Patents by Inventor Harumi Aoki

Harumi Aoki 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: 5485201
    Abstract: A fill-in light emitting apparatus having an illuminating mechanism for emitting illumination light whose color temperature can be varied; a color temperature metering mechanism for measuring the color temperature of the external light; and a color temperature controlling mechanism for varying the color temperature of the illumination light in accordance with color temperature data measured by the color temperature metering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Aoki, Kimiaki Ogawa, Tahei Morisawa
  • Patent number: 5475659
    Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus that is capable of recording an inputted audio signal onto a recording medium is provided. A controlling device is provided which is capable of remote-controlling at least a recording operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus. A microphone is provided on the controlling device for picking up sound waves and converting them into audio signals to be inputted into the recording/reproducing device, and at least one audio source is provided for generating an audio signal to be input into the recording/reproducing apparatus. A selection switch is further provided for selecting either the microphone or the audio source. The selection switch is provided on the controlling device, and a control circuit is utilized for controlling the apparatus to receive the audio signal from either one of the microphone and the audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5465133
    Abstract: A mode changing device for a camera employing a minimum number of actuating members to permit a user to change an operating mode and/or setting of the camera. A mode actuating member and a selector switch, used in conjunction with an LCD panel that indicates the mode and setting that has been selected by the user, permits the user to easily select and/or adjust the features of the camera, such as a photographing mode, a playback mode, an exposure mode, a white balance mode, a copy/monitor mode and a time/date mode. When the mode changing device is applied to a still video camera having a playback function, a change-over switch automatically changes the operating mode of the camera from a record mode to a playback mode when a monitoring adapter is connected to the camera, further reducing the number of actuating members that are needed to control the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Aoki, Tahei Morisawa, Kimiaki Ogawa, Makoto Mogamiya
  • Patent number: 5442454
    Abstract: A recording device for an electronic still camera in which, even in the case where, in a recording mode in which video signals and compressed audio signals are recorded in pairs, an audio signal is not recorded after the recording of a video signal and another video signal is recorded immediately thereafter, the recording operation can be achieved readily and the signal recording or reproducing operation can be started quickly. In accordance with the invention a control unit, in response to a video signal recording instruction, operates to record a video signal on a track which is removed by a two-track pitch in one direction from the track where the preceding video signal has been recorded, and, in response to an audio signal recording instruction, operates to record a compressed audio signal on a track which is removed by a one-track pitch in the same direction from the track where the preceding video signal has been recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Aoki, Nobuya Sakai
  • Patent number: 5438359
    Abstract: An electronic camera system including a camera and an external computer. The camera includes an IC memory card, a data writing/reading circuit, an interface circuit, and a connector. The computer includes a connector which can be electrically connected to the connector of the camera, the computer being electrically connected to the IC memory card through the data writing/reading circuit and the interface circuit when the connector of the camera is connected to the connector of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5424772
    Abstract: A mode changing device for a camera employing a minimum number of actuating members to permit a user to change an operating mode and/or setting of the camera. A mode actuating member and a selector switch, used in conjunction with an LCD panel that indicates the mode and setting that has been selected by the user, permits the user to easily select and/or adjust the features of the camera, such as a photographing mode, a playback mode, an exposure mode, a white balance mode, a copy/monitor mode and a time/date mode. When the mode changing device is applied to a still video camera having a playback function, a change-over switch automatically changes the operating mode of the camera from a record mode to a playback mode when a monitoring adapter is connected to the camera, further reducing the number of actuating members that are needed to control the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Aoki, Tahei Morisawa, Kimiaki Ogawa, Makoto Mogamiya
  • Patent number: 5418564
    Abstract: A dual type imaging device includes a first CCD and a second CCD, on which complementary color filters with a checkerboard (or matrix) arrangement is disposed. The complementary color filters have the same construction as each other, having magenta elements, yellow elements, cyan elements and green elements arranged in a regular manner. The arrangement of the color elements of the filter of the first CCD is offset, by a width of one light-sensitive element, to the arrangement of the color elements of the filter of the second CCD. An R-signal, a G-signal and a B-signal are sensed in accordance with four light-sensitive elements which are arranged in a 2.times.2 matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Asashi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Aoki, Nobuhiro Tani, Keiji Sawanobori
  • Patent number: 5337292
    Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed that is capable of recording an inputted audio signal onto a recording medium. A controlling device is provided which is capable of remote-controlling at least a recording operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus. A microphone is provided on the controlling device for picking up sound waves and converting them into audio signals to be input into the recording/reproducing device, and at least one audio source is provided for generating an audio signal to be input into the recording/reproducing apparatus. A selection switch is further provided for selecting either the microphone or the audio source. The selection switch is provided on the controlling device and a control circuit is utilized for controlling the apparatus to receive the audio signal from either one of the microphone and the audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5294990
    Abstract: An electronic still camera is disclosed for recording image data on a recording medium. A photographing optical system is provided for passing therethrough light from a photographing object and forming an image of the object. A pickup element such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is provided for receiving the light passed through the photographing optical system and outputting an image signal corresponding thereto. The image is to be formed on the light receiving surface of the pickup element. A drive mechanism drives the pickup element to be shifted between at least a first position where the light passed through the photographing optical system is incident to the pickup element and a second position which differs from the first position. A recording circuit records the image signal outputted from the pickup element onto a recording medium such as a magnetic disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5260795
