Patents by Inventor Kenji Tsuji

Kenji Tsuji 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: 5969794
    Abstract: A camera has a release button, a shutter which operates upon depression the release button, light emitting diode that emits light used to record information on the film, a power source, a switch that closes in response to the operation of the release button to provide power to the light emitting diode, the switch having a first contact point connected to the power source and a second contact point connected to the light emitting diode, and a selecting member movably supported between a first position at which the selecting member prevents the closing of the first and second contact points and a second position at which the selecting member does not prevent the closing of the first and second contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tsuji, Yasuaki Serita, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 5799215
    Abstract: A camera system comprises a brightness measuring circuit, a exposure line choosing circuit, an operable switch, a film driver and a film driving mode selector. The brightness measuring circuit measures brightness of a photographic scene to send a brightness value. The exposure line choosing circuit chooses one of a plurality of exposure lines in which each lines selects a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed value at each brightness value. The film driver drives a film in either of a first mode in which the film is wound only one frame in response to the operation of the operable switch and a second mode in which the film is wound frame by frame continuously as long as the operable member is operated. The film driving mode selector selects one of the modes in accordance with the exposure line chosen by the choosing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Katoh, Yoshihiko Azuma, Masayasu Hirano, Naohiro Kageyama, Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5724621
    Abstract: A camera is detachably mountable with a film cartridge which is provided with a photographic film having a number of successive frames and a film state indicator operable to indicate an exposed state that the film is already exposed, and includes: a film feeding device which feeds the film in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction; a recording device which records a specified data on the film when the film is being fed in the first direction; a judging device which judges whether the specified data is recorded on the film when the film is being fed in the second direction; and a setting device which is responsive to the judging device and associated with the film state indicator of the film cartridge, and is operable to cause the film state indicator to indicate the exposed state when the specified data is judged not to be recorded on the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Serita, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 5671456
    Abstract: A microcomputer provided in a camera body uses a data signal read by sensors facing the data disk of a film cartridge as a positional signal to set the stop position of the spool for providing exposed/unexposed indication to the film. The voltage of the power supply of the camera is detected to modulate a pulse duration by which the number of rotations of the motor can be kept constant in rewinding the film. The sensors are disposed upstream in the rotational direction of the data disk by a certain angle .theta. with respect to the point at which the spool is stopped in order to prevent the dislocation between the display mark of the cartridge and the pointing mark of the data disk. The microcomputer discriminates whether or not data has been read. The mechanism for feeding the film is controlled to set the film at a predetermined position after the decision that the data has been read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Tsuji, Toshihito Kido, Satoshi Hamada
  • Patent number: 5666572
    Abstract: A camera, which uses a film cartridge having a film exposure status display, comprises an E2PROM. The E2PROM stores the fact that the film status determination operation is underway when film status determination operation is underway. When a power supply is removed while the film status determination is operating and then the power supply is mounted, the camera operates an initial process. The film exposure status display is set in `exposed` because the E2PROM holds that the film status determination operation is underway. A camera is .provided that deems the film in the film cartridge to have been exposed and does not perform exposure if the power supply is cut off while the determination of the film status of the film in the film cartridge mounted in the camera is underway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tsuji, Yasuaki Serita, Toshihito Kido, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 5617161
    Abstract: A camera includes: a data generating device which generates a plurality of kinds of data; a data designating device which designates a kind of data to be recorded among the plurality of kinds of data; a record data setting device which sets the kind of data designated by the data designating device as record data when the data designating device designates it, and sets a predetermined kind of data as record data when the data designating device designates no kinds of data; and a recording device which records the set record data on a film mounted on the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Serita, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 5576786
    Abstract: A camera system comprises a brightness measuring circuit, a exposure line choosing circuit, an operable switch, a film driver and a film driving mode selector. The brightness measuring circuit measures brightness of a photographic scene to send a brightness value. The exposure line choosing circuit chooses one of a plurality of exposure lines in which each lines selects a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed value at each brightness value. The film driver drives a film in either of a first mode in which the film is wound only one frame in response to the operation of the operable switch and a second mode in which the film is wound frame by frame continuously as long as the operable member is operated. The film driving mode selector selects one of the modes in accordance with the exposure line chosen by the choosing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Katoh, Yoshihiko Azuma, Masayasu Hirano, Naohiro Kageyama, Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5539495
