Patents by Inventor Yuji Katano

Yuji Katano 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: 6510287
    Abstract: A display apparatus in a camera for displaying photographic information using rotating elements. The display apparatus includes rotating pointers which rotate about display scales to display the photographic information. The display apparatus further includes a control unit which receives camera control information and in response to the control information, the control unit controls driving circuitry which causes the rotating display pointer to point to an index on the display scale representing the photographic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Tsukahara, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hitoshi Aoki, Noboru Akami, Yuji Katano, Noriyasu Kotani, Seijiro Noda
  • Patent number: 6390693
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens camera including a lens barrel and a camera body. The lens barrel is attached to the camera body via a body side mount and a lens side mount. The lens barrel mounting mechanism, including the body side mount and the lens side mount, is capable of moving along the optical axis of the camera so as to move from a position where the lens barrel is completely collapsed within the camera body to a position where the lens barrel is fully extended for zoom photography. The shortest state of the camera is when the lens barrel is detached from the camera. The lens barrel includes a set tube that is movable along the optical axis, lens units for focusing light onto a film in the camera body, and lens protection elements that open or close depending upon the state of the lens barrel, i.e., detached or attached, collapsed or extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Miyamoto, Yuji Katano
  • Patent number: 6295412
    Abstract: A shake-proof camera comprises a shake-correcting lens portion for correcting a shake by changing an optical axis of a photographic optical system and a moving lens portion disposed in the vicinity of the shake-correcting lens portion and arranged as movable in a direction of the optical axis, and further is provided with a shake-correcting lens lock apparatus for locking the shake-correcting lens portion by bringing the moving lens portion into contact with the shake-correcting lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Katano, Hidenori Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6088535
    Abstract: A camera for use with interchangeable lens barrels that can be attached to and detached from the camera body has a drive mechanism that provides the generating source for the drive power of drive elements inside each lens barrel built into the camera body. The connecting structure that provides a connection between the camera body and lens barrels varies according to the type of lens barrel, for example, whether the lens barrel contains a fixed focal length lens or a variable focal length lens. So, the functions realized by the drive of the drive elements from the drive mechanism vary according to the type of lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Katano, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hidenori Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 5732296
    Abstract: An indicator device comprises an indicator rotatively driven by an electrical driving source, such as a stepping motor or the like, a plurality of indexes indicated by the indicator to indicate various photographing information, and changing mechanism for changing indicating positions of the indicator. The changing mechanism includes an operating member operated in order to start a rotation of the indicator, an operating member for commanding a rotational direction of said indicator, and driving control mechanism for controlling a rotation of the indicator in accordance with operation of the operating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Katano, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hitoshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5694622
    Abstract: A camera with a vibration correction function provided with a continuous shot mode for carrying out continuous photographing, has a vibration detecting device for detecting vibration of the camer, a vibration correcting device for correcting the vibration of the camera at the time of photographing based on a signal from the vibration detecting device, a film feeding device for feeding a photographic film loaded in the camera, a film end detecting device for detecting an end of the photographic film, and a control device for stopping the operation of the vibration detecting device and making the film feeding device start rewinding the photographic film when receiving a film end detection signal from the film end detecting device during photographing under the continuous shot mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Miyamoto, Yuji Katano
  • Patent number: 5678096
    Abstract: A camera including a mount portion onto which a lens barrel housing a lens is mounted as movable in a direction of an optical axis thereof, a moving mechanism for moving the lens barrel in the direction of the optical axis, a limiter for setting a limit of movement of the lens barrel moved by the moving mechanism while the lens barrel is mounted on the mount portion, and a limit remover for removing the limit of movement set by the limiter when the lens barrel is dismounted from the mount portion. The camera further includes a signal transmission apparatus in which the lens barrel is mounted as movable in the direction of the optical axis thereon on the camera body. The signal transmission apparatus includes a light emitting element located on either one of the lens barrel and the camera body, and a light receiving element located on the other one of the lens barrel and the camera body, for receiving light from the light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Yuji Katano, Noriyasu Kotani, Noboru Akami
  • Patent number: 5669028
