Patents by Inventor Tomio Kurosu
Tomio Kurosu 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).
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Patent number: 7600876Abstract: In an optical angle detection apparatus, a single optical distance measurement unit is disposed opposite an object having a plane. The optical distance measurement unit includes a light projecting portion that projects a beam in the direction of an optical axis, and a light receiving portion that receives a beam reflected from a measurement position at which the optical axis intersects the plane and outputs a distance measurement signal indicating a distance to the measurement position. An optical axis deflector is provided for deflecting the optical axis to switch the measurement position between a first measurement position and a second measurement position, so that first and second distance measurement signals corresponding to the first and second measurement positions are output from the optical distance measurement unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Nidec Copal CorporationInventors: Tomio Kurosu, Norifumi Nakagawa
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Publication number: 20060197921Abstract: In an optical angle detection apparatus, a single optical distance measurement unit is disposed opposite an object having a plane. The optical distance measurement unit includes a light projecting portion that projects a beam in the direction of an optical axis, and a light receiving portion that receives a beam reflected from a measurement position at which the optical axis intersects the plane and outputs a distance measurement signal indicating a distance to the measurement position. An optical axis deflector is provided for deflecting the optical axis to switch the measurement position between a first measurement position and a second measurement position, so that first and second distance measurement signals corresponding to the first and second measurement positions are output from the optical distance measurement unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2006Publication date: September 7, 2006Applicant: Nidec Copal CorporationInventors: Tomio Kurosu, Norifumi Nakagawa
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Patent number: 6880988Abstract: An actuator is constructed so that the rotor is rotated within the range of a preset angle in a direction corresponding to the direction of current supply to the stator coil. The rotor includes a column-shaped permanent magnet having surfaces perpendicular to a center line of rotation and a surface surrounding the center line of rotation and a frame body configured integrally with the permanent magnet. The frame body covers two center portions of rotation of the permanent magnet and the surface surrounding the center line of rotation of the permanent magnet so that a plurality of exposed surfaces are provided. Each of areas in which these center portions of rotation are covered is provided with a journal supported by the bearing of the stator, and a portion extending in the radial direction from one of the center portions of rotation is provided with the output pin to be parallel to the center line of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Nidec Copal CorporationInventors: Tomio Kurosu, Toshiaki Takei
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Publication number: 20040131349Abstract: An actuator is constructed so that the rotor is rotated within the range of a preset angle in a direction corresponding to the direction of current supply to the stator coil. The rotor includes a column-shaped permanent magnet having surfaces perpendicular to a center line of rotation and a surface surrounding the center line of rotation and a frame body configured integrally with the permanent magnet. The frame body covers two center portions of rotation of the permanent magnet and the surface surrounding the center line of rotation of the permanent magnet so that a plurality of exposed surfaces are provided. Each of areas in which these center portions of rotation are covered is provided with a journal supported by the bearing of the stator, and a portion extending in the radial direction from one of the center portions of rotation is provided with the out-put pin to be parallel to the center line of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: Nidec Copal CorporationInventors: Tomio Kurosu, Toshiaki Takei
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Patent number: 6711352Abstract: An optical range finder has a projection unit for projecting optical flux to an object, a photoreceiving unit for receiving the optical flux returned from the object and outputting a detection signal in accordance with a light quantity of the received optical flux, and a circuitry unit for conducting a measurement of a distance to the object based on the detection signal. In the circuitry unit, a light quantity determination circuit compares a signal level of the detection signal with a reference level to carry out binary determination of the light quantity of the returned optical flux. A reference level setting circuit switchably supplies a plurality of reference levels to the light quantity determination circuit, the reference levels being preset in correspondence to multiple stages of the distance.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Nidec Copal CorporationInventors: Takanori Kohno, Tomio Kurosu
