Variable Size Of Mask Opening Patents (Class 396/380)
  • Patent number: 11252834
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a display module and an electronic apparatus housing for installing the display module. The electronic apparatus housing includes a housing body and a back cover. The housing body defines a groove in which a first adsorption component and a retaining slot are arranged. The back cover includes a back cover body and a second adsorption component arranged on a first end of the back cover body. The back cover and the housing body are engaged with each other through the adsorption action between the first adsorption component and the second adsorption component, and a cavity structure is formed between a second end of the back cover body and the housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei Cao, Jinggang Wei, Long Yang
  • Patent number: 10070023
    Abstract: A camera apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a carrier housing which is disposed on a moveable vehicle part, and a camera module coupled to the carrier housing. The camera module includes a drive unit and a camera unit, wherein the drive unit is coupled to the camera unit and the drive unit is also coupled to a control mechanism. The camera unit is supported in the carrier housing such that it can rotate about a camera rotational axis, and can be rotated within an adjustment range, wherein the camera module forms at least a section of a handle extending along the camera rotational axis, with which a sensor mechanism, designed for sensing a proximity to the handle and/or for detecting an actuation of the handle, is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Moenig, Igor Gorenzweig, Joerg Simon
  • Patent number: 9413970
    Abstract: It is arranged so that a camera user can recognize presence of camera shake in a case where the user is looking at a subject through an optical viewfinder. A portion of the image of a subject captured by a solid-state electronic image sensing device is displayed in an electronic viewfinder constituted by a liquid crystal display unit. An image of a subject optically formed via an objective window of the optical viewfinder and the portion of the image of the subject displayed in the electronic viewfinder are superimposed. If camera shake is taking place, the portion of the image of the subject in the superimposed images will appear blurry. By viewing this portion of the image of the subject, therefore, the user can tell whether camera shake is taking place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Koudai Fujita, Takeshi Misawa, Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 8190019
    Abstract: A digital camera in which a recording portion made up of a microcomputer 110 and a card slot 153 performs predetermined processing on image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 so that the image data takes on the aspect ratio accepted via an operation portion 140 while in live view mode, or performs predetermined processing on the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 so that the image data takes on the aspect ratio of an optical viewfinder while in viewfinder mode. The image data is then stored in a memory card 300. Through this configuration, it is possible to provide a digital camera in which an image of a composition that suits the user's intent can be recorded, as well as in which the image can be recorded having an aspect ratio that the user desires, selected from among a plurality of aspect ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kenji Maeda
  • Publication number: 20110097068
    Abstract: A digital camera in which a recording portion made up of a microcomputer 110 and a card slot 153 performs predetermined processing on image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 so that the image data takes on the aspect ratio accepted via an operation portion 140 while in live view mode, or performs predetermined processing on the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 so that the image data takes on the aspect ratio of an optical viewfinder while in viewfinder mode. The image data is then stored in a memory card 300. Through this configuration, it is possible to provide a digital camera in which an image of a composition that suits the user's intent can be recorded, as well as in which the image can be recorded having an aspect ratio that the user desires, selected from among a plurality of aspect ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Kaoru MOKUNAKA, Kenji MAEDA
  • Patent number: 7885538
    Abstract: A digital camera in which a recording portion made up of a microcomputer 110 and a card slot 153 performs predetermined processing on image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 so that the image data takes on the aspect ratio accepted via an operation portion 140 while in live view mode, or performs predetermined processing on the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 so that the image data takes on the aspect ratio of an optical viewfinder while in viewfinder mode. The image data is then stored in a memory card 300. Through this configuration, it is possible to provide a digital camera in which an image of a composition that suits the user's intent can be recorded, as well as in which the image can be recorded having an aspect ratio that the user desires, selected from among a plurality of aspect ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kenji Maeda
  • Patent number: 7668456
    Abstract: A digital camera in which a recording portion made up of a microcomputer 110 and a card slot 153 performs predetermined processing on image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 so that the image data takes on the aspect ratio accepted via an operation portion 140 while in live view mode, or performs predetermined processing on the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 so that the image data takes on the aspect ratio of an optical viewfinder while in viewfinder mode. The image data is then stored in a memory card 300. Through this configuration, it is possible to provide a digital camera in which an image of a composition that suits the user's intent can be recorded, as well as in which the image can be recorded having an aspect ratio that the user desires, selected from among a plurality of aspect ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kaoru Mokunaka, Kenji Maeda
