Patents by Inventor Michihiro Iwata
Michihiro Iwata 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).
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Patent number: 8227102Abstract: A battery tray in which two batteries each having a thin and long shape are accommodated includes two thin and long shaped battery accommodation spaces in which the two batteries are accommodated in a state where the batteries are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the batteries extends on the same straight line.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yukari Matsumoto, Yoshio Kajino, Shinjiro Komatani, Michihiro Iwata
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Publication number: 20090061295Abstract: A battery tray in which two batteries each having a thin and long shape are accommodated includes two thin and long shaped battery accommodation spaces in which the two batteries are accommodated in a state where the batteries are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the batteries extends on the same straight line.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Yukari Matsumoto, Yoshio Kajino, Shinjiro Komatani, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 5896774Abstract: A device, having a planetary gear and a single motor, in use for switching and transmitting a driving force of the motor to any one of station gears and for driving each station gear in both rotational directions. The operation of locking levers for preventing a planetary gear from revolving around a sun gear is controlled by a cam. The cam is actuated by a driving force of the motor. A spring frictionally connecting the cam and an output shaft of a speed reduction system is interposed therebetween, and a magnet is disposed so as to restrict the movement of the cam when the motor rotates. A sun gear is connected with the output shaft of the speed reduction system with a "play" or gap in order that the rotation of the sun gear is reversed behind time corresponding to the play when the rotation of the motor is reversed, thus making it possible to start actuating the cam earlier than the sun gear for making sure that the locking levers are shifted.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Funahashi, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 5697263Abstract: A device, having a planetary gear and a single motor, in use for switching and transmitting a driving force of the motor to any one of station gears and for driving each station gear in both rotational directions. The operation of locking levers for preventing a planetary gear from revolving around a sun gear is controlled by a cam. The cam is actuated by a driving force of the motor. A spring frictionally connecting the cam and an output shaft of a speed reduction system is interposed therebetween, and a magnet is disposed so as to restrict the movement of the cam when the motor rotates. A sun gear is connected with the output shaft of the speed reduction system with a "play" or gap in order that the rotation of the sun gear is reversed behind time corresponding to the play when the rotation of the motor is reversed, thus making it possible to start actuating the cam earlier than the sun gear for making sure that the locking levers are shifted.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Funahashi, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 5621493Abstract: A photographic camera includes a camera body, a cartridge holder, and a shift device. The cartridge holder is capable of holding a film cartridge to be used in the photographic camera, and movable between a first position in which the film cartridge can be removed from the camera and a second position in which the film cartridge can be used in the photographic camera. The second position is aligned to the first position. The shift device shifts the cartridge holder between the first and second positions. The camera also can include a flash device, having a flashlight emitting portion, for illuminating an object to be photographed by a flash light. The camera further can include a device for determining a position of the film cartridge with respect to the camera body the cartridge holder is located at the second position.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1994Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeru Wada, Michihiro Iwata, Manabu Inoue, Sadafusa Tsuji
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Patent number: 5565942Abstract: An electronic flash device, included in a compact camera whose flash-emitting part having a xenon tube is displaceable between a projecting position at which the flash-emitting part projects from a cover of the camera and a housing position at which the flash-emitting part is housed inside the cover thereof, for ensuring enough distance between a photographing lens and the flash-emitting part to prevent an occurrence of "red-eye phenomenon" upon photographing. In the cover which slides sideways with respect to a main body of the camera, is mounted the flash-emitting part and a spring which biases the flash-emitting part to the projecting position.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1994Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Michiko Hagimoto, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 5497212Abstract: A camera using a film cartridge in which whether the film is exposed or unexposed can be distinguished by the phase of rotation of a shaft to rewinding a film, wherein said camera comprising: a film chamber to receive the film cartridge, a lid of the film chamber to capable of receiving the film cartridge in the film chamber when the lid is opened, a driving member which is connected with the shaft of the film cartridge and for driving the shaft, and a block member for blocking opening of the lid of the film chamber when the driving member is not the phase of rotation corresponding to the phase of rotation of the shaft in which the film is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kunio Kawamura, Hiroyuki Okada, Sadafusa Tsuji, Masaaki Chikasaki, Michihiro Iwata, Shuji Izumi
