Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Wakabayashi

Hiroshi Wakabayashi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5655166
    Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device has a plurality of in-line LEDs producing light focused by an optical system upon a photographic film at a first and a second position, corresponding to a full size format and a panorama size format, respectively. The focused light imprints data images upon the film at the first position are larger than data images imprinted at the second position. The optical system has first and second prisms, with integrated lenses, for reflecting and focusing the light upon the film at the first and second positions, respectively. A shutter plate is selectively positioned over apertures through which the light is focused, thus blocking the light and allowing only a selected imprint to be made upon the film. A vertical pattern of the data image is created by a controller selectively illuminating the in-line LEDs while a horizontal pattern is produced by the controller illuminating the LEDs in coordination with the movement of the film past the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Miyamoto, Isao Soshi, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 5648427
    Abstract: A curable composition which comprises (A) an oxyalkylene polymer having a silicon-containing group(s) that has a hydroxy group(s) and/or a hydrolyzable group(s) bonded to the silicon atom(s), and can be crosslinked by forming siloxane bond, and (B) hollow microspheres of vinylidene chloride polymer whose true specific gravity is 1 g/cm.sup.3 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisa
    Inventors: Masayuki Fujita, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 5649238
    Abstract: A camera having a built-in first flash light emitting unit located directly above a photographic lens on the front surface of the camera body, and a second flash light emitting unit located at an upper corner of the front face of the camera body. The camera has autofocus capabilities, and reduces shadows created during close-up photography and reduces the "red eye" phenomenon created during far away photography through the control of each of the two flash light emitting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hiroshi Terunuma, Daiki Tsukahara, Shuji Iijima
  • Patent number: 5640224
    Abstract: A camera which prevents an invading body from being photographed and yet prevents a self-timer photographing time from being prolonged wastefully. The camera includes a distance measuring device for detecting object distances, a photo-taking device for effecting photo-taking and an angle of field switching device for switching the angle of field of a photo-taking lens in conformity with ON or OFF switches that are connected to a controller for carrying out a self-timer photographing process. During self-timer operation, the time counting of a main timer is started and object distance is repetitively measured. When object distances vary, time counting by the main timer is interrupted and an auxiliary timer is actuated so that self-timer photographing time is prolonged by the time set by the auxiliary timer. After the termination of time counting by the auxiliary timer, time counting by the main timer is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Omi, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Kiyosada Machida
  • Patent number: 5634150
    Abstract: A compact camera apparatus having an improved display device and circuit mounting board layout within the camera body in relationship to other components to achieve a more compact and efficient space camera utilization. In one embodiment of the camera, a display unit is located on the upper surface of the camera body, and has a portion thereof, such as its drive mechanism at least partially positioned in a space formed between a light projection unit and light receiving of the camera's rangefinder device. In another embodiment, the camera has a mounting board of the required size for holding constituent control circuit components of the camera located in the camera body with attention to the location of the board in relationship to the cartridge compartment and other camera components to provide for a more compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Katano, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Junichi Omi, Kiyosada Machida
  • Patent number: 5634152
    Abstract: A camera with a built-in flash unit, provided with a flash emitting portion, includes a red-eye reducing lamp positioned close to the flash emitting portion, and a Fresnel lens positioned in front of the flash emitting portion and the red-eye reducing lamp. Furthermore, the camera includes a protruding portion, which is positioned close to the flash emitting portion and the red-eye reducing lamp and is adapted to be contacted by the finger of the camera-holding hand. Owing to such contact, the photographer is warned as to the improper positioning of his finger, so that the flash emitting portion and the red-eye reducing lamp can be protected from being carelessly covered during the phototaking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Kato, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Kiyosada Machida
  • Patent number: 5614972
    Abstract: A camera is equipped with a photographic lens and a drive for moving the lens relative to the camera body. If an external or other force prevents the lens from moving to a prescribed position within a set time interval, for example, the drive changes the drive speed of the lens from a first-drive speed to a slower, second drive speed. When the external or other force is removed and normal movement of the lens again is possible, the drive changes the drive speed of the lens from the slower, second drive speed to the first drive speed, without requiring complicated restorative action on the part of the operator. Thus, damage to the drive and other components of the camera is prevented, without complicating operation of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hidenori Miyamoto, Toshiyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5614980