  • Patent number: 7561793
    Abstract: A camera adjusts the aspect ratio of a viewfinder image. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder of the camera displays a light image of the scene. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper is switchable among a plurality of settings. Each setting defines a different rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder. A cropping control is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The cropping control has a cropping input element that is accessible external to the body. The cropping input element is movable between first and second opposed cropping control positions to change the settings. The cropping control positions define a cropping control axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the capture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Randolph C. Brost
  • Patent number: 7493038
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a privacy mask display includes a monitoring camera which is if tilted and its tilt angle becomes greater than 90° when a privacy mask to mask a specific target object in a captured image frame is displayed, an image and the privacy mask in the frame are rotated 180° with respect to the CCD center axis, and the optical center axis stored in the apparatus is also rotated 180° with respect to the CCD center axis. Afterwards, if the zoom ratio of the monitoring camera changes, the size and position of the privacy mask are adjusted relative to the optical center axis rotated 180° with respect to the CCD center axis. It is therefore possible to freely perform zooming and tilting operations without danger of exposing the privacy-protected target object even under the condition that the optical center axis and the CCD center axis of the monitoring camera do not coincide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyun Ho Kang, Sung Ha Seo
  • Patent number: 7424219
    Abstract: A viewfinder system for a digital camera comprises a main optical path for projecting an outside scene image onto a light sensitive area facility, which facility determines a user field, and an optical extraction path for through mirror-operation extracting a fraction of the outside scene image onto a viewer optical path. The viewer optical path comprises a first mask for inserting a negative delineating outline into a viewer field and a second mask for inserting a positive delineating outline into the viewer field, both said first and second masks corresponding to the user field. In particular, at least one of the first and second masks is realized by an electronic device that has its mask size variably controlled by an electronic facility on the basis of pixel-wise driving. Advantageously, the electronic device is controlled by a sensor facility that is adapted for with respect to the other of the masks that has a fixed size sensing the latter size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: DALSA Corporation
    Inventor: Harald Siefken
  • Patent number: 7065294
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film, and includes a viewfinder adapted for observing an object. A selector button is operable externally, for being shifted to a standard position and a telephoto position. A view region changer lever sets the viewfinder in a standard view field when the selector button is in the standard position, and sets the viewfinder in a telephoto view field when the selector button is in the telephoto position, the telephoto view field being included in the standard view field. An information exposure unit photographically records a telephoto discernment PAR code to an information exposure region in the photo film when the selector button is in the telephoto position. The telephoto discernment PAR code includes at least three dots, for designating production of a pseudo telephoto print from a region in an imaging frame in the photo film corresponding to the telephoto view field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 7006764
    Abstract: A camera adjusts the aspect ratio of a viewfinder image. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder of the camera displays a light image of the scene. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper is switchable among a plurality of settings. Each setting defines a different rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder. A cropping control is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The cropping control has a cropping input element that is accessible external to the body. The cropping input element is movable between first and second opposed cropping control positions to change the settings. The cropping control positions define a cropping control axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the capture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Randolph C. Brost
  • Patent number: 6907194
    Abstract: A camera and method provide image cropping. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder optical system is aligned with the capture unit. The viewfinder optical system defines a viewfinder light path. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper has a pair of vanes. The vanes are selectively movable, relative to each other, between first and second positions and through a continuous sequence of intermediate positions between the first and second positions. The vanes, in each of the positions, delimits a rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder light path. A control unit is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The control unit crops the electronic image to match the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Randolph C. Brost
  • Publication number: 20040240877
