Patents Assigned to Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Patent number: 5659844
    Abstract: A fixing device which changes the amount of heat received by a recording paper in accordance with a portion of the recording paper with respect to a paper transporting direction. The fixing device controls a heater for heating a fixing member so as to raise the temperature of the fixing member when a trailing half of the recording paper is disposed between the fixing member and a pressure member, or controls the heater so as to decrease the temperature of the fixing member when either one of a leading end and a trailing end of the recording paper is disposed between the fixing member and the pressure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tohru Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5659820
    Abstract: A camera having a covering member which covers the upper side of the camera and having a projecting portion shaped as a pentagonal reflecting member; a first manually operable portion located at the covering member on one side of the projecting portion for designating one of a plurality of kinds of photographic data; a second manually operable portion located at the covering member on the other side of the projecting portion and adapted for commonly altering any of the plurality of kinds of photographing data to actually alter the designated one thereof in combination with the actual designation by the first manually operable portion; a light measuring device for measuring the luminance of the object to be photographed; a calculator for carrying out an exposure calculation based on the result of the light measuring; a display portion for displaying at least either one of shutter speed and aperture value obtained by the exposure calculation; and a display controller for controlling the display such that, when
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Masatake Niwa, Akira Fujii, Takeo Hoda, Masaaki Nakai, Minoru Sekida, Masayoshi Sahara
  • Patent number: 5659829
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Yamamoto, Shinji Tominaga, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5657135
    Abstract: The image reading apparatus of this invention reads a desired image out of an original document with a CCD 1, edits a desired area of the thus read image with an edit processing part 4, and causes the edited area to be copied without being subjected to negative-positive inversion. The edit processing part 4 sets an optimum density severally for an area requiring negative-positive inversion and for an area not requiring negative-positive inversion. Thus, necessary information existing in the area of image and the area outside the image can be printed out without causing the formation of a completely black frame and density of the print can be optimized without discrimination between these areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5657395
    Abstract: An image processing device in accordance with the present invention processes image data obtained by reading an original image including an image portion and a background portion to subdivide the original image into a plurality of images, the image data including density data representing density of each image. The device includes a device for outputting background density data, a device for outputting density coefficient data, a background color removing device for decreasing a value of density data corresponding to the background portion based on the background density data, and a density correcting device for increasing a value of density data corresponding to the image portion based on the density coefficient data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Hirota
  • Patent number: 5657074
    Abstract: A film player includes an A-D conversion part for receiving a music signal from an external audio unit, a RAM write part for writing A-D converted music data in an integrated RAM, a RAM contained in a music card or a RAM contained in a film cartridge, and a RAM play part for playing music recorded in each RAM. The user externally inputs desired music and records the same in the RAM by an external switch through a control part, to play the music with reproduction of a picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishibe, Manabu Inoue, Hirokazu Yagura
  • Patent number: 5652922
    Abstract: A stationary barrel attached to a camera body, a first movable barrel, a second movable barrel and a third movable barrel are moved out successively. A first lens frame holding a first lens unit is held in the third barrel to be movable along the optical axis, and a second lens frame holding a second lens unit is held in the second barrel to be movable along the optical axis. With this arrangement, the three movable barrels are all housed in the stationary barrel, and the total moving-out mount of the three movable barrels is remarkably large compared to conventional arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisanori Kohno
  • Patent number: 5652618
    Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus for reproducing an image recorded on successive frames of a film having a storage medium which information for each frame is readable from and writable on, the reproducing apparatus includes a pick-up device for picking up the image from the film; a read and write device for reading and writing frame information from and on the storage medium in a specified relative movement to the film; a drive device for rendering the specified relative movement and such special relative movement as fast transporting, rewinding; a directing device for directing the special relative movement; and a controller for keeping the drive device from rendering the special relative movement when the information reading and writing is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Nanba
  • Patent number: 5649033
    Abstract: In an image signal processing portion, the size of an original papersheet is detected, and image data is provided with respect to a memory unit. The size of a copy papersheet is detected using a detecting sensor, not shown. Data of an original image is read out by a CCD to be stored in an image memory. When printing is carried out based on the image data, the feeding directions and the sizes of the original papersheet and the copy papersheet are taken into consideration. When the feeding directions of the original and the copy papersheet are the same, only a variable-scale magnification processing portion is activated to carry out only a variable-scale magnification processing. When the feeding directions of the original papersheet and the copy papersheet are different, a rotation and a variable-scale magnification of an image signal are carried out by a rotation processing portion and the variable-scale magnification processing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Morikawa, Munehiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 5642146
