Patents by Inventor Minoru Ishiguro

Minoru Ishiguro 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: 7772744
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a small ultrasonic actuator whose voltage control is easy. The ultrasonic actuator acts on a rotatable rotor to rotate the rotor, the ultrasonic actuator includes: a plate vibrator having one end which contacts the rotor, a corner portion bent at a midpoint in the vibrator, and the other end which is fixed; and a piezoelectric device which contacts a part of the vibrator between the one end and the corner portion, and transmits a vibration to the vibrator by vibrating in response to application of an alternating voltage between one of electrodes provided respectively on both surfaces or the plate vibrator serving as the one of the electrodes and the other of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Ishiguro, Shinichi Yamamoto, Manabu Aoyagi
  • Publication number: 20090072666
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a small ultrasonic actuator whose voltage control is easy. The ultrasonic actuator acts on a rotatable rotor to rotate the rotor, the ultrasonic actuator includes: a plate vibrator having one end which contacts the rotor, a corner portion bent at a midpoint in the vibrator, and the other end which is fixed; and a piezoelectric device which contacts a part of the vibrator between the one end and the corner portion, and transmits a vibration to the vibrator by vibrating in response to application of an alternating voltage between one of electrodes provided respectively on both surfaces or the plate vibrator serving as the one of the electrodes and the other of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Minoru Ishiguro, Shinichi Yamamoto, Manabu Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 6801718
    Abstract: Modes of a camera are classified into groups according to their type. On an LCD panel, the different groups are displayed on different rows, and modes to be selected out of each group are displayed in different columns. Group selection is accomplished by vertically manipulating a selector button, and mode selection out of each group is accomplished by laterally manipulating the selector button. This makes possible displaying of selectable modes classified by group on the LCD panel in a way perceivable at a glance. Furthermore, the choice of a group and that of a mode within each group are matched in the mode display arrangement to facilitate the operation for mode selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Umetsu, Haruo Onozuka, Minoru Ishiguro, Yasuhiro Nishitani, Kunihiko Tanaka, Makoto Akiba
  • Publication number: 20020176709
    Abstract: Modes of a camera are classified into groups according to their type. On an LCD panel, the different groups are displayed on different rows, and modes to be selected out of each group are displayed in different columns. Group selection is accomplished by vertically manipulating a selector button, and mode selection out of each group is accomplished by laterally manipulating the selector button. This makes possible displaying of selectable modes classified by group on the LCD panel in a way perceivable at a glance. Furthermore, the choice of a group and that of a mode within each group are matched in the mode display arrangement to facilitate the operation for mode selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Umetsu, Haruo Onozuka, Minoru Ishiguro, Yasuhiro Nishitani, Kunihiko Tanaka, Makoto Akiba
  • Patent number: 6374058
    Abstract: A magnetic recording and regenerating unit for photographic film and a camera, which feed photographic film coated with a magnetic recording layer, records magnetic information in the magnetic recording layer, and regenerates magnetic information from the magnetic recording layer. In the magnetic recording and regenerating unit for a camera, the number of turns of a coil wound around a core included in a magnetic head is small. Thus, one magnetic head is able to record and regenerate magnetic information. The number of turns of the coil is determined so as to output a regenerated waveform which does not enable reading of the magnetic information but permits determination of whether any magnetic information is recorded or not. Whether any magnetic information is recorded or not is determined based on the output voltage from a smoothing circuit, a peak hold circuit, etc. which receive signals output from the magnetic head via an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., LTD, Fuji Optical Co., LTD
    Inventors: Wataru Sasaki, Minoru Ishiguro, Akihiko Funaki
  • Patent number: 6374056
    Abstract: A camera with a magnetic recording device that may record optional data on a magnetic recording layer of a photo filmstrip while the photo filmstrip is advanced by one frame after each exposure. The optional data is print number data designating the number of copies to print from a picture frame and/or caption data designating a content and a language of a caption to print with a picture frame. The optional data is selectable by photographers for each picture frame by operating a multi-operation button when the camera is put in a mode set-up standby stage upon a shift switch being turned on by pushing a shift button. The multi-operation button is virtually divided into four sections. The camera is put in a print number setting mode when one of the sections that is provided with a mark indicating the print number setting mode, is pressed in the mode set-up standby stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Umetsu, Minoru Ishiguro, Junichi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6356714