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including an image pickup section which picks up an image, a communication section which transmits the image to an external device, and which receives control information from the external device, and a processing section which, in a state in which the image is displayed on a display screen of the external device, when a predetermined region on the display screen is designated, transmits regional information to the external device via the communication section in order to indicate the predetermined region within the image, and carries out masking processing for the image which is picked up at the image pickup section on the basis of the predetermined region, and setting of the masking processing is easily carried out on a screen of a PC 26 or the like, on a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshimura, Yasuhito Ambiru, Isao Ooshima
  • Publication number: 20040091256
    Abstract: A camera adjusts the aspect ratio of a viewfinder image. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder of the camera displays a light image of the scene. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper is switchable among a plurality of settings. Each setting defines a different rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder. A cropping control is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The cropping control has a cropping input element that is accessible external to the body. The cropping input element is movable between first and second opposed cropping control positions to change the settings. The cropping control positions define a cropping control axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the capture unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Randolph C. Brost
  • Publication number: 20040091257
    Abstract: A camera and method provide image cropping. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder optical system is aligned with the capture unit. The viewfinder optical system defines a viewfinder light path. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper has a pair of vanes. The vanes are selectively movable, relative to each other, between first and second positions and through a continuous sequence of intermediate positions between the first and second positions. The vanes, in each of the positions, delimits a rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder light path. A control unit is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The control unit crops the electronic image to match the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Randolph C. Brost
  • Patent number: 6587643
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film, and includes a viewfinder adapted for observing an object. A selector button is operable externally, for being shifted to a standard position and a telephoto position. A view region changer lever sets the viewfinder in a standard view field when the selector button is in the standard position, and sets the viewfinder in a telephoto view field when the selector button is in the telephoto position, the telephoto view field being included in the standard view field. An information exposure unit photographically records a telephoto discernment PAR code to an information exposure region in the photo film when the selector button is in the telephoto position. The telephoto discernment PAR code includes at least three dots, for designating production of a pseudo telephoto print from a region in an imaging frame in the photo film corresponding to the telephoto view field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 6538699
    Abstract: A real-image finder includes an objective optical system which forms an image of an object onto a primary image forming surface; an ocular optical system through which the object image formed on the primary image forming surface can be viewed; and an image erecting optical system which inverts the object image formed by the objective optical system, in the vertical and horizontal directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventor: Kosei Kosako
  • Patent number: 6477333
    Abstract: A view frame changing apparatus of the present invention is constructed in which cam grooves formed at view frame pieces are arched by the predetermined curvature; thus the cam pins can smoothly slide over the entire area of the sliding area of the cam grooves without being caught in the cam grooves. Moreover, the cam grooves are formed in areas of acute angles in between the two diagonal lines of the image frame; therefore, the frame changing apparatus can be compact in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Manabe, Mitsuhiko Oka
  • Patent number: 6215963
    Abstract: A camera has an AE sensor 10 and a display member 32 disposed in the vicinity of the focusing screen 4, and a field frame switcher having a light interrupting wing capable of changing a field frame. The light-interrupting wing crosses and interrupts a predetermined luminous flux path used for obtaining information necessary for photographing while the field frame is changed. The light-interrupting wing is disposed close to the predetermined luminous flux path to reduce the space needed to house the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Inoue, Wong Ngai Kit, Yoshito Konishi
  • Patent number: 6205296
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for enabling the writing of a print format and a trimming magnification onto a film surface using a simple construction. Film information comprising a print format set using a format setting switch 10 and a trimming magnification set using a trimming setting switch 11 is converted into three-bit data by a data conversion circuit 26 inside a controller 25. This information is input to an LED light emission controller 27. Photoemitter elements 17 and 18 are located in the feeding path for the top and bottom edge areas of the film F, and a LED light emission controller 27 causes the photoemitter elements 17 and 18 to emit light during a series of image recording operations, whereby the film information is written onto the top and bottom edge areas of the film F. By optically writing the print format information and the trimming information onto the film F, both items of information can be easily written onto the film surface without making the device complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Hamada, Yasuaki Serita
