Patents by Inventor Keiji Himuro

Keiji Himuro 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: 9516205
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: a body unit; at least one type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type of external unit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes an imaging device capable of shooting a photographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes a device having a specific function of the external unit connected to the body unit, and wherein when the interchangeable lens unit or the external unit is connected to the body unit, the body unit obtains information on the type of unit connected to the body unit, and is capable of changing control of an entire device including the body unit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of unit connected to the body unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Himuro, Noriaki Ojima, Kenji Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20150070576
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: a body unit; at least one type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type of external unit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes an imaging device capable of shooting a photographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes a device having a specific function of the external unit connected to the body unit, and wherein when the interchangeable lens unit or the external unit is connected to the body unit, the body unit obtains information on the type of unit connected to the body unit, and is capable of changing control of an entire device including the body unit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of unit connected to the body unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji HIMURO, Noriaki Ojima, Kenji Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8934049
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: a body unit; at least one type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type of external unit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes an imaging device capable of shooting a photographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes a device having a specific function of the external unit connected to the body unit, and wherein when the interchangeable lens unit or the external unit is connected to the body unit, the body unit obtains information on the type of unit connected to the body unit, and is capable of changing control of an entire device including the body unit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of unit connected to the body unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Himuro, Noriaki Ojima, Kenji Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20140118565
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: a body unit; at least one type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type of external unit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes an imaging device capable of shooting a photographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes a device having a specific function of the external unit connected to the body unit, and wherein when the interchangeable lens unit or the external unit is connected to the body unit, the body unit obtains information on the type of unit connected to the body unit, and is capable of changing control of an entire device including the body unit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of unit connected to the body unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Keiji HIMURO, Noriaki Ojima, Kenji Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8681264
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: a body unit; at least one type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type of external unit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes an imaging device capable of shooting a photographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes a device having a specific function of the external unit connected to the body unit, and wherein when the interchangeable lens unit or the external unit is connected to the body unit, the body unit obtains information on the type of unit connected to the body unit, and is capable of changing control of an entire device including the body unit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of unit connected to the body unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Himuro, Noriaki Ojima, Kenji Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8582021
    Abstract: A camera device includes a lens unit and a camera body detachable from the lens unit a communication interface communicably connecting the lens unit and the camera body. The lens unit includes an optical system, a diaphragm controller, an imaging portion including an image sensor, an image processor, a storage medium in which an accumulated exposure time and a limit exposure time of the image sensor are stored. The camera body includes a determiner portion which determines whether or not the accumulated exposure time is over the limit exposure time, and a notifying portion which notifies that the accumulated exposure time is over the limit exposure time when the determiner portion determines that the accumulated exposure time is over the limit exposure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nakahira, Keiji Himuro
  • Publication number: 20110109789
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: a body unit; at least one type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type of external unit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes an imaging device capable of shooting a photographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes a device having a specific function of the external unit connected to the body unit, and wherein when the interchangeable lens unit or the external unit is connected to the body unit, the body unit obtains information on the type of unit connected to the body unit, and is capable of changing control of an entire device including the body unit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of unit connected to the body unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Keiji HIMURO, Noriaki Ojima, Kenji Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20110109768
