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).
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Patent number: 5159375Abstract: A camera system includes a remote controller and a body of a camera. The remote controller is incorporated in a lens cap of the camera. A photographing magnification for an object is set by the remote controller. A taking lens of the camera is automatically driven to attain an in-focus position defined by a distance to the object and the magnification set by the remote controller. Thus, an image of a desired magnification can be photographed by remote control using the remote controller.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1990Date of Patent: October 27, 1992Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroyuki Okada, Hidekazu Nakajima, Kenji Tsuji, Ikushi Nakamura, Sadafusa Tsuji
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Patent number: 5142317Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 1990Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuteru Yamano, Takehiro Katoh, Akihiko Fujino, Kenji Tsuji, Shuji Izumi, Masaaki Nakai, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
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Patent number: 5113209Abstract: A device is so constructed as to highly accurately detect the photographic distance or the image magnification data by correcting output data of a position detecting means based on the amount of difference between the basic positions of the position detecting means and a focus detecting means. A photographic lens is attached to the device for detecting the photographic distance and the image magnification, which issues data for correcting the output data of the position detecting means.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1990Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masayuki Ueyama, Kenji Tsuji
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Patent number: 5097281Abstract: 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 ouputted 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 1990Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuteru Yamano, Takehiro Katoh, Akihiko Fujino, Kenji Tsuji, Shuji Izumi, Masaki Nakai, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
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Patent number: 5063402Abstract: A lens retracting apparatus for a photo-taking device which comprises an interchangeable photo-taking lens, a main switch selectively switchable between an ON position for enabling an operation of the photo-taking device and an OFF position for inhibiting the operation of the camera, a focus detecting unit, a drive unit for selectively retracting and extending a focusing lens of the photo-taking lens toward an in-focus position on the basis of a result of focus detection carried out by the focus detecting unit, a discriminating unit for determining whether or not the photo-taking lens is retracted to a predetermined position, and a control means for driving the drive unit to retract the photo-taking lens only by switching off the main switch and also for stopping the drive unit when a condition in which the photo-taking lens is retracted to the predetermined position is determined by the discriminating unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1990Date of Patent: November 5, 1991Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takahisa Shimada, Toshio Yamaki, Kenji Tsuji, Masaaki Nakai, Akihiko Fujino, Hiroshi Ootsuka
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Patent number: 5016037Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 1, 1988Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Assignee: Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Kenji Tsuji, Takanobu Omaki, Masaaki Nakai
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Patent number: 5006877Abstract: 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 is 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: GrantFiled: April 17, 1990Date of Patent: April 9, 1991Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takehiro Katoh, Yoshihiko Azuma, Masayasu Hirano, Naohiro Kageyama, Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Hiroshi Ootsuka
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Patent number: 4977423Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 1989Date of Patent: December 11, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuteru Yamano, Takehiro Katch, Akihiko Fujino, Kenji Tsuji, Shuji Izumi, Masaaki Nakai, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
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Patent number: 4970538Abstract: A camera comprising a flash unit attachable to a camera body, a switching device and a control device. The flash unit includes a light emitter switchable between an emission permit state in which the light emitter is projected from a body of the flash device and an emission prohibit state in which the light emitter is retracted into the body. The flash unit further includes a control circuit for selectively placing the light emitter in the emission permit state and the emission prohibit state. A main switch is provided in the camera body to be switchable between a position for permitting a camera operation and a position for prohibiting the camera operation. When the light emitter is placed in the emission permit state when the main switch is switched to the position for permitting the camera operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1990Date of Patent: November 13, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsutomu Ichikawa, Masayuki Yoshii, Norio Ishikawa, Akihiko Fujino, Masayuki Nakasa, Mashio Kitaura, Kenji Tsuji
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Patent number: 4963914Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 1989Date of Patent: October 16, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Kenji Tsuji, Takanobu Omaki, Masaaki Makai
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Patent number: 4951068Abstract: A camera comprising a flash unit attachable to a camera body, a switching device and a control device. The flash unit includes a light emitter switchable between an emission permit state in which the light emitter is projected from a body of the flash device and an emission prohibit state in which the light emitter is retracted into the body. The flash unit further includes a control circuit for selectively placing the light emitter in the emission permit state and the emission prohibit state. A main switch is provided in the camera body to be switchable between a position for permitting a camera operation and a position for prohibiting the camera operation. When the light emitter is placed in the emission permit state when the main switch is switched to the position for permitting the camera operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1989Date of Patent: August 21, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsutomu Ichikawa, Masayuki Yoshii, Norio Ishikawa, Akihiko Fujino, Masayuki Nakasa, Mashio Kitaura, Kenji Tsuji
