Image sensor inspection device
View Patent ↗An inspection device for visually inspecting an image sensor of a digital recording device, such as a digital camera. The inspection device includes a tubular housing and a lens mounted therein. The housing is configured to engage a lens interface of a camera body. A lighting assembly is provided that is configured to illuminate the image sensor when the inspection device is coupled to a digital camera body so that the image sensor may be visually inspected for contamination.
1. An image sensor inspection device, comprising:
a tubular body;
a lens mounted in the tubular body;
a camera mating portion disposed on an end of the tubular body, wherein the camera mating portion is configured to mate with a lens interface of a camera body;
a lighting assembly disposed within the tubular body and configured to illuminate an image sensor disposed in the camera body; and
a lighting control configured to be accessible by a user on an external surface of the housing.
2. The inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the lens is a fixed power lens.
3. The inspection device of claim 2 , wherein the lens is aspherical.
4. The inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the lighting assembly is a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
5. The inspection device of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of light-emitting diodes are equally spaced circumferentially within the housing.
6. The inspection device of claim 1 , further comprising a retaining ring, wherein a circumferential portion of the lens is interposed between the retaining ring and a shoulder included in the housing.
7. The inspection device of claim 6 , wherein at least one light source of the lighting assembly extends through the retaining ring.
8. The inspection device of claim 7 , wherein the retaining ring includes a circumferential channel and wires of the light source are routed through the channel.
9. The inspection device of claim 1 , further comprising a protective lens coupled to the housing on an end of the housing that is opposite the camera mating portion.
10. The inspection device of claim 9 , wherein the protective lens is a clear lens.
11. The inspection device of claim 9 , wherein the protective lens is a polarized filter.
12. The inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the camera mating portion includes a plurality of concentric flanges configured to couple to a plurality of configurations of camera lens interface.
13. The inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the camera mating portion includes a flange that includes a plurality of locking tabs configured to engage and lock the lens interface of the camera body.
14. The inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the camera mating portion is removable from the housing.
15. The inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the camera mating portion is monolithic with the housing.
16. An image sensor inspection device, comprising:
a tubular body including a shoulder;
a retaining ring disposed within the tubular body;
a lens including a circumferential portion that is sandwiched between the retaining ring and the shoulder;
a camera mating portion disposed on an end of the tubular body, wherein the camera mating portion is configured to mate with a lens interface of a camera body; and
a lighting assembly including a light source, wherein the lighting assembly is disposed at least partially within the retaining ring so that the light source is disposed adjacent the lens and is oriented such that light is directed radially inward toward an image sensor in the camera body.
17. The inspection device of claim 16 , wherein the lighting assembly includes a pair of light-emitting diodes disposed in bores included in the retaining ring and the pair of light-emitting diodes are spaced 180 degrees apart from each other.
18. An image sensor inspection device kit, comprising:
a tubular body;
a lens mounted in the tubular body;
a camera mating portion disposed on an end of the tubular body, wherein the camera mating portion is configured to mate with a lens interface of a camera body; and
a lighting assembly disposed within the tubular body and oriented such that light is directed radially inward to illuminate an image sensor disposed in the camera body.
19. The inspection device kit of claim 18 , wherein the camera mating portion comprises a plurality of camera mating portions configured to be removably coupled to an end of the tubular body.
20. The inspection device kit of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of camera mating portions are configured to thread onto an end of the tubular body.