Patents Assigned to Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
  • Focussing apparatus for camera
    Patent number: 4421396
    Abstract: A focussing apparatus for a camera is provided including a focussing light source for directing focussing light toward an object being photographed, and an in-focus detector circuit for receiving the focussing light as reflected by the object to determine a focussing condition. A light source control circuit is provided which deenergizes the focussing light source in response to an in-focus detection signal fed from the in-focus detector circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Matsuzaki
  • Tape recorder control system for automatically reversing tape
    Patent number: 4422107
    Abstract: In the disclosed system, a large scale integrated circuit receives operating signals from record, play, stop, fast-forward, and rewind actuating switches at corresponding input terminals and produce motor forward and reverse signals for controlling switches that operate a motor, fast-forward signals, and amplifier control signals at corresponding output terminals. Outside the LSI, a feedback arrangement responds to a tape-stop signal indicating that the tape has stopped advancing, and the motor forward signal produced by the large scale integrated circuit to apply play and rewind signals to the input terminals of the circuit whether or not the rewind or play switches have been operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyasu Motoyama
  • Photosensitive member for electrophotography having ultraviolet absorption layer
    Patent number: 4420547
    Abstract: A photosensitive member for electrophotography comprises a first and a second photoconductive layer sequentially formed on a conductive layer. The first photoconductive layer has a spectral sensitivity extending over a range of light rays from ultraviolet rays to visible light. The second photoconductive layer is of light transmissibility, which is formed with a single or a compound layer and has a filtering action to transmit only light of longer wavelengths than a given one so as to define a range of light incident upon the first photoconductive layer, and a spectral sensitivity only to rays of shorter wavelengths than the given one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaji Nishikawa
  • Shutter drive safety device for a camera
    Patent number: 4420235
    Abstract: A safety device is provided for a shutter drive mechanism for camera in which a shutter opening member and a shutter closing member are independently operable, with an exposure period controlled by a time interval between times of initiation of operation of the both members. The safety device includes a constraining member which locks a detent member which controls the operation of the shutter closing member in response to a film winding operation and which unlocks the detent member in response to a shutter release operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Katumi Terada
  • Electrophotographic copying apparatus with transfer bias voltage stabilizer
    Patent number: 4415254
    Abstract: An electrophotographic copying apparatus includes a charge retaining member carried by a conductive member and on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The latent image is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred onto a record sheet by transfer means connected to a transfer bias source which is connected between the conductive member and the ground so that its terminal of the same polarity as the polarity to which the toner is charged is connected to the conductive member. A corona charger is disposed in opposing relationship with the charge retaining member. A high tension source is provided to cause a corona discharge from the corona charger. The high tension source has its one terminal connected to the conductive member and its other terminal connected to a corona discharge wire of the corona charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaji Nishikawa
  • Electrophotographic copying process
    Patent number: 4413044
    Abstract: An electrophotographic copying process employs a photosensitive member which includes a conductive layer carrying a sequential lamination of a photoconductive layer which is sensitive to visible light and a function layer different therefrom, forms an electrostatic latent image by trapping charge on opposite sides of either of the photoconductive layer and the function layer in such a condition that a layer which is not retaining the charge is one of photoconductive layers forming the photosensitive member, and repeatedly employs the electrostatic latent image to produce a plurality of copies. During the copying step for producing a plurality of copies, a uniform exposure by light rays which activate the one of photosensitive layers forming the photosensitive member which is not retaining the charge is applied to the photosensitive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaji Nishikawa
  • Optical system for tiltable lens barrel of a microscope
    Patent number: 4412727
    Abstract: An optical system for use with a tiltable lens barrel which houses an eyepiece system. The lens barrel is rotatable around an optical axis of light incident upon a reflecting member. The optical system directs light from an objective to the eyepiece system in cooperation with the reflecting member so as to change an axial tilt angle of the tiltable lens barrel and simultaneously to rotate an image rotator disposed in an optical path of light passing through the objective, thereby permitting a tilt of an observation image caused by the rotation of the tiltable lens barrel to be compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Taira
  • Take-up assembly for automatic film loading of camera
    Patent number: 4411509
    Abstract: A take-up assembly for automatic film loading comprises a film take-up spool sleeve having a notch window formed therein for receiving a film catch member, a spool shaft rotatably fitted inside the spool sleeve and supported by a camera body so as to present a given magnitude of friction for its rotation relative to the body, a catch member rotatably mounted on the spool shaft and having a pawl which is disposed inside the notch window for fitting engagement with one of perforations formed in a perforated roll film, a first spring for causing the catch member to project out of the notch window during a film loading operation, and a second spring for causing the spool sleeve to rotate through a given angle relative to the spool shaft for receiving the catch member inside the notch window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Shirai
  • In-focus detector for binocular stereoscope
    Patent number: 4412127
    Abstract: An in-focus detector for binocular stereoscope including a pair of left- and right-hand observation optics comprises a pair of beam splitters disposed on the optical axis of the respective observation optics. Each of the beam splitters derives part of observation light out of the associated observation optics and directs it to a reflecting element, which reflects the light onto a light receiver disposed at a focused position. The light receiver produces photoelectric outputs in accordance with the imaging condition of an image of an object being examined, and an in-focus detection circuit responds to these outputs by detecting an in-focus condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Imai
