IP Library Granted Patent US 9,016,962
Granted Patent B1
US 9,016,962 · App. 14/324,556 · Granted Apr 28, 2015

Cover and imaging apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,016,962
App. No.
14/324,556
Granted
Apr 28, 2015
Kind
B1
Abstract

A cover surrounds an imaging apparatus of capturing an image. The cover includes a first section that forms a part of the cover and includes a first joint end, a second section that forms a part of the cover and includes a second joint end, and a joint that is provided between the first joint end of the first section and the second joint end of the second section. An incidence angle of light which is adapted to be incident to the joint from the imaging apparatus is smaller than a predetermined angle which does not cause total reflection.

Claims (22)

1. A cover for surrounding an imaging apparatus of capturing an image, the cover comprising:

a first section that forms a part of the cover and includes a first joint end;

a second section that forms a part of the cover and includes a second joint end; and

a joint that is provided between the first joint end of the first section and the second joint end of the second section, wherein

an incidence angle of light which is adapted to be incident to the joint from the imaging apparatus is smaller than a predetermined angle which does not cause total reflection.

2. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein θ B is smaller than θm which satisfies sin θm=n A /n B , where a refractive index of the first section or the second section is n B , a refractive index of the joint is n A , an incidence angle of light which travels from the first section or the second section to the joint is θ B , and a critical angle is θm.

3. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the joint excludes a turnover in a portion which is included in an imaging range of the imaging apparatus.

4. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the first section and the second section are made of a same material.

5. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the joint is parallel or perpendicular to an installation surface of a base which supports the imaging apparatus.

6. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the joint is not parallel to an installation surface of a base which supports the imaging apparatus.

7. The cover according to claim 6 , wherein a part of the joint is in contact with the installation surface of the base.

8. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the first section and the second section are joined to each other at the joint so as to form a spherical segment.

9. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the joint includes an adhesive that adheres the first joint end of the first section to the second joint end of the second section.

10. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is light-transmissive.

11. An imaging apparatus for capturing an image, the imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging unit that acquires an image signal;

a lens arrangement that includes an imaging lens which forms an image of a subject in the imaging unit; and

a cover that surrounds the imaging apparatus, wherein

the cover includes a first section that forms a part of the cover and includes a first joint end;

a second section that forms a part of the cover and includes a second joint end; and

a joint that is provided between the first joint end of the first section and the second joint end of the second section, wherein

an incidence angle of light which is incident to the joint from the imaging apparatus is smaller than a predetermined angle which does not cause total reflection.

Assignments (9)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 16, 2023
From: PANASONIC I-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
To: I-PRO CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 063101/0966 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Mar 16, 2023
From: I-PRO CO., LTD.
To: I-PRO CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 063102/0075 →
MERGER Recorded Dec 31, 2020
From: PANASONIC I-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
To: PSP HOLDINGS CO., LTD
Reel/Frame 054883/0201 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 31, 2020
From: PSP HOLDINGS CO., LTD
To: PANASONIC I-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 054883/0234 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Dec 31, 2020
From: PANASONIC I-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC I-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 054883/0248 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2019
From: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC I-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 051369/0172 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2014
From: YAMAMOTO, SEI
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033605/0416 →