Patents by Inventor Motokazu Shimizu

Motokazu Shimizu 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: 10656366
    Abstract: A lens unit includes: a lens in which first and second circular portions are arranged in an optical axis direction, the first circular portion having a first diameter, the second circular portion having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; a sealing member that is annular when viewed in the optical axis direction and that has an inner peripheral surface that contacts an outer peripheral surface of the first circular portion; and a lens barrel including first and second inner wall portions, the first inner wall portion being circular when viewed in the optical axis direction and pressing the sealing member between the first inner wall portion and the first circular portion, the second inner wall portion having three or more contact portions that contact an outer peripheral surface of the second circular portion and that are arranged with spaces therebetween in a circumferential direction of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: NANCHANG O-FILM OPTICAL-ELECTRONIC TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motokazu Shimizu, Kensuke Masui
  • Publication number: 20180372983
    Abstract: A lens unit includes: a lens in which first and second circular portions are arranged in an optical axis direction, the first circular portion having a first diameter, the second circular portion having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; a sealing member that is annular when viewed in the optical axis direction and that has an inner peripheral surface that contacts an outer peripheral surface of the first circular portion; and a lens barrel including first and second inner wall portions, the first inner wall portion being circular when viewed in the optical axis direction and pressing the sealing member between the first inner wall portion and the first circular portion, the second inner wall portion having three or more contact portions that contact an outer peripheral surface of the second circular portion and that are arranged with spaces therebetween in a circumferential direction of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Motokazu SHIMIZU, Kensuke MASUI
  • Patent number: 9906695
    Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of an imaging module which includes a lens unit having a housing in which a lens barrel and a lens drive unit are accommodated, and an imaging element unit. The manufacturing method includes, a first process of holding the lens unit and the imaging element unit on a axis orthogonal to a measurement chart, a second process of moving the imaging element unit in the direction of the axis and imaging the measurement chart at each position, and a third process of adjusting the inclination of the imaging element unit with respect to the lens unit based on imaging signals of the measurement chart. In the first process, a tubular portion of which a position in a plane perpendicular to the axis is fixed and the lens barrel are fitted to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu Shimizu, Tatsuya Fujinami
  • Patent number: 9699364
    Abstract: The invention provides an imaging module that can reliably perform probing, and an electronic apparatus including the imaging module. An imaging module includes a lens unit, and an imaging element unit that is fixed to the lens unit. The lens unit includes a focus drive unit, first and second image blur-correction drive units, a housing, a first connecting portion that is electrically connected to the imaging element unit, a first wiring portion that electrically connects the respective drive units to the first connecting portion, second connecting portions that are disposed outside the housing, a second wiring portion that is electrically connected to the second connecting portions and is electrically connected to the respective drive units to which the first wiring portion is connected, and a wiring board that includes at least a part of the second wiring portion and the plurality of second connecting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu Shimizu, Yukihiro Kaneko, Yoshiyuki Takase, Tatsuya Fujinami, Manabu Tobise
  • Patent number: 9596409
    Abstract: An imaging module (100) includes a lens unit (11) that includes a lens group, and an imaging element unit (13) that is fixed to the lens unit and includes an imaging element. The lens unit (11) includes: a focus drive unit; first and second image blur-correction drive units; a first connecting portion (37A) that is electrically connected to the imaging element unit; a first wiring portion that electrically connects the focus drive unit, the first image blur-correction drive unit, and the second image blur-correction drive unit to the first connecting portion; a second wiring portion that is electrically connected to only a part of a plurality of wires of the first wiring portion; and a plurality of second connecting portions (59) that are electrically connected to the second wiring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu Shimizu, Yukihiro Kaneko, Yoshiyuki Takase, Tatsuya Fujinami, Manabu Tobise
  • Patent number: 9565347
    Abstract: The invention provides an imaging module having second connecting portions capable of reliably performing probing and can maintain a small installation space, and an electronic apparatus including the imaging module. A lens unit includes at least one drive unit, a housing, a first connecting portion that is electrically connected to an imaging element unit, a first wiring portion that electrically connects the drive unit to the first connecting portion, a plurality of second connecting portions that are disposed outside the housing, and a second wiring portion that electrically connects the second connecting portions to the drive unit. The second wiring portion includes wires that are electrically connected to the drive unit to which the first wiring portion is connected, and at least a part of the second wiring portion extends to the outside of the housing in a direction in which an element wiring portion extends from the support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu Shimizu, Yoshiyuki Takase, Tatsuya Fujinami, Manabu Tobise, Masaru Inamura
  • Publication number: 20160323485
    Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of an imaging module which includes a lens unit having a housing in which a lens barrel and a lens drive unit are accommodated, and an imaging element unit. The manufacturing method includes, a first process of holding the lens unit and the imaging element unit on a axis orthogonal to a measurement chart, a second process of moving the imaging element unit in the direction of the axis and imaging the measurement chart at each position, and a third process of adjusting the inclination of the imaging element unit with respect to the lens unit based on imaging signals of the measurement chart. In the first process, a tubular portion of which a position in a plane perpendicular to the axis is fixed and the lens barrel are fitted to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu SHIMIZU, Tatsuya FUJINAMI
  • Patent number: 9432580
    Abstract: In a camera module for portable electronic equipment, a board holder includes a holder body extending transversely with an optical axis direction, and two support devices extending in the optical axis direction. A main circuit board (first circuit board) of a wiring board device with a flexible wiring board is supported on a rear surface of the holder body. A sub circuit board (second circuit board) is supported by the support devices. An image sensor for imaging and a signal processor are mounted on the main circuit board. An angle sensor, a controller and a driver are mounted on the sub circuit board. Thus, it is possible stably to position the angle sensor and to construct the camera module with a reduced size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Motokazu Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20160142599
    Abstract: The invention provides an imaging module having second connecting portions capable of reliably performing probing and can maintain a small installation space, and an electronic apparatus including the imaging module. A lens unit includes at least one drive unit, a housing, a first connecting portion that is electrically connected to an imaging element unit, a first wiring portion that electrically connects the drive unit to the first connecting portion, a plurality of second connecting portions that are disposed outside the housing, and a second wiring portion that electrically connects the second connecting portions to the drive unit. The second wiring portion includes wires that are electrically connected to the drive unit to which the first wiring portion is connected, and at least a part of the second wiring portion extends to the outside of the housing in a direction in which an element wiring portion extends from the support portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu SHIMIZU, Yoshiyuki TAKASE, Tatsuya FUJINAMI, Manabu TOBISE, Masaru INAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160142605
    Abstract: The invention provides an imaging module that can reliably perform probing, and an electronic apparatus including the imaging module. An imaging module includes a lens unit, and an imaging element unit that is fixed to the lens unit. The lens unit includes a focus drive unit, first and second image blur-correction drive units, a housing, a first connecting portion that is electrically connected to the imaging element unit, a first wiring portion that electrically connects the respective drive units to the first connecting portion, second connecting portions that are disposed outside the housing, a second wiring portion that is electrically connected to the second connecting portions and is electrically connected to the respective drive units to which the first wiring portion is connected, and a wiring board that includes at least a part of the second wiring portion and the plurality of second connecting portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu SHIMIZU, Yukihiro KANEKO, Yoshiyuki TAKASE, Tatsuya FUJINAMI, Manabu TOBISE
  • Publication number: 20160119545
    Abstract: An imaging module (100) includes a lens unit (11) that includes a lens group, and an imaging element unit (13) that is fixed to the lens unit and includes an imaging element. The lens unit (11) includes: a focus drive unit; first and second image blur-correction drive units; a first connecting portion (37A) that is electrically connected to the imaging element unit; a first wiring portion that electrically connects the focus drive unit, the first image blur-correction drive unit, and the second image blur-correction drive unit to the first connecting portion; a second wiring portion that is electrically connected to only a part of a plurality of wires of the first wiring portion; and a plurality of second connecting portions (59) that are electrically connected to the second wiring portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu SHIMIZU, Yukihiro KANEKO, Yoshiyuki TAKASE, Tatsuya FUJINAMI, Manabu TOBISE
  • Publication number: 20150229843
    Abstract: In a camera module for portable electronic equipment, a board holder includes a holder body extending transversely with an optical axis direction, and two support devices extending in the optical axis direction. A main circuit board (first circuit board) of a wiring board device with a flexible wiring board is supported on a rear surface of the holder body. A sub circuit board (second circuit board) is supported by the support devices. An image sensor for imaging and a signal processor are mounted on the main circuit board. An angle sensor, a controller and a driver are mounted on the sub circuit board. Thus, it is possible stably to position the angle sensor and to construct the camera module with a reduced size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventor: MOTOKAZU SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 9069119
    Abstract: A holding frame of a lens unit has a frame main body of a cylindrical shape, which corresponds to the shapes of lenses. A protruding part is provided at a front end of the frame main body. The protruding part protrudes to the inside of the frame main body. The thickness of the protruding part is the same as that of a flange portion of a first lens. When the first lens is fitted into a space formed by the protruding part, a front surface of the flange portion of the first lens is flush with a front surface of the protruding part. A first light shielding film, which functions as an aperture stop, is affixed to at least one of the flange portion of the first lens and the front surface of the protruding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Takase, Motokazu Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20140204476