  • Patent number: 6181881
    Abstract: A field-of-view frame switching device has a rectangular fixed field-of-view frame and a plurality of light-shielding members for covering portions of the rectangular fixed field-of-view frame so as to vary the size of the actual field-of-view frame. The light-shielding members are composed of a first pair of oppositely arranged light-shielding members and a second pair of oppositely arranged light-shielding members. The field-of-view frame switching device also has a coupling member for coupling the light-shielding members together in such relation that, when the first pair of light-shielding members are positioned closer to each other to narrow the actual field-of-view frame, the second pair of light-shielding members are positioned wide apart from each other and that, when the first pair of light-shielding members are positioned wide apart from each other, the second pair of light-shielding members are positioned closer to each other to narrow the actual field-of-view frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Konishi, Yoshiyuki Inoue, Wong Ngai Kit
  • Patent number: 6154609
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film unit has a picture frame size changing mechanism for changing the size of picture frames between a full size and a panoramic size. The picture frame size changing mechanism includes upper and lower exposure aperture masking plates which are pivotally mounted in a light-shielding box in front of an exposure aperture. The masking plates are interconnected to each other through one-side contact and urged by a tension spring toward a full size position. The upper masking plate is connected to an operation knob through a crank lever and a switching lever. When the knob is operated to select the panoramic size, the switching lever is moved over a necessary amount for moving the masking plates in a panoramic size position to mask the exposure aperture. After the masking plates are stopped in the panoramic size position by stoppers, the over-stroke of the switching lever is absorbed by resilient bending of the crank lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuji Muramatsu, Nobuyuki Kameyama, Mitsuyoshi Mochida
  • Patent number: 6151452
    Abstract: A camera for making pseudo-photographic images has a series of viewfinder masks that define various fields of vision and a series of light-pipe masks that selectively block the passage of light through two light pipes disposed within the camera. The selective blockage causes various patterns of encodement marks to be placed on the edge of the camera's photographic film. The masks are rotatably disposed around the optical axis of the camera's picture-taking lens. The masks are manually rotated by the camera user via a lever and gear assembly disposed on the camera's front cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Concord Camera Corp.
    Inventor: Yeung Chi Ping
  • Patent number: 6141503
    Abstract: A visual field of finder change-over apparatus for changing over a size and shape of a visual field of finder of a camera in a plurality of stages, includes a pair of first visual-field frame members which are movable relative to the visual field of finder in two opposite directions and each of which has an approximately arc-shaped cam slot, a pair of second visual-field frame members which are movable relative to the visual field of finder, and in further two opposite directions, the further two opposite directions crossing the two opposite directions, and each of which has an approximate arc-shaped cam slot, and a rotation member which is rotatable and has a plurality of pins fitted in the cam slots of the first and second visual-field frame members, the rotation member selectively moving the first and second visual-field frame members by a movement of the moving pins when the rotation member rotates, wherein at least one of the pairs of the first and second visual-field frame members is moved in accordance
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Takagi, Yukihiko Sugita, Wataru Koide
  • Patent number: 6141504
    Abstract: In a SLR camera having a diopter adjusting lens element movable along the optical axis, the movement of which causes a change in the apparent visual angle, there is provided a finder optical system including a field frame size varying mechanism for varying the size of the opening of the field frame, and an association mechanism for driving the field frame size varying mechanism so that the change in the apparent visual angle of the finder optical system is compensated when the diopter is varied by moving the diopter adjusting lens element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sachio Hasushita
  • Patent number: 6104532
    Abstract: A real image mode variable magnification finder optical system is provided with an objective system having a positive refracting power, a correctly erect image forming system having a plurality of reflecting members for converting an intermediate image formed by the objective system into a correctly erect image, and an eyepiece system having a positive refracting power. The objective system includes a first lens unit having a negative refracting power, a second lens unit having a positive refracting power, and a third lens unit having a negative refracting power. At least one of the light reflecting members is arranged between the third lens unit and a position of said intermediate image, and the first, second and third lens units are adapted to be moved along the optical axis when magnification of the optical system is to be changed. Thus, the finder optical system enables one to change magnification thereof with high ratios and to form a good image of visual field with decreased flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kato
  • Patent number: 6064834
