Patents by Inventor Keiji Osawa

Keiji Osawa 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).

  • Publication number: 20240066722
    Abstract: Without an increase in the cost, a movable range is defined. A first joint mechanism includes a base part, and a rotary part that rotates relatively to the base part. The first joint mechanism includes a regulated part that rotates together with the rotary part, a regulating part that is disposed on the extension of the rotation locus of the regulated part, and that has a function of regulating rotation of the regulated part relative to the base part, within a first movable range, and a movable range defining member that is disposed on either the base part or the rotary part, and that defines, as a movable range of the regulated part, a second movable range that is narrower than the first movable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Katsutsugu Fukamachi, Keiji Togawa, Hiroshi Osawa
  • Patent number: 7929858
    Abstract: An image-capturing element that receives light of a subject image entering within a camera body through an interchangeable photographic lens is packaged and is mounted at the camera body via a holder. A camera-side mounting surface and a holder-side mounting surface are machined in advance and formed respectively relative to the mounting surface for the photographic lens formed at the camera body and the light-receiving surface of the image-capturing element. By mounting the image-capturing apparatus with the camera-side mounting surface and the holder-side mounting surface placed in contact with each other at the camera body using screws, the light-receiving surface is aligned with the image-forming position of the photographic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ezawa, Keiji Osawa, Akira Yamamoto, Takayuki Uchiyama, Yousuke Kowno, Katsumasa Nishijima, Tomoyuki Takada
  • Patent number: 7075719
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate 1a to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10? and L20? emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L11, L12, L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutilo, Chilean nitrate, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Osawa
  • Publication number: 20060139752
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate 1a to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10? and L20? emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate id along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L11, L12, L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutile, Chilean nitrate, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji Osawa, Kiyoshige Shibazaki
  • Publication number: 20050041137
    Abstract: By using a focal plane shutter having one set of shutter blades as a shielding member of an image pick-up element, it is possible to miniaturize the shutter compared to a focal plane shutter having two sets of blades. This enables the operation to be simplified, and also saves space. Furthermore, in an electronic camera having this focal plane shutter, because the shooting lens side of the image pick-up element that is disposed in the main camera body can be disposed protruding into the shutter unit, the length of the main camera body in the direction of the optical path of the shooting lens can be reduced, and it is possible to form the main camera body small compared to a conventional main camera body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Ezawa, Keiji Osawa
  • Publication number: 20050030421
    Abstract: An image-capturing element that receives light of a subject image entering within a camera body through an interchangeable photographic lens is packaged and is mounted at the camera body via a holder. A camera-side mounting surface and a holder-side mounting surface are machined in advance and formed respectively relative to the mounting surface for the photographic lens formed at the camera body and the light-receiving surface of the image-capturing element. By mounting the image-capturing apparatus with the camera-side mounting surface and the holder-side mounting surface placed in contact with each other at the camera body using screws, the light-receiving surface is aligned with the image-forming position of the photographic lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Ezawa, Keiji Osawa, Akira Yamamoto, Takayuki Uchiyama, Yousuke Kowno, Katsumasa Nishijima, Tomoyuki Takada
  • Patent number: 6803961
    Abstract: An image-capturing element that receives light of a subject image entering within a camera body through an interchangeable photographic lens is packaged and is mounted at the camera body via a holder. A camera-side mounting surface and a holder-side mounting surface are machined in advance and formed respectively relative to the mounting surface for the photographic lens formed at the camera body and the light-receiving surface of the image-capturing element. By mounting the image-capturing apparatus with the camera-side mounting surface and the holder-side mounting surface placed in contact with each other at the camera body using screws, the light-receiving surface is aligned with the image-forming position of the photographic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ezawa, Keiji Osawa, Akira Yamamoto, Takayuki Uchiyama, Yousuke Kowno, Katsumasa Nishijima, Tomoyuki Takada
  • Patent number: 6778325
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate 1a to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10′ and L20′ emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L11, L12. L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutile, Chilean nitrate, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Osawa
  • Publication number: 20040042078
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate la to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate la are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10′ and L20′ emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L11, L12, L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutile, Chilean nitrate, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Osawa, Kiyoshige Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 6650474
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate 1a to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10′ and L20′ emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L12, L12, L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutile, Chilean nitrate, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Osawa