    Abstract: A camera having a cartridge compartment therein loaded with a film cartridge having a spool shaft projecting from an upper portion of the film cartridge. A switch is located in a space formed by an upper surface of the film cartridge, a side surface of the projecting portion of the spool shaft and an internal wall of the cartridge compartment. An operating member contacts the switch to operate the switch. The operating member partially projects from the camera back surface and is partially inserted into and operatively positioned in the space. The operating member is conveniently placed at a position on the camera surface for easy operation. Therefore, the switch is easily and conveniently operated and effective utilization of the internal space of the camera is employed to obtain a smaller size camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Katano
  • Patent number: 5669027
    Abstract: A camera with a built-in flash light unit has a light shielding barrel of truncated cone shape and a stepped film cartridge chamber. The light shielding barrel is disposed to shield an optical path between a photographic lens at a front of the camera and a film plane at a rear of the camera, the smaller end of the truncated cone residing at the photographic lens. The cartridge chamber is provided at one side of the light shielding barrel and encloses a film cartridge having a cylinder for including a film wound therein and a feed step tangentially projecting out from a circumference of the cylinder for film feed therefrom. The cartridge chamber has a predetermined rear-to-front dimension and comprises a first room defined by a curved wall shaped to fit the cylinder and a second room connected to the first room and defined by a wall shaped to fit the feed step. The light shielding barrel and both of the cartridge chamber walls define a space between the cartridge chamber and the light shielding barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Katano, Hiroshi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 5634150
    Abstract: A compact camera apparatus having an improved display device and circuit mounting board layout within the camera body in relationship to other components to achieve a more compact and efficient space camera utilization. In one embodiment of the camera, a display unit is located on the upper surface of the camera body, and has a portion thereof, such as its drive mechanism at least partially positioned in a space formed between a light projection unit and light receiving of the camera's rangefinder device. In another embodiment, the camera has a mounting board of the required size for holding constituent control circuit components of the camera located in the camera body with attention to the location of the board in relationship to the cartridge compartment and other camera components to provide for a more compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Katano, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Junichi Omi, Kiyosada Machida
  • Patent number: 5600400
    Abstract: This camera includes a viewfinder and a device (4) for detecting the visual line of a photographer looking through the viewfinder, an operation member (1), (8) such as a release button which is operated by the photographer to take a photograph, a means (2) for inputting calibration information, and a means for performing photography (5), (6), (7). The calibration information input means (2) operates in response to the operation of the operation member (1), (8), and inputs and stores calibration information when the photographer fixates on a target mark (3, b) visible within the viewfinder, based upon the visual line detected at that time by the visual line detection means (4). The object intended by the photographer to be photographed is detected and photographs it, based upon the visual line detected by the visual line detection means (4) and the stored calibration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Yuji Katano, Minoru Kato
  • Patent number: 5570158
    Abstract: This camera includes a viewfinder and a device (4) for detecting the visual line of a photographer looking through the viewfinder, an operation member (1), (8) such as a release button which is operated by the photographer to take a photograph, a means (2) for inputting calibration information, and a means for performing photography (5), (6), (7). The calibration information input means (2) operates in response to the operation of the operation member (1), (8), and inputs and stores calibration information when the photographer fixates on a target mark (3, b) visible within the viewfinder, based upon the visual line detected at that time by the visual line detection means (4). The object intended by the photographer to be photographed is detected and photographs it, based upon the visual line detected by the visual line detection means (4) and the stored calibration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Yuji Katano, Minoru Kato
  • Patent number: 5555065
    Abstract: A camera which switches between illuminating an external display and illuminating an internal display based on a specific photographic event, such as the pressing of the release button. The camera includes a first display, a first display illumination device which illuminates the first display, a second display, a second display illumination device which illuminates the second display, a control mechanism for controlling the first display illumination device and the second display illumination device so that the first display illumination device is not illuminating the first display when the second display illumination device is illuminating the second display and so that the second display illumination device is not illuminating the second display when the first display illumination device is illuminating the first display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Tsukahara, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Yuji Katano, Hidenobu Kaji
  • Patent number: 5548366