    Abstract: When a switching lever is positioned for horizontal photographing, an exposure frame composed of two switching frames is switched to a horizontal photographing exposure frame. When the switching lever is positioned for vertical photographing, a wheel ring starts rotating about a photographic optical axis, and the switching frames start moving by the operation of elongated holes. When the switching lever is positioned for vertical photographing, the exposure frame composed of two switching frames is switched to a vertical photographing exposure frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fukuda, Shiro Hashimoto, Nobuhiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 6035140
    Abstract: Disclosed is a finder system for a camera. The finder system has real-image type first and second optical systems apart by a predetermined base length. Light passed through the first and second objective optical systems are combined and superimposed images are formed which is defined within a finder field. The second objective optical system is provided with a rotatable mirror which varies a direction of an optical axis of the second objective optical system with respect to the optical axis of the first objective optical system to vary degree of coincidence of the superimposed images. A rotation angle of the rotatable mirror is controlled based on information related to an object distance and a position within the finder field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sachio Hasushita
  • Patent number: 5999756
    Abstract: A viewfinder device having an optical path for viewing a photographic image includes a plurality of visual field frames. Each of the plurality of visual field frames define a photographic range. In addition, each of the plurality of visual field frames is positioned on one of a plurality of visual field frame display units. The plurality of visual field frame display units have overlapping regions and are positioned on a viewfinder mask member. The viewfinder mask member is movable in the optical path. The overlapping portions of the visual field frame display units reduce an amount of movement necessary to move the viewfinder mask member to position the visual field frames within the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoki Nishimura, Kiyosada Machida, Akio Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5983026
    Abstract: A variable format camera comprising a front cover part having a particular-format viewfinder opening, and at least one other-format mask movable beneath the front cover part into alignment with the viewfinder opening to change the format of the view through the viewfinder opening to that of the mask and out of alignment with the viewfinder opening, is characterized in that a format-encodement-on-film switch is actuatable to provide a format encodement on a filmstrip in the camera; the mask has a switch actuator for actuating the encodement switch; and a rigid support for the switch actuator maintains a gap between the switch actuator and the encodement switch when the switch actuator does not actuate the encodement switch, to prevent the switch actuator from accidentally actuating the encodement switch because the front cover part is pressed inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Allen, Douglas H. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5974265
    Abstract: A group of two different variable format cameras comprise a viewfinder in each of the cameras; a single format mask supported for movement into and out of the viewfinder in one of the cameras, and an identical format mask supported for movement into and out of the viewfinder in the other camera; a format-encodement-on-film closeable switch in one of the cameras, and an identical switch in the other camera; and a closing actuator connected to the mask in one of the cameras to close the switch in that camera when the mask is moved into the viewfinder in that camera, and a different closing actuator connected to the mask in the other camera to close the switch in that camera when the mask is moved out of the viewfinder in that camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Allen, Jude A. Sangregory
  • Patent number: 5970267
    Abstract: A field frame switching apparatus for a finder in which an elongated standard visual field, a narrow-width visual field and a laterally-elongated visual field can be selected. A pair of narrow-width visual-field-forming light-interception frames are provided with vertical light-interception walls which are adapted to block out the right and left ends of the standard visual field. A pair of laterally-elongated visual-field-forming light-interception frames are provided with lateral-light-interception walls are adapted to block out the upper and lower ends of the standard visual field. An operation member is adapted to move the narrow-width visual-field-forming light-interception frames in a first direction toward a narrow-width field-frame-forming position in which the vertical light-interception walls are located within the standard visual field frame and in a second direction toward a laterally-elongated field-frame-forming position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Inazuka, Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 5950029
    Abstract: A camera including a viewfinder for viewing a subject to be photographed, a masking a device for the viewfinder having a number of different format mask configurations, a taking lens for forming an image of the subject, and a lens cover for the taking lens, is characterized in that the masking device and said lens cover are supported to be moved at the same time for any one of the mask configurations to be in a masking position partially masking the viewfinder when the lens cover is not covering the taking lens and for every one of the mask configurations to be respective non-masking positions not partially masking the viewfinder when the lens cover covers the taking lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael L. DeCecca, Mark A. Lamphron
  • Patent number: 5950025
    Abstract: A print format selection device for selecting one of different print formats to each picture frame of a filmstrip loaded in a camera or lens-fitted photo film unit, wherein an original field of view of a viewfinder corresponds to a picture frame defined by an exposure aperture of the camera. A rotatable view changing plate is provided to limit the original field of view in correspondence with the selected print format. The view changing plate is formed with two view windows of different aspect ratios from the original field of view. The centers of the view windows are on a circle which is coaxial with the rotational axis of the view changing plate and which extend across an optical axis of the viewfinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Uchiyama, Mitsuhiro Moriya
