Patents by Inventor Kazuyuki Iwasa

Kazuyuki Iwasa 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: 9989728
    Abstract: A plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least two imaging optical systems having different focal lengths. Each imaging optical system includes in order from an object side, a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, a diaphragm member, a focusing lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens unit. The front lens unit includes one of a positive lens and a negative lens as a common lens, and each of at least two imaging optical systems from among the plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least one common lens. At the time of focusing, only the focusing lens unit moves on an optical axis. Each imaging optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1), and the plurality of imaging optical systems satisfy the following conditional expression (2). 0.06<|ffo/f|<0.4??(1) 1.02<ffoLA/ffoSM<2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuteru Kawamura, Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 9671596
    Abstract: A plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least two imaging optical systems, and each imaging optical system includes an identical diaphragm member. Each imaging optical system includes in order from an object side, a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, a focusing lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens unit having a positive refractive power. The diaphragm member is disposed near the focusing lens unit. At the time of focusing, only the focusing lens unit moves on an optical axis. Each imaging optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1), and the plurality of imaging optical systems satisfies the following conditional expressions (2) and (3). 0.5<fff/ffb<1.9??(1) 1?AP?max/AP?min?1.15??(2) 1.02<ffoLA/ffoSM<2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuteru Kawamura, Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20170102514
    Abstract: A plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least two imaging optical systems having different focal lengths. Each imaging optical system includes in order from an object side, a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, a diaphragm member, a focusing lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens unit. The front lens unit includes one of a positive lens and a negative lens as a common lens, and each of at least two imaging optical systems from among the plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least one common lens. At the time of focusing, only the focusing lens unit moves on an optical axis. Each imaging optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1), and the plurality of imaging optical systems satisfy the following conditional expression (2). 0.06<|ffo/f|<0.4??(1) 1.02<ffoLA/ffoSM<2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Kazuteru Kawamura, Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 9557517
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lens barrel that holds a lens system including a plurality of lens groups in which an object-side fixed lens group and image-side fixed lens group that are fixed to both ends of a cylindrical fixed barrel are arranged, and a first focusing lens group and a second focusing lens group that are moving lens groups are arranged inside the fixed barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Toyama, Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 9557540
    Abstract: A plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least two imaging optical systems having different focal lengths. Each imaging optical system includes in order from an object side, a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, a diaphragm member, a focusing lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens unit. The front lens unit includes one of a positive lens and a negative lens as a common lens, and each of at least two imaging optical systems from among the plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least one common lens. At the time of focusing, only the focusing lens unit moves on an optical axis. Each imaging optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1), and the plurality of imaging optical systems satisfy the following conditional expression (2). 0.06<|ffo/f|<0.4??(1) 1.02<ffoLA/ffoSM<2.50??(2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuteru Kawamura, Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20160291298
    Abstract: A plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least two imaging optical systems, and each imaging optical system includes an identical diaphragm member. Each imaging optical system includes in order from an object side, a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, a focusing lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens unit having a positive refractive power. The diaphragm member is disposed near the focusing lens unit. At the time of focusing, only the focusing lens unit moves on an optical axis. Each imaging optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1), and the plurality of imaging optical systems satisfies the following conditional expressions (2) and (3). 0.5<fff/ffb<1.9 ??(1) 1?AP?max/AP?min?1.15 ??(2) 1.02<ffoLA/ffoSM<2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Kazuteru KAWAMURA, Kazuyuki IWASA
  • Publication number: 20160223798
