# US 2018/0027152 A1 · Camera apparatus and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0027152 A1 - Document ID: US20180027152A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/331,731 - Filed: 2016-10-21 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-20 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: NextVR Inc. - Inventors: Ryan Michael Sheridan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180027152A1 ## CPC - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - G03B 17/12: with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets - H04N 13/239: using two two-dimensional [2D] image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance (H04N13/243 takes precedence) - H04N 23/45: for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - G03B 11/00: Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes - G03B 17/566: {Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera (if integral part of camera body G03B17/02)} - G03B 35/08: by simultaneous recording - H04N 2213/001: Constructional or mechanical details - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A camera apparatus, e.g., a stereoscopic camera apparatus, includes a dual element mounting plate, a pair of individual lens mounts, and a pair of sensor holders, each sensor holder holding an image sensor. The lens mounts and sensor holders are secured to the dual element mounting plate. Multiple dual element mounting plates corresponding to camera pairs may be secured to a base plate. Various features facilitate achieving and maintaining alignment between a lens and a corresponding image sensor, as well as between camera pairs and between sets of camera pairs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A camera apparatus comprising: a dual element mounting plate to which first and second camera sensors are secured; a first individual lens mount; and a second individual lens mount. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first sensor holder in which the first sensor is mounted; a second sensor holder in which the second sensor is mounted. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The camera apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first sensor holder is a first camera body or first sensor mount; wherein the second sensor holder is a second camera body or second sensor mount. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sensor holder is secured to a first portion of the dual element mounting plate; and wherein the second sensor holder is secured to a second portion of the dual element mounting plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The camera apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first sensor holder is secured to the first portion of the dual element mounting plate by sensor holder mounting screws extending through elongated slots and into a portion of said first sensor holder. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The camera apparatus of claim 5, wherein said portion of said first sensor holder is a lens collar into which the sensor holder mounting screws extend through elongated slots into threaded holes of the lens collar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The camera apparatus of claim 5, wherein said elongated slots are tapered allowing tapered heads of said sensor holder mounting screws to be flush or recessed below a surface of said dual element mounting plate through which the sensor holder mounting screws extend. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The camera apparatus of claim 7, wherein the dual element mounting plate includes a first alignment hole for receiving a first camera alignment pin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The camera apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a first plurality of spacer bushings inserted into the first individual lens mount for controlling spacing between corners of said first individual lens mount and a surface of said dual element mounting plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The camera apparatus of claim 2, wherein spacer bushings in said first plurality of spacer bushings are threaded bushings having threads on the outside of said spacer bushings; and wherein the first individual lens mount includes a threaded hole in each corner of said first individual lens mount. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The camera apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a second plurality of spacer bushings inserted into the second individual lens mount for controlling spacing between corners of said second individual lens mount and the surface of said dual element mounting plate; and wherein spacer bushings in said second plurality of spacer bushings are threaded bushings having threads on the outside; and wherein the second individual lens mount includes a threaded hole in each corner of said second individual lens mount. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The camera apparatus of claim 11, wherein said spacer bushings in said first plurality of spacer bushings are hollow in the center allowing a retaining screw to pass through said spacer bushing and into a threaded hole in said dual element mounting plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The camera apparatus of claim 12, wherein said spacer bushings in said second plurality of spacer bushings are hollow in the center allowing a retaining screw to pass through said spacer bushing and into a threaded hole in said dual element mounting plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The camera apparatus of claim 13, wherein said spacer bushings in said first and second plurality of spacer bushings include a recess in the head of the bushing into which a drive tool can be inserted and rotated to drive the bushing in or out of the threaded hole into which the bushing is inserted. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The camera apparatus of claim 14, wherein said dual element mounting plate includes a lower mounting flange including one or more holes through which at least one screw can be inserted to secure the dual element mounting plate to a support plate to which multiple dual element mounting plates can be secured. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The camera apparatus of claim 15, wherein the dual element mounting plate includes a first flat recessed surface corresponding to the first individual lens mount; and wherein the dual element mounting plate includes a second flat recessed surface corresponding to the second individual lens mount, said first and second flat recessed surfaces being surrounded by a lip which at least partially protects the first individual lens mount and second individual lens mount from side impacts when the first and second individual lens mounts are secured to the dual element mounting plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The camera apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second individual lens mounts are square or generally square in shape and are smaller in first and second directions than the first and second recesses of said the dual element mounting plate into which the first and second individual lens mounts are inserted and secured, respectively. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a slideable filter plate including a plurality of pairs of filter mounting positions inserted in a slot in the dual element mounting plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The camera apparatus of claim 18, wherein said slideable filter plate is movable between a first position in which a first set of filters is used and a second position in which a second set or no filters are used.