    Abstract: A camera system comprises a brightness measuring circuit, a exposure line choosing circuit, an operable switch, a film driver and a film driving mode selector.The brightness measuring circuit measures brightness of a photographic scene to send a brightness value. The exposure line choosing circuit chooses one of a plurality of exposure lines in which each lines selects a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed value at each brightness value. The film driver drives a film in either of a first mode in which the film is wound only one frame in response to the operation of the operable switch and a second mode in which the film is wound frame by frame continuously as long as the operable member is operated. The film driving mode selector selects one of the modes in accordance with the exposure line chosen by the choosing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Katoh, Yoshihiko Azuma, Masayasu Hirano, Naohiro Kageyama, Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5504552
    Abstract: A camera system comprises a brightness measuring circuit, a exposure line choosing circuit, an operable switch, a film driver and a film driving mode selector. The brightness measuring circuit measures brightness of a photographic scene to send a brightness value. The exposure line choosing circuit chooses one of a plurality of exposure lines in which each lines selects a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed value at each brightness value. The film driver drives a film in either of a first mode in which the film is wound only one frame in response to the operation of the operable switch and a second mode in which the film is wound frame by frame continuously as long as the operable member is operated. The film driving mode selector selects one of the modes in accordance with the exposure line chosen by the choosing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Katoh, Yoshihiko Azuma, Masayasu Hirano, Naohiro Kageyama, Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5452047
    Abstract: A device determines an aperture value Av and a time value Tv for controlling exposure, on the basis of the detected focal length, the detected image magnification and brightness of an object. First, a type of photography is determined according to the focal length (f) and a image magnification .beta., on the basis of fuzzy logic. Then, a combination of an aperture value Av and a time value Tv which are proper for the so-determined type of photography is automatically determined. The combination can be changed by a manual operation. If the combination is changed, a display showing a depth of field corresponding to the changed aperture value Av is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiko Fujii, Kenji Tsuji, Kenji Ishibashi, Tatsuya Suzuki, Katsuyuki Nanba
  • Patent number: 5384611
    Abstract: A camera system capable of wireless flash photographing, comprising a camera and an external flash unit, wherein the external flash unit transmits a discriminating data such as a synchronized shutter speed with a wireless flash photographing, and the camera receives the discriminating data. According to the received data, a phototaking operation of the camera is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Tsuji, Akihiko Fujino, Tsutomu Ichikawa, Reiji Seki, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 5319413
    Abstract: A camera system comprises a brightness measuring circuit, a exposure line choosing circuit, an operable switch, a film driver and a film driving mode selector.The brightness measuring circuit measures brightness of a photographic scene to send a brightness value. The exposure line choosing circuit chooses one of a plurality of exposure lines in which each lines selects a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed value at each brightness value. The film driver drives a film in either of a first mode in which the film is wound only one frame in response to the operation of the operable switch and a second mode in which the film is wound frame by frame continuously as long as the operable member is operated. The film driving mode selector selects one of the modes in accordance with the exposure line chosen by the choosing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Katoh, Yoshihiko Azuma, Masayasu Hirano, Naohiro Kageyama, Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5272500
    Abstract: A flash photographing system includes a camera body, a flash controller connected to the camera body and three flash devices: the first flash device is directly mounted on the camera body; the second flash device is mounted on the flash controller; and the third flash device is connected through a suitable cord to the flash controller. A microcomputer is provided in the camera body and also in each of the flash devices so as to control the three flash devices in various different modes of operations, such as simultaneous flash mode, sequence flash mode, and yet providing an appropriate amount of light for the proper exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Kenji Tsuji, Takanobu Omaki, Masaaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 5235379
    Abstract: A camera system comprises a selector, an operable switch, a changing circuit and an inhibiting circuit. The selector selects one of a plurality of exposure lines. The changing circuit change as combination of the aperture value and the shutter speed value determine by both the selected exposure line and a brightness value in response to the operation of the operable switch. The inhibiting circuit inhibits the operation of changing circuit when a predetermined exposure line is selected by the selector. In the camera system, a photographer may only select the exposure mode through the operable switch in accordance with his intention and purpose in photography, and then the change of the exposure combination is inhibited in a certain exposure mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Katoh, Yoshihiko Azuma, Masayasu Hirano, Naohiro Kageyama, Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5233384
