Patents Assigned to Minolta
  • Patent number: 5765170
    Abstract: An electronic mail system in which a mail management method is improved in order to reduce the complexity and labour of handling transmitted information so that its convenience is increased. In an electronic mail system in which a plurality of data processing systems exchange messages through mailboxes MB utilizing the stored and forward system, the data processing system which receives a mail M transferred from the mailbox MB is provided with an electronic mail terminal utility. When the data processing system receives the mail M, the electronic mail terminal utility classifies a data file written in the mail M according to specific data contained in the mail M and stores the data file in an appropriate folder based on a result of the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 5765074
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a first forming device forming a first toner image on a first surface of a sheet, a second forming device forming a second toner image on a second surface of the sheet, a detecting device detecting the amount of adhered toner on the first surface of the sheet, a setting device setting an forming output according to the amount of adhered toner detected by detecting device, and inputting device inputting the forming output to the second forming device in order to form the second toner image by the settled forming output. The object of the present invention is to provide a reliable image forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yasui, Kazunobu Maekawa
  • Patent number: 5765088
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a cleaning blade employed in the image forming apparatus which is operable to form an electrostatic latent image on an image carrying member, develop the latent image with toner into a visible toner image, transfer the toner image onto a record member and fix the same, and having an edge pressed against the image carrying member with a predetermined pressure for removing residual toner on the image carrying member after the transfer. A degree of toluene swelling of the cleaning blade is in a range from 20% to 100%, and the cleaning blade has an impact resilience in a range from 10% to 65%, a Young's modulus in a range from 30 to 120 kg/cm.sup.2, and a 300%-modulus in a range from 100 to 600 kg/cm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Nakayama, Shingo Hirota, Kuniaki Kashiwakura, Futoshi Okazaki, Kouji Matsushita
  • Patent number: 5765055
    Abstract: In a program reset processing, a camera confirms stopping of the lens by a focus lens drive state obtaining communication. Then, a lens request obtaining communication is performed. When the lens can return to the AF mode and is in the MF mode, an "AF/MF switch instruction" is transmitted. When a "lens request obtain" communication is performed and it is confirmed that the mode has been switched to the AF mode, "mechanism resetting" is performed. Thus, troubles in setting the focus mode can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Miyazawa, Hiroshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 5764379
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus which reads book-like documents placed on a document platen in a face upward condition. A first detector detects the height of the document surface by the shape of a side surface of the document, and a second detector detects the height of the document by the shape of the document surface. A discrimination device detects abnormal height data detected by the detectors, and distortion of image data output from an imaging device is corrected using height data determined to have no abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsuda, Noriyuki Okisu
  • Patent number: 5763229
    Abstract: A toner for electrophotography including toner particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, and a fluidizing agent added externally to the toner particles for mixture therewith, wherein the aerated apparent density A (g/cm.sup.3) of the toner, the volume mean particle size D (.mu.m) of the toner particles, and the aspect ratio B of the toner particles satisfy the following relations:29.ltoreq.100A-D.ltoreq.355.ltoreq.D.ltoreq.81.25.ltoreq.B.ltoreq.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Masahiro Anno, Minoru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5764497
    Abstract: The circuit board connecting method and a connection structure. A first flexible board is adhered to a first surface of the circuit board at a first temperature, and then a second flexible board is adhered to a second flexible board at a second temperature lower than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Mizumo
  • Patent number: 5765064
    Abstract: A camera (100), suitable for using photographic film (18) with a magnetic track (33), includes a transporting mechanism (M, 22) for transporting the film along a film transport path, a magnetic head (11) positioned adjacent the film transport path so as to read information magnetically recorded on an adjacent portion of the magnetic track, signal processing circuits (12, 42) to provide a digital output signal responsive to thus read information, and a microcomputer (13) for comparing a digital output signal to predetermined threshold levels in order to determine whether or not information is recorded on the portion of the magnetic track being read by the magnetic head and for setting the threshold values. The threshold levels can be set in accordance with a level of the digital output signal when magnetically recorded information is not being read by the magnetic head, e.g., before the film is fed or during the feeding of the film before the first frame reaches the magnetic head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Mizumoto, Yasuaki Serita, Satoshi Hamada
  • Patent number: 5764285
    Abstract: An imaging device, such as an electric camera, in which an optical image of an object is converted into a set of image data. The device includes a line sensor and an area sensor. A lens system impinges the optical image onto the line and area sensors, where the first and second data are produced, respectively. At this time, a scanning mechanism moves the line sensor relative to the optical image to scan the optical image. The first and second data is then synthesized into the image data to be output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizou Ochi, Manji Takano
  • Patent number: 5760912
    Abstract: A plurality of originals are successively read by an image scanner, and the read image data are stored in an image memory. A page layout control portion calculates maximum width and maximum length of an image output frame based on the read image data. A region defined by the maximum width and the maximum length to which the image data is to be output, is set for a sheet of paper, in accordance with a designated layout. The stored image data is successively output by a printing portion to the image output frame positioned on each sheet of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Itoh
  • Patent number: 5760884
    Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus of an apparatus having a moving mechanism includes: a speed detector; and a mechanism responsive to a moving speed signal supplied from the speed detector which varies a focus lens position and a focal length of a light receiving optical system, a scanning range of a light projecting optical system, a base length, a position where light axes of a pair of light receiving optical systems or light axes of the light receiving and light projecting optical systems cross with each other, or responsive to a moving direction signal supplied from a moving direction detecting means of the apparatus having the moving mechanism which changes a measurement direction of a field of view. Thus, optimal measurement accuracy and a field of view to be measured can always be provided even though the moving speed or the moving direction of the apparatus having the moving mechanism is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Yahashi, Takuto Joko
  • Patent number: 5759728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a black toner for developing electrostatic latent images, comprising at least a binder resin and carbon black, characterized in that a mean primary particles size and particle size distribution of the carbon black dispersed in the binder resin are adjusted within a specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hagi, Junichi Tamaoki, Takeshi Arai, Hiroyuki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5761588
    Abstract: A developing device which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image-bearing member in an image forming apparatus. The developing device has a developer transporting member for transporting a developer to the image-bearing member, and a rotatable regulating member provided at an upstream side from the developing region with respect to a transporting direction of the developer transporting member for regulating an amount of the developer held on the developer transporting member. The regulating member includes a regulating portion which has a section wherein a distance from a rotational axis of the regulating member to periphery of the regulating portion is not fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Mikawa, Noboru Ito
  • Patent number: 5761560
    Abstract: A camera system includes a camera body and an interchangeable lens. A microcomputer for operation control is provided on each of the camera body and the interchangeable lens. Data communication is performed between the microcomputers. The camera body transmits a signal representing the type of the camera body to the interchangeable lens, and based on the signal, the interchangeable lens chooses a data to be communicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Miyazawa, Masayuki Ueyama, Yasuaki Serita, Yoshihiro Hara
  • Patent number: 5759732
    Abstract: A toner for developing electrostatic latent images is provided which contains wax particles of a spherical shape and of a small particle size uniformly distributed in binder resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Nakamura, Hiroshi Nakamura, Hideyuki Yoshida, Masami Eda
  • Patent number: 5760832
    Abstract: An image forming optical system comprises interchangeable lens 14 of a single lens reflex camera and reduction relay optical system 15. A three-color separating prism 16 that separates the photo image into two green photo images (G1 and G2) and a red/blue photo image (R/B) is located behind the image forming optical system, and CCDs 19 through 17 that perform image sensing as to RB, G2 and G1 photo images are located behind the transparent surfaces of prisms 16a through 16c, respectively. G1 CCD 17 and RB CCD 19 perform image sensing for the same photo image area while G2 CCD 18 performs image sensing for a photo image area which is offset by distance .sqroot. {(PH/2).sup.2 +(PV/2).sup.2 } (PH: lateral pixel pitch, PV: vertical pixel pitch) in the lower right direction relative to G1 CCD 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mutsuhiro Yamanaka, Kazuchika Sato
  • Patent number: 5761338
    Abstract: An image detection and background processing device and method having a image reader for reading a whole document and converting the read document to a digital image data of multi value. The image forming apparatus detects the density of a background in the document based on the digital image data obtained by the image reader, sets a reference value based on the background density as well as the distribution of the digital image data, and distinguishes an image area of the document from the background by comparing the reference value and the image data so as to execute a process concerning the distinguished image area (for example, an automatic magnification selection process or an automatic paper selection process). The apparatus and method includes analysis capability for determining whether the background area can be accurately discriminated from the image area based on image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Kasamatsu
  • Patent number: 5759731
    Abstract: The invention relates to (1) a toner with inorganic fine particles added externally, the inorganic fine particles having a specified mean particle size and a specified particle size distribution, and (2) a toner having specified particle size, specific gravity, and angle of toner repose, and a developing agent comprising the toner and a carrier.The toner of the present invention has good environmental stability, non-sticking characteristic, and good storage stability under hot conditions, and is capable of forming good images without aggregation noise. Further, the toner is not liable to produce toner dust and does not damage the photoconductor. The toner is particularly suitable for full-color image formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hagi, Takeshi Arai, Junichi Tamaoki, Hiroyuki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5758200
    Abstract: A camera, which is waterproof, having a relatively complicated three-dimensional configuration in which a cover thereof is constituted by a plurality of cover elements. A top cover 20, a front cover 30 and a side cover 40 are connected at the inside to form a first cover group. Then a main body 50 of the camera is connected to the first cover group to form a half completed body. A second cover group which is constituted by connecting a rear cover 60 to a bottom cover 70, and a lid 80, are connected to the half completed body. Each connection part therebetween has a rib and a groove corresponding to the rib. A packing is inserted into the groove to seal the groove and rib. Thus, a cover structure with a relatively complicated three-dimensional configuration as having a projecting grip, a pop-up flash, or the like, is possible to be made. At time of repair, for example, it is possible to get an access to the inner mechanisms of the camera, only by removing the second cover group from the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Inoue, Akihiro Oki, Akihiro Baba
  • Patent number: 5758240
    Abstract: A developing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a rotating developing sleeve, a developer supplying portion for supplying developer to the surface of the developing sleeve, a developer collecting portion for collecting the developer from the surface of the developing sleeve, the developer collecting portion and the developer supplying portion being vertically aligned, a pair of magnetic poles fixed in the developing sleeve, the pair of magnetic poles forming a triangle area which is surrounded by tangent lines at points where the magnetic poles have the maximum magnetic force, and a wall positioned between the developer supplying portion and the developer collecting portion, the edge of the wall being positioned in the triangle area formed by the pair of magnetic poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Noboru Ito, Tamotsu Shimizu