Patents by Inventor Takeshi Egawa
Takeshi Egawa 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: 4937601Abstract: A winding and rewinding apparatus for a camera comprises a winding mechanism, a detector, a rewinding mechanism, a selector and a controller. The winding mechanism winds the film frame by frame, and the detector detects the completion of exposure of the roll of film which is wound by the winding mechanism. The rewinding mechanism rewinds the film automatically in response to the detection of the detecting means. The selector includes a selecting switch which is operable manually, for selecting in response to the operation of the selecting switch one of a first mode in which the operation of the rewinding mechanism is permitted and a second mode in which the operation of the rewinding mechanism is inhibited irrespective of the detection of the detector. The controller controls the rewinding mechanism in accordance with the mode selected by the selecting switch. According to such arrangement, the user can select a manual rewinding mode or an automatic rewinding mode by a simple operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1989Date of Patent: June 26, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiko Azuma, Takehiro Katoh, Yasuteru Yamano, Masayasu Hirano, Hiroshi Ootsuka, Takeshi Egawa, Masaaki Nakai, Toshihiko Ishimura, Naohiro Kageyama
-
Patent number: 4926206Abstract: A lighting device such as an electronic flash device attachable to a camera body includes first and second light projecting optical systems which project first and second light fluxes for illuminating an object to aid focus detection by a focus detection device. The second light flux spreads at a larger solid angle than the first light flux and illuminates a first distance zone which extends to a closer distance side while covering the whole of a second distance zone illuminated by the first light flux. An optical wedge disposed in the second light projecting optical system deflects a part of the second light flux towards the closer distance side of the first distance zone. Another lighting device includes a single light projecting optical system but it also includes an optical wedge for deflecting a part of a light flux projected by the light projecting optical system to widen a distance zone illuminated by the light flux towards a closer distance.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1989Date of Patent: May 15, 1990Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tohru Matsui, Takeshi Egawa
-
Patent number: 4855779Abstract: A camera system being comprised of a camera and an external device is disclosed. The external device is detachably mounted on the camera which memorizes a program or data necessary for executing a program therein.When the external device is mounted on the camera, they are connected electrically with each other and communicate therebetween in order to read a program or data memorized in the external device into a memory means provided in the camera. The camera is controlled according to the program designated by the external device.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1987Date of Patent: August 8, 1989Assignee: Minolta Camera Kubushiki KaishaInventors: Norio Ishikawa, Masaaki Nakai, Masayasu Hirano, Akihiko Fujino, Hiroshi Ootsuka, Takeshi Egawa, Kunio Kawamura
-
Patent number: 4827301Abstract: A lighting device such as an electronic flash device attachable to a camera body includes first and second light projecting optical systems which project first and second light fluxes for illuminating an object to aid focus detection by a focus detection device. The second light flux spreads at a larger solid angle than the first light flux and illuminates a first distance zone which extends to a closer distance side while covering the whole of a second distance zone illuminated by the first light flux. An optical wedge disposed in the second light projecting optical system deflects a part of the second light flux towards the closer distance side of the first distance zone. Another lighting device includes a single light projecting optical system but it also includes an optical wedge for deflecting a part of a light flux projected by the light projecting optical system to widen a distance zone illuminated by the light flux towards a closer distance.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1987Date of Patent: May 2, 1989Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tohru Matsui, Takeshi Egawa
-
Patent number: 4827299Abstract: An automatic focus control camera is provided having a lens driven by a motor. The lens can be driven to an in-focus position during an actual film exposure operation if the exposure time is relatively fast enough with regard to the movement of the lens. Alternatively, the lens can be stopped immediately preceding the actual film exposure operation depending upon the measured exposure parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1987Date of Patent: May 2, 1989Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuaki Akada, Norio Ishikawa, Takeshi Egawa, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
-
Patent number: 4803508Abstract: A lighting device such as an electronic flash device attachable to a camera body includes first and second light projecting optical systems which project first and second light fluxes for illuminating an object to aid focus detection by a focus detection device. The second light flux spreads at a larger solid angle than the first light flux and illuminates a first distance zone which extends to a closer distance side while covering the whole of a second distance zone illuminated by the first light flux. An optical wedge disposed in the second light projecting optical system deflects a part of the second light flux towards the closer distance side of the first distance zone. Another lighting device includes a single light projecting optical system but it also includes an optical wedge for deflecting a part of a light flux projected by the light projecting optical system to widen a distance zone illuminated by the light flux towards a closer distance.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1987Date of Patent: February 7, 1989Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tohru Matsui, Takeshi Egawa