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Patent number: 6667678Abstract: An actuator is constructed so that the rotor is rotated within the range of a preset angle in a direction corresponding to the direction of current supply to the stator coil. The rotor includes a column-shaped permanent magnet having surfaces perpendicular to a center line of rotation and a surface surrounding the center line of rotation and a frame body configured integrally with the permanent magnet. The frame body covers two center portions of rotation of the permanent magnet and the surface surrounding the center line of rotation of the permanent magnet so that a plurality of exposed surfaces are provided. Each of areas in which these center portions of rotation are covered is provided with a journal supported by the bearing of the stator, and a portion extending in the radial direction from one of the center portions of rotation is provided with the out-put pin to be parallel to the center line of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Nidec Copal CorporationInventors: Tomio Kurosu, Toshiaki Takei
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Publication number: 20030123869Abstract: An optical range finder has a projection unit for projecting optical flux to an object, a photoreceiving unit for receiving the optical flux returned from the object and outputting a detection signal in accordance with a light quantity of the received optical flux, and a circuitry unit for conducting a measurement of a distance to the object based on the detection signal. In the circuitry unit, a light quantity determination circuit compares a signal level of the detection signal with a reference level to carry out binary determination of the light quantity of the returned optical flux. A reference level setting circuit switchably supplies a plurality of reference levels to the light quantity determination circuit, the reference levels being preset in correspondence to multiple stages of the distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATIONInventors: Takanori Kohno, Tomio Kurosu
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Publication number: 20030090579Abstract: A portable information terminal device includes a monitor (11) on which information is displayed, a main body (10) on which the monitor (11) is mounted and by which the entire outline is defined, a CCD (24) disposed inside the main body (10) for photographing an object, and an optical unit (30) including a plurality of lenses (32,34) arranged in a direction of an optical axis and a driving mechanism (37) for performing variable-power driving while relatively moving the plurality of lenses so that a magnification of the object can be varied with respect to the CCD (24). Therefore, the object can be photographed in a wide range from a telephotographic side to a wide-angle side, and its image information can be transmitted and received through a communications system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Haruki Ohe, Norifumi Nakagawa, Kiyosi Toma, Tomio Kurosu
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Patent number: 6496651Abstract: An exposure control method and apparatus for a camera having a two-area divided brightness measurement system. A central light value is determined based on a central area brightness of a photographic scene, and a peripheral light value is determined based on a peripheral area brightness of the scene. After determining by comparison between the central and peripheral light values whether the scene is back-lighted or front-lighted, a correction coefficient specific to back-lighted scenes or that specific to front-lighted scenes is read from a memory. An exposure value suitable for a main subject is calculated according to the following equation: Es=log2{1−(1−&agr;)2LVb−LVa}−log2&agr;+LVa wherein Es represents the exposure value and &agr; represents the correction coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumio Ishihara, Mutsumi Naruse, Takanori Kohno, Tetsuo Sakamoto, Kouichi Kobayashi, Teruyuki Tongu, Norifumi Nakagawa, Tomio Kurosu
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Publication number: 20020149290Abstract: An actuator is constructed so that the rotor is rotated within the range of a preset angle in a direction corresponding to the direction of current supply to the stator coil. The rotor includes a column-shaped permanent magnet having surfaces perpendicular to a center line of rotation and a surface surrounding the center line of rotation and a frame body configured integrally with the permanent magnet. The frame body covers two center portions of rotation of the permanent magnet and the surface surrounding the center line of rotation of the permanent magnet so that a plurality of exposed surfaces are provided. Each of areas in which these center portions of rotation are covered is provided with a journal supported by the bearing of the stator, and a portion extending in the radial direction from one of the center portions of rotation is provided with the out-put pin to be parallel to the center line of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: Tomio Kurosu, Toshiaki Takei
