Patents by Inventor Hisashi Tasaka

Hisashi Tasaka 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: 11921405
    Abstract: A camera can perform two different photographing operations with a lens at different positions without vignetting while preventing entry of light and dust. A camera includes a frame including a film compartment to contain a photographic film and a barrel extending from the film compartment in an optical axis direction, and a lens barrel movable in the barrel in X-direction. The lens barrel includes cylinders movable frontward relative to the barrel, and a cylinder movable frontward relative to the cylinder. The camera includes a rear bellows connecting the frame and the cylinder, and a front bellows connecting the cylinder and the cylinder. In a first photographing state in which the cylinders extend frontward relative to the barrel and the cylinder is accommodated inside the cylinder, the rear bellows is expanded and the front bellows is partially contracted. In a second photographing state, the cylinder extends frontward relative to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION, FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomihiro Wakayama, Yuichi Ozawa, Yoshiki Murayama, Takehisa Kirihara, Hisashi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 11860514
    Abstract: A camera can perform two different photographing operations with a lens at different positions without vignetting while preventing entry of light and dust. A camera includes a frame including a film compartment to contain a photographic film and a barrel extending from the film compartment in an optical axis direction, and a lens barrel movable in the barrel in X-direction. The lens barrel includes cylinders movable frontward relative to the barrel, and a cylinder movable frontward relative to the cylinder. The camera includes a rear bellows connecting the frame and the cylinder, and a front bellows connecting the cylinder and the cylinder. In a first photographing state in which the cylinders extend frontward relative to the barrel and the cylinder is accommodated inside the cylinder, the rear bellows is expanded and the front bellows is partially contracted. In a second photographing state, the cylinder extends frontward relative to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION, FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomihiro Wakayama, Yuichi Ozawa, Yoshiki Murayama, Takehisa Kirihara, Hisashi Tasaka
  • Publication number: 20230037456
    Abstract: A camera can perform two different photographing operations with a lens at different positions without vignetting while preventing entry of light and dust. A camera includes a frame including a film compartment to contain a photographic film and a barrel extending from the film compartment in an optical axis direction, and a lens barrel movable in the barrel in X-direction. The lens barrel includes cylinders movable frontward relative to the barrel, and a cylinder movable frontward relative to the cylinder. The camera includes a rear bellows connecting the frame and the cylinder, and a front bellows connecting the cylinder and the cylinder. In a first photographing state in which the cylinders extend frontward relative to the barrel and the cylinder is accommodated inside the cylinder, the rear bellows is expanded and the front bellows is partially contracted. In a second photographing state, the cylinder extends frontward relative to the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Tomihiro WAKAYAMA, Yuichi OZAWA, Yoshiki MURAYAMA, Takehisa KIRIHARA, Hisashi TASAKA
  • Publication number: 20230039332
    Abstract: A camera prevents a lens barrel from extending accidentally upon receiving, for example, an external impact. A camera includes a barrel having a guide groove extending in X-direction, a lens barrel including an engagement protrusion protruding radially outward and engaged with the guide groove on the barrel, a switch spring extending between a spring engagement portion and the engagement protrusion, a drive lever rotatable about a lever shaft, a stopper rotatable about a stopper shaft in the drive lever, and a stopper urging spring urging the stopper. The drive lever includes a pusher that pushes the engagement protrusion in the positive X-direction and a rotation restrictor that restricts rotation of the stopper. The stopper includes a restraint portion that is to be on a path of the engagement protrusion to restrain movement of the engagement protrusion in the positive X-direction when the drive lever is at an initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Tomihiro WAKAYAMA, Hisashi TASAKA
  • Patent number: 6469844
    Abstract: A lens element, that is guided along a tapered wall of a lens holder and slipped into the lens holder, is fixedly held on a lens support collar at a bottom of the lens holder by thermally deforming fixing claws of the lens holder so as to grasp the outer periphery of the lens element. The fixing claws are arranged in diametrically symmetrical positions with respect to a center axis of the lens holder so as to align the optical axis of the lens element and the center axis of the lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Iwase, Hisashi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 6449430
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film. First and second taking lenses are arranged in an arranging direction crosswise to a photographic optical axis, and have focal lengths different from each other. A rotatable lens holder supports the first and second taking lenses. An externally operable button member is operable by external operation, rotates the lens holder in the arranging direction, and sets the first and second taking lenses selectively on the photographic optical axis. A viewfinder optical system is settable at first and second viewfinder magnifications, and adapted to observation of a photographic field. A magnification changer mechanism including a lever is shifted in response to rotation of the lens holder, and sets the viewfinder optical system at the first and second viewfinder magnifications respectively when the first and second taking lenses are set on the photographic optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Tasaka, Nobuyuki Kameyama, Shozo Kondo