    Abstract: A cartridge information reading part determines whether a film loaded in a camera is a negative film or a positive film. If the film is the negative film whose latitude is large, then an electronic flash is used even when an appropriate exposure can be obtained without the light of the electronic flash. The exposure by the electronic flash is added to an exposure by the external light, and the shooting is performed with a high exposure. Meanwhile, if the film is the positive film whose latitude is small, then the exposure by the electronic flash added to the exposure by the external light is reduced, or the light-emission of the electronic flash is prohibited, and thus a photograph of a good quality can be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Minoru Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 6356717
    Abstract: A flexible circuit board has a magnetic head interface IC soldered on a tongue-shaped portion, which is folded such that the magnetic head interface IC is put inside. A front and a rear side of the magnetic head interface IC is covered with shield patterns. After exposure, the magnetic head interface IC drives the magnetic head to record some information of photography to a recording area in a photo film. When an film cartridge is loaded, the information in the recording area is read out for finding an unexposed frame. In recording and reading, the shield patterns absorb magnetic waves generated nearby the magnetic head interface IC, so that recording and reading signals are not interfered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Tanaka, Minoru Ishiguro, Yukio Okazaki
  • Patent number: 6341201
    Abstract: A camera system includes a taking lens and a lens cover type of operation card. The operation card incorporates a function of operating the camera system and covers the taking lens when attached to a front of the camera. The operation card may also be attached to another surface of the camera, and may be entirely detached from the camera and used as a remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Ishiguro, Yasuhiko Tanaka, Fumio Iwai, Yasuhiro Nishitani, Kazuhisa Horikiri
  • Patent number: 6314243
    Abstract: In a camera with a shutter that also works as a diaphragm and adjusts an aperture of a lens and a shutter speed by controlling an opening shape, a first opening value for obtaining a target exposure is found according to a subject distance, a guide number of an electronic flash, a film speed and a control target value of an exposure of the electronic flash. Then, a range of a second opening value for an electronic flash light-emission control is found according to an exposure value determined from a photometry value and the film speed. When the photometry value is more than a predetermined value for an AE control, if the first opening value is more than a predetermined value lower than a minimum value of the range of the second opening value or more than the predetermined value higher than a maximum value of the range of the second opening value, the light-emission of the electronic flash is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Ishiguro
  • Publication number: 20010036364
    Abstract: A magnetic recording and regenerating unit for photographic film and a camera, which feed photographic film coated with a magnetic recording layer, records magnetic information in the magnetic recording layer, and regenerates magnetic information from the magnetic recording layer. In the magnetic recording and regenerating unit for a camera, the number of turns of a coil wound around a core included in a magnetic head is small. Thus, one magnetic head is able to record and regenerate magnetic information. The number of turns of the coil is determined so as to output a regenerated waveform which does not enable reading of the magnetic information but permits determination of whether any magnetic information is recorded or not. Whether any magnetic information is recorded or not is determined based on the output voltage from a smoothing circuit, a peak hold circuit, etc. which receive signals output from the magnetic head via an amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.,
    Inventors: Wataru Sasaki, Minoru Ishiguro, Akihiko Funaki
  • Publication number: 20010017988
    Abstract: A flexible circuit board has a magnetic head interface IC soldered on a tongue-shaped portion, which is folded such that the magnetic head interface IC is put inside. A front and a rear side of the magnetic head interface IC is covered with shield patterns. After exposure, the magnetic head interface IC drives the magnetic head to record some information of photography to a recording area in a photo film. When an film cartridge is loaded, the information in the recording area is read out for finding an unexposed frame. In recording and reading, the shield patterns absorb magnetic waves generated nearby the magnetic head interface IC, so that recording and reading signals are not interfered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.,
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Tanaka, Minoru Ishiguro, Yukio Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20010012453
    Abstract: A camera for use with a filmstrip having a magnetic track along a longitudinal side of a frame thereof which is equipped with a magnetic recording head positioned at a distance from one side of the magnetic track for a frame positioned in an exposure aperture and determines, based on the distance, a length of advancement by which the filmstrip is advanced before starting data recording with the magnetic recording head and provides a data recording command to actuate the magnetic recording head to start recording the data on the magnetic track for the exposed frame when a advanced length monitoring device detects an advanced length of the filmstrip equal to the length of advancement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: YASUHIRO NISHITANI, FUMIO IWAI, MINORU ISHIGURO
  • Patent number: 6266487
