Patents by Inventor Norikazu Yokonuma

Norikazu Yokonuma 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: 5708882
    Abstract: A camera includes a display that displays in the viewfinder a photographic screen size even when the low consumption power supply mode is in use. The camera includes a power source, a controller, a film winding motor, a panorama frame driving motor, a CPU, an EEPROM, a viewfinder LCD and a timer. When the power switch is turned on, the CPU causes the panorama frame to move and changes the transmissivity of the viewfinder LCD to match the photographic screen size selected the largest number of times. When a new photographic screen size is selected using the photographic screen size switch, the number of times the photographic screen size has been selected is calculated and stored in the EEPROM. In addition, the time that has elapsed after the power switch has been turned on is measured by the timer, and when the time exceeds a predetermined value, the camera moves into the low consumption power supply mode with power still being supplied to the viewfinder LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu Yokonuma, Kazuyuki Kazami, Hideo Hibino, Youichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5701529
    Abstract: An information recording apparatus according to the present invention includes: a feeding unit which feeds a film in a film cartridge, a reading device for reading information about each frame of the film. The information is stored in an external storage unit. A recording unit records information on a recording region corresponding to each frame of the film; and a recording control device controls the feeding unit so as to feed the film and controls the recording unit so as to, in synchronization with feeding of the film, record the information about each frame read by the reading device on the corresponding recording region of each frame of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu Yokonuma, Kazuyuki Kazami, Youichi Yamazaki, Hideo Hibino
  • Patent number: 5697002
    Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judge from the photographing condition that red-eye effect may occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of a person to be photographed, before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hachiro Kanai, Toru Fukuhara, Toshio Sosa, Norikazu Yokonuma, Masaharu Hara
  • Patent number: 5687415
    Abstract: A film feeding cessation adjusting device for cameras is capable of accurately stopping to a predetermined stopping position each frame of a film having a minimum number of perforations in order to ensure a sufficient data recording area. The film feeding cessation adjusting device includes a film feeding device for feeding a film, a perforation detection device for detecting a perforation of the film, a timer device for measuring a time required for film feeding, a stopping signal generating device for obtaining a time which is delayed by a predetermined period from the time at which the perforation detection device detects the perforation, on the basis of the results of the measurement of the timer device and for generating a feeding stopping signal at the obtained time, and a control device for stopping film feeding of the film feeding device when it receives the feeding stopping signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kazami, Norikazu Yokonuma
  • Patent number: 5687405
    Abstract: A camera capable of recording information about a color of light emission of a flashing device comprises a recording unit for recording information on a recording medium, an information acquiring unit for acquiring information about a color of light emission of the flashing device used, and a control unit for causing the recording unit to record the information about the color of light emission acquired by the information acquiring unit, on the recording medium. Information about the actual color of light emission of the flashing device at the time of photographing is thus transferred to a laboratory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kazami, Norikazu Yokonuma, Hideo Hibino
  • Patent number: 5682560
    Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judged from the photographing condition that red-eye effect may occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of to be photographed, before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Hara, Norikazu Yokonuma, Hidenori Miyamoto, Hideya Inoue, Toshio Sosa
  • Patent number: 5664241
    Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judged from the photographing condition that red-eye effect may occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of a person to be photographed, before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hachiro Kanai, Toru Fukuhara, Toshio Sosa, Norikazu Yokonuma, Masaharu Hara
  • Patent number: 5649246
    Abstract: An information processing device, such as a camera, capable of magnetically recording information on film, controls magnetic recording and film feeding using a single position detector that detects film position information, such as perforations in the film. After a frame of the film has been photographically exposed, the information processing device first feeds the film in a reverse direction opposite to the direction of advancement, before accelerating the film forward in the advancement direction to a stable advancement velocity. The usable length of the magnetic recording area of the film is thus increased because recording does not take place while film velocity is changing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Hibino, Hisashi Okutsu, Norikazu Yokonuma, Kazuyuki Kazami
  • Patent number: 5640629
    Abstract: An information recording device of a camera permits recording of more information with an appropriate recording density without monitoring the film feeding speed constantly. The information recording device includes a feeding assembly to feed film mounted in a camera by a motor. A recording assembly records photographic information in the film recording area during film feeding. A feeding speed control assembly starts duty-driving of the motor to reduce the film feeding speed at the first timing and to stop the motor to halt film feeding at a later second timing. The recording control assembly permits recording of the photographic information by the recording assembly until a third timing that is later than the first timing but earlier than the second timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Hibino, Norikazu Yokonuma, Kazuyuki Kazami, Youichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5634157
    Abstract: A camera comprises a photographic information output circuit section, a CPU, a PPM signal conversion circuit section, a drive section for a plurality of magnetic heads, and a film feeding section. The CPU converts several parallel data items which are output from the photographic information output circuit section into a single serial data item and outputs it to the PPM signal conversion circuit section provided separately from the CPU. The PPM signal conversion circuit section converts this single serial data item into several PPM signals, and then supplies the PPM signals to the magnetic head drive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu Yokonuma, Hideo Hibino, Youichi Yamazaki, Kazuyuki Kazami
  • Patent number: 5625429
