# US 11,122,201 B2 · Imaging apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,122,201 B2 - Document ID: US11122201B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/679,857 - Filed: 2019-11-11 - Published: 2020-05-21 - Granted: 2021-09-14 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-16 - Assignees: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Jong Man Jin; Jong Kyung Lee; Eun Soo Choi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11122201B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 23/695: Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects - H04N 23/90: Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An imaging apparatus includes: a frame; and at least one camera provided on the frame, wherein the at least one camera includes: a lens; a sensor coupled to the lens and configured to obtain an image; a base coupled to the sensor, configured to receive external power, and rotatable on the frame; and a guide connected to the base to be rotatable along with the base, and contacting the frame. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging apparatus comprising: a frame; and at least one camera provided on the frame, wherein each of the at least one camera comprises: a lens; a sensor coupled to the lens and configured to obtain an image; a base coupled to the sensor or the lens, configured to receive external power, and rotatable on the frame; and a guide connected to the base to be rotatable along with the base, and contacting the frame, wherein the guide includes a guide body sharing a central axis of rotation with the base and connected to the base, the guide being provided parallel to the base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is rotatable within a preset angle, and in response to the base rotating, the sensor and the lens are configured to rotate to change a photographing mode between a plurality of different modes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The imaging apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an elastic member comprising an elastic material and coupled to each of the frame and the guide. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The imaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the elastic member comprises a torsion spring having a coil shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The imaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein a protrusion protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of the guide, and wherein the elastic member is caught by the protrusion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide further comprises: a guide contact coupled to an outer surface of the guide body to protrude outward and contacting the frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus of claim 6, wherein the guide further comprises a guide well coupled to an outer surface of the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a support located between the base and the frame, and contacting the base and the frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The imaging apparatus of claim 8, wherein the support comprises: a support plate located between the base and the frame; and a bearing provided on the support plate and contacting the base and the frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The imaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the bearing comprises a ball bearing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The imaging apparatus of claim 10, wherein one side of the bearing is in point contact with a surface of the base, and the other side of the bearing is in point contact with a surface of the frame. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support located between the guide and the frame and contacting the guide and the frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The imaging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support comprises: a support plate located between the guide and the frame; and a bearing provided on the support plate, and wherein one side of the bearing is in point contact with a surface of the guide, and the other side of the bearing is in point contact with a surface of the frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera comprises a plurality of cameras, wherein the cameras are attached to the frame to be directed to different directions, wherein the base of each of the cameras is rotatable within a corresponding preset angle, and in response to the base rotating, the lens of the each of the cameras is configured to rotate to change a photographing mode between different modes, and wherein the different modes have different aspect ratios with regard to the sensor. ### Claim 15 An imaging apparatus comprising: a frame; and at least one camera provided on the frame, wherein each of the at least one camera comprises: a lens; a sensor coupled to the lens and configured to obtain an image; a base coupled to the sensor or the lens, configured to receive external power, and rotatable on the frame; and a guide connected to the base to be rotatable along with the base, and contacting the frame, wherein the base is rotatable within a preset angle, and in response to the base rotating, the sensor and the lens are configured to rotate to change a photographing mode between a plurality of different modes, and wherein the different modes comprise a first mode, in which a horizontal length of the image is greater than a vertical length of the image, and a second mode in which the horizontal length of the image is smaller than the vertical length of the image. ### Claim 16 An imaging apparatus comprising: a frame; and at least one camera provided on the frame, wherein each of the at least one camera comprises: a lens; a sensor coupled to the lens and configured to obtain an image; and a base to which the sensor or the lens is coupled, and wherein the base is configured to rotate on the frame by a preset angle to change a photographing mode between a plurality of different modes in which an aspect ratio of the sensor is different. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The imaging apparatus of claim 16, wherein the frame comprises at least one frame stopper formed thereon configured to control rotation of the base by the preset angle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The imaging apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a guide engaged with the base and contacting the frame; and an elastic member coupled to the frame and the guide to control the rotation of the base by the preset angle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The imaging apparatus of claim 18, further comprising at least one bearing located between the guide and the frame and contacting the guide and the frame. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The imaging apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one camera comprises a plurality of cameras configured to capture a plurality of images, respectively using respective lenses, comprising the lens, and respective sensors comprising the sensor, and wherein the images captured by the respective sensors form a panoramic image.