    Abstract: An optical device for forming a latent image on the surface of a photosensitive member by an optical head, developing the latent image and transferring the developed toner image onto a transfer sheet at a transferring section. The transfer sheet is transported at least at the transfer section in a direction inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive member at an angle of distortion of the latent image which occurs when the optical head forms the latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member, thereby toner particles in the transfer section receive twisting force and the distortion of the latent image is corrected when the latent image is transferred to the transfer sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadamitsu Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 5639584
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toner for developing electrostatic latent images prepared by the following processes comprising;a process (a) of forming particles for toner containing at least a resin and a coloring agent in a wet process,a process (b) of aggregating the particles, anda process (c) of the aggregates passing through a minimal gap of 0.5-10 mm under dispersed conditions in air-stream flowing at a high speed to pulverize the aggregates, the gap being formed between a rotator and a rotator or between a rotator and a stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Anno, Makoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5640223
    Abstract: A camera having a lens, whereby a power source in the camera is activated in response to a mechanical switch on the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Tokuji Ishida, Hisayuki Masumoto, Hisashi Tokumaru, Tsuneyo Metabi
  • Patent number: 5634140
    Abstract: A camera according to the present invention comprises a taking lens whose focal length is variable. A focal length thereof is determined based on a subject distance measured by a distance measuring circuit and a relation between a subject distance and a focal length previously stored in a memory or according to a manual operation. The relation stored in the memory is changed based on a focal length determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masataka Hamada, Masayuki Ueyama, Kenji Ishibashi, Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5633977
    Abstract: A photographed image reproducing apparatus is used to reproduce photographic images recorded on successive frames of a film having magnetic tracks on which information is writable for each frame. The apparatus includes a read/write device for reading or writing frame information on the magnetic track. The frame information is read or written in one transporting direction while the image is sensed in the other transporting direction. Also, an information reader is provided at an upstream portion while the information writer is provided at a downstream portion to enable the reading and writing to be executed at the same time. The apparatus considerably reduces the reproduction time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Inoue, Katsuyuki Nanba
  • Patent number: 5631724
    Abstract: A centralized control system capable of remote controlling terminal devices such as a copying machine or automatic vending machine by using communication lines. The system displays information identifying the terminal devices which have not transmitted the information to a central unit after predetermined time. Further, the system is provided with a back-up power source for backing up a memory storing the information to be transmitted and an IC for clocking the present time. The information stored in the memory is to be transmitted when the power is supplied again in the case where the transmission has not been carried out at the predetermined time because the power source for the terminal device was shut off. Moreover, the system judges, in the case where an image forming apparatus is adapted as a terminal device, whether the image forming apparatus has recovered from trouble condition to normal condition by judging whether a copy paper is actually discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd, Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoji Sawada, Toru Kirimura, Seiji Watanabe, Kazunobu Maekawa, Sumiaki Hirata
  • Patent number: 5630032
    Abstract: A printer of bit map type provides a first information processor for analyzing data received from an external data processor to transform them into intermediate codes and a second information processor for imaging bit images on a bit map memory according to intermediate codes. The first and second information processors are interconnected by a memory means so as to be able to work asynchronously with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikunori Yamaguchi, Yoshikazu Ikenoue, Nobuo Kamei
  • Patent number: 5627622
    Abstract: In a camera having a function or recording a scope of printing (printing scope) in an exposed picture of a film, under a panoramic photography mode, that is, a mode in which the ratio of the horizontal dimension to the vertical dimension of a printing scope is larger than that of a standard picture from a film, an aperture is controlled to be smaller than in standard photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ootsuka, Shigeru Wada, Junichi Tanii, Hiroshi Ueda, Kohtaro Hayashi, Masaaki Nakai, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 5627618
    Abstract: A high-zoom-ratio real-image finder is provided with an objective lens system including a first lens unit having a positive power, a second lens unit having a negative power, a third lens unit having a negative power and a fourth lens unit having a positive power. Zooming is performed by moving the second and third lens units always in the same direction. A luminous flux restricting member is integrated with a holder for the second lens unit. A zoom strobe unit moves integrally with a holder for the third lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Kasai, Katsuto Tanaka
  • Patent number: RE35515
    Abstract: A photo signal processing apparatus which comprises a light receiving unit of charge accumulation type for outputting a data corresponding to a condition of light received thereby, a data processor for applying a predetermined processing to the data outputted from the light receiving unit, an accumulation initiating device for causing the light receiving unit to initiate a charge accumulating operation, an accumulation interrupting device for interrupting the charge accumulating operation of the light receiving unit, a counter for counting a time passed during a period subsequent to the start of the charge accumulating operation of the light receiving unit and until the termination of the charge accumulating operation of the light receiving unit, and a control unit for activating the accumulation initiating device at a timing required to interrupt the charge accumulating operation of the light receiving unit at the time of termination of the data processing performed by the data processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Toshihiko Ishimura, Norio Ishikawa, Reiji Seki, Yasuaki Akada
  • Patent number: RE35583
    Abstract: A camera capable of blurring correction includes an acceleration sensor detecting camera-shake amount, and a blurring correcting device correcting blurring of image on the basis of the sensor output. When a lens of the camera is driven for automatic focusing, the blurring is not corrected using an output of the acceleration sensor. Accordingly, blurring is not wrongly corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masataka Hamada, Hiroshi Ootsuka, Hisayuki Masumoto, Tougo Teramoto