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the flash photographing system having a first exposure controlling mode and a second exposure controlling mode which includes a selecting device for selecting either the first exposure controlling mode or the second exposure controlling mode; a flash emitting device for emitting a flash; a controlling device for deciding whether or not a flash emission is required and allowing the second means to be in the state in which a flash can be emitted when a flash emission is required, and not allowing the second means to be in the state in which a flash can be emitted in the first exposure controlling mode when a flash emission is not required, and allowing the second means to be in the state in which a flash can be emitted every time a photograph is taken in the second exposure controlling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Katoh, Akihiko Fujino, Kenji Tsuji, Shuji Izumi, Masaaki Nakai, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5223884
    Abstract: A camera includes an object distance detecting device. The detected object distance can be used to calculate magnification which, in turn, can be used to determine an aperture value. The object distance detecting device can be selectively operated depending on, for example, whether flash lighting is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiro Katoh, Yoshihiko Azuma, Masayasu Hirano, Naohiro Kageyama, Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5214465
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an exposure calculation apparatus which includes plural light measuring devices for measuring lights incident on a plurality of regions of a photographing image plane and outputting measured data of the lights; plural devices for detecting the focusing conditions of objects present in a plurality of the regions of the photographing image plane and outputting data on the focusing conditions; a position detecting devices for detecting the position which a main object occupies in the photographing image plane on the data on the focusing condition outputted from the focusing conditions detecting devices; calculation device for making a plurality of calculations each of which is made depending on at least one of the data of measured lighs outputted from the light measuring devices; and selecting devices for selecting one of the plurality of calculations on the position detected by the position detecting devices and the data on the focusing conditions of the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuteru Yamano, Takehiro Katoh, Akihiko Fujino, Kenji Tsuji, Shuji Izumi, Masaaki Nakai, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5202720
    Abstract: A photographic camera which comprises an electronic flash unit for firing a flash light for illuminating a target object to be photographed when an image of the target object is desired to be exposed on a light senistive film, a preliminarily flash unit activated prior to the flash light fired by the electronic flash unit to emit a preliminary flash light necessary to cause the pupils of the target object to close, a manipulating unit for selecting a mode in which the preliminarily flash unit is activated, a determining circuit for determining the necessity of the preliminary flash light under a predetermined condition; and a display device for providing, on the basis of a result of determination made by the determining circuit, an indication that the preliminary flash light is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Fujino, Kenji Tsuji, Hidehiko Fujii, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Sadafusa Tsuji
  • Patent number: 5162835
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an exposure calculation apparatus which includes plural light measuring devices for measuring lights incident on a plurality of regions of a photographing image plane and outputting measured data of the lights; plural devices for detecting the focusing conditions of objects present in a plurality of the regions of the photographing image plane and outputting data on the focusing conditions; a position detecting devices for detecting the position which a main object occupies in the photographing image plane on the data on the focusing condition outputted from the focusing conditions detecting devices; calculation device for making a plurality of calculations each of which is made depending on at least one of the data of measured lights outputted from the light measuring devices; and selecting devices for selecting one of the plurality of calculations on the position detected by the position detecting devices and the data on the focusing conditions of the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuteru Yamano, Takehiro Katoh, Akihiko Fujino, Kenji Tsuji, Shuji Izumi, Masaaki Nakai, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: RE34558
    Abstract: A flash device for use in association with a camera is disclosed. The camera provides focal length data representing a focal length of a lens mounted on the camera to the flash device. The flash device comprises a body portion, a flash head pivotally mounted on the body portion, a xenon tube provided in the flash head for emitting a flash light, and a lens is provided in front of the light emitting means movably to change the angle of the cone of the flash light. A driving circuit, controlled by a microcomputer, is provided for driving the lens in response to the focal length data to set the angle of the cone of the flash light correspondingly to the focal length. A pivot detector is provided for detecting the pivotal movement of the flash head. When the pivotal movement is detected, the microcomputer controls the driving circuit so as not to drive the lens but to maintain the lens, during and after the pivotal movement, in the same position as it was before the pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Keiji Yamazaki, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Makoto Kamiya, Kenji Tsuji