    Abstract: A plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least two imaging optical systems having different focal lengths. Each imaging optical system includes in order from an object side, a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, a diaphragm member, a focusing lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens unit. The front lens unit includes one of a positive lens and a negative lens as a common lens, and each of at least two imaging optical systems from among the plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least one common lens. At the time of focusing, only the focusing lens unit moves on an optical axis. Each imaging optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1), and the plurality of imaging optical systems satisfy the following conditional expression (2). 0.06<|ffo/f|<0.4??(1) 1.02<ffoLA/ffoSM<2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Kazuteru Kawamura, Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 8861094
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a rotational drive source, a lead screw that is provided parallel with an optical axis, and rotates by rotation of the drive source, a lens frame that moves in an optical axis direction, a distance ring that rotates around the optical axis by receiving a manual operation, a guide spur gear that rotates by receiving the rotation of the distance ring, and a nut that is screwed onto the lead screw, wherein when the distance ring is rotated, the nut rotates on the lead screw by being linked with the rotation of the guide spur gear, and moves on the lead screw to press the lens frame in the optical axis direction. When the lead screw rotates by the rotation of the rotational drive source, the nut moves on the lead screw to press the lens frame in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20130329310
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lens barrel that holds a lens system including a plurality of lens groups in which an object-side fixed lens group and image-side fixed lens group that are fixed to both ends of a cylindrical fixed barrel are arranged, and a first focusing lens group and a second focusing lens group that are moving lens groups are arranged inside the fixed barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mitsuru TOYAMA, Kazuyuki IWASA
  • Publication number: 20130057965
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a rotational drive source, a lead screw that is provided parallel with an optical axis, and rotates by rotation of the drive source, a lens frame that moves in an optical axis direction, a distance ring that rotates around the optical axis by receiving a manual operation, a guide spur gear that rotates by receiving the rotation of the distance ring, and a nut that is screwed onto the lead screw, wherein when the distance ring is rotated, the nut rotates on the lead screw by being linked with the rotation of the guide spur gear, and moves on the lead screw to press the lens frame in the optical axis direction. When the lead screw rotates by the rotation of the rotational drive source, the nut moves on the lead screw to press the lens frame in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Kazuyuki IWASA
  • Patent number: 7911721
    Abstract: The present invention includes: a taking lens including a lens group; a distance ring that is operated to rotate around the taking lens; an LD roller capable of rotating in conjunction with the rotational operation of the distance ring; a transducer that is in contact with the LD roller and capable of moving around the taking lens relative to the LD roller; and a rotatable frame member that is capable of moving around the taking lens within a predetermined angle range and supports the transducer, upon the distance ring being rotated manually, the rotatable frame member being rotated via the LD roller and the transducer, and upon the transducer being driven by a drive signal, the transducer moving relative to the LD roller, thereby the rotatable frame member being rotated around the taking lens to move a focusing lens in the taking lens to move in an optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20090097141
    Abstract: The present invention includes: a taking lens including a lens group; a distance ring that is operated to rotate around the taking lens; an LD roller capable of rotating in conjunction with the rotational operation of the distance ring; a transducer that is in contact with the LD roller and capable of moving around the taking lens relative to the LD roller; and a rotatable frame member that is capable of moving around the taking lens within a predetermined angle range and supports the transducer, upon the distance ring being rotated manually, the rotatable frame member being rotated via the LD roller and the transducer, and upon the transducer being driven by a drive signal, the transducer moving relative to the LD roller, thereby the rotatable frame member being rotated around the taking lens to move a focusing lens in the taking lens to move in an optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Kazuyuki IWASA
  • Patent number: 7343092
    Abstract: In the present invention, in a battery adapter to be engaged with a camera body, a tripod screw provided at an upper surface portion is engaged with a tripod screw of the camera body, and a positioning pin is fitted in a positioning hole provided in the camera body. Furthermore, a contact piece support including electrode contact portions is inserted into a battery chamber of the camera body in order to effect electrical connection with battery contact pieces provided in the battery chamber. A waterproofing seal for waterproofing the gap between the contact piece support and the battery chamber is provided around a lower portion of the contact piece support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 7221868
