Patents by Inventor Nobuyuki Taniguchi

Nobuyuki Taniguchi 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: 5659829
    Abstract: A camera system is capable of operating in a number of different photographic modes and includes a display system which provides information relevant to each of the modes. The camera system also includes an automatic film rewinding mechanism that has two modes of operation. In a first, automatic, mode, the tensioning of the film during winding is detected to indicate the end of the roll of film. Upon such detection, the film is automatically and fully rewound into the film cartridge. In a second, user selectable, mode a signal is manually provided by the user to initiate film rewinding. Rewinding of the film is stopped just prior to the time the end of the film enters the cartridge, so that a portion of the film leader remains extended outside of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Yamamoto, Shinji Tominaga, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5659820
    Abstract: A camera having a covering member which covers the upper side of the camera and having a projecting portion shaped as a pentagonal reflecting member; a first manually operable portion located at the covering member on one side of the projecting portion for designating one of a plurality of kinds of photographic data; a second manually operable portion located at the covering member on the other side of the projecting portion and adapted for commonly altering any of the plurality of kinds of photographing data to actually alter the designated one thereof in combination with the actual designation by the first manually operable portion; a light measuring device for measuring the luminance of the object to be photographed; a calculator for carrying out an exposure calculation based on the result of the light measuring; a display portion for displaying at least either one of shutter speed and aperture value obtained by the exposure calculation; and a display controller for controlling the display such that, when
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Masatake Niwa, Akira Fujii, Takeo Hoda, Masaaki Nakai, Minoru Sekida, Masayoshi Sahara
  • Patent number: 5640223
    Abstract: A camera having a lens, whereby a power source in the camera is activated in response to a mechanical switch on the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Tokuji Ishida, Hisayuki Masumoto, Hisashi Tokumaru, Tsuneyo Metabi
  • Patent number: 5515133
    Abstract: A flash apparatus which allows flashlight photographing of various subjects in a photographing screen in appropriate exposure by simple operation without failure. The flash apparatus comprises a flashlight emitting section having a predetermined irradiation angle with respect to a light emission optical axis, and irradiating direction changing means for automatically changing the direction of the light emission optical axis of the flashlight emitting section in response to subject information such as distribution information of brightness values of or distances to subjects in a photographing screen. Also a camera is disclosed which assures photographing of a main subject with appropriate exposure even when the main subject is in a backlighted condition or when another body is positioned nearer to the camera than the main subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hideo Kajita, Hiromu Mukai, Takeshi Hashimoto, Yoshinobu Kudo, Yujiro Mima, Takashi Kondo
  • Patent number: 5467158
    Abstract: A film winding/rewinding mechanism of a camera driven by an ultrasonic wave motor. The winding driving section includes a cylindrical spool and a cylindrical first ultrasonic wave vibrator provided in the spool. A roller urged by a leaf spring is pressed against the peripheral surface of the spool, so that the peripheral surface of the vibrator contacts the inner surface of the spool at a point in the circumferential direction thereof. The film rewinding driving section includes a film rewinding fork, a cylindrical member mounted on the periphery of the rewinding fork, and a cylindrical second ultrasonic wave vibrator provided between the rewinding fork and the cylindrical member. The diameter of the outer circumference of the second ultrasonic wave vibrator is greater than the diameter of the outer circumference of the first vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuharu Murashima, Kenji Ishibashi, Dai Shintani, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5369460
    Abstract: A camera in which the ratio of an object to the photographing frame can be set comprises a varifocal lens in which the in-focus position is changed in accordance with the change in the focal lens and a focusing lens for correcting the focus by the varifocal lens. The size of the object is set to the desired size by using the varifocal lens, and thereafter the deviation of the in-focus point is controlled by the focusing lens. Since the zooming is carried out by using a varifocal lens, a camera can be provided in which the ratio of an object to the photographing frame can be set in a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Tokuji Ishida, Hisayuki Masumoto, Hisashi Tokumaru, Tsuneyo Metabi
  • Patent number: 5335072
    Abstract: A photographic system includes a photographing device for photographing subjects to generate respective image data of the subjects, the photographing device having an image information production device for producing image information concerning the photography for each of the subjects, and a storage device for storing the produced image information, and a reproduction device for reproducing the image data, the reproduction device having a retrieval condition input device for inputting a retrieval condition, a retrieval device responsive to the retrieval condition input device for retrieving image data having a connection with the input retrieval condition by inference, and a reproducing device for reproducing the retrieved image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Tanaka, Dai Shintani, Hirokazu Naruto, Katsuyuki Nanba, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Ishibe, Yoshihiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5333030
    Abstract: A camera system including a camera body and a camera accessory attachable to the camera body, such as an interchangeable back lid, an interchangeable lens, a flash device and so on, is disclosed. In the system, a plurality of circuits provided in plurality of camera accessories are controlled by a microcomputer provided in the camera body. Data is transmitted between the microcomputer and the circuits using a serial data bus and synchronizing clock line connected therebetween. The circuit to receive the data sent from the microcomputer, or the circuit which should send the data to the microcomputer are selected by the microcomputer through chip select lines provided between the microcomputer and each circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiiku Kikukawa, Masayuki Nakasa, Tadahiro Yoshida, Mashio Kitaura, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5319412
    Abstract: In an automatic focus control device of a camera there are provided defocus amount calculation means for calculating a defocus amount for a predetermined focus plane of a photographic lens in the camera on the basis of the electric signal generated by a light receiving means, comparing means for comparing the obtained value on the basis of the calculated defocus amount with a reference value, control means controlling driving speed of the photographic lens by the lens driving means in response to the comparison result of a comparing means, photographic condition setting means for setting the photographic condition and reference value setting means for setting said reference value in response to the set photographic condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masataka Hamada, Tokuji Ishida, Kenji Ishibashi, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5313235
    Abstract: In a sound playback apparatus, by attaching thereto a medium in which sound data are recorded in each area thereof and a print in each frame of which a code indicating a sound recording area is recorded, the sound playback apparatus can play back sound data corresponding to the photographed frames of the film respectively from the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Inoue, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Ueda, Yujiro Mima, Masakazu Yagi, Masayasu Hirano
  • Patent number: 5311244
    Abstract: An exposure control device for a camera comprising; first means for measuring light from a central area of an object field, said first measuring means including a plurality of means for receiving light from different portions within the central area, respectively; second means for measuring light from a surrounding area other than the central area, the surrounding area being greater than each portion within the central area; means for selecting between a first exposure control mode and a second exposure control mode; and means for controlling exposure in accordance with one of said plurality of receiving means in said first exposure control mode, and in accordance with all of said plurality of receiving means and said second measuring means in said second exposure control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Nakai, Shuji Izumi, Akihiko Fujino, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Toshio Yamaki, Hiromu Mukai
  • Patent number: 5311245
    Abstract: A camera system operable with data carried from a camera accessory to a camera body. The camera accessory has a ROM for storing various data at a plurality of addresses, respectively, each of which data consists of a plurality of bits, and a coupling terminal for receiving a train of clock pulses from the camera body. A circuit is also provided for sequentially designating the address of the ROM one by one to permit the ROM to output data stored at the designated address. In the circuit, an address signal is formed in response to the clock pulses, received through the coupling terminal, for designating an address. The data derived from the ROM are transmitted to the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Nakai, Masayoshi Sahara, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5293189
    Abstract: A photographic system comprises a camera and a film structure which can be loaded in the camera and in which photographing data can be recorded. The film structure has an image recording section in which a photographed image is recorded and a memory means for storing therein identification data peculiar to the film structure. And the camera inputs the identification data stored in the film structure into the camera and judges according to the inputted identification data whether the film structure is fit for the camera or not. Thereby, the photographing data can be recorded or read only when the film structure is fit for the camera.Further, the present invention also relates to a film structure which can be loaded in a camera having peculiar identification data so that it is judged whether the film structure is fit for the camera or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Manabu Inoue, Reiji Seki, Katsuyuki Nanba
  • Patent number: 5274414
    Abstract: A camera in which the ratio of an object to the photographing frame can be set comprises a varifocal lens in which the in-focus position is changed in accordance with the change in the focal lens and a focusing lens for correcting the focus by the varifocal lens. The size of the object is set to the desired size by using the varifocal lens, and thereafter the deviation of the in-focus point is controlled by the focusing lens. Since the zooming is carried out by using a varifocal lens, a camera can be provided in which the ratio of an object to the photographing frame can be set in a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Tokuji Ishida, Hisayuki Masumoto, Hisashi Tokumaru, Tsuneyo Metabi
  • 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: 5258859
    Abstract: An image reproducing system which can automatically output only a portion of an image recorded on a film which conforms to trimming information set upon photographing as an electric image signal without the necessity of a manual operation. The image reproducing device comprises means for detecting an image recorded on a film, means for reading trimming information of the image, the trimming information being recorded on a record medium when the image has been recorded on the film and representing a condition of reproduction of the image, means for generating an electrical image signal in accordance with the image detected by the detecting means, and means for controlling an output of the electrical image signal to be generated by the generating means in accordance with the trimming information read by the reading means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Wada, Michihiro Iwata, Yoshinobu Kudo, Manabu Inoue, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5249012
    Abstract: An auto-focusing system includes a focus condition detector which detects focus condition based on the infrared light. A data producer is provided for producing a deflection signal indicating a difference between an image forming distance for the infrared light and that for the visible light, due to aberration. In accordance with the detected focus condition and deflection signal, an objective lens is shifted to a position for properly focusing an image of visible light on an image forming plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Takeshi Egawa, Tohru Matsui, Takanobu Omaki, Norio Ishikawa, Akiyoshi Nakamura, Shuzo Matsushita
  • Patent number: RE34452
    Abstract: A camera includes a detector for detecting codes provided on a film as the film advances, another detector for detecting sprocket holes provided on the camera so as to detect the speed of film advance, a register for registering signals representative of codes at a speed relative to the speed of film advance, and a device for reading the registered data. Accordingly, the codes on the film informs the camera of various data, such as film speed, available exposure frame number, etc., and the camera automatically sets these data for the proper photographing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: 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
  • Patent number: RE35515
    Abstract: A photo signal processing apparatus which comprises a light receiving unit of charge accumulation type for outputting a data corresponding to a condition of light received thereby, a data processor for applying a predetermined processing to the data outputted from the light receiving unit, an accumulation initiating device for causing the light receiving unit to initiate a charge accumulating operation, an accumulation interrupting device for interrupting the charge accumulating operation of the light receiving unit, a counter for counting a time passed during a period subsequent to the start of the charge accumulating operation of the light receiving unit and until the termination of the charge accumulating operation of the light receiving unit, and a control unit for activating the accumulation initiating device at a timing required to interrupt the charge accumulating operation of the light receiving unit at the time of termination of the data processing performed by the data processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Toshihiko Ishimura, Norio Ishikawa, Reiji Seki, Yasuaki Akada