    Abstract: A camera communicates with an external device using light signals that are transmitted using one or more photoelectric elements. Preferably, the communications are facilitated by using one or more camera photoelectric elements located in a cartridge chamber of the camera, which usually is used to receive a film cartridge. The one or more camera photoelectric elements usually are used to read a bar code on the film cartridge. In order to perform data communications with the external device, a dummy cartridge, which is linked to the external device, is placed in the cartridge chamber and includes one or more cartridge photoelectric elements that oppose the one or more camera photoelectric elements when placed in the cartridge chamber. Communications can take place in one or both directions between the camera and the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kazami, Norikazu Yokonuma, Hideo Hibino, Youichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5587751
    Abstract: An information recording device of a camera permits recording of more photographic information with an appropriate recording density without monitoring the film feeding speed constantly. The information recording device includes a recording assembly that records photographic information on a film recording area of film during film feeding. A feeding speed control assembly reduces the film feeding speed at a first time if the recording of photographic information is complete by the first time after the start of the recording assembly. The feeding speed control assembly reduces the film feeding speed at a second time after the first time if recording of the photographic information is not complete after reaching the first time. The feeding speed control assembly controls the feeding assembly to stop film feeding at a third time after reducing the film feeding speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Hibino, Norikazu Yokonuma, Kazuyuki Kazami, Youichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5579082
    Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judged the photographing condition that red-eye effect may occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of a person to be photographed, before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu Yokonuma, Toshio Sosa, Toru Fukuhara, Toshio Dobashi, Nobuaki Sasagaki
  • Patent number: 5576785
    Abstract: A film feeding cessation adjusting device for cameras is capable of accurately stopping to a predetermined stopping position each frame of a film having a minimum number of perforations in order to ensure a sufficient data recording area. The film feeding cessation adjusting device includes a film feeding device for feeding a film, a perforation detection device for detecting a perforation of the film, a timer device for measuring a time required for film feeding, a stopping signal generating device for obtaining a time which is delayed by a predetermined period from the time at which the perforation detection device detects the perforation, on the basis of the results of the measurement of the timer device, and for generating a feeding stopping signal at the obtained time, and a control device for stopping film feeding of the film feeding device when it receives the feeding stopping signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kazami, Norikazu Yokonuma
  • Patent number: 5563679
    Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judged from the photographing condition that red-eye effect may to occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of a person to be photographed before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Dobashi, Nobuaki Sasagaki, Masaharuo Hara, Norikazu Yokonuma, Toshio Sosa
  • Patent number: 5552843
    Abstract: The present invention is applicable to a camera capable of reading in film specific information recorded by means of a bar code. This film specific information is inscribed upon a display portion which rotates together with the forwarding of a film stored within a cartridge. The camera includes: a photointerruptor which optically reads the bar code on the bar code display portion as the bar code display portion rotates together with the forwarding of the film, and which outputs as an electrical signal of the result thus read; a comparator which compares the output signal from the photointerruptor with a threshold level; a calculation device for calculating a standard value for setting the threshold level based upon the output signal from the photointerruptor; a reference value control device which controls the threshold level according to the standard value; and a determination device which determines the film specific information based upon the output of the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu Yokonuma, Kazuyuki Kazami, Hideo Hibino, Youichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5543888
    Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judged from photographing condition that red-eye effect may occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of a person to be photographed, before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Sosa, Toru Fukuhara, Toshio Dobashi, Masaharu Hara, Norikazu Yokonuma
  • Patent number: 5508780
    Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judged from the photographing condition that red-eye effect may occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of a person to be photographed, before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Hara, Norikazu Yokonuma, Hidenori Miyamoto, Hideya Inoue, Toshio Sosa
  • Patent number: 5506648
    Abstract: A film end detecting device of a camera, used for a film in which film aligning perforations are regularly formed in units of frames, includes: a winding device for winding the film, which has an end detection perforation formed at an interval smaller than the predetermined interval on a film end side of the film aligning perforation of the last frame; a detection device for detecting the perforations of the film; a time measuring device for, when the film is wound, measuring a time from when a given film aligning perforation is detected until the next perforation is detected; and a signal output device for, when the time measured by the time measuring device is shorter than a predetermined reference time, outputting a film end detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kazami, Norikazu Yokonuma
  • Patent number: 5504546
    Abstract: Information recording device according to the invention is of the type which records information in an information recording area of each image frame on a film, as the film is advanced by film feeding mechanism. The device comprises an information recording head positioned downstream, with respect to the film feeding direction, of the front end of the information recording area of the image frame opposed to an exposure aperture of the camera; a timer for measuring the time elapsed after the start of film feeding by the film feeding mechanism; and a controller for causing the information recording head to start the information recording in the information recording area of the film when the timer measures a time required, after the start of film feeding, for the front end of the information recording area to reach the information recording head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kazami, Norikazu Yokonuma, Hideo Hibino