Patent US5748339A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5748339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image sensing apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-03-03
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Granted: 1998-05-05
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Expires: 2017-03-03
Abstract
Abstract Provided is an image sensing apparatus in which it is possible to use an optical system having a large aperture and an image sensing system such as an image sensing element in an image sensing cartridge docked with a portable image device. The image sensing apparatus includes a portable information device and an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being loaded in and unloaded from the information device. An image sensing operation becomes possible by docking the information device and the image sensing cartridge. The image sensing cartridge has an opening, which is for introducing light to the image sensing system, the aperture of which is designed to be larger than the shortest portion of an insertion port, which is provided in the information device, for inserting the image sensing cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 Masao Suzuki
- 👤 Kazuyuki Matoba
- 👤 Norihiro Nanba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:04
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00281; H04N1/00315; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1632; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1656; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/56; H04N23/60; H04N1/00307; H04N2101/00; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0034; H04N2201/0048; H04N2201/0051; H04N2201/0063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an information device having an insertion port at its predetermined surface; and an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being loaded in and unloaded from the information device by being inserted in the insertion port, where an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge; said image sensing cartridge having an image sensing opening for introducing light to the image sensing system, the diameter of which is larger than the shortest side of said insertion port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an information device having an insertion port at its predetermined surface; and an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being loaded in and unloaded from the information device by being inserted in the insertion port, where an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge; said image sensing cartridge having an image sensing opening for introducing light to the image sensing system, the diameter of which is larger than the shortest side of said insertion port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and said portion has a card-shaped configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a light-transmitting opening is provided in said information device in such a manner that the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge is exposed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a portion of said sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of image sensing system having different optical-axis directions are provided inside said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein parts that produce a large amount of heat within said image sensing cartridge are placed in the vicinity of the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge and the image sensing opening of said information device is enlarged until it reaches the vicinity at which said parts are placed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a second optical system separate from said image sensing cartridge is attached to a first optical system possessed by said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a pin-array converting adapter is attached to said image sensing cartridge for converting a pin array of a connector of said image sensing cartridge into an exactly opposite array, whereby a method of mounting said image sensing cartridge is capable of being changed selectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the portion of said image sensing cartridge projecting from said information device is thicker than the portion of said image sensing cartridge inserted into said information device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the portion of said image sensing cartridge projecting from said information device is made movable, thereby making it possible to selectively change the optical-axis direction of said image sensing system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
134 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an information device having an insertion port at a predetermined surface; and an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being loaded in and unloaded from the information device by being inserted in the insertion port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge; said image sensing cartridge having an image sensing opening for introducing light to image sensing system, the diameter of which is larger than the shortest side of said insertion port, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
134 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an information device having an insertion port at a predetermined surface; and an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being loaded in and unloaded from the information device by being inserted in the insertion port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge; said image sensing cartridge having an image sensing opening for introducing light to image sensing system, the diameter of which is larger than the shortest side of said insertion port, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and said portion has a card-shaped configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a light-transmitting opening is provided in said information device in such a manner that the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge is exposed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface; and an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from the information device by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge, said image sensing cartridge being connected to an image sensing opening for introducing light to an image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
101 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface; and an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from the information device by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge, said image sensing cartridge being connected to an image sensing opening for introducing light to an image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and said portion has a card-shaped configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said image sensing cartridge with said information device; said image sensing cartridge being connected to an image sensing opening for introducing light to image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said image sensing cartridge with said information device; said image sensing cartridge being connected to an image sensing opening for introducing light to image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and said portion has a card shaped configuration.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
95 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said image sensing cartridge with said information device: said image sensing cartridge having an image sensing opening for introducing light to an image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