    Abstract: A holding frame of a lens unit has a frame main body of a cylindrical shape, which corresponds to the shapes of lenses. A protruding part is provided at a front end of the frame main body. The protruding part protrudes to the inside of the frame main body. The thickness of the protruding part is the same as that of a flange portion of a first lens. When the first lens is fitted into a space formed by the protruding part, a front surface of the flange portion of the first lens is flush with a front surface of the protruding part. A first light shielding film, which functions as an aperture stop, is affixed to at least one of the flange portion of the first lens and the front surface of the protruding part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki TAKASE, Motokazu SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 6600877
    Abstract: A cam plate is disposed horizontally and movably to a horizontal direction inside a camera body. The cam plate includes a plate portion for moving variator lenses of a zoom finder device in cooperation with a zoom lens to vary a viewable field angle of a zoom finder device, and a rack gear formed integrally with the plate portion. The rack gear is engaged with an intermediate gear. A first flat gear being concentric with the intermediate gear is engaged with a second flat gear. Two flash rack gears are engaged with the first and second flat gears. These flash rack gears are formed in a frame holding a flash projector. When the zoom lens moves, the cam plate moves horizontally to vary the viewable field angle of the zoom finder device, and simultaneously the rack gear rotates the first and second flat gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motokazu Shimizu, Toru Ito
  • Patent number: 6571068
    Abstract: The invention relates to a view finder with improved structure for providing accurate posisioning and alignment of optical elements of its optical system. The view finder comprises an object lens system at least one lens of which is movable along an optical axis of the object lens system being guided by a first guide shaft and an eye-piece lens system at least one lens of which is movable along an optical axis of the eye-piece lens system being guided by a second guide shaft, wherein the first guide shaft and the second guide shaft are positioned in axial alignment. Preferably the first guide shaft and the second guide shaft are integrally formed and immovable optical elements such as fixed lens and prism of the optical system are also supported by the same guide shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motokazu Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20030063905
    Abstract: A cam plate is disposed horizontally and movably to a horizontal direction inside a camera body. The cam plate includes a plate portion for moving variator lenses of a zoom finder device in cooperation with a zoom lens to vary a viewable field angle of a zoom finder device, and a rack gear formed integrally with the plate portion. The rack gear is engaged with an intermediate gear. A first flat gear being concentric with the intermediate gear is engaged with a second flat gear. Two flash rack gears are engaged with the first and second flat gears with putting them between the flash rack gears. These flash rack gears are formed in a frame holding a flash projector. When the zoom lens moves, the cam plate moves horizontally to vary the viewable field angle of the zoom finder device, and simultaneously the rack gear rotates the first and second flat gears. These first and second flat gears move the flash projector through the flash rack gears in order to vary an illuminating angle of a flashlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motokazu Shimizu, Toru Ito
  • Patent number: 6496650
    Abstract: A zoom flash unit is disposed above a film containing chamber. Driving force of a magnification varying motor is transmitted to the zoom flash unit via a gear train, a rack plate, and a lever. By transmitting the driving force to the zoom flash unit, a flash angle is changed in accordance with a focal length of a taking lens. The gear train is disposed at the front of the film containing chamber, and the rack plate and the lever are disposed at the right thereof. The end of the rack plate bent at an angle of 90° is formed with rack teeth meshing with an output gear of the gear train. Owing to this structure, the mechanism for transmitting the driving force is easily disposed in a small space formed between the film containing chamber and an outer cover of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motokazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6493510
    Abstract: A camera has a zoom optical system, which includes three lens groups disposed on an optical axis, for being set at least between a wide-angle end and a telephoto end. A zoom motor with plural barrels is movable in first and second moving region continuous with each other, for moving the zoom optical system along the optical axis. The first moving region is adapted to zoom the zoom optical system. A flash emitter emits flash light to a photographic field within an illuminating angular range. A cam groove has a transmission section and a non-transmission section. The transmission section operates in combination with a driving pin when the zoom motor is in the first moving region, for changing the illuminating angular range. The non-transmission section operates when the zoom motor is in the second moving region, for keeping the illuminating angular range unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motokazu Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20020003954
    Abstract: A zoom flash unit is disposed above a film containing chamber. Driving force of a magnification varying motor is transmitted to the zoom flash unit via a gear train, a rack plate, and a lever. By transmitting the driving force to the zoom flash unit, a flash angle is changed in accordance with a focal length of a taking lens. The gear train is disposed at the front of the film containing chamber, and the rack plate and the lever are disposed at the right thereof. The end of the rack plate bent at an angle of 90° is formed with rack teeth meshing with an output gear of the gear train. Owing to this structure, the mechanism for transmitting the driving force is easily disposed in a small space formed between the film containing chamber and an outer cover of a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motokazu Shimizu