    Abstract: A camera having components of a viewing optical system and a display optical system fixed at positions which do not require change for photographic lenses having different angles of view. The viewing optical system allows a photographer to view a subject through a photographic lens. The viewing optical system includes an eye piece and an objective lens positioned between the eye piece and the photographic lens. The display optical system includes a framework which displays information. The display optical system allows the photographer to view the information displayed on the framework through the eyepiece. The respective positions of the eye piece, the objective lens and the framework are fixed and do not require change to allow the camera to be useable with different photographic lenses having different, respectively corresponding angles of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Katano
  • Patent number: 5521671
    Abstract: A display apparatus in a camera for displaying photographic information using rotating elements. The display apparatus includes a rotating setting dial to rotatively set photographic information, and a display unit including pointers and pointer scales to display the photographic information set by the rotating setting dial. The pointer rotates about a fixed pointer scale in order to indicate photographic information on the pointer scale as set by the rotating setting dial. The display apparatus further includes a detector to detect a direction of rotation of the rotating setting dial, a drive unit to rotate the pointer, and a control unit to control the drive unit to rotate the pointer in the same direction as the direction of the rotating setting dial detected by the detector. In addition, the display unit may include at least one pointer which is controlled by a stepping motor to rotate the pointer in only one direction, regardless of the direction of rotation of the rotating setting dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Aoki, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Noboru Akami, Yuji Katano, Daiki Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 5506651
    Abstract: An indicating apparatus of a camera, has an indicating unit, a driving unit and an adjusting unit. The indicating unit includes an indicating member capable of indicating any of a plurality of indicated positions. The driving unit drives the indicating member on the basis of information on photography of the camera. The adjusting unit is capable of adjusting the indicated position of the indicating member irrespective of the information on the present photography of the camera. Each indicated position corresponds to an item of information on the photography of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Tsukahara, Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Yuji Katano
  • Patent number: 5502526
    Abstract: A camera is proposed with which, without a light blocking member on the rear of a film exposure portion needing to be dismounted from the camera body, testing and adjustment can be performed by opening up the rear of the film exposure portion, so that the camera can desirably be tested and adjusted while being operated. The camera includes a camera body formed with a film exposure portion a rearward portion of which is formed as an opening, a light interception member which closes over the opening, a pressure plate which is provided on the light interception member, a main electrical circuit which is provided between the pressure plate and the light interception member, and camera housings, which enclose the camera body and the light interception member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Katano
  • Patent number: 5365292
    Abstract: An indicator device for a camera for displaying the value of an item of information related to photographic conditions includes an indicator means, which includes a scale plate with a central point, a number of index marks being inscribed on the scale plate around the perimeter of a circle which has the central point as its center and the angular positions of the index marks relative to the central point being a subset of the angular positions derived by subdividing the circumference of the circle into sixty equal divisions, and an indicating pointer which is rotatable around the central point against the scale plate. The indicating pointer is rotationally driven against the scale plate by a drive means such as a stepper motor.Thereby, by intuitive analogy with the face of a clock, a user can perceive the value of the item of information from the angular position of the pointer relative to the index marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Daiki Tsukakara, Yuji Katano, Hitoshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5333029
    Abstract: A camera includes a photo-taking lens, an automatic focus adjusting device for effecting the automatic focus adjustment of the photo-taking lens, an eye-gaze detecting device for detecting the photographer's eye-gaze position in a finder field corresponding to a photographing picture plane, and producing an eye-gaze detection signal corresponding to the eye-gaze position, a focus adjustment signal producing device for outputting a plurality of focus adjustment signals corresponding to a plurality of detection areas in the photographing picture plane, and a control signal producing device for producing a control signal for controlling the automatic focus adjusting means, on the basis of the eye-gaze detection signal and the focus adjustment signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Uchiyama, Tadao Takagi, Daisuke Saya, Yuji Katano, Shigemasa Sato, Toshimi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5189458
    Abstract: A camera has an electrically zoomable lens with two modes. In the first mode, the zooming is continued during the continuation of a manual operation. In the second mode, the zooming is conducted to a focal length corresponding to stored information, which corresponds to a focal length arbitrarily selected in the zooming of the first mode. The stored information is retained even when the second mode is released, and the zooming to the focal length corresponding to the stored information is possble when the second mode is set again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Miyamoto, Koichi Daitoku, Kazuyuki Kazami, Toshiyuki Nakamura, Yuji Katano