Concord Camera Corp.

Lothar Westerweck

Wilfred Bittner

Steve Buescher

Erwin Scholz

Alex Raschke

Ken Heglund

A viewfinder mechanism is provided for use with a zoom lens system. The viewfinder mechanism includes a set of pivoting levers driven by the linear motion of the zoom lens. In one particular embodiment, the pivoting levers drive the viewfinder lenses to approximate an apparent zoom corresponding to that performed by the zoom lens system.

Viewfinder mechanism

An image capture device is provided including more compact components to enable the fabrication of more compact image capture devices. In one particular embodiment, a compact shutter mechanism is provided that requires less space within the camera when the shutter is open. In another particular embodiment, a rotary to linear switch is provided to reduce the amount of real estate required by the switch on the outside housing of the image capture device.

Image capture device

A door opening mechanism for an image capture device is provided which translates non-linear motion into a linear motion used to open or close the lens door. In one particular embodiment, rotary motion is translated to the linear up and down motion of the lens door. In another embodiment, the pendular motion of a door control grip is translated to the linear up and down motion of the lens door.

Image capture device door mechanism

method and apparatus for aligning an optical element in an optical sub-assembly is provided. Pivoting fine tuning plates connected to the main body of the sub-assembly are used to set the height and angle of the optical element. The optical element is connected on a pin through the optical element frame between two portions of the main body. Pivoting the fine tuning plate with a cam causes the optical element pin to cant, adjusting the position and/or angle of the optical element. In one embodiment of the present invention, a laser may be used to better align the optical element.

Mirror adjustment method and apparatus

A compact through-the-lens digital camera comprising an objective lens unit, an image sensing device, an internal display device, an eye lens unit, an optical system, control and processing circuitry, function select controls, and an external interface. 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, an image capture mode optical path, wherein 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 image framing mode optical path, the image capture mode optical path and the image review mode optical path 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.

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Hollywood, FL, United States of America

Lothar Westerweck