Another interesting patent has been discovered by Japanese blogger Egami, which shows a new method devised by Canon to adjust the shape of meniscus lens that seems different from the more straightforward method used by competitors. Canon’s method uses the same ‘electrowetting’ principle as existing designs but does so to create a series of pumps, allowing faster and more precise control over the resultant lens.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
A patent filed by Apple in 2011 and discovered this week by aoppleinsider.com seems to hint at a ‘social camera flash’ system, allowing multiple iOS devices to be connected and used as secondary strobes for impromptu flash setups. The patent is filed as an ‘illumination system’ and describes ‘initiating a master-slave relationship between the image capture device and at least one secondary device’. Click through for more details.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Nikon has filed a patent covering the idea of a password-based security system for lenses. The patent lists the high value of lenses as a reason for the innovation – the camera would refuse to shoot with a lens unless the correct password was entered. This is an attempt by the the company to prevent resale of stolen gear. (via Nikon Rumors)
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Sensor maker Aptina has announced it has signed a patent cross-license agreement with Sony, that provides each company with access to the other’s patent portfolio. This agreement gives two prominent sensor makers access to some of each other’s technologies for future development of cameras and other imaging products.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Sensor maker Aptina has announced it has signed a patent cross-license agreement with Sony, that provides each company with access to the other’s patent portfolio. This agreement gives two prominent sensor makers access to some of each other’s technologies for future development of cameras and other imaging products.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Nikon has signed a licensing deal with Microsoft to cover the use of patented technologies in its Android-based cameras. The deal is the latest instance of Microsoft pursuing makers of Android devices, claiming patent infringement. Despite free access being one of the founding ideas of Google’s Android operating system, Microsoft has been increasingly successful in convincing manufacturers of Android devices that they need to strike licensing deals for some of its technologies.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)