-
Patent number: 4791445Abstract: In an automatic focus control camera capable of obtaining a focus control information during focus adjustment comprising focus control information obtaining means requiring a time between the sensing of the focus condition and the generation of data indicative of the necessary degree of focus adjustment, and modifying means for modifying the data with a degree of focus adjustment expected to occur with a predetermined speed during the time, there is provided means for interrupting the operation of the obtaining means and the modifying means for a period beginning from the initiation of focus adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1987Date of Patent: December 13, 1988Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuaki Akada, Norio Ishikawa, Takeshi Egawa, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
-
Patent number: 4777504Abstract: A camera provided with an automatic focusing device which automatically detects the focus condition of an objective lens and driving the objective lens towards an in-focus position in response to the manual operation to a shutter release button. The operation of the automatic focusing device is actuated by a switching means when the shutter release button is touched by a user's finger or is depressed down after the touching. When the shutter release button is further depressed beyond the first stroke, the operation of the automatic focusing device is inhibited once an in-focus condition is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1988Date of Patent: October 11, 1988Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuaki Akada, Minoru Sekida, Takeshi Egawa, Tokuji Ishida
-
Patent number: 4774540Abstract: A camera system with an auto-focusing system includes a camera body and an interchangeable zoom lens. The interchangeable objective lens stores various data to be sent to the camera body for improving automatic focus adjustment, such as an information necessary to convert the detected defocus information into a movement of the driving power source to carry out the automatic focus adjustment. The driving power source in the camera body is controlled in response to the data from the interchangeable objective lens and the detected focus information, the driving power being transmitted to the interchangeable objective lens. The camera body is further capable of inhibiting the focus adjustment or focus indication in response to a data from the interchangeable objective lens under an unfavorable condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1987Date of Patent: September 27, 1988Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Norio Ishikawa, Yasuaki Akada, Takeshi Egawa, Kunio Kawamura
-
Patent number: 4733262Abstract: A camera system with an auto-focusing system includes a camera body and an interchangeable zoom lens. The interchangeable objective lens stores various data to be sent to the camera body for improving automatic focus adjustment, such as an information necessary to convert the detected defocus information into a movement of the driving power source to carry out the automatic focus adjustment. The driving power source in the camera body is controlled in response to the data from the interchangeable objective lens and the detected focus information, the driving power being transmitted to the interchangeable objective lens. The camera body is further capable of inhibiting the focus adjustment or focus indication in response to a data from the interchangeable objective lens under an unfavorable condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1986Date of Patent: March 22, 1988Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Norio Ishikawa, Yasuaki Akada, Takeshi Egawa, Kunio Kawamura
-
Patent number: 4690538Abstract: A lighting device such as an electronic flash device attachable to a camera body includes first and second light projecting optical systems which project first and second light fluxes for illuminating an object to aid focus detection by a focus detection device. The second light flux spreads at a larger solid angle than the first light flux and illuminates a first distance zone which extends to a closer distance side while covering the whole of a second distance zone illuminated by the first light flux. An optical wedge disposed in the second light projecting optical system deflects a part of the second light flux towards the closer distance side of the first distance zone. Another lighting device includes a single light projecting optical system but it also includes an optical wedge for deflecting a part of a light flux projected by the light projecting optical system to widen a distance zone illuminated by the light flux towards a closer distance.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1986Date of Patent: September 1, 1987Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tohru Matsui, Takeshi Egawa
-
Patent number: 4671640Abstract: In an automatic focus control camera capable of obtaining a focus control information during focus adjustment comprising focus control information obtaining means requiring a time between the sensing of the focus condition and the generation of data indicative of the necessary degree of focus adjustment, and modifying means for modifying the data with a degree of focus adjustment expected to occur with a predetermined speed during the time, there is provided means for interrupting the operation of the obtaining means and the modifying means for a period beginning from the initiation of focus adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1985Date of Patent: June 9, 1987Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuaki Akada, Norio Ishikawa, Takeshi Egawa, Nobuyuki Taniguchi
-