    Abstract: A display device including a display not enabled condition of a measured value if the measured value is outside the scale range of the display equipment is disclosed. A pointer is driven according to the operation of an operation device during a setting value display mode, while the pointer is driven to a measured value during a measured value display mode. If the measured value is outside the scale range during the measured value display mode, the pointer 65 is driven to the scale position indicating the display not enabled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Daiki Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 5606391
    Abstract: There is disclosed an exposure control apparatus for a camera, enabling appropriate exposure control for varied photographing situations. The apparatus determines the optimum exposure value, referring to various conditions including the season and time of photographing, photographing location, sunrise/sunset times and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Aoki, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Daiki Tsukahara, Hidenori Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 5604555
    Abstract: A camera includes a camera body and a regulation component mounted directly to the camera body with flatness of the film desired for photography being maintained by rail surfaces and a regulation surface. The dimensions of the camera body, the regulation component and the dimension allowances of the camera body and the film regulation component have a relationship that forms a space smaller than the thickness of the photographic film when the regulation component mounting surface and the camera body mounting surface of the regulation component are in contact, allowing the regulation component to be mounted directly to the camera body while the regulation surface of the regulation-component and the outer rail surface of the camera body maintain flatness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Soshi, Hiroshi Terunuma, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 5600400
    Abstract: This camera includes a viewfinder and a device (4) for detecting the visual line of a photographer looking through the viewfinder, an operation member (1), (8) such as a release button which is operated by the photographer to take a photograph, a means (2) for inputting calibration information, and a means for performing photography (5), (6), (7). The calibration information input means (2) operates in response to the operation of the operation member (1), (8), and inputs and stores calibration information when the photographer fixates on a target mark (3, b) visible within the viewfinder, based upon the visual line detected at that time by the visual line detection means (4). The object intended by the photographer to be photographed is detected and photographs it, based upon the visual line detected by the visual line detection means (4) and the stored calibration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Yuji Katano, Minoru Kato
  • Patent number: 5598242
    Abstract: A vibration compensation mode selection apparatus and associated visual display for a camera which allows a photographer to enable or disable a vibration compensation unit while receiving visual feedback regarding the operation state of the vibration compensation unit and information regarding the vibrations detected within the camera. A vibration detection unit is provided to output a signal indicating the amount and direction of vibrations experienced by the camera. A vibration compensation unit drives the vibration compensation lens perpendicular to the optical axis of a photographic lens system to correct for the vibrations detected by the vibration detection unit. A button is provided on the front face of the camera to enable the photographer to disable the vibration compensation unit by pressing the button. A display unit is provided to indicate to the photographer whether the vibration compensation system has been enabled or disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Omi, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hidenori Miyamoto, Isao Soshi, Minoru Kato, Tatsuo Amanuma, Yoshio Imura
  • Patent number: 5596383
    Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device has a plurality of in-line LEDs producing light focused by an optical system upon a photographic film at a first and a second position, corresponding to a full size format and a panorama size format, respectively. The focused light imprints data images upon the film at the first position are larger than data images imprinted at the second position. The optical system has first and second prisms, with integrated lenses, for reflecting and focusing the light upon the film at the first and second positions, respectively. A shutter plate is selectively positioned over apertures through which the light is focused, thus blocking the light and allowing only a selected imprint to be made upon the film. A vertical pattern of the data image is created by a controller selectively illuminating the in-line LEDs while a horizontal pattern is produced by the controller illuminating the LEDs in coordination with the movement of the film past the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Miyamoto, Isao Soshi, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 5594515
    Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device has a plurality of in-line LEDs producing light focused by an optical system upon a photographic film at a first and a second position, corresponding to a full size format and a panorama size format, respectively. The focused light imprints data images upon the film at the first position are larger than data images imprinted at the second position. The optical system has first and second prisms, with integrated lenses, for reflecting and focusing the light upon the film at the first and second positions, respectively. A shutter plate is selectively positioned over apertures through which the light is focused, thus blocking the light and allowing only a selected imprint to be made upon the film. A vertical pattern of the data image is created by a controller selectively illuminating the in-line LEDs while a horizontal pattern is produced by the controller illuminating the LEDs in coordination with the movement of the film past the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Miyamoto, Isao Soshi, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 5592255
