Electro-optical, Magneto-optical, Or Photochromic Type Patents (Class 396/506)
  • Patent number: 11442587
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device may comprise a touch layer in which a sensor may be disposed below a designated area, wherein the touch layer comprises: a first touch line including a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode arranged in a first direction in the designated area; a second touch line including a third touch electrode and a fourth touch electrode arranged in a second direction while crossing the first touch line in the designated area; a first opening formed in the area where the first touch line and the second touch line cross each other; and a first connection wiring disposed in the peripheral portion of the first opening and connecting the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode to each other. Various other embodiments are also possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Aram Song, Sangheon Park, Hoondo Heo, Minuk Kim, Jongdae Park, Ilyong Yu
  • Patent number: 11360367
    Abstract: An electro-optic system where an electrical potential is changed and/or regulated to achieve a desired potential applied to an electro-optic medium. The electro-optic system comprises an electro-optic medium disposed in a chamber defined in part by two electrodes. A power source is connected to the two electrodes and thereby operable to apply an electrical potential to the electrochromic medium across the two electrodes. A voltmeter is operable to measure an electrical potential between two points within the chamber. Additionally, a controller is connected to the voltmeter and the power source and is operable to regulate the electrical potential applied by the power source based, at least in part, on the electrical potential measured between the two points within the chamber by the voltmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaoxu Niu, Adam R. Heintzelman, Kurtis L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 11217643
    Abstract: The present application relates to a display screen and an electronic device. The display screen comprises a first display area for arranging a front device, wherein the first display area is provided with a first type of light-emitting unit; the first type of light-emitting unit comprises a pixel area and an electrochromic light transmittance material disposed around the pixel area; the electrochromic light transmittance material exhibits a light absorption property when being energized; and the electrochromic light transmittance material exhibits a light transmission property when not being energized. In addition, the present application also relates to an electronic device comprising the above-mentioned display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: YUNGU (GU'AN) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tong Xu, Qi Shan, Rubo Xing
  • Patent number: 11079647
    Abstract: An electrochromic display element is provided. The electrochromic display element includes a pair of electrodes and an electrochromic layer disposed between the electrodes. The electrochromic layer contains a solvent, a supporting electrolyte, an anodic electrochromic molecule comprising a triarylamine derivative, and a cathodic electrochromic molecule comprising a viologen derivative. Concentrations of the triarylamine derivative and the viologen derivative in the electrochromic layer are each 4 mM or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Ura, Fuminari Kaneko
  • Patent number: 10924690
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, for controlling optical transmission of a lens of a camera. A method includes obtaining a first image from a camera, determining that the first image does not satisfy an image requirement, in response to determining that the first image does not satisfy an image requirement, increasing an optical transmission of a lens of the camera, and, obtaining a second image with the camera while the optical transmission of the lens of the camera is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Colin Duffie
  • Patent number: 10409129
    Abstract: An electrochromic element is provided. The electrochromic element includes a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode with a gap therebetween, and a color developing layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The color developing layer includes an electrochromic compound that develops and discharges color by a redox reaction and a compound having an adsorption group adsorptive to the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuto Matsuoka, Tohru Yashiro, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Fuminari Kaneko, Sukchan Kim, Mamiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 10281791
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprises (i) a conductive layer, (ii) an electrochromic material, on the conductive layer, (iii) an electrolyte, on the electrochromic material, and (iv) a counter-electrode, on the electrolyte. The conductive layer has a surface roughness factor (SRF) of at least 10, and the conductive layer comprises a semi-metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northers Illinois University
    Inventor: Tao Xu
  • Patent number: 9998682
    Abstract: The imaging apparatus includes a stop, an APD filter, a ND filter, an imaging element, a main control section, a photometric section, a program diagram storage section, and an imaging exposure determination section. The ND filter can be inserted into or removed from the optical path. The photometric section calculates a photometric value from an imaging signal which is obtained by the imaging element. The program diagram storage section stores a program diagram in which an aperture value is fixed at an open aperture value at a specific amount of exposure or less. The imaging exposure determination section determines imaging exposure on the basis of an amount of imaging exposure which is calculated from photometric value and the program diagram. The main control section inserts the ND filter in the optical path in a case where the amount of imaging exposure is greater than the specific amount of exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 9930263
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a technology of an imaging apparatus capable of outputting image data, which is output from an imaging device, as image data of an appropriate exposure amount, and the like. [Solving Means] An imaging apparatus according to the present technology includes a transmittance adjustment unit, an imaging device, and a control unit. The transmittance adjustment unit is capable of adjusting a transmittance of light in accordance with an applied voltage. The imaging device performs imaging by exposure of light passing through the transmittance adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Terasawa
  • Patent number: 9880327
    Abstract: An embodiment of a camera module includes a holder configured such that the upper and lower portions of the holder are open and such that a first hole and a second hole, opposite to the first hole, are formed in the side surface of the holder, a first lens unit coupled to the upper portion of the holder, a second lens unit coupled to the lower portion of the holder, and a liquid lens disposed in the first hole and the second hole of the holder between the first lens unit and the second lens unit, the liquid lens protruding outward from the side surface of the holder, wherein at least a portion of the liquid lens may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Ryong Park, Jung Shik Baik