Patent number: 4632510Abstract: An optical unit for use with interchangeable lenses is provided with a mounting and demounting device which includes a mount positioning member, a lock member for locking the mount positioning member at a retracted position, and a mount releasing member for retracting the mount positioning member to the non-projected position. The mount positioning member is urged to project and engageable with a positioning recess of an interchangeable lens. The locking member is provided with a detection means which causes the locking member to release the mount positioning member by detecting completion of mounting of an interchangeable lens on the optical unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1985Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukio Miki, Takeshi Egawa
-
Patent number: 4623238Abstract: A camera system with an auto-focusing system includes a camera body and an interchangeable zoom lens. The interchangeable objective lens stores various data to be sent to the camera body for improving automatic focus adjustment, such as an information necessary to convert the detected defocus information into a movement of the driving power source to carry out the automatic focus adjustment. The driving power source in the camera body is controlled in response to the data from the interchangeable objective lens and the detected focus information, the driving power being transmitted to the interchangeable objective lens. The camera body is further capable of inhibiting the focus adjustment or focus indication in response to a data from the interchangeable objective lens under an unfavorable condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1984Date of Patent: November 18, 1986Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Norio Ishikawa, Yasuaki Akada, Takeshi Egawa, Kunio Kawamura
-
Patent number: 4602861Abstract: An auto-focusing system includes a focus condition detector which detects the focus condition based on infrared light. A data producer is provided for producing a deflection signal indicating the difference between an image forming distance for infrared light and that for 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 1983Date of Patent: July 29, 1986Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Takeshi Egawa, Tohru Matsui, Takanobu Omaki, Norio Ishikawa, Akiyoshi Nakamura, Shuzo Matsushita
-
Patent number: 4553817Abstract: An exchangeable lens assembly detachably mountable on a camera body having an automatic focusing device is selectively capable of either automatic focus adjustment by the operation of the automatic focusing device or manual focus adjustment by a manual operation. In two of the embodiments, the change-over between the automatic focus adjustment and the manual focus adjustment is made by operation of a change-over member provided on a stationary barrel separately from a manual focusing ring. A driven shaft coupled with a focus adjusting mechanism is disengaged from a driving shaft of the automatic focusing device in the case of the manual focus adjustment. In the remaining embodiments, a manual focusing ring rotatable and axially shiftable relative to a stationary barrel is axially shifted between an automatic focusing position and a manual focusing position for the change-over.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1983Date of Patent: November 19, 1985Inventors: Makoto Ando, Tsuneyo Metabi, Yukio Miki, Takeshi Egawa
-
Patent number: 4550993Abstract: A camera system with an auto-focusing system includes a camera body and an interchangeable zoom lens. The interchangeable objective lens stores various data to be sent to the camera body for improving automatic focus adjustment, such as an information necessary to convert the detected defocus information into a movement of the driving power source to carry out the automatic focus adjustment. The driving power source in the camera body is controlled in response to the data from the interchangeable objective lens and the detected focus information, the driving power being transmitted to the interchangeable objective lens. The camera body is further capable of inhibiting the focus adjustment or focus indication in response to a data from the interchangeable objective lens under an unfavorable condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1984Date of Patent: November 5, 1985Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Norio Ishikawa, Yasuaki Akada, Takeshi Egawa, Kunio Kawamura
-
Patent number: 4537487Abstract: An automatic focus control system provided with a backlash correcting arrangement, which is free from influences arising from a backlash or play in a transmission system, and capable of quickly effecting the automatic focus control at a high accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1984Date of Patent: August 27, 1985Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Norio Ishikawa, Takeshi Egawa
-
Patent number: 4536072Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an automatic focus control system for a photographic camera which is adapted to normally function under an ambient light, and which includes an improved arrangement for eliminating various problems in the case where the focus detection is effected through emission of a supplementary light when desired functions can not be achieved under the ambient light.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1984Date of Patent: August 20, 1985Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Norio Ishikawa, Takeshi Egawa
-
Patent number: 4534621Abstract: An optical unit for use with interchangeable lenses is provided with a mounting and demounting device which includes a mount positioning member, a lock member for locking the mount positioning member at a retracted position, and a mount releasing member for retracting the mount positioning member to the non-projected position. The mount positioning member is urged to project and engageable with a positioning recess of an interchangeable lens. The locking member is provided with a detection means which causes the locking member to release the mount positioning member by detecting completion of mounting of an interchangeable lens on the optical unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1982Date of Patent: August 13, 1985Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukio Miki, Takeshi Egawa