  • Automatic exposure controller for camera of TTL direct photometry type
    Patent number: 4408852
    Abstract: Automatic exposure controller for camera of TTL direct photometry type forms a difference between a photometric value which is obtained by determining a fixed reflection from only a first blind surface at the initiation of running of a first shutter blind and a photometric value which varies as the first blind runs, and applies the difference voltage to the base of transistor which forms a logarithmic expansion circuit. Simultaneously, the photometric value which varies as the first blind runs is applied to the emitter of the transistor. In this manner, until shutter is fully open, the logarithmic expansion circuit produces an output current of a constant magnitude while after the shutter is fully open, the voltage applied to the base is maintained constant so that the output current of the logarithmic expansion circuit varies in accordance with the brightness of an object being photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Masafumi Yamasaki
  • Specimen holding device for microscope stages
    Patent number: 4407570
    Abstract: A specimen holding device for microscope stages comprising a specimen supporting body secured to a microscope stage and a specimen push claw rotatably mounted on the specimen supporting body and urging a specimen against the specimen supporting body. The specimen supporting body and the specimen push claw are provided at respective front ends of the side edges thereof with inclined surfaces opposed with each other and inclined at an acute angle with respect to the specimen insertion direction and the distance between the front ends of the inclined surfaces is made sufficiently larger than the width of the specimen even when the specimen is not inserted between the specimen supporting body and the specimen push claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimi Hayasaka
  • Switching assembly for focussing, photosensitive elements of a camera
    Patent number: 4403843
    Abstract: For use with a camera which is adapted for use with at least two interchangeable lenses having different brightness levels, a switching assembly is provided to enable one of at least two focussing, photosensitive elements each associated with a different one of the lenses. The switching assembly comprises first means normally assuming a first predetermined position in which one of the elements is enabled for operation, said one element being effective to detect an in-focus position when a corresponding interchangeable lens is mounted, and second means adapted to be forcibly displaced from a position in which said one element is enabled to another position in which the other element is enabled for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Maitani, Mitsuo Kawazoe
  • Photometric mode switching apparatus for cameras of automatic exposure control type
    Patent number: 4402587
    Abstract: A photometric mode switching apparatus for a camera of the automatic exposure control type includes a first switch which is used to select a particular photometric mode, and a second switch which is interlocked with a storage switch contained in a spotwise photometry circuit. Unless the two switches are operated to establish a spotwise photometric mode, the camera is caused to operate in the average photometric mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Masafumi Yamasaki
  • Seesaw type switch mechanism
    Patent number: 4401864
    Abstract: A switch mechanism comprises an operating member having an outer surface including tabs formed on the left- and the right-hand half thereof, with switch operating protuberances formed on the rear surface thereof in alignment with the respective tabs. A recess is integrally formed in a housing of an electrical instrument, and the operating member is rockably disposed in the recess for seesaw motion therein. A pair of pushbutton switches are disposed on paths of movement of the protuberances, and are quickly operated by an angular movement of the operating member through a reduced angular stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Ichikawa
  • Fixture device for magnetic head
    Patent number: 4399478
    Abstract: A fixture for a magnetic head for use in a tape recorder is disclosed. In the fixture, a base plate is provided with a magnetic head. A rotating support member rotatably supports the base plate on a base member in response to a pressing force in the thrust direction, and a guide pin on the base member guides the base plate along the rotating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoichi Sawaki
  • Transfer unit for electrophotographic copying machine
    Patent number: 4396273
    Abstract: A transfer unit includes a pair of guide and field stabilizer members disposed adjacent to a transfer member and along a conveying path for a transfer sheet. A voltage is applied to the stabilizer members which is of the same polarity as a bias voltage applied to the transfer member. It is assured that transfer sheet reliably contacts the pair of field stabilizer members as it passes therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Matsuyama, Tadahiro Yasuda
  • Illumination mode switching circuit for automatic electronic flash
    Patent number: 4395100
    Abstract: An illumination mode switching circuit for an automatic electronic flash includes an illumination mode selecting, changeover switch having a first terminal which is utilized to establish an automatic illumination control level, a second terminal which provides a manual illumination control, and a third terminal which enables a full emission of flashlight from a flash discharge tube. An isolation diode is connected between the second and the third terminal. In this manner, any one of the three modes can be selected by operating the changeover switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Kondo
  • Apparatus for presetting photographing distance for camera
    Patent number: 4395101
    Abstract: An apparatus for presetting the photographing distance for a camera is responsive to a movement of flash photography operating means to operate switch operating means which is disposed within an electronic flash to turn a power switch of the electronic flash on. In addition, means for adjusting photographing distance is also operated to bring a taking lens to a flash photography position which is located on the nearer side than a normally focussed position, in an automatic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Ichiro Morimoto
  • Photoelectric conversion circuit
    Patent number: 4394570
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion circuit comprises a pair of cascade connected semiconductor switching circuits, each of which is formed by a CMOS inverter. A pair of oppositely poled, series connected photodiodes define a photometric, photoelectric transducer element. A capacitor is arranged to be charged and discharged in response to a photocurrent from the transducer element. The combination of the transducer element and the capacitor form a feedback circuit which is connected across the switching circuits to cause the latter to oscillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Mizokami
  • Endoscope
    Patent number: D269904
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Shimonaka