controls and external communication through the external interface.

Ken Heglund

Papers

Compact through-the-lens digital camera