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Publication number: 20020136551Abstract: An exposure control method and apparatus for a camera having a two-area divided brightness measurement system. A central light value is determined based on a central area brightness of a photographic scene, and a peripheral light value is determined based on a peripheral area brightness of the scene. After determining by comparison between the central and peripheral light values whether the scene is back-lighted or front-lighted, a correction coefficient specific to back-lighted scenes or that specific to front-lighted scenes is read from a memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.Inventors: Fumio Ishihara, Mutsumi Naruse, Takanori Kohno, Tetsuo Sakamoto, Kouichi Kobayashi, Teruyuki Tongu, Norifumi Nakagawa, Tomio Kurosu
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Patent number: 6389232Abstract: An exposure control method and apparatus for a camera having a two-area divided brightness measurement system. A central light value is determined based on a central area brightness of a photographic scene, and a peripheral light value is determined based on a peripheral area brightness of the scene. After determining by comparison between the central and peripheral light values whether the scene is back-lighted or front-lighted, a correction coefficient specific to back-lighted scenes or that specific to front-lighted scenes is read from a memory. An exposure value suitable for a main subject is calculated according to the following equation: Es=log2{1−(1−&agr;)2LVb−LVa}−log2&agr;+LVa wherein Es represents the exposure value and &agr; represents the correction coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumio Ishihara, Mutsumi Naruse, Takanori Kohno, Tetsuo Sakamoto, Kouichi Kobayashi, Teruyuki Tongu, Norifumi Nakagawa, Tomio Kurosu
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Patent number: 6347191Abstract: A shutter control apparatus is constructed for executing an exposure operation of a camera to photograph an object by controlling an actuator which drives a shutter blade to be opened and closed. In the shutter control apparatus, a battery supplies a power supply voltage. A detection circuit detects a variation occurring in the power supply voltage. A drive circuit directly uses the power supply voltage to feed a power to the actuator. The drive circuit switches between an open power for opening the shutter blade and a closing power for closing the shutter blade. A control circuit controls the drive circuit by setting a timing for switching to the closing power in accordance with at least a brightness of an object. The control circuit corrects the timing for switching to the closing power in accordance with the variation of the power supply voltage detected by the detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Nidec Copal CorporationInventor: Tomio Kurosu
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Publication number: 20010028793Abstract: An exposure control method and apparatus for a camera having a two-area divided brightness measurement system. A central light value is determined based on a central area brightness of a photographic scene, and a peripheral light value is determined based on a peripheral area brightness of the scene. After determining by comparison between the central and peripheral light values whether the scene is back-lighted or front-lighted, a correction coefficient specific to back-lighted scenes or that specific to front-lighted scenes is read from a memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2001Publication date: October 11, 2001Applicant: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumio Ishihara, Mutsumi Naruse, Takanori Kohno, Tetsuo Sakamoto, Kouichi Kobayashi, Teruyuki Tongu, Norifumi Nakagawa, Tomio Kurosu
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Patent number: 6275659Abstract: An exposure control method and apparatus for a camera having a two-area divided brightness measurement system. A central light value is determined based on a central area brightness of a photographic scene, and a peripheral light value is determined based on a peripheral area brightness of the scene. After determining by comparison between the central and peripheral light values whether the scene is back-lighted or front-lighted, a correction coefficient specific to back-lighted scenes or that specific to front-lighted scenes is read from a memory. An exposure value suitable for a main subject is calculated according to the following equation: Es=log2{1−(1−&agr;)2LVb−LVa}−log2&agr;+LVa wherein Es represents the exposure value and &agr; represents the correction coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumio Ishihara, Mutsumi Naruse, Takanori Kohno, Tetsuo Sakamoto, Kouichi Kobayashi, Teruyuki Tongu, Norifumi Nakagawa, Tomio Kurosu