    Abstract: A magnetic recording and Regenerating unit for photographic film and a camera, which feed photographic film coated with a magnetic recording layer, records magnetic information in the magnetic recording layer, and regenerates magnetic information from the magnetic recording layer. In the magnetic recording and regenerating unit for a camera, the number of turns of a coil wound around a core included in a magnetic head is small. Thus, one magnetic head is able to record and regenerate magnetic information. The number of turns of the coil is determined so as to output a regenerated waveform which does not enable reading of the magnetic information but permits determination of whether any magnetic information is recorded or not. Whether any magnetic information is recorded or not is determined based on the output voltage from a smoothing circuit, a peak hold circuit, etc. which receive signals output from the magnetic head via an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Fuji Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Sasaki, Minoru Ishiguro, Akihiko Funaki
  • Patent number: 6181879
    Abstract: A magnetic recording and regenerating unit for photographic film and a camera, which feed photographic film coated with a magnetic recording layer, records magnetic information in the magnetic recording layer, and regenerates magnetic information from the magnetic recording layer. In the magnetic recording and regenerating unit for a camera, the number of turns of a coil wound around a core included in a magnetic head is small. Thus, one magnetic head is able to record and regenerate magnetic information. The number of turns of the coil is determined so as to output a regenerated waveform which does not enable reading of the magnetic information but permits determination of whether any magnetic information is recorded or not. Whether any magnetic information is recorded or not is determined based on the output voltage from a smoothing circuit, a peak hold circuit, etc. which receive signals output from the magnetic head via an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Sasaki, Minoru Ishiguro, Akihiko Funaki
  • Patent number: 6163654
    Abstract: A camera which determines whether a film cartridge loaded in the camera is a partial cartridge, containing photographic film having an exposed frame and an unexposed frame, or not, and feeds the photographic film from the loaded film cartridge up to a first unexposed frame if determining that the loaded film cartridge is a partial cartridge, the camera includes a first battery checking unit defined by a first determination means for determining whether voltage of a battery in the camera is more than a first threshold level, and first prohibiting means for prohibiting photographing if the loaded film cartridge is not determined as being the partial cartridge and determining, the first determination means determines that the voltage of the battery is less than the first threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Sasaki, Minoru Ishiguro, Akihiko Funaki
  • Patent number: 6141502
    Abstract: A magnetic recording and regenerating unit for photographic film and a camera, which feed photographic film coated with a magnetic recording layer, records magnetic information in the magnetic recording layer, and regenerates magnetic information from the magnetic recording layer. In the magnetic recording and regenerating unit for a camera, the number of turns of a coil wound around a core included in a magnetic head is small. Thus, one magnetic head is able to record and regenerate magnetic information. The number of turns of the coil is determined so as to output a regenerated waveform which does not enable reading of the magnetic information but permits determination of whether any magnetic information is recorded or not. Whether any magnetic information is recorded or not is determined based on the output voltage from a smoothing circuit, a peak hold circuit, etc. which receive signals output from the magnetic head via an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Sasaki, Minoru Ishiguro, Akihiko Funaki
  • Patent number: 6064832
    Abstract: A compact camera has a built-in light-emitting display device which displays, as print information, a specific code. The specific code includes alphabetical characters when a print information set switch is operated. The device is alternatively allowed to display a six digit number. The alphabetical characters or number represents date information pertaining to exposure of a film frame, including a year, a month and a date. The print information appears as a visible image on developed film and is optically read by a photographic printer so as to automatically set the photographic printer to a printing condition determined by the print information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Muneyoshi Sato, Hideo Kobayashi, Minoru Ishiguro, Hideo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6029015
    Abstract: An ever-flash exposure control system for a built-in flash camera controls a shutter to open and close so as to provide a standard exposure for scene brightness which are higher than standard scene brightness for which the shutter provides a full aperture to complete the standard exposure and triggers an electronic flash to provide illumination light at a time at which the shutter reaches an aperture according to a subject distance during exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 6026249
    Abstract: A camera which includes a recording unit for recording photographic information in a record area on a magnetic layer of a photographic film for each exposed frame, and a regenerating unit for scanning the magnetic layer to determine the presence or absence of the recorded information. The regenerating unit includes a magnetic head for scanning the magnetic layer and generating a corresponding signal, an amplification circuit for amplifying the signal generated by the magnetic head, a smoothing circuit for obtaining an envelope waveformn, and a magnetic information detecting circuit for determining whether magnetic information is recorded in the magnetic record area for each frame on the photographic film by sampling the voltage level of the signals output from the smoothing circuit a plurality of times, integrating or averaging the sampled voltage levels, and comparing the integrated or averaged sampled voltage levels with a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Sasaki, Minoru Ishiguro, Akihiko Funaki