Patents Assigned to Minolta Camera Kabushiki
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Patent number: 5557391Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeder for feeding a new paper accommodated in a feeding cassette, an image forming device which forms an image on the paper fed by the feeder, an intermediate container which temporarily accommodates the paper fed by the feeder and having the image thereon, a refeeder which refeeds the accommodated paper from the intermediate container to form an image on the paper again, a detector which detects presence or absence of paper to be fed by the refeeder for image formation, and a controller which effects a change-over from the paper feeding operation by the refeeder to the paper feeding operation by the feeder when the detector detects the absence of paper to be refed or forbids the paper feeding operation by the refeeder until the detector detects the absence of paper to be refed after the paper has been accommodated in the intermediate container.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomokazu Kato, Keiichi Nomura, Kentaro Nagatani, Syuji Maruta, Yoshiaki Takano, Kazuhiro Araki, Takashi Noda
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Patent number: 5557358Abstract: A camera has an electronic viewfinder for displaying an image of a subject to be photographed in accordance with image data from a scene. The displayed image encompasses an area larger than that of the scene to be photographed, to enable the camera user to view objects and events outside of the photographic frame. In addition, the image data can be processed in accordance with differing photographic conditions, such as changes in shutter speed, aperture or electronic flash emission, to permit the user to view the changes that occur under the differing conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiromu Mukai, Yasuo Maeda, Shigeto Ohmori, Jun Ishihara
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Patent number: 5555047Abstract: A data reading and writing apparatus reads such data as a photographic mode and the number of prints from a magnetic recording portion of a film. The apparatus can change the data and record the changed data onto the magnetic recording portion of the film.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1994Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sadafusa Tsuji, Hiroyuki Okada
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Patent number: 5552876Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus by which a first image corresponding to first image information and a second image corresponding to second image information are superimposed one on the top of the other, the apparatus comprising a scanning device for scanning a document line by line to output the first image information; a composing device for composing the first and second image information so that the first and second images are superimposed one on the top of the other; a detecting device for detecting changes of the scanning speed in a direction perpendicular to the lines; and a controlling device for so controlling the composing device that the relative position of the second and first images in the direction are adjusted line by line in accordance with the results detected.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1993Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Muroki, Shoji Imaizumi
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Patent number: 5552865Abstract: A charging device and method in which a charging member, for example, of a brush, plate, film or roller type, for charging a charge-receiving member is disposed at a predetermined distance from the charge-receiving member. The distance is adjusted at not greater than a discharge start distance when the discharge is started and is adjusted at greater than the discharge start distance and less than a discharge stop distance after the discharge is started. The discharge start distance is the distance at the start of discharge when two electrodes are in close proximity as a voltage is applied, and the discharge stop distance is the distance directly before a stable discharge stops when two electrodes are separated while in state of discharge.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1994Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Izumi Osawa, Akihito Ikegawa, Shuji Iino, Masaki Asano
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Patent number: 5550611Abstract: A camera includes an operation device having a plurality of operation modes for executing an operation, a mode changing device for changing over operation modes, a designation device for designating a desired operation mode as an initial mode, and a reset device for resetting the operation device to the designated initial mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1994Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tokuji Ishida, Yasuo Nakanishi, Toshihiko Ishimura, Takehiro Katoh, Kenji Ishibashi, Yoshihiro Hara, Takashi Kondo, Hiroshi Yoshino
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Patent number: 5548373Abstract: An image reading apparatus which does not require lens replacement and which satisfies the requirements of Kohler illumination regardless of changes in projection magnification. The image reading apparatus comprising an image reading device having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction for transforming an optical image projected thereon into analog image signals, a light source, condenser elements having an aspherical effect in the main scanning direction, thereby satisfying the requirements for Kohler illumination, and projection lens for projecting an image of an original illuminated by the light source onto the image reading device. A motor can move the projection lens and its pupil along the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1994Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshihiko Ueda
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Patent number: 5548320Abstract: In the printing apparatus wherein the laser diode is used as light source for writing images on an image carrier, a control transistor is serially connected to the laser diode. The magnitude of the drive current for driving the laser diode is adjusted in accordance with the magnitude of the base current of the control transistor. The base current of the control transistor is turned on when the main power supply is implemented. That is, the control transistor is pre-heated up to print command. Consequently, the drive current is stable from the initial image formation after the main power supply is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1993Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihisa Yamanaka, Eiji Okabayashi
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Patent number: 5546404Abstract: A port diagnosing device capable of diagnosing normal or abnormal ports provided with a single input terminal and a plurality of output terminals comprising a signal generator for outputting predetermined signals to an optional output terminal from among a plurality of output terminals, a feedback signal for feeding back to the single input terminal predetermined signals output from the signal generator, and determining changes detected in the level of the signal fed back to the input terminal in correspondence to changes in the level of the predetermined signal, and determining the normal or abnormal operation of the optional output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1993Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Takahashi, Yoshikazu Naito
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Patent number: 5546108Abstract: The present invention discloses an ink-jet type recorder that forms an ink image on a recording medium comprising a porous ink carrier withholding ink in the pores, an ink tank at a soaking position a transferring device for transferring ink carrier from the soaking position to a recording position where the ink carrier and the recording medium face each other, a heating device for heating the ink withheld in pores of the ink carrier to a certain temperature, the heating device including a contact heater which is in contact with the ink carrier at the recording position so as to conduct heat from the contact heater to the withheld ink, and the certain temperature being sufficiently high to lower the viscosity of the ink but insufficiently high to boil the ink, and an electric field generating device for generating an electric field in order to activate an electrostatic force in such a way that the ink is attracted onto the recording medium from the ink carrier.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1995Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideo Hotomi, Osamu Ebisu, Kazuo Ota