  • Publication number: 20020149847
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate 1a to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10′ and L20′ emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L11, L12. L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutile, Chilean nitrate, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji Osawa, Kiyoshige Shibazaki
  • Publication number: 20020145802
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate 1a to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10′ and L20′ emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L12, L12, L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutile, Chilean nitrate, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiji Osawa
  • Patent number: 6392803
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate la to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10′ and L20′ emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L11, L12, L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutile. Chilean nitrate, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Osawa
  • Patent number: 6327085
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate 1a to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1. The two light fluxes L10′ and L20′ emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L11, L12, L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Osawa, Kiyoshige Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 6272292
    Abstract: An electronic flash unit is caused to perform a pre-flash immediately before a photographing operation, and the quantity of light reflected by the subject during the pre-flash is measured by a flash metering unit. Based upon the output from the flash metering unit, a decision is made as to whether or not another pre-flash is to be implemented. Based upon the results of the decision-making, another pre-flash is performed if necessary. Thus, if the quantity of light measured by the flash metering unit during the pre-flash is too small or too large and a sufficient degree of accuracy is not achieved in the measurement, another pre-flash is performed to assure a high degree of accuracy in metering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Iwasaki, Keiji Osawa
  • Publication number: 20010005283
    Abstract: Light emitted from a taking lens 20 enters a first birefringent plate la to be spatially divided along a first direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light advances to achieve two separate rays L10 and L20. The vibrational planes of the two light fluxes L10 and L20 emitted from the first birefringent plate 1a are converted to a circularly polarized light by a phase plate 1c. The two light fluxes L10′ and L20′ emitted from the phase plate 1c are each spatially divided into two by a second birefringent plate 1d along a second direction extending perpendicular to the first direction to achieve four separate rays L11, L12, L21 and L22, to be guided to an imaging plane 15a of an imaging device 15. At least either the first birefringent plate or the second birefringent plate is constituted of lithium niobate, rutile. Chilean nitrate, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji Osawa, Kiyoshige Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 5875360
    Abstract: A focus detection device that is capable of performing focus detection in several focus detection areas within a photographic image plane using, for example, a phase difference method and that uses an auxiliary illumination light with at least one of the areas also includes infrared light cut filters that block the transmission of light above predetermined wavelengths. In particular, the maximum wavelength of the light transmitted by the infrared cut filter for one of the focus detection areas is different than the maximum wavelength of the light transmitted by the infrared cut filter for another one of the focus detection areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Osawa
  • Patent number: 5678074
    Abstract: A power focus device for a camera provides a user-friendly lever interface allowing efficient camera operation. A lever, located outside a camera cover, is movable in two opposing directions but is biased to remain at a neutral position between two extremes of movement. Moving the lever from the neutral position initiates driving the camera lens to focus in either a first or a second direction according to a direction of a displacement of the lever from the neutral position. A speed of focusing is proportional to an amount of displacement of the lever from the neutral position, thus permitting variable high and low speed focusing in both directions for rapid and accurate close-up and infinity focussing. Incorporating a seal into the device permits use in underwater camera applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Mori, Keiji Osawa
  • Patent number: 5498864
    Abstract: A focus detection apparatus that detects focusing conditions among multiple viewing areas within an image plane of a camera in order to guarantee equal focusing precision among the multiple viewing areas. The focus detection apparatus includes an aperture mask, a secondary imaging lens, and a line sensor which are assembled as a sub-unit. Each area of a multitude of viewing areas is provided with such a sub-unit to perform cross-eye adjustments. Finally, each sub-unit is aligned for installation on a main unit that is equipped with a field lens in order to perform pupil exit adjustments independently for each of the aforementioned viewing areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Osawa
  • Patent number: 5412445
    Abstract: A power focus device for a camera provides a user-friendly lever interface allowing efficient camera operation. A lever, located outside a camera cover, is movable in two opposing directions but is biased to remain at a neutral position between two extremes of movement. Moving the lever from the neutral position initiates driving the camera lens to focus in either a first or a second direction according to a direction of a displacement of the lever from the neutral position. A speed of focusing is proportional to an amount of displacement of the lever from the neutral position, thus permitting variable high and low speed focusing in both directions for rapid and accurate close-up and infinity focussing. Incorporating a seal into the device permits use in underwater camera applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Mori, Keiji Osawa