  • Patent number: 5946510
    Abstract: In an Albada type finder 10 applied to a camera capable of photographing either the full size or the panoramic size, when the panoramic size is specified with a change-over switch 24, a lever 58 rotates clockwise around a pin 70, and then a lever 60 is pushed by the opening 74 and moves downward. And, rod 84 pushes a lever 62, whereby the rod 84 rotates counterclockwise around pin 86, therefore, axis 40 rotates clockwise against the biasing force of a spring 41 and axis 42 rotates counterclockwise against the biasing force of the biasing spring 43. With this arrangement, a pair of mask plates 16 and 18 enter the optical path between a half mirror 32 and an eye piece 24 in the vicinity of the half mirror 32 in the Albada type finder 10. Therefore, a light reflected outside of a panoramic size field frame of the eye piece 34 is absorbed by the mask plates 16 and 18, so that the outside of the field frame of the panoramic size can be blackened during the panoramic size shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kobayashi, Katsuhiro Ohtake
  • Patent number: 5933667
    Abstract: A viewfinder mask, viewfinder and photographic camera. The viewfinder mask connects to a camera lens for adjusting the image field of the viewfinder to the adjustable focal length of the camera lens. The viewfinder mask comprises an L-shaped frame part and a rectangular frame part covering the latter, these being linked by a film hinge. A guide lever engages on the one hand a corner of the rectangular frame part and on the other hand, in the area of the film hinge, the L-shaped frame part. The frame parts are mounted movably in relation to one another inside the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michael N. Freund
  • Patent number: 5930539
    Abstract: A movable visual field frame (a CP visual field frame) is arranged behind an H visual field frame, which determines a visual field corresponding to a high-vision (H) angle of view. The CP visual field frame comprises a pair of substantially L-shaped movable visual field frame pieces, which are arranged in such a manner as to face each other. First and second driving members are provided in such a manner as to rotate about a finder optical axis, and they drive the pair of the movable visual field frame pieces. A driving shaft is rotated in association with a switching control, and the first and second driving members are rotated by the driving shaft on different rotational ratios with driving gears. The second driving member rotates by a larger rotational angle than the first driving member, and regulates the positions of the movable visual field frame pieces so that upper and lower sides of the CP visual field frame can be horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5897232
    Abstract: A photographic camera (10) includes a film supply chamber (14); a film takeup chamber (16) and a film exposure gate (18) positioned between the chambers. The gate defines a maximum exposed image width (W) in a direction of film travel between the chambers and a maximum exposed image height (H) in a direction transverse to the direction of film travel. A plurality of mask members (24, 26) extend transverse to the direction of travel, each mask member being configured for masking only a portion of the maximum exposed image width. There is no mask in the camera configured for masking a portion of the maximum exposed image height. A mechanism (88-94) moves the mask members toward or away from a center of the exposure gate to reduce or increase only a final exposed image width (W.sub.e), without masking the maximum exposed image height. As a result, the final width of the exposed image indicates a required enlargement of exposed image to produce a pseudo telephoto print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stanley Ward Stephenson, Paul Teremy
  • Patent number: 5828914
    Abstract: A camera comprising a pair of front and rear viewfinder openings with a similar aspect ratio which defines a field of view through the front and rear viewfinder openings, and a masking device having a front masking opening with an aspect ratio that is different than the aspect ratio of the front and rear viewfinder openings and being supported to be positioned over the front viewfinder opening to change the field of view through the front and rear viewfinder openings, is characterized in that the masking device has a rear masking opening with the same aspect ratio as the front masking opening and being connected to the front masking opening to be positioned over the rear viewfinder opening when the front masking opening is positioned over the front viewfinder opening. Preferably, the masking device includes an endless masking belt having the pair of front and rear masking openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Edward N. Balling
  • Patent number: 5784658
    Abstract: An optical data recording device is mounted in a lens-fitted photographic film unit with a built-in flash device. The optical data recording device is provided for optically recording a number of dots on the photographic film, as print format data for designating a print format of photo-prints to be made from a picture frame of a constant size. A light source of the optical data recording device is mounted to a printed circuit board of the flash device so as to be supplied with a battery of the flash device and to be driven in synchronism with a shutter release operation. Light from the light source is transmitted through a light guide toward a plurality of openings which face the photographic film. The number of dots recorded per picture frame is changed by operating a format selection knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukitsugu Hata, Kazuo Okoyama, Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 5774754