    Abstract: An electronic still camera includes a camera body which has recording device for recording electrical picture signals from an image pickup device and electrical so-and signals received by a sound receiver onto a recording medium, and an adaptor detachably mounted to the camera body. The adaptor has a sound memory for temporarily memorizing the sounds for a predetermined period of time to output the same to the camera body, and a remote controller for outputting a remote control signal for remotely controlling the operation of the camera body. The camera body has a control unit for controlling the operation of the camera in accordance with the remote control signal from the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuya Sakai, Harumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5179478
    Abstract: A combination of photographic film and electronic single-lens reflex camera. An electronic imaging and recording unit is detachably mounted on the single-lens reflex camera in place of the view finder and converts the image light into an electronic signal to be recorded on a magnetic disk. The exposure control for the electronic imaging is partially performed in the main camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Harumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5142312
    Abstract: A parallax correcting apparatus is provided which comprises an imaging device driving mechanism for supporting a solid state image device so as to move toward and away from the optical axis of a finder optical system. The imaging device driving mechanism moves the imaging device in accordance with the object distance detected by an object distance measuring device. The ivention is also directed to a parallax adjusting method and apparatus during assembly of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuharu Suzuki, Harumi Aoki, Tahei Morisawa
  • Patent number: 5122822
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an open F number in a zoom lens camera including a cam ring which rotates to vary the focal length of a zoom lens, a reflection plate which is secured to the outer periphery of the cam ring and which has light reflecting portions and non-reflecting portions alternately arranged, as viewed along the circumferential direction of the cam ring, a photoreflector which emits light onto the reflection plate and which detects light reflected by the reflection plate, and an arithmetic device which calculates an open F number of the zoom lens using the output of the photoreflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tahei Morisawa, Harumi Aoki, Kimiaki Ogawa, Makoto Mogamiya
  • Patent number: 5111299
    Abstract: A mode changing device for a camera employing a minimum number of actuating members to permit a user to change an operating mode and/or setting of the camera. A mode actuating member and a selector switch, used in conjunction with an LCD panel that indicates the mode and setting that has been selected by the user, permits the user to easily select and/or adjust the features of the cameras, such as a photographing mode, a playback mode, an exposure mode, a white balanxe mode, a copy/monitor mode and a time/date mode. When the mode changing device is applied to a still video camera having a playback function, a change-over switch automatically changes the operating mode of the camera from a record mode to a playback mode when a monitoring adapter is connected to the camera, further reducing the number of actuating members that are needed to control the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Aoki, Tahei Morisawa, Kimiaki Ogawa, Makoto Mogamiya
  • Patent number: 5097344
    Abstract: A still video apparatus having a play back function of a picture signal and a sound signal recorded onto a recording medium, wherein a demodulated brightness signal and a color difference signal, a composite signal thereof, a demodulated sound signal and a sound output signal having an extended time base are selectively supplied to an external device by a single connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Aoki, Kouichi Sato
  • Patent number: 5070409
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided for receiving a video signal and displaying a visual image. The display device employs an active matrix liquid crystal display member having a plurality of display elements, and a plurality of switching elements, respectively. An image signal included in the video signal is applied to the display elements in accordance with a horizontal synchronous signal. The signal corresponding to the synchronous signal included in the video signal to be applied to the switching elements is inhibited for a predetermined period of time so that the image is kept displayed by the display elements for a certain period of time without the need to supply another video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunichi Miyadera, Harumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5047869
    Abstract: A recording device for an electronic still camera in which, even in the case where, in a recording mode in which video signals and compressed audio signals are recorded in pairs, an audio signal is not recorded after the recording of a video signal and another video signal is recorded immediately thereafter, the recording operation can be achieved readily and the signal recording or reproducing operation can be started quickly. In accordance with the invention a control unit, in response to a video signal recording instruction, operates to record a video signal on a track which is removed by a two-track pitch in one direction from the track where the preceding video signal has been recorded, and, in response to an audio signal recording instruction, operates to record a compressed audio signal on a track which is removed by a one-track pitch in the same direction from the track where the preceding video signal has been recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Harumi Aoki, Nobuya Sakai
  • Patent number: 5034824
    Abstract: A circuit element mounting structure for an electronic still camera having a photographing lens, a recording medium, a magnetic recording unit provided with a magnetic head, a base, an inner housing lid housing the recording medium and which can be moved into and out of contact with the magnetic head on the base, an outer lid located outside of the inner housing lid, and an image pickup element for converting an image made through the photographing lens into an electric signal. The circuit element mounting structure has a circuit base plate, on which is provided at least a circuit for recording an image on the recording medium and a circuit for driving the recording medium and the magnetic head, with the circuit base plate being disposed along a bottom of the base and a top of the inner housing lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Tahei Morisawa, Harumi Aoki, Yuichi Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 5032942
    Abstract: A magnetic head adjuster is disclosed for adjusting the positional relation between a magnetic disk and a magnetic head for recording or reproducing information on or from the disk. The magnetic head is secured to a plate spring having at least three support arms located around the magnetic head. The plate spring is supported on a carrier so that the distance between the carrier and each of the three support arms can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yuichi Kurosawa, Tahei Morisawa, Harumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5014136
    Abstract: An electronic still camera device has a camera unit capable of recording and reproducing video and audio signals, and an audio adapter detachably attached to the camera unit and which has operation switches, a microphone, a collected sound amount indicator and a circuit capable of compressing and expanding audio signals. To reduce the number of signal lines between the camera unit and the audio adapter, the audio adapter is automatically set in the audio playback mode when the audio adapter has detected that compressed audio signals are being delivered from the camera unit to the audio adapter. The camera unit has a power supply arranged to superpose a D.C. voltage of a high level or a low level to the compressed audio signal. A power supply switch provided in the audio adapter is capable of selectively supplying the source power from the camera unit to the audio adapter in accordance with the level of the D.C. voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuya Sakai, Harumi Aoki