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Patent number: 5481325Abstract: A cover-locking mechanism for locking a cover with respect to a cartridge compartment so that the cover is prevented from being opened when a film cartridge is accommodated inside the cartridge compartment with a film thereof being outside the film cartridge.The cover-locking mechanism is operated by using a driving force to drive either a film-feeding mechanism or a light-intercepting door of the cartridge disposed at an entrance/exit of the film thereof. If the mechanism is of a type of being operated by the driving force of the film-feeding mechanism, it is constructed to be controlled by a driving force to drive the film-feeding mechanism so that the cover is prevented from being opened when the film is outside the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1995Date of Patent: January 2, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeru Wada, Akira Funahashi, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 5410380Abstract: A film feeding apparatus of a camera using a film having two perforations in each frame. A perforation detecting lever has claws spaced at a predetermined distance apart from each other so that the distance therebetween is equal to the distance between the two perforations which are adjacent to each other across the boundary between frames. The perforation detecting lever engages the perforations and disengages therefrom in unison with an operation for feeding one frame to be performed after the proceeding frame is exposed to light. As a result, film feeding is allowed to proceed until both claws simultaneously engage two respective perforations in the film which occurs after the film has advanced one frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1994Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kunio Kawamura, Yasuo Hawai, Sadafusa Tsuji, Shuji Izumi, Masaaki Chikasaki, Michihiro Iwata, Hiroyuki Okada
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Patent number: 5382992Abstract: A camera which includes a film cartridge whose spool is adapted to be set in different rotational positions with respect to a film cartridge main body between unused state and used state of the film cartridge, and a camera body having a film cartridge accommodating portion, and is arranged to show that the film cartridge is in the used state when the used film cartridge is inserted in the accommodating portion of the camera body.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1993Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kunio Kawamura, Shuji Izumi, Hiroyuki Okada, Masaaki Chikasaki, Michihiro Iwata, Sadafusa Tsuji
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Patent number: 5357302Abstract: A film feeding apparatus of a camera using a film having two perforations in each frame. A perforation detecting lever has claws spaced at a predetermined distance apart from each other so that the distance therebetween is equal to the distance between the two perforations which are adjacent to each other across the boundary between frames. The perforation detecting lever engages the perforations and disengages therefrom in unison with an operation for feeding one frame to be performed after the proceeding frame is exposed to light. As a result, film feeding is allowed to proceed until both claws simultaneously engage two respective perforations in the film which occurs after the film has advanced one frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1991Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kunio Kawamura, Yasuo Hawai, Sadafusa Tsuji, Shuji Izumi, Masaaki Chikasaki, Michihiro Iwata, Hiroyuki Okada
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Patent number: 5351102Abstract: A camera using a film having a magnetic surface for recording magnetic data thereon. The camera includes a magnetic head for writing magnetic data onto the magnetic surface and for reading magnetic data recorded thereon. A pad movable with respect to the magnetic head is opposed to the magnetic head. The film is sandwiched between the pad and the magnetic head when magnetic data is written onto the magnetic surface of the film and the magnetic data recorded thereon is read. The pad is driven by a motor for driving a film feeding mechanism so that the pad moves away from the film feeding path when data writing and data reading is not carried out. A planetary gear mechanism connects the motor selectively to a pad driving mechanism and a film feeding mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1993Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sadafusa Tsuji, Manabu Inoue, Shigeru Wada, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 5307099Abstract: A camera which includes a film cartridge whose spool is adapted to be set in different rotational positions with respect to a film cartridge main body between unused state and used state of the film cartridge, and a camera body having a film cartridge accommodating portion, and is arranged to show that the film cartridge is in the used state when the used film cartridge is inserted in the accommodating portion of the camera body.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1991Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kunio Kawamura, Shuji Izumi, Hiroyuki Okada, Masaaki Chikasaki, Michihiro Iwata, Sadafusa Tsuji
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Patent number: 5258793Abstract: A structure of a cartridge chamber and cover of a camera which uses a film cartridge. The cartridge chamber has a depth such that a predetermined end portion of a film cartridge is exposed along an axis of a spool in the cartridge when the film cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge chamber. Also provided is cover having a configuration for covering the end portion of the film cartridge accommodated in the cartridge chamber when the cover is closed. Thus, the end portion of the film cartridge is exposed when the cover is opened. Also, the cover is locked to restrain the cover from being opened when the cartridge chamber opening is downward and to enable the cover to be opened when the cartridge cover opening is upward. With this construction, the user can open the cover only when the opening of the cartridge is pointed upward in order to prevent the cartridge from dropping from the cartridge chamber inadvertently.