  • Patent number: 6434336
    Abstract: A data-imprinting apparatus for preventing the imprinting of incorrect dates in a lens-equipped film unit that lacks a monitor display unit for the confirmation of the date display. The lens-equipped film unit 1 contains a built-in data module 27 that lacks an external display unit that allows the confirmation of the date display from the outside. The data module 27 contains a transmission-type liquid crystal display unit 45 that automatically updates and displays dates based upon a pre-stored calendar. In the liquid crystal display unit 45, external light enters from the light collection window 15 on the front cover 12, thus creating a beam of data light. The data light, acting in concert with the shutter release operation, is guided into a dark box. The image-forming optical system that is provided in the dark box forms an image of the data light on a part of the photographic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Handa, Shinsuke Ito, Hisashi Tasaka, Yukitsugu Hata
  • Publication number: 20010004419
    Abstract: A data-imprinting apparatus for preventing the imprinting of incorrect dates in a lens-equipped film unit that lacks a monitor display unit for the confirmation of the date display. The lens-equipped film unit 1 contains a built-in data module 27 that lacks an external display unit that allows the confirmation of the date display from the outside. The data module 27 contains a transmission-type liquid crystal display unit 45 that automatically updates and displays dates based upon a pre-stored calendar. In the liquid crystal display unit 45, external light enters from the light collection window 15 on the front cover 12, thus creating a beam of data light. The data light, acting in concert with the shutter release operation, is guided into a dark box. The image-forming optical system that is provided in the dark box forms an image of the data light on a part of the photographic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Masaaki Handa, Shinsuke Ito, Hisashi Tasaka, Yukitsugu Hata
  • Patent number: 6243536
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is provided with a data recording device, wherein a plastic light guide member has a flash light entering portion that is opposed to a front portion of a flash projector of a built-in flash device, and a light projection terminal facing an LCD panel of a data display module. The light guide member also has an external light entering surface that is exposed to a front portion of the film unit, to collect external light and conduct it to the light projection terminal. The light projected from the light projection terminal toward the LCD panel is used for recording data displayed on the LCD panel onto a filmstrip contained in the film unit. When the film unit is used in a dark place, the flash device is activated to project a flash light from the flash projector. So the flash light partly enters through the flash light entering portion, and is added to the external light entering through the external light entering surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Moriya, Hisashi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 6160963
    Abstract: A frame counter device includes a rotatable counter disk. A train of plural numbers are arranged on one face of the counter disk in an arc shape, and have an outermost point and an innermost point. The outermost point is the farthest from a rotational center of the counter disk and distant from the rotational center by a radius Ro. The innermost point is the nearest to the rotational center and distant from the rotational center by a radius Ri. The radius Ri is 60% or less of the radius Ro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kameyama, Makoto Isozaki, Hisashi Tasaka, Kazumi Koike, Masanori Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 6116886
    Abstract: Flash built-in and flashless types of lens-fitted photo film units respectively include first and second front covers. The first front cover includes a first front wall and a first cover wall formed in an erect orientation relative to the first front wall. The second front cover includes a second front wall shaped partially equally to the first front wall. A second cover wall is formed in an erect orientation relative to the second front wall and shaped at least partially equally to the first cover wall. In molding operation for the front covers, the first or second cover wall is formed between a main cavity mold and a main core mold, which are confronted with each other. The main core mold is movable relative to the main cavity mold in a direction according to the erect orientation of the first and second cover walls. The first or second front wall is formed between the main core mold and a selected one of first and second auxiliary molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 5978608
    Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit has a date recording module which is disposed between an exposure unit and a front cover to project a calendar date onto the front emulsion layer of a film. The front cover is formed with an elevated platform which spatially encircle at least a taking lens, a lighting window and the date recording module as viewed from the front side of the film unit. The date recording module has a module base plate, a transmission type of liquid crystal display is mounted on the module base plate so as to position behind the lighting window formed in the front cover, and a battery attached to the back of the module base plate so as to position within a shadow of the module base plate. A single shutter blade is adapted to control light passage for both image formation and data recordation. Alternatively, two shutter blades are used which interact in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Tasaka, Nobuyuki Kameyama