    Abstract: A camera includes a photographic recording device which records an image of an object on a photosensitive recording medium; an image pick-up device which picks up an image of the object to generate an image signal; a display device which displays a monitor image based on the image signal generated by the image pick-up device; a photographing information setting device which sets photographing information for an image to be recorded on the photosensitive recording medium; and a display controller which controls the display device to display a monitor image in accordance with the set photographing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 5771416
    Abstract: A finder has a finder field frame switching mechanism for switching and indicating two field frames relative to a reference field frame. The finder field frame switching mechanism performs switching of one field frame by a mechanical type switching mechanism, and switching of another field frame by liquid crystal. As a result, an inexpensive finder field frame switching mechanism of a simple structure can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromu Mukai, Kyoichi Miyazaki, Hideki Nagata
  • Patent number: 5732298
    Abstract: The picture frame switching mechanism according to the present invention includes: a plurality of picture frame definition members whose relative position in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of an optical system is changed so as to switch picture frames; a drive section which drives a portion of the plurality of picture frame definition members; and a linked driving section which drives other portion of the picture frame definition members in linkage according to predetermined conditions with driving of the portion of the picture frame definition members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Nishizawa, Isao Soshi, Shuji Iijima, Noriyasu Kotani, Junichi Omi
  • Patent number: 5732297
    Abstract: A camera for setting the aspect ratio of a photographic image plane and recording information of the set aspect ratio has a full-size frame defining a full-size finder image plane corresponding to a photographing image plane, a vertical mask for vertical trimming of the finder image plane, a lateral mask for lateral trimming of the finder image plane, a shaft supporting the masks, and a camshaft with a cam groove engaged by each of the masks. The masks are moved along the shaft by rotating the camshaft. The visual field range of the finder image plane is changed among a plurality of states corresponding to different aspect ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Tanaka, Yasuo Asakura, Yuji Kobayashi, Masatoshi Sato, Keita Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5727245
    Abstract: A camera having: a viewfinder optical system including a stationary objective lens, first and second prisms, a stationary eyepiece lens, and first and second variable-power lenses, that advance or withdraw in the optical-axis direction responsive to zooming movement of a photographing lens array, a viewfinder structure member for retaining the viewfinder optical system, an eyepiece variable-power lens inserted into the optical path of the viewfinder optical system, a viewfinder panoramic field mask united with an eyepiece variable-power lens frame for retaining the eyepiece variable-power lens, a lens constraining spring that, when the viewfinder panoramic field mask is inserted into the optical path of the viewfinder optical system, constrains the eyepiece variable-power lens to abut against the viewfinder structure member for accurate positioning, upper and lower interceptive masks for changing picture size, a first rack extending in a direction in which the interceptive masks move, a second rack extending
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Asakura, Setsuya Kataoka, Yoshihiro Maeda, Keita Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5689743
    Abstract: A camera comprising a viewfinder for defining a field of view provided with a given aspect ratio, and a pair of front and rear masks insertable in the field of view to position respective larger and smaller openings of the front and rear masks in the field of view to change the aspect ratio of the field of view, is characterized in that a differential gear mechanism connects the front and rear masks for moving the front mask a greater extent than the rear mask is moved, to position the larger and smaller openings in the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Randy Eugene Horning, Ralph Merwin Lyon
  • Patent number: 5659827
    Abstract: A still camera viewfinder comprising a reticle lens having more than one frame thereon and which is selectively positionable in the viewing area, and viewing area masking plate arms which are coupled to said reticle lens to open or selectively mask portions of the viewing area dependent upon the film format or lens in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Shigeru Oshima
  • Patent number: 5640631
    Abstract: A finder system of a single lens reflex camera provided with a mechanism for defining a viewing area of the finder system when the camera is in a first predetermined mode. When the camera is in a second predetermined mode, a mechanism is provided for shading a predetermined portion of the viewing area of the finder system with the light shading mechanism having at least one light shielding plate. The finder system also includes a mechanism for changing the camera form the first predetermined mode to the second predetermined mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Saito
  • Patent number: 5623324
    Abstract: A variable viewfinder mask assembly is adjustable to provide three different rectangular mask openings; the first and second of such openings being of the same height but of different widths and the first and third of said openings being of the same width but of different heights. Means are also provided to prevent overtravel of a drive member from influencing the adjustments of the mask openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William F. Dassero, Anthony DiRisio