A removable power pack for a camera is disclosed comprising a battery module and a data storage module housed in a common casing to form an integrated unit, wherein the casing exposes one or more electrical connectors for transmitting power and data between the power pack and a camera that receives the power pack. A waterproof camera is also disclosed comprising a camera body and a removable power pack installed in or on the body, the removable power pack including one or more electrical connectors for transmitting power to the camera once installed, and a sealing interface arranged between the camera and the power pack to prevent moisture from reaching the one or more electrical connectors.

A selectable symbol engraving tool for use with a CNC machine. The engraving tool includes a housing and an array of styluses supported in the housing. A pattern disk is rotatably supported in the housing and is connectable to a spindle of the CNC machine. The pattern disk includes a plurality of hole patterns, each selectable via rotation of the spindle and including one or more clearance holes corresponding to a symbol. The array of styluses is positioned to confront a selected one of the plurality of hole patterns such that styluses corresponding to the clearance holes are refracted and the remaining styluses are extended. The extended styluses are operative to engrave the symbol corresponding to the selected hole pattern in a work piece via orbiting about a virtual axis of rotation when the selectable character engraving tool is moved in a circular motion by the CNC machine.

A selectable symbol engraving tool for use with a CNC machine. The engraving tool includes a housing and an array of styluses supported in the housing. A pattern disk is rotatably supported in the housing and is connectable to a spindle of the CNC machine. The pattern disk includes a plurality of hole patterns, each selectable via rotation of the spindle and including one or more clearance holes corresponding to a symbol. The array of styluses is positioned to confront a selected one of the plurality of hole patterns such that styluses corresponding to the clearance holes are refracted and the remaining styluses are extended. The extended styluses are operative to engrave the symbol corresponding to the selected hole pattern in a work piece via orbiting about a virtual axis of rotation when the selectable character engraving tool is moved in a circular motion by the CNC machine.

A lens cap for a camera is disclosed comprising a transparent cover supported by a cylindrical body and a seal circumscribing an internal surface of the cylindrical body, the seal being overmoulded on the cylindrical body. A camera is also disclosed comprising a substantially sealed camera body, the camera body housing one or more sensors arranged in fluid communication with the external atmosphere, the camera further comprising a lens and a transparent lens cap arranged to cover the lens and substantially close off, or reduce, the fluid communication between the one or more sensors and the external atmosphere.

A lens cap for a camera is disclosed comprising a transparent cover supported by a cylindrical body and a seal circumscribing an internal surface of the cylindrical body, the seal being overmoulded on the cylindrical body. A camera is also disclosed comprising a substantially sealed camera body, the camera body housing one or more sensors arranged in fluid communication with the external atmosphere, the camera further comprising a lens and a transparent lens cap arranged to cover the lens and substantially close off, or reduce, the fluid communication between the one or more sensors and the external atmosphere.

A system and method for harmonizing evaluation results between a plurality of separate digital data gathering devices includes first and second digital data gathering devices each having a lens through which the digital data gathering devices are operative to accept incoming light. The system further includes a calibration device to perform a first initial calibration of the first digital data gathering device during a first initial calibration exposure of the first digital data gathering device, and a second initial calibration of the second digital data gathering device during a second initial calibration exposure of the second digital data gathering device. The first and the second digital data gathering devices adjust subsequent exposures in dependence upon the first and the second initial calibrations, such that the subsequent exposures obtained by the first and the second digital data gathering devices are harmonized with one another through use of the common calibration device.

A camera is configured for use with a removable camera lens cover, which can be secured to or removed from the camera by a user without the use of a tool set. The mechanism which allows the lens cover to be secured to and removed from the camera includes a set of wires embedded into the lens cover and a set of wedges protruding from the lens wall of the camera. To secure the lens cover to the camera, the lens cover is placed onto the front of the camera and rotated until the wires align with corresponding wedges, securing the wires underneath the tapered surface of the wedges. To remove the lens cover from the camera, a force is applied outward and normal to the lens cover, causing the wires to flex outward and enabling the rotation and removal of the lens cover from the camera.

A camera is configured for use with a removable camera lens cover, which can be secured to or removed from the camera by a user without the use of a tool set. The mechanism which allows the lens cover to be secured to and removed from the camera includes a set of wires embedded into the lens cover and a set of wedges protruding from the lens wall of the camera. To secure the lens cover to the camera, the lens cover is placed onto the front of the camera and rotated until the wires align with corresponding wedges, securing the wires underneath the tapered surface of the wedges. To remove the lens cover from the camera, a force is applied outward and normal to the lens cover, causing the wires to flex outward and enabling the rotation and removal of the lens cover from the camera.

An evaluation apparatus is proposed for a digital data gathering device that accepts incoming light through a lens of the digital data gathering device. The evaluation apparatus includes a light shroud having an enclosing wall, which substantially surrounds the lens and extends a predetermined distance outward, forming a distal edge portion. An illumination source is provided to be in selective communication with an interior of the light shroud. The light shroud prevents ambient light from entering the interior of the light shroud when a substantial entirety of the distal edge portion of the enclosing wall is in touching contact with an object.

A spindle mountable camera system connectable to a CNC machine for work piece inspection and identification. The camera system includes a mounting stem connectable to a CNC machine tool holder. The mounting stem includes an air passage connectable to an air supply of the CNC machine. An enclosure is attached to the mounting stem and includes a camera opening. A camera module is disposed within the enclosure and an air supply line is connected between the mounting stem and the camera module. An enclosure cover is pivotably mounted to the enclosure proximate the camera opening. One or more pneumatic cylinders are connected to the air passages and extend between the enclosure and the enclosure cover to move the enclosure cover between an open position and a closed position.