    Abstract: A camera device includes a lens unit and a camera body detachable from the lens unit a communication interface communicably connecting the lens unit and the camera body. The lens unit includes an optical system, a diaphragm controller, an imaging portion including an image sensor, an image processor, a storage medium in which an accumulated exposure time and a limit exposure time of the image sensor are stored. The camera body includes a determiner portion which determines whether or not the accumulated exposure time is over the limit exposure time, and a notifying portion which notifies that the accumulated exposure time is over the limit exposure time when the determiner portion determines that the accumulated exposure time is over the limit exposure time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Toshiaki NAKAHIRA, Keiji Himuro
  • Patent number: 5682563
    Abstract: A camera which imprints alphanumeric messages on the film. The camera allows a user to view, in the order of most frequently used, the messages which can be imprinted. In order to reduce the cost of the camera, there is a dot matrix LCD display which can only display a limited number of characters which is less than the total number of characters of the largest message. After a user takes a picture, the dot matrix display scrolls through the message which has been imprinted on the film so that the user can confirm that the correct message has been imprinted. The speed at which the characters are scrolled or displayed is determined based on the total number of characters of the message. As an alternative to scrolling, the characters can be displayed one or two at a time. As an alternative, instead of displaying the alpha-numerical characters of the message, a graphical indication is given that some type of information has been imprinted on the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Shinohara, Yoshimi Ohno, Takashi Hongou, Hiroshi Takeda, Keiji Himuro, Tatsutoshi Kitajima, Atsushi Satoh
  • Patent number: 4984001
    Abstract: A focal length display device of a camera that comprises a zoom lens unit having a lens group movable on an optical axis driven by a driver. An optical converter having a magnification can be attached to the zoom lens. A detector detects a position of the lens group and outputs a signal of lens position information data which is converted to a digital signal by an A/D converter. A detector circuit detects a state whether the optical converter is attached to the zoom lens unit or not. A focal length calculation circuit calculates the focal length in such a way than, when the detector circuit detects the state in which the optical converter is not attached, the focal length is calculated in response to the lens position, while when the detector circuit detects the state in which the optical converter is attached, the focal length is calculated in response to the lens position and the magnification of the optical converter. The calculated focal length is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Himuro
  • Patent number: 4937602
    Abstract: A drive control device for controlling a zoom lens of a camera comprising: a zoom lens arranged on an optical axis; a motor for driving the zoom lens; a first controller for controlling a first zooming function wherein the zoom lens is moved at a relatively slow normal speed; a first trigger for starting the first zooming function only when the first trigger is being manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Himuro, Shigeru Mitsu
  • Patent number: 4866468
    Abstract: A control device for driving a zoom lens of a camera, comprising; a moving mirror cylinder movable on an optical axis of the camera between a first position corresponding to the shortest focal length of the zoom lens and a second position corresponding to the longest focal length of the zoom lens, a motor for moving the moving mirror cylinder in a predetermined direction, a detector for detecting a position of the moving mirror cylinder on the optical axis, a presetter for presetting a predetermined position between the first position and the second position, the predetermined position at which the moving mirror cylinder to stop, a controller for controlling the motor such that the moving mirror cylinder at a high speed, a starter for starting an actuation of the controller, a stopper for stopping an actuation of the controller in a case where the moving mirror cylinder arrives at the first position, the second position or the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Himuro, Takashi Hongoh, Kenji Koyama
  • Patent number: 4864337
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving a moving lens barrel of a camera with a motor, the barrel supporting a photographing lens unit and retained mechanically and slidably with a camera body between a first setting position located in a forward direction of an optical axis of the lens unit and a second setting position located in a backward direction of the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Himuro, Kohichi Nishi
  • Patent number: 4862203
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lens driving and shutter opening and closing device for a camera, which includes a pulse motor adapted to rotate an output member by an angle proportional to the number of pulses of a pulse train supplied thereto and increase an output torque thereof when a pulse rate of the pulse train is reduced, a member coupled to the output member of the pulse motor through a speed-reduction gear for driving a lens and opening and closing shutter blades selectively when the pulse motor rotates, and a control mechanism for supplying a first pulse train having a first pulse rate to the pulse motor for driving the lens and supplying a second pulse train having a second pulse rate to the pulse motor for opening and closing the shutter blades, the first pulse rate being smaller than the second pulse rate in order that the pulse motor produces an output torque required for driving the lens which is larger than that required for opening and closing the shutter blades and rotates at a speed required for opening an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Saburo Sasaki, Keiji Himuro, Shinichiro Koshiishi
  • Patent number: 4717931
    Abstract: A fail-safe film prewinder for a camera. The prewinder has a mode switch which can be changed over by switching to a photographing mode upon completion of a prewinding mode in which a film is continuously pulled or prewound from a film cartridge loaded in the camera. When the mode switch is in the prewinding mode position while a shutter release button is being operated, a film transport motor is rotated in the direction to prewind the film again after an interruption of the prewinding mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Himuro, Akira Ueno