Patents by Inventor Toshimasa Yamanaka

Toshimasa Yamanaka 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: 5917533
    Abstract: A cassette casing for holding an ink film ribbon has a discharge outlet for the ink film ribbon. A winding core is rotatably mounted in the cassette casing. An ink film ribbon is wound on the winding core and has one end thereof discharged through the discharge outlet. At least one slide contact member is disposed at the discharge outlet and contacts the ink film ribbon along the full width of the ink film ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Hiroshi Orita, Michirou Ohishi, Kiyoshi Negishi, Katsumi Kawamura, Katsuyoshi Suzuki, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Jun Kitera, Mikio Horie
  • Patent number: 5638104
    Abstract: A thermal line printer with a page-width print head includes a page-width ink film ribbon that feeds in the same direction as paper inserted in the printer. The thermal line printer may print on ordinary untreated paper, and the ink film ribbon may be stored in a cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Hiroshi Orita, Michirou Ohishi, Kiyoshi Negishi, Katsumi Kawamura, Katsuyoshi Suzuki, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Jun Kitera, Mikio Horie
  • Patent number: 5621495
    Abstract: In representing a depth of field in a camera, the depth of field is displayed on the basis of the magnitude of a field depth feeling Df which corresponds to human feeling. The field depth feeling Df is obtained by processing at least one of a depth of field on calculation, an object distance, a lens hypen-focal length, a diameter of permissible circle of confusion, a lens aperture value and a lens focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Masahiro Nakajima, Yutaka Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 5602616
    Abstract: A camera having a manually actuable switch for temporarily shifting the camera to an optimum exposure value so that exposure factors, based upon a manually set shutter speed and a manually set aperture value, are replaced by optimum exposure factors based upon a metered brightness of the object to be photographed when the camera is set to a non-program exposure mode. A clear button associated with the camera functions as a manually actuable switch for temporarily shifting an exposure mode of the camera to another exposure mode when the camera is set to a hyper-manual exposure mode. In the hyper-manual exposure mode, a photographer sets exposure factors by actuating a Tv electronic dial and an Av electronic dial. Actuation of the clear button when the camera is set to the hyper-manual exposure mode causes the set exposure factors to be replaced with optimum exposure factors that are automatically calculated in accordance with an object brightness Bv.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Sato, Satoshi Nakano, Isamu Hirai, Toshiyuki Kitazawa, Takayuki Sensui, Masato Yamamoto, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Takenao Shishikura, Akio Takahashi, Nobuhiko Matsudo
  • Patent number: 5510875
    Abstract: In representing a depth of field in a camera, the depth of field is displayed on the basis of the magnitude of a field depth feeling Df which corresponds to human feeling. The field depth feeling Df is obtained by proccesing at least one of a depth of field on calculation, an object distance, a lens hypen-focal length, a diameter of permissible circle of confusion, a lens aperture value and a lens focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Masahiro Nakajima, Yutaka Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 5485242
    Abstract: An exposure control apparatus of a camera having a photometer for detecting a brightness of an object to be taken, an exposure value calculator for calculating an optimum exposure value in accordance with the object brightness, and an exposure factor setting device for setting a pair of exposure factors having a shutter speed and a diaphragm value, including an exposure factor manual setting device, a specific program exposure mode in which the exposure factors corresponding to the optimum exposure values are automatically set, and an exposure factor modifying device for enabling the exposure factor manual setting device to manually set one of the exposure factors when the exposure factor manual setting device is actuated in the specific program exposure mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Sato, Satoshi Nakano, Isamu Hirai, Toshiyuki Kitazawa, Takayuki Sensui, Masato Yamamoto, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Takenao Shishikura, Akio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5382997
    Abstract: An exposure control apparatus of a camera, wherein a pair of exposure factors that include a shutter speed and a diaphragm value can be manually and independently set. Furthermore, in the exposure control apparatus, an exposure value determined in accordance with the exposure factors can be locked, and one of the exposure factors can be varied, based on the locked exposure value, when the other exposure factor is varied by the associated manual setting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Sato, Satoshi Nakano, Isamu Hirai, Toshiyuki Kitazawa, Takayuki Sensui, Masato Yamamoto, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Takenao Shishikura, Akio Takahashi, Nobuhiko Matsudo
  • Patent number: 5280319
    Abstract: An exposure control apparatus of a camera, in which at least one of a pair of exposure factors that include a shutter speed and a diaphragm value is variable. An exposure factor setting device sets at least one variable exposure factor, while a limit value setting device varies and sets at least one upper and lower limit value of the exposure factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Sato, Satoshi Nakano, Isamu Hirai, Toshiyuki Kitazawa, Takayuki Sensui, Masato Yamamoto, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Takenao Shishikura, Akio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5170206