95 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: an image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said image sensing cartridge with said information device: said image sensing cartridge having an image sensing opening for introducing light to an image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and said portion has a card-shaped configuration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image sensing cartridge capable of being loaded in and unloaded from an information device having an insertion port at a predetermined surface by being inserted in the insertion port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge, comprising: an image sensing system; and an image sensing opening for introducing light to the image sensing system, the diameter of which is larger than the shortest side of said insertion port.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image sensing cartridge capable of being loaded in and unloaded from an information device having an insertion port at a predetermined surface by being inserted in the insertion port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge, comprising: an image sensing system; and an image sensing opening for introducing light to the image sensing system, the diameter of which is larger than the shortest side of said insertion port.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cartridge according to claim 23, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and said portion has a card-shaped configuration.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cartridge according to claim 23, wherein said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a light-transmitting opening is provided in said information device in such a manner that the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge is exposed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cartridge according to claim 23, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cartridge according to claim 23, wherein a plurality of image sensing systems having different optical-axis directions are provided inside said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
The cartridge according to claim 25, wherein parts that produce a large amount of heat within said image sensing cartridge are placed in the vicinity of the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge and the image sensing opening of said information device is enlarged until it reaches the vicinity at which said parts are placed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cartridge according to claim 25, wherein a second optical system separate from said image sensing cartridge is attached to a first optical system possessed by said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein a pin-array converting adapter is attached to said image sensing cartridge for converting a pin array of a connector of said image sensing cartridge into an exactly opposite array, whereby a method of mounting said image sensing cartridge is capable of being changed selectively.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the portion of said image sensing cartridge projecting from said information device is thicker than the portion of said image sensing cartridge inserted into said information device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the portion of said image sensing cartridge projecting from said information device is made movable, thereby making it possible to selectively change the optical-axis direction of said image sensing system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
118 words
An image sensing cartridge capable of being loaded in and unloaded from an information device having an insertion port at a predetermined surface by being inserted in the insertion port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge, comprising: an image sensing system; and an image sensing opening for introducing light to image sensing system, the diameter of which is larger than the shortest side of said insertion port, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
118 words
An image sensing cartridge capable of being loaded in and unloaded from an information device having an insertion port at a predetermined surface by being inserted in the insertion port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge, comprising: an image sensing system; and an image sensing opening for introducing light to image sensing system, the diameter of which is larger than the shortest side of said insertion port, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cartridge according to claim 33, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and said portion has a card-shaped configuration.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cartridge according to claim 33, wherein said image sensing cartridge is inserted in said information device and a light-transmitting opening is provided in said information device in such a manner that the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge is exposed.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge, said image sensing cartridge being connected to an image sensing opening for introducing light to an image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said information device with said image sensing cartridge, said image sensing cartridge being connected to an image sensing opening for introducing light to an image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cartridge according to claim 36, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and said portion has a card-shaped configuration.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cartridge according to claim 36, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
91 words
An image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation become possible by connecting said image sensing cartridge with said information device; said image sensing cartridge being connected to an image sensing opening for introducing light to image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
91 words
An image sensing cartridge, which has at least an image sensing system, capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation become possible by connecting said image sensing cartridge with said information device; said image sensing cartridge being connected to an image sensing opening for introducing light to image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cartridge according to claim 39, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and said portion has a card shaped configuration.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cartridge according to claim 39, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
83 words
An image sensing cartridge capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said image sensing cartridge with said information device, comprising: an image sensing system; and an image sensing opening for introducing light to an image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
83 words
An image sensing cartridge capable of being attached to and detached from an information device having a connection port at a predetermined surface by being connected with the connection port, wherein an image sensing operation becomes possible by connecting said image sensing cartridge with said information device, comprising: an image sensing system; and an image sensing opening for introducing light to an image sensing means, the minimum length of the image sensing opening being larger than the shortest side of said connection port.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cartridge according to claim 42, wherein at least a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and said portion has a card-shaped configuration.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cartridge according to claim 42, wherein a portion of said image sensing cartridge is connected with said information device and a portion of said image sensing cartridge projects from said information device so as to expose the image sensing opening of said image sensing cartridge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |