# US 2014/0192322 A1 · Imaging apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192322 A1 - Document ID: US20140192322A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/783,408 - Filed: 2013-03-04 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08 - Assignees: Altek Corporation - Applicants: Altek Corporation - Inventors: Peng-Hsiang Wang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192322A1 ## CPC - A61B 3/12: for looking at the eye fundus, e.g. ophthalmoscopes (A61B3/13 takes precedence) - A61B 3/154: {for spacing} - A61B 3/117: for examining the anterior chamber or the anterior chamber angle, e.g. gonioscopes - A61B 3/125: with contact lenses - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An imaging apparatus configured to capture an image of an object to be detected is provided. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a lens, and a front cover. The lens is located on the imaging unit and has a first optical axis. The front cover is rotatably connected to the lens. Relative locations of the front cover and the object are fixed by the leaning-against of the front cover. The lens is rotated with respect to the front cover, so that the first optical axis is rotated with respect to the object. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging apparatus configured to capture an image of an object to be detected, the imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; a lens located on the imaging unit and having a first optical axis; and a front cover rotatably connected to the lens, wherein relative locations of the front cover and the object are fixed by leaning-against of the front cover, and the lens is rotated with respect to the front cover, such that the first optical axis is rotated with respect to the object. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the object is an eyeball having a second optical axis, and the first optical axis is rotated with respect to the second optical axis when the lens is rotated with respect to the front cover. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the front cover is rotatably connected to the lens through a universal joint. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the universal joint has a first element and a second element, one of the first element and the second element is connected to the lens, the other of the first element and the second element is connected to the front cover, the first element has a first positioning portion, the second element has a plurality of second positioning portions, when the lens is rotated with respect to the front cover, the first positioning portion is selectively jointed to one of the second positioning portions, and when the first positioning portion is jointed to the different second positioning portions, the lens is respectively in different orientations with respect to the front cover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the imaging unit comprises: an image sensor located on a transmission path of light from the lens to capture an image generated by the light coming from the lens; and a control unit electrically connected to the image sensor, the control unit combining a plurality of images sensed by the image sensor and located at a plurality of different angles, wherein the images at the different angles are captured by the image sensor when the first positioning portion is jointed to the different second positioning portions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a plurality of switch elements electrically connected to the control unit, wherein when the first positioning portion is jointed to the different second positioning portions, the switch elements are respectively triggered. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the switch elements are located between the lens and the front cover. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising a user's interface electrically connected to the control unit, wherein when one of the switch elements is triggered, the user's interface informs a user that the imaging apparatus is located at an image capturing angle corresponding to the one of the switch elements. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the user's interface is a display unit, when the switch elements are respectively triggered, the display unit respectively shows different patterns, and locations of the patterns on the display unit respectively correspond to the orientations of the lens with respect to the front cover. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the control unit selectively instructs the display unit to flash one of the patterns, so as to remind the user of rotating the lens with respect to the front cover to an orientation corresponding to the flashed one of the patterns, and when the lens is rotated with respect to the front cover to the orientation corresponding to the flashed one of the patterns, the control unit instructs the display unit to continuously show the one of the patterns. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the front cover comprises a lens ring close to a junction of the front cover and the lens, and a user holds the lens ring to rotate the front cover with respect to the lens. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the object is an eyeball, and the front cover leans against tissues around the eyeball.