    Abstract: In a camera according to the present invention, an edge portion of a lens barrel unit is projected and arranged from a front cover. The lens barrel unit is covered with a front cover cylindrical member connected to the front cover, and a front exposed portion of the front cover cylindrical member is covered with an exterior cylindrical member as a detachable (before-attaching) metal cylindrical member. The exterior cylindrical member is positioned and is fixed by an stop claw on the front-cover side. A C-shaped stop portion cover having flexibility is made flexible and is attached around the stop claw portion, and is fixed by a screw. The restriction on design is reduced on the appearance for covering the lens barrel unit of the camera, and a camera exterior portion can be made of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Terada, Naohiro Tsuchida, Yutaka Maeda, Kazuyuki Iwasa, Tatsuo Takanashi
  • Publication number: 20050281554
    Abstract: In the present invention, in a battery adapter to be engaged with a camera body, a tripod screw provided at an upper surface portion is engaged with a tripod screw of the camera body, and a positioning pin is fitted in a positioning hole provided in the camera body. Furthermore, a contact piece support including electrode contact portions is inserted into a battery chamber of the camera body in order to effect electrical connection with battery contact pieces provided in the battery chamber. A waterproofing seal for waterproofing the gap between the contact piece support and the battery chamber is provided around a lower portion of the contact piece support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 6904236
    Abstract: In a camera according to the present invention, an edge portion of a lens barrel unit is projected and arranged from a front cover. The lens barrel unit is covered with a front cover cylindrical member connected to the front cover, and a front exposed portion of the front cover cylindrical member is covered with an exterior cylindrical member as a detachable (before-attaching) metal cylindrical member. The exterior cylindrical member is positioned and is fixed by an stop claw on the front-cover side. A C-shaped stop portion cover having flexibility is made flexible and is attached around the stop claw portion, and is fixed by a screw. The restriction on design is reduced on the appearance for covering the lens barrel unit of the camera, and a camera exterior portion can be made of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Terada, Naohiro Tsuchida, Yutaka Maeda, Kazuyuki Iwasa, Tatsuo Takanashi
  • Patent number: 6811331
    Abstract: A lens shutter system has an inner drive ring which is rotated by a drive motor and an outer drive ring which is rotated by the drive motor. A plurality of shutter blades of the lens shutter system are driven through drive pins of the inner drive ring and drive pins of the outer drive ring so as to be opened and closed or are rotatably supported by the respective pins of the rings. Upon shutter opening, only the inner drive ring is driven clockwise to open the shutter blades. Upon shutter closing, only the outer drive ring is similarly driven clockwise to close the shutter blades. As mentioned above, upon switching between shutter opening mode and shutter closing mode, the direction of rotation of the inner and outer drive rings is not changed. Thus, the shutter operation can be performed at high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20040076424
    Abstract: In a camera according to the present invention, an edge portion of a lens barrel unit is projected and arranged from a front cover. The lens barrel unit is covered with a front cover cylindrical member connected to the front cover, and a front exposed portion of the front cover cylindrical member is covered with an exterior cylindrical member as a detachable (before-attaching) metal cylindrical member. The exterior cylindrical member is positioned and is fixed by an stop claw on the front-cover side. A C-shaped stop portion cover having flexibility is made flexible and is attached around the stop claw portion, and is fixed by a screw. The restriction on design is reduced on the appearance for covering the lens barrel unit of the camera, and a camera exterior portion can be made of metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Terada, Naohiro Tsuchida, Yutaka Maeda, Kazuyuki Iwasa, Tatsuo Takanashi
  • Publication number: 20040042785
    Abstract: A lens shutter system has an inner drive ring which is rotated by a drive motor and an outer drive ring which is rotated by the drive motor. A plurality of shutter blades of the lens shutter system are driven through drive pins of the inner drive ring and drive pins of the outer drive ring so as to be opened and closed or are rotatably supported by the respective pins of the rings. Upon shutter opening, only the inner drive ring is driven clockwise to open the shutter blades. Upon shutter closing, only the outer drive ring is similarly driven clockwise to close the shutter blades. As mentioned above, upon switching between shutter opening mode and shutter closing mode, the direction of rotation of the inner and outer drive rings is not changed. Thus, the shutter operation can be performed at high speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Sayuri Watanabe, Kazuyuki Iwasa, Namiko Yukitake
  • Patent number: 6443636
    Abstract: A stop device of the present invention mainly comprises a cam frame M (frame member), a flare stop (stop member) and a key ring for guiding the linear movement of the flare stop. When a lens barrel is collapsed, the cam frame M is driven linearly, whereas then the lens barrel is zoomed, it is rotated as well as advanced and retracted. The flare stop is accommodated in the vicinity of the frame M in a collapsed state, and the arm sections of the flare stop are reliably secured by the key ring and the cam frame M in a photographing state. Consequently, according to the stop device, the stop device can obtain a good flare stop state by securing a proper distance between itself and the cam frame M. Further, the space occupied by the stop device can be reduced and the lens barrel to which the stop device is assembled can be reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Iwasa