    Abstract: A compact camera including a plurality of components and one mounting board having an upper surface and a lower surface and disposed inside the compact camera, near a top portion of the compact camera. The compact camera further includes a control circuit, mounted on the upper surface of the one mounting board, to control an operation of the plurality of components, a land portion disposed underneath at least one input device and mounted on the upper surface of the one mounting board, an IC element mounted on the lower surface of the one mounting board, a low power device disposed near the at least one input device and mounted on the lower surface of the one mounting board, and an inhibiting circuit mounted on the upper surface of the one mounting device, to inhibit an operation of the low power device when the at least one input device receives an operation input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hidenori Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 5592249
    Abstract: A data imprinting device focusses light emitted from an array of LEDs onto the film, exposing the film as it is fed. A single chip microcomputer controls the LED array to imprint data. Some of the LEDs in the array are always energized together, while others are energized independently. The LEDs which are energized together require only a single control line, thus reducing the number of control lines, and consequently permitting reduction in the size of the camera. The group-wise serial activation of the dot matrix columns slightly staggers the imprinted data, but the imprinted characters are fully recognizable. In addition to reducing the number of control lines, the group-wise serial activation also reduces the peak load on the constant circuit, and thereby reduces the size of this circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nakamura, Isao Soshi, Hidenori Miyamoto, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 5572283
    Abstract: A camera is provided with several displays illuminated by several illuminators which are controlled to be turned on and off in dependence upon the operation of several illuminator buttons. Further, the brightness of the illuminators, when turned on, may be determined according to the operation of the illuminator buttons and according to the brightness of the object to be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Daiki Tsukahara, Hidenobu Kaji, Tadashi Ohtani
  • Patent number: 5570158
    Abstract: This camera includes a viewfinder and a device (4) for detecting the visual line of a photographer looking through the viewfinder, an operation member (1), (8) such as a release button which is operated by the photographer to take a photograph, a means (2) for inputting calibration information, and a means for performing photography (5), (6), (7). The calibration information input means (2) operates in response to the operation of the operation member (1), (8), and inputs and stores calibration information when the photographer fixates on a target mark (3, b) visible within the viewfinder, based upon the visual line detected at that time by the visual line detection means (4). The object intended by the photographer to be photographed is detected and photographs it, based upon the visual line detected by the visual line detection means (4) and the stored calibration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Yuji Katano, Minoru Kato
  • Patent number: 5570151
    Abstract: A camera which releases the shutter based on the wink of a photographer when vibrations are affecting the camera. The camera includes a wink detection device which detects a wink of the photographer and produces a corresponding wink detection output signal, and a vibration detection device which detects vibrations affecting the camera and produces a corresponding vibration detection signal. A control mechanism is responsive to the wink detection output signal and the vibration detection signal to control the release of the shutter. The wink detection device operates by emitting a visible light signal towards the photographer's eye, reflecting the signal off the photographer's eye, and then receiving the reflected signal. A wink of the photographer is detected based on the amount of reflected light received by the light receiving device. The wink detection device includes an LED which emits the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Terunuma, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Daiki Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 5570149
    Abstract: A camera having a photographic optical system contained in a lens barrel including a zoom cam tube and a collapsible mount cam tube. The zoom cam tube is movable in a focal length adjustment region between a Tele position and a Wide position, while the collapsible mount cam tube is movable in a collapsible mount movement region between the Wide position and a fully collapsed position. During focal length adjustment action, a gear which transmits a drive force of a motor is in engagement with a first rack on the zoom cam tube, and only the zoom cam tube rotates. Due to this rotation, a cam portion is rotated via other gears meshed with the first rack, and a pair of viewfinder lenses and a light generating unit, are made movable. During collapsible mount action, the gear is in engagement with a second rack, only the collapsible mount cam tube is rotated, and the drive force of the motor is not transmitted to the cam portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hidenori Miyamoto, Minoru Kato, Isao Soshi, Junichi Omi