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Patent number: 5774747Abstract: An exposure control method and apparatus for a camera having a two-area divided brightness measurement system. A central light value is determined based on a central area brightness of a photographic scene, and a peripheral light value is determined based on a peripheral area brightness of the scene. After determining by comparison between the central and peripheral light values whether the scene is back-lighted or front-lighted, a correction coefficient specific to back-lighted scenes or that specific to front-lighted scenes is read from a memory. An exposure value suitable for a main subject is calculated according to the following equation:Es=log.sub.2 {1-(1-.alpha.).sub.2.sup.LVb-LVa }-log.sub.2 .alpha.+LVawherein Es represents the exposure value and .alpha. represents the correction coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1997Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumio Ishihara, Mutsumi Naruse, Takanori Kohno, Tetsuo Sakamoto, Kouichi Kobayashi, Teruyuki Tongu, Norifumi Nakagawa, Tomio Kurosu
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Patent number: 5678098Abstract: An exposure control method and apparatus for a camera having a two-area divided brightness measurement system. A central light value is determined based on a central area brightness of a photographic scene, and a peripheral light value is determined based on a peripheral area brightness of the scene. After determining by comparison between the central and peripheral light values whether the scene is back-lighted or front-lighted, a correction coefficient specific to back-lighted scenes or that specific to front-lighted scenes is read from a memory. An exposure value suitable for a main subject is calculated according to the following equation:Es=log.sub.2 {1-(1-.alpha.)2.sup.LVb-LVa }-log.sub.2 .alpha.+LVAwherein Es represents the exposure value and .alpha. represents the correction coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumio Ishihara, Mutsumi Naruse, Takanori Kohno, Tetsuo Sakamoto, Kouichi Kobayashi, Teruyuki Tongu, Norifumi Nakagawa, Tomio Kurosu
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Patent number: 5600392Abstract: A position sensor for detecting a position by comparing a detected level with a threshold level. This operation is performed without being affected by the characteristics intrinsic to the used sensor means or by power supply variations. Furthermore, the operation is not varied even if the sensor means ages. The sensor means is caused to shift from a first operating state to an unoperated state and then to a second operating state according to operation of an object whose position should be detected. The level of the output from the sensor means is compared with a threshold level. Thus, the timing at which the sensor means shifts from the unoperated state to the second operating state is detected. The output level detected when the sensor means is in the first state is stored in a capacitor and divided by resistors to obtain the threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1994Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Copal Company LimitedInventors: Tetsuo Sakamoto, Junichi Matsumoto, Tomio Kurosu
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Patent number: 4527877Abstract: The device for detecting the time of termination of the opening operation of shutter blades of an electromagnetic programming shutter comprises an induction coil secured to either one of a member coupled with the operation of the shutter blades and a base plate, a permanent magnet secured to the other one of the member and the base plate in facing relationship to the induction coil, and a detecting circuit for detecting the vanishing of the electric current induced in the induction coil resulting from the termination of the relative movement between the induction coil and the permanent magnet at the time of termination of the opening operation of the shutter blades after the shutter blades have initiated the opening operation from the closed positions for causing the relative movement between the induction coil and the permanent magnet so as to generate the induced current in the induction coil, thereby permitting the time of termination of the opening operation of the shutter blades to be detected.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1982Date of Patent: July 9, 1985Assignee: Copal Company LimitedInventors: Tomio Kurosu, Yukio Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 4514064Abstract: The electromagnetic shutter consists of a plurality of shutter sectors made of plastic material, printed electric coils operatively coupled with the shutter sectors, and permanent magnets fixed to the shutter at positions where the permanent magnets cooperate electromagnetically with the printed electric coils, respectively, so that, when electric current is supplied for a predetermined time period to the printed electric coils, electromagnetic force is generated by the printed electric coils so as to open the shutter sectors for the predetermined time period and thereafter closed to complete a required exposure. The printed electric coils are formed on the shutter sectors or on a sector ring coupled with the shutter sectors by vacuum evaporation of metal or by sticking a foil of metal.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1982Date of Patent: April 30, 1985Assignee: Copal Company LimitedInventors: Tomio Kurosu, Yukio Yoshikawa