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1991Date of Patent: November 2, 1993Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sadafusa Tsuji, Manabu Inoue, Shigeru Wada, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 5258859Abstract: An image reproducing system which can automatically output only a portion of an image recorded on a film which conforms to trimming information set upon photographing as an electric image signal without the necessity of a manual operation. The image reproducing device comprises means for detecting an image recorded on a film, means for reading trimming information of the image, the trimming information being recorded on a record medium when the image has been recorded on the film and representing a condition of reproduction of the image, means for generating an electrical image signal in accordance with the image detected by the detecting means, and means for controlling an output of the electrical image signal to be generated by the generating means in accordance with the trimming information read by the reading means.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1990Date of Patent: November 2, 1993Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeru Wada, Michihiro Iwata, Yoshinobu Kudo, Manabu Inoue, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
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Patent number: 5221939Abstract: A photographic camera capable of using a film having a magnetic surface. There is provided a magnetic head for writing and reading information on the magnetic surface of the film and a pad for pressing the magnetic surface on the film into contact with the head. The film travels between the magnetic head and the pad out of contact therewith until the initial loading of the film. The film is held between the magnetic head and the pad in contact therewith after the completion of the initial loading thereof is detected.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1991Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Yoshinobu Kudo, Manabu Inoue, Shigeru Wada, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 5130733Abstract: A camera with its taking optical system having two alternative, large and small, focal lengths and its finder optical system so contrived that the image formed as its focal length is varied continuously is visible through the finder, the latter included in a zoom optical system. The camera calculates the magnification of the image in the finder the photographer intends after seeing it and the focal length selected by him with the condition of the finder's optical system taken into account, and the result is recorded in the film are trimming information at the time of photographing. At the time of printing the photographed image is trimmed according to the angle of vision determined on the basis of the trimming information.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1990Date of Patent: July 14, 1992Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Yoshinobu Kudo, Manabu Inoue, Michihiro Iwata, Shigeru Wada, Hiroshi Ootsuka, Shinichi Yokoyama
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Patent number: 5070355Abstract: A camera capable of identifying photographing conditions causative of red-eye effect making the eyes of human pictures in a flash-photographed picture come out red, and recording the identified photographing conditions in an external memory provided on a film cartridge loaded thereon. The camera recognizes the possibility of occurrence of red-eye effect on the basis of the focal length of the camera lens, the object distance, the distance between the optical axis of the camera lens and the light source of the flash light device and the object brightness. When the photographing conditions are identified to be causative of red-eye effect, a warning is displayed and flash photographing is forbidden.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1990Date of Patent: December 3, 1991Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Manabu Inoue, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Katsuyuki Nanba, Yoshinobu Kudo, Michihiro Iwata, Shigeru Wada
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Patent number: 4967217Abstract: A camera system is capable of operating in a number of different photographic modes and includes a display system which provides information relevant to each of the modes. The camera system also includes an automatic film rewinding mechanism that has two modes of operation. In a first, automatic, mode, the tensioning of the film during winding is detected to indicate the end of the roll of film. Upon such detection, the film is automatically and fully rewound into the film cartridge. In a second, user selectable, mode a signal is manually provided by the user to initiate film rewinding. Rewinding of the film is stopped just prior to the time the end of the film enters the cartridge, so that a portion of the film leader remains extended outside of the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1989Date of Patent: October 30, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kouji Yamamoto, Shinji Tominaga, Akira Yamanaka, Hiroshi Ueda, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Ikushi Nakamura, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 4963916Abstract: A photographic camera of the type including a piezo-electric actuating element driven by energy accumulated in a capacitor for actuating a shutter wherein the piezo-electric element operates in stability to assure accurate appropriate opening and closing operation of the shutter of the camera and the capacitor is charged up rapidly to allow subsequent photographing operation to be done in a minute. In the camera, a charged voltage of the capacitor is checked several times to determine if it is sufficient to assure proper operation of the piezoelectric element, and if a then required level is not reached, then the capacitor is charged to the required voltage. While the capacitor is being charged, charging of a capacitor for a flash is inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1988Date of Patent: October 16, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiro Tanaka, Sadafusa Tsuji, Yoshiaki Hata, Manabu Inoue, Hiroshi Ootsuka, Michihiro Iwata, Fumiaki Ishito, Koh Hayama