Patents by Inventor Takanobu Omaki

Takanobu Omaki 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: 6339510
    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: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Tokuji Ishida, Hisayuki Masumoto, Hisashi Tokumaru, Tsuneyo Metabi
  • Patent number: 6018631
    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: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Tokuji Ishida, Hisayuki Masumoto, Hisashi Tokumaru, Tsuneyo Metabi
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 5249014
    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: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiiku Kikukawa, Masayuki Nakasa, Tadahiro Yoshida, Mashio Kitaura, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5220368
    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 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: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiiku Kikukawa, Masayuki Nakasa, Tadahiro Yoshida, Mashio Kitaura, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5164760
    Abstract: A camera exposure data setting device for setting exposure data in digital form in response to on or off of switches. A first switch actuating member is manually operable for changing mainly an exposure time value and is located at or about the position where a shutter speed setting dial is located conventional cameras, and a second switch actuating member is manually operable for changing mainly a diaphragm aperture value and is located at a position of the camera opposite from the position of the first switch member with respect to the vertical plane passing the optical axis of an objective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Fujino, Manabu Inoue, Takanobu Omaki, Masaaki Nakai, Akira Fujii, Minoru Sekida
  • Patent number: 5130734
    Abstract: In an interchangeable lens including an optical system adjustable for focusing and adapted to be detachably mounted on a camera body which is provided with focus detection means for detecting an amount of defocus of an object image formed by the optical system, and drive means for driving the optical system for the focus adjustment thereof in accordance with the detected amount of defocus. The interchangeable lens comprises, inter alia, a code plate for producing a plurality of digital photographic distance signals representing given discrete photographic distances of the optical system in accordance with the adjustment of the optical system for focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Takeshi Egawa, Tohru Matsui, Takanobu Omaki, Norio Ishikawa, Akiyoshi Nakamura, Shuzo Matsushita
  • Patent number: 5122825
    Abstract: In a zoom camera having a zoom lens including a variator lens, and a driving system for driving the variator lens, the image magnification is computed in accordance with a predetermined program based on the detected object distance, and such a focal length is computed as to obtain a specified value of image magnification based on the detected object distance and the computed image magnification, and the obtained focal length data is fed to the driving system. As a result, auto-zooming with a suitable image magnification in accordance with the object distance can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Tokumaru, Hisayuki Masumoto, Takanobu Omaki, Takehiro Katoh, Yukio Maekawa
  • Patent number: 5016037
    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: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Kenji Tsuji, Takanobu Omaki, Masaaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 5005047
    Abstract: A camera exposure data setting device for setting exposure data in digital form in response to [on or off] of switches. A first switch actuating member is manually operable for changing mainly an exposure time value and is located at or about the position where a shutter speed setting dial is located in conventional cameras, and a second switch actuating member is manually operable for changing mainly a diaphragm aperture value and is located at a position of the camera opposite from the position of the first switch member with respect to the vertical plane passing through the optical axis of an objective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Fujino, Manabu Inoue, Takanobu Omaki, Masaaki Nakai, Akira Fujii, Minoru Sekida
  • Patent number: 4992820
    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: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiiku Kikukawa, Masayuki Nakasa, Tadahiro Yoshida, Mashio Kitaura, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Nobuyuki Tanijuchi
  • Patent number: 4963914
    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: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Kenji Tsuji, Takanobu Omaki, Masaaki Makai
  • Patent number: 4939534
    Abstract: A flash photography system which comprises a photographic camera and an electronic flash device;said photographic camera comprisingaperture value output means for producing aperture value under the flash light photographing,flash light stop signal output means for integrating output value of a light value of a photographing object and for producing a signal for stopping emission of a flash light when the integrated value reaches a predetermined value,said flash device comprisingcalculating means for calculating a maximum photographing distance which is covered by the flash light for effecting a correct exposure on the photographing object on the basis of a maximum light value of the flash light and the aperture value fed from the aperture value output means, anddisplay means for displaying the maximum photographing distance on the basis of the output of the calculating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Hiroshi Hosomizu, Masatake Niwa, Toru Inoue, Minoru Sekida
  • Patent number: 4935766
    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 a plurality of camera accessories are controlled by a microcomputer provided in the camera body. Data transmission between the microcomputer and the circuits uses 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. The camera system is capable of coordinating flash mode and a bracket exposure mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiiku Kikukawa, Masayuki Nakasa, Tadahiro Yoshida, Mashio Kitaura, Masaaki Nakai, Takanobu Omaki, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: RE33277
    Abstract: The automatic focusing system disclosed is characterized that the focusing condition of an objective lens to be focused is repeatedly detected with the objective lens being moved, and that defocus signals, each representing a defocus direction and a defocus amount of the lens according to the focusing condition upon each detection, are processed in a predetermined statistic method to produce a final signal. The final signal is effected for controlling the axial position of the objective lens to lead the lens to its infocus position. Therefore, the automatic focusing system according to the present invention achieves the high accuracy of focusing and quickness thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Ishikawa, Takanobu Omaki