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Patent number: 5546166Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of making copies under either predetermined standard copy conditions or copy conditions optionally set by an operator. After the final key input, or at the completion of a copying process, a first timer is set to count a predetermined time period. When the first timer finishes counting, the copy conditions are automatically set to the standard conditions. The above apparatus is provided with a guidance mode for the purpose of explaining the method for setting the functions and copy conditions within the apparatus to an inexperienced operator. In the case where the guidance mode is set by the operator, a second timer is set to count a predetermined time period longer than the time period counted by the first timer. When the second timer finishes counting, the copy conditions are automatically set to the standard conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1993Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaya Hirota, Hiroyuki Ideyama, Toru Okatani, Toshiyuki Yamashita, Hideo Ito, Yoichi Kawabuchi
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Patent number: 5543905Abstract: A fixing device has a hollow fixing roller, and a pressing roller pressingly contacting the fixing roller to cooperate with the fixing roller to form a nip portion therebetween so as to fuse and fix a toner image onto a recording paper. The fixing device also has a heating element arranged within the fixing roller at a position eccentric from the axis of the fixing roller toward the nip portion, to locally heat the inner wall of the fixing roller at a position corresponding to the nip portion, so as to decrease the time necessary to heat the fixing roller, to prevent offset, and to prevent the recording paper from being wound onto the fixing roller.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsunari Oda, Akiyoshi Kamisaki, Norimasa Kubota, Teruo Narikawa
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Patent number: 5543907Abstract: A control circuit changes a sorting mode of a sorter corresponding to a state whether an original is both-sided or not, or whether or not a plurality of originals are simultaneously reproduced in one round of copying process when images of a plurality of originals are distributively reproduced on the same side of a transfer sheet, or whether a mode of the number of sheets of original and copy mode are for both sides mode or composite mode. With such a control, a sorting mode process is prohibited when a required transfer sheet is one irrespective of whether the number of sheets of original is one or not.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1992Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomokazu Kato, Kazuhiro Araki, Yoshiaki Takano, Syuzi Maruta, Keiichi Nomura, Kentaro Nagatani, Takashi Noda, Hiroyuki Kishimoto
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Patent number: 5543892Abstract: A copying-machine management system for effecting centralized management of a plurality of copying machines in such a manner that data about problems developed during the maintenance of each copying machine is not counted as data about the problem occurring in each copying machine. A control CPU incorporated into a copying machine on the user side is electrically connected to a management CPU on the service station side through a communication line. Thus, a signal indicative of the state of the copying machine on the user side is sent to the management CPU on the service station, where each of the copying machines is managed. When a serviceman is sent to repair the copy machine, a serviceman mode is set. When the serviceman mode is set, the data indicating a problem is prohibited from being transmitted to the management CPU. Therefore, the data about a problem developed due to a reproduction test is not counted as the data about the problem occurring in each copying machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sumiaki Hirata, Ikunori Yamaguchi, Kazunobu Maekawa
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Patent number: 5543938Abstract: An information transmitting method in a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first step of reading image information of an original to be transmitted, a second step of accepting an entry for specifying a destination to which the image information should be transmitted, a third step for storing the read-out image information, a fourth step of transmitting the stored image information to the destination specified by the entry in the second step, a fifth step of accepting an entry for specifying a destination to which the stored image information should be transmitted after the fourth step is completed, and a sixth step of transmitting the stored image information to the destination specified by the entry in the fifth step.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigenobu Fukushima
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Patent number: 5542985Abstract: A method for cleaning waste paper by removing toner-images formed thereon. An emulsion formed cleaning solution, which has a water component, an organic solvent dissolving a resin component, and a surface active agent to form a solution into the emulsion, is applied to the waste paper. The waste paper has a toner-image which is formed by toner-particles which have a resin component. The distance between the fibers of the paper is widened by the water component of the cleaning solution. The resin component of the toner is dissolved by the organic solvent of the cleaning solution.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Junji Machida, Masazumi Yoshida, Susumu Tanaka
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Patent number: 5543970Abstract: A zoom lens system according to the present invention comprises, from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit with a positive refractive power including a negative high dispersion lens element and a positive lens element; a second lens unit with a negative refractive power consisting of two or three lens elements including a positive high dispersion lens element and a negative lens element, and having at least one aspherical surface; and a third lens unit with a positive refractive power consisting of five or less lens elements including a negative high dispersion lens element and one or two positive lens elements located on the object side of the negative high dispersion lens element, and having at least one aspherical surface. With the lens arrangement, a compact high-zoom-ratio zoom lens system having a high aberration correction performance is realized.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuyoshi Hata, Yukio Maekawa, Katsuhiro Takamoto, Manami Saka
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Patent number: 5541723Abstract: A distance measuring device according to the present invention includes a light projector, a controller, and a light receiver. The light projector projects light toward an object to be measured, and the controller controls the light projector to carry out a first light projection to emit a first light at a predetermined angle with a first light distribution, and subsequently to carry out a second light projection to emit a second light at the predetermined angle with a second light distribution which is different from the first light distribution. The light receiver receives the first and second light emitted by the light projector and reflected from the object, and produces light reception signals, and a circuit arrangement calculates a distance to the object by means of the light reception signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshito Tanaka
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Patent number: 5541644Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Katsuyuki Nanba
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Patent number: 5540426Abstract: In an operation for transporting a sheet by a first roller to a second roller pair downstream the first roller, and further transporting the sheet by the second roller pair, a transport speed of the sheet transported by the first roller is controlled to suppress disadvantages such as jamming and deformation into a Z-form, which may be caused by reduction of a transporting performance due to wear of the rollers and adhesion of paper powder to the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hidenobu Nakamura, Koji Naito