  • Patent number: 5565943
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit has photo film pre-contained in a photo film containing section (14, 70). An exposure is taken on the photo film via a photographic light path (20). An electronic flash device (16) is secured in front of the photo film containing section. The electronic flash device includes a circuit board (27, 69) having a flash circuit, a flash-emitting section, and a charge switch for charging the flash circuit. The charge switch includes two contact points (32a, 32b, 69a, 69b) and a movable switch segment (33, 68a) for contact with the contact point to switch on charging of the flash circuit. A front cover (18, 60, 91) is secured to cover a front of the circuit board. The switch segment is depressible for coming in contact with the contact point. An operable lever (12, 63, 94) is associated with the front cover in rotatable fashion between an erected position and a folded position relative to the front cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuji Muramatsu, Hisashi Tasaka, Yuji Mikami
  • Patent number: 5565945
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film unit is provided with a motor for rotating a spool to wind up photographic film one frame after each exposure. The motor is supplied with a single cell which may be commonly used for charging a flash unit. The rotational movement of the motor is transmitted to the spool through a speed-reduction gear mechanism which reduces the rotational speed at ratios between 100:1 and 280:1. The motor and the gear mechanism are removably mounted in a frame as a motor unit, and the motor unit is removably attached to a main body of the film unit beside a take-up chamber. Forwardly convex contacting portions are exposed to a front portion of the motor unit. The cell is mounted between contact plates having forwardly convex contacting portions. A motor drive switch for controlling start and stop of the motor also has forwardly convex contacting portions exposed to a front side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Tobise, Hirokazu Yokoo, Junichi Takagi, Hisashi Tasaka
  • Patent number: 5506643
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film unit whose film surface disposed behind an exposure aperture is forwardly concave along the longitudinal direction of the film strip so as to correct distortion by the taking lens. The unit has an exposure aperture size changing device constituted of a manually actuated photography mode changing member for selecting either a standard photography mode for forming a standard size picture frame, or a special photography mode in which a special size picture frame smaller than the standard size picture frame may be formed. A pair of aperture masking plates is movable into margins of the exposure aperture, for masking out parts of the exposure aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Tasaka, Nobuyuki Kameyama, Kazuo Okoyama, Mitsuyoshi Mochida
  • Patent number: 5410378
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film unit has a flash device for emitting a flash of light. A charge switch is adapted to bring the flash device into an on-state, either by rotation of a film advancing wheel, or when a shutter device is cocked. When the flash device is in the on-state, a main capacitor is charged so as to allow emission of a flash of light. In a preferred embodiment, the charge switch is initially turned on so as to keep the flash device in the on-state. In another preferred embodiment, the flash device is in the on-state while the charge switch is on, and is in the off-state while the charge switch is off, in response to the shutter device. When the lens-fitted photographic film unit is contained in a wrapper, an insulating tape is inserted between a positive electrode of the battery and a contact segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Tasaka, Hidefumi Obo, Takashi Kubo, Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 5337099
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film unit has a flash device for emitting a flash of light. A charge switch is adapted to bring the flash device into an on-state, either by rotation of a film advancing wheel, or when a shutter device is cocked. When the flash device is in the on-state, a main capacitor is charged so as to allow emission of a flash of light. In a preferred embodiment, the charge switch is initially turned on so as to keep the flash device in the on-state. In another preferred embodiment, the flash device is in the on-state while the charge switch is on, and is in the off-state while the charge switch is off, in response to the shutter device. When the lens-fitted photographic film unit is contained in a wrapper, an insulating tape is inserted between a positive electrode of the battery and a contact segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Tasaka, Hidefumi Obo, Takashi Kubo, Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 5285894
    Abstract: A waterproof casing contains a lens-fitted photographic film unit in a watertight manner so as to take underwater photograph. The waterproof casing is provided with an air flow opening. An air-permeable waterproof sheet is attached to the air flow opening form the inside so that air can pass through the sheet freely so as to regulate the internal pressure of the waterproof casing but water will not enter the waterproof casing. In a preferred embodiment, the waterproof casing consists of a transparent main body with a bottom opening and a bottom lid. The air flow opening is formed os as to be covered by a film winding knob of the waterproof casing. Structure to be fitted in the bottom opening is formed with another air flow opening to which the air-permeable waterproof sheet is attached. Outside this structure is disposed a waterproof sheet having an opening at a position facing the air flow opening of this structure. The waterproof sheet is covered by the bottom lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kamata, Hisashi Tasaka, Takashi Kubo, Takaji Kono