    Abstract: An apparatus for indicating photographing conditions within a finder of a camera, including at least one indicator which has a plurality of indicating elements and which represent a single symbol or figure as a whole in the finder field of view, each of the indicating elements indicating an associated photographing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Masahiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5066967
    Abstract: A single-lens reflex camera with a flash unit built into the camera body above the viewing pentaprism. The unit is movable from an operating position to a non-operating position, preferably enclosed in the camera body. The built-in flash unit may be automatically closed by inserting an external flash in a flash shoe. A display panel may be included on the top of the flash unit housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Susumu Koshino, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Koji Sato, Akihiro Arai, Masahiro Koinuma
  • Patent number: 5065177
    Abstract: A pop-up flash unit 20 for an SLR camera includes an integral auxiliary light emitting device 26 for projecting a predetermined pattern along the camera lens axis to provide sufficient auto-focusing contrast. A triangular prism 60 forms a window in a front wall 16a of the flash unit chamber 16 confronting the condenser lens 25 of the auxiliary light emitting device such that the predetermined pattern projected by the downwardly angled emitting device, when the flash unit is retracted, is bent upwardly to still fall along the camera lens axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Masahiro Nakajima, Toshimasa Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 5036343
    Abstract: A camera system in which a balancer is installed on one side of the camera and is linked to the camera body by two arms so that the photographer's hand can be inserted through a space defined by the camera body, the balancer and the arms. The balancer has substantial weight so as to balance the camera during hand held operation. Batteries are installed in the balancer and a flash unit may be incoporated therein. The arms may be rigid or may be a flexible belt. The balancer is preferably spaced from the camera body by an adjustable distance. Electrical contact is provided between the balancer and the camera body through the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Toshimasa Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 5019852
    Abstract: In representing a depth of field in a camera, the depth of field is displayed on the basis of the magnitude of a field depth feeling Df, which corresponds to human feeling and sensitivity. The field depth feeling Df is obtained by processing at least one of a calculated depth of field, an object distance, a lens hyper-focal length, a diameter of a permissible circle of confusion, a lens aperture value and a lens focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Masahiro Nakajima, Yutaka Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 4977425
    Abstract: An indicating apparatus of photographing conditions within a finder of a camera, including at least one composite indicator symbol which has a plurality of indicating elements and which represents a single symbol or figure as a whole in the finder field of view, said composite indicator symbol indicating the associated photographing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Masahiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 4949118
    Abstract: A single-lens reflex camera has a finder device in which rays of light of an object to be photographed are reflected by a mirror to form an image of the object on a focusing glass, an information indicating apparatus within the finder device which can project photographing information represented by a letter or a figure or other symbol onto the focusing glass, an indication control circuit which controls the information to be indicated in the information indicating apparatus, and an information indicating switch for turning the information projector ON and OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Masahiro Nakajima, Toshimasa Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 4918264
    Abstract: A switching device comprising a rubber switch, an operating member displaceable between at least two operative positions and a neutral position, and a cooperating member shiftable between the at least two cooperative positions and neutral position in response to displacement of the operating member. The operating member and the cooperating member are held in their neutral position due to the resilience of the rubber switch, while one contact is brought into engagement with a corresponding conductive element in the rubber switch when the corresponding cooperating member is shifted to one of the cooperative positions in response to the displacement of the operating member against the resilience of the rubber switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Masahiro Nakajima, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Kouji Satou
  • Patent number: D319228
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Seiichi Mori, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Takeshi Matsushita
  • Patent number: D331576
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Toshimasa Yamanaka
  • Patent number: D361084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshimasa Yamanaka, Jun Kitera
  • Patent number: D362267
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshimasa Yamanaka, Jun Kitera