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Patent number: 4935759Abstract: A system for controlling an illuminating angle of a flashlight includes a stepping motor by which a relative position between a panel and a reflector is controlled to change the illuminating angle. Further, in setting the illuminating angle, the widest angle is set as the starting point, and whereby an unevenness of exposure is not caused though a sudden photography operation is performed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1989Date of Patent: June 19, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Tsuji, Makoto Kamiya
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Patent number: 4924251Abstract: An electronic flash device, detachably attached to a photographic camera, comprising a circuitry for carrying out preparatory operation for a flash photography, an input section for receiving a first start signal from the photographic camera and for outputting the same, signal outputting means responsive to a manual operation for outputting a second start signal, and power supply hold means connected to the circuitry, the input section and to the operational member.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1988Date of Patent: May 8, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Ootsuka
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Patent number: 4899092Abstract: A light emitting device wherein one of a plurality of juxtaposed discharge tubes which is to remain not emitting light is prevented from being caused to emit light by induction by an adjacent one of the discharge tubes which is to emit light, thereby enabling fully independent control of light emission by the discharge tubes. In the light emitting device, trigger electrodes of each adjacent ones of a plurality of juxtaposed discharge tubes are located at opposite positions to each other with respect to the adjacent discharge tubes.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1989Date of Patent: February 6, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Tsuji, Tsutomu Ichikawa
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Patent number: 4887119Abstract: A photographic camera system having a camera and an electronic flash device detachably attached to the camera. The electronic flash device includes an operational member for outputting a control signal in response to a manual operation and a first group of terminals for electrically connecting the electronic flash device to the camera and for providing a control signal therethrough. The camera includes a second group of terminals electrically connected to the first group of terminals, an input section for inputting the control signal through the second group of terminals, a circuitry for carrying out preparatory operation for a photography, and a control circuitry for energizing the circuitry in response to an input of the control signal to the input section.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1988Date of Patent: December 12, 1989Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiko Ishimura, Kenji Tsuji, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Ootsuka
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Patent number: 4870438Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 1987Date of Patent: September 26, 1989Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Kenji Tsuji, Takanobu Omaki, Masaaki Nakai
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Patent number: 4851868Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 1988Date of Patent: July 25, 1989Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Keiji Yamazaki, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Makoto Kamiya, Kenji Tsuji
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Patent number: 4816854Abstract: A close-range lighting flash device comprising an electronic flash unit including a plurality of xenon tubes, an illuminator unit provided integrally in the flash unit and including a plurality of illuminator lamps, a light-transmitting panel arranged in front of both of the xenon tubes and the illuminator lamps, and a control device for energizing the illuminator unit. The light-transmitting panel has first and second portions aligned respectively with the xenon tubes and the illuminator lamps, the second portions having a light diffusing density smaller than that of the first portions.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1987Date of Patent: March 28, 1989Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Tsuji, Tsutomu Ichikawa, Hiroshi Hosomizu
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Patent number: 4797702Abstract: A flash photography system with a camera body and an electronic flash device incorporates first to third terminals in the camera body which are connectable to fourth through sixth terminals in the flash device. A signal is produced to distinguish between first and second modes wherein data is transmitted to the electronic flash device and data from the electronic flash device is transmitted to the camera body, respectively, and connected to the first terminal. Clock pulses control the data transmission and data is read from the electronic flash device and transmitted to the electronic flash device through the second terminal in response to the clock pulses. An initiating signal to cause production of artificial illuminating light from the electronic flash device is provided at the third terminal. In response to the distinguishing signal, selection is made between the first and second modes via the fourth terminal.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1987Date of Patent: January 10, 1989Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Kenji Tsuji, Takanobu Omaki, Masaaki Nakai
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Patent number: 4743929Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 1985Date of Patent: May 10, 1988Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Keiji Yamazaki, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Makoto Kamiya, Kenji Tsuji