Patents by Inventor Noriyasu Kotani

Noriyasu Kotani 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: 5678083
    Abstract: A camera capable of automatic film rewinding into the magazine, comprises an information recording device for recording at least information on use in an information recording portion formed at a predetermined position of the magazine loaded in the magazine chamber of the camera, an information detecting device capable of detecting recorded information of the magazine when it is loaded, prohibition device for prohibiting the photographing operation in response to a detection signal corresponding to information, indicating that all the film is already used, detected by the information detecting device and a control device for controlling the information recording device, information detecting device and prohibition device in such a manner that the detection by the information detecting device is conducted prior to the recording of information of use by the information recording means, and that the photographing operation is prohibited in response to the detection of information indicating that all the film is
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Imura, Hidenori Miyamoto, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideya Inoue
  • Patent number: 5659832
    Abstract: A camera selects one of three or more photograph image sizes to be printed while a viewfinder provides a visual display corresponding to the selected one photograph image size. The camera includes a photographic optical system which focuses a subject on a camera film. A control unit is incorporated within the camera to select first print size information, second print size information, and third print size information. A viewfinder within the camera verifies the field to be printed on the photographic film while a display inside the viewfinder corresponds to the selected photograph image size. Print size selection switches select the print size and the control unit selects the print size information in response thereto. A plurality of aperture blades disposed within the camera define an aperture frame. First and second aperture blades move inwardly to define a horizontally oblong photograph image size and third and fourth aperture blades move inwardly to define a vertically oblong photograph image size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Nishizawa, Hiroshi Terunuma, Isao Soshi, Noriyasu Kotani
  • Patent number: 5649252
    Abstract: A camera capable of automatic film rewinding into the magazine, comprises an information recording device for recording at least information on use in an information recording portion formed at a predetermined position of the magazine loaded in the magazine chamber of the camera, an information detecting device capable of detecting recorded information of the magazine when it is loaded, a prohibition device for prohibiting the photographing operation in response to a detection signal corresponding to information, indicating that all the film is already used, detected by the information detecting device and control means for controlling the information recording device, information detecting device and prohibition device in such a manner that the detection by the information detecting device is conducted prior to the recording of information of use by the information recording means, and that the photographing operation is prohibited in response to the detection of information indicating that all the film is a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tsugio Takahashi, Hitoshi Aoki, Yoshio Imura, Hidenori Miyamoto, Daiki Tsukahara, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideya Inoue, Jun Nagai
  • Patent number: 5640634
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a camera having a cartridge chamber, which is formed as a hole in the body of the camera, into which a film cartridge is inserted along its axial direction through an access opening of the hole. The cartridge has an identifying mechanism for indicating whether the film in the cartridge has been used. The camera includes a load prevention member provided in the cartridge chamber that engages the identifying mechanism of the cartridge and prevents insertion of the cartridge into the chamber when the identifying mechanism indicates that the film has been used. The camera also includes a signal output circuit for outputting a load signal when the cartridge is loaded into the cartridge chamber and a non-load signal when the cartridge is unloaded from the cartridge chamber. The signal output circuit outputs the load signal before the cartridge engages the load prevention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakabayashi, Noboru Akami, Noriyasu Kotani
  • Patent number: 5537183
    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: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Tsukahara, Kiyosada Machida, Noriyasu Kotani, Minoru Kato, Hideya Inoue
  • Patent number: 5515135
    Abstract: A lens driving device for a zoom and a multifocus lens housing of a camera, the lens driving device comprising a holding member for holding imaging lenses and having a first helicoid formed relative to the optical axis of the lenses; a rotary member having a second helicoid which is arranged to engage to the first helicoid, the rotary member being arranged to be engaged to the holding member via the two helicoids and rotatably supported relative to the optical axis to a camera housing; a guide member which is provided for either of the holding member or the camera housing and which has two guide surfaces extending in the direction of the optical axis; and supporting members provided for the residual one of the holding member and the camera housing and having at least one pair of rotary members to which the guide surfaces of the guide member are brought into contact, whereby the contact of the guide member and the supporting members prevents the rotation of the holding member and allows the holding member to r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Katayama, Hiroshi Terunuma, Noriyasu Kotani
  • Patent number: 5461441
    Abstract: A camera uses a drive mechanism to scroll a lens barrel in and out of a camera body and to open and close a lens barrier that covers the front of the lens barrel. A spring is attached to the lens barrier, providing a spring force in the closing direction of the barrier and thereby preventing motion of the barrier in the opening direction of the barrier under an external force. A single electric motor is provided for driving a switching device, which includes a series of gears. The switching device switches power transmission of the motor between the lens barrel and the lens barrier, depending on the direction of rotation of the motor. Switching between scrolling in and out of the lens barrel and opening and closing of the lens barrier is possible only when the lens barrier can move in front of the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Noriyasu Kotani
  • Patent number: 5400113
    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: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Sosa, Hachiro Kanai, Norikazu Yokonuma, Daiki Tsukahara, Kiyosada Machida, Noriyasu Kotani, Minoru Kato, Hideya Inoue, Hidenori Miyamoto, Tadashi Otani, Yoshiaki Ohtsubo, Tatsuo Amanuma
  • Patent number: 5381205
    Abstract: A parallax correcting apparatus in a camera provided with an auto focus mode in which a photo-taking lens is automatically driven on the basis of the result of distance measurement to thereby effect focus adjustment and a manual focus mode in which a photographing distance is manually set by the operation of a manually operated member and the photo-taking lens is driven on the basis of the photographing distance comprises a display device for displaying the photographing range, and a parallax correcting device for changing the display of the photographing range on the basis of the photographing distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyasu Kotani, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 5159365
    Abstract: A camera capable of automatic film rewinding into the magazine, comprises an information recording device for recording at least information on use in an information recording portion formed at a predetermined position of the magazine loaded in the magazine chamber of the camera, an information detecting device capable of detecting recorded information of the magazine when it is loaded, a prohibition device for prohibitng the photographing operation in response to a detection signal corresponding to information, indicating that all the film is already used, detected by the information detecting device and a control device for controlling the information recording device, information detecting device and prohibition device in such a manner that the detection by the information detecting device is conducted prior to the recording of information of use by the information recording device, and that the photographing operation is prohibited in response to the detection of information indicating that all the film i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tsugio Takahashi, Hitoshi Aoki, Yoshio Imura, Hidenori Miyamoto, Daiki Tsukahara, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideya Inoue, Jun Nagai