  • Patent number: 9042085
    Abstract: In a broad aspect, embodiments described herein are generally directed to an electronic device comprising: a housing; a component mounted within the housing; a component cover in fixed relation to the housing; wherein the component cover is configurable between at least a first state and a second state; and wherein light transmissivity through the component cover is greater when in the second state than when in the first state. In some implementations, in the first state the component cover is substantially opaque, or in the second state the component cover is substantially transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventor: Colin Shiva Ramrattan
  • Publication number: 20140362302
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described that modulate a specimen-background dark-field micrograph contrast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: TOKITAE LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Behrend, Michael C. Hegg, Matthew P. Horning, Benjamin K. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8662766
    Abstract: A light path adjustment apparatus includes a support plate that has a first through hole through which light passes and optical units that move between an open location where the first through hole is opened by the optical units moving toward an outside of the first through hole and a closing location where the first through hole is divided into a plurality of regions by the plurality of optical units moving toward the first through hole. The optical units block at least a part of the light in the closing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-oh Jung, Cheol-eun Jang, Sung-wook Choi, Woo-jong Cho
  • Patent number: 7917027
    Abstract: An actuator body and a throttle mechanism that are small and have a simple structure are provided. The actuator body comprises a polymer actuator 11 that bends and deforms by an electric driving source, an intermediate 12 that transmits the bending force of the polymer actuator, and an elastic body 13 to which the bending force is applied through the intermediate, wherein the dimension of a hole portion that is formed in the elastic body 13 changes when the bending force of the polymer actuator 11 is applied onto the elastic body 13 through the intermediate 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Eamex Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Nakayama, Noboru Tanaka, Kouichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7708479
    Abstract: An imaging device and a portable information terminal device of the present invention include: a blade driving unit (20) made up of a base plate (21) having an opening portion (21a) serving as an optical path, an infrared light cut filter blade (23) movably supported by the base plate between a receded position displaced from the opening portion and a position facing the opening portion, and a first electromagnetic driving source (26) that drives the infrared light cut filter blade (23); a lens optical system (32, 33, 34) arranged on the optical path passing through the opening portion; an imaging element (42) that images an object through the lens optical system; and a control unit (51) that drives and controls the blade driving unit (20) and the imaging element (42). The control unit drives and controls the first electromagnetic driving source (26) so as to move the infrared light cut filter blade (23) to the receded position when using an infrared light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Ohzeki, Mitsutaka Hidaka
  • Patent number: 7670068
    Abstract: An actuator includes: a coil for excitation; a stator excited with different magnetic poles by energization of the coil; a rotor magnetized with different magnetic poles in a circumferential direction, and rotated by magnetic force generating between the rotor and the stator; and an outputting member rotated in conjunction with the rotor and outputting rotational movement of the rotor to a member. The outputting member fits onto the rotor, and the rotor has at least one of a recess portion and a projection portion at a fitting surface of the rotor. The outputting member is jointed with the rotor so as to have a shape corresponding to the at least one of the recess portion and the projection portion by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Yasuda, Akihiro Ito, Masato Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7665914
    Abstract: An iris diaphragm actuator includes a magnetic position sensing structure, at least one driving element and a light intercepting element. The magnetic position sensing structure includes a magnetic element and a magnetic sensor relatively disposed. The driving element connects and drives the magnetic element or the magnetic sensor to perform a rotating motion with respect to a rotation center such that the distance and angle between the magnetic element and the magnetic sensor are changed so as to obtain a substantially linear relation between a magnetic flux sensed by the magnetic sensor and the position of the magnetic element. Also, an arrangement method of a magnetic position sensing structure is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Chii-How Chang
  • Patent number: 7668453
    Abstract: The image taking apparatus of the invention includes a light quantity control device that is arranged on the optical axis of subject light and controls transmitted volume of the subject light. The light quantity control device includes a light quantity control layer and a pair of light-transmissive electrodes. The light quantity control layer expands and contracts in accordance with an electric field generated therein and thereby changes the transmitted volume of the subject light. The electrodes are disposed so as to sandwich the light quantity control layer and generate an electric field in the light quantity control layer, in response to application of voltage, thereby causing the light quantity control layer to expand and contract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignees: FUJIFILM Corporation, FUJINON Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Hagiwara, Naoyuki Nishikawa, Yoshihiro Ito, Tetsuya Okumura
  • Patent number: 7625142
    Abstract: A light quantity adjusting device includes a substrate having an optical path aperture, a blade located on the substrate to adjust the quantity of light passing through the optical path aperture, and an electromagnetic driver that drivingly opens and closes the blade. The electromagnetic driver includes a rotor shaft, an exciting coil, and a frame that rotatably bears the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft includes a pointed first shaft end and a cylindrical second shaft end. The frame has a conical bearing recess that supports the first shaft end and a cylindrical bearing hole that supports the second shaft end. The electromagnetic driver is located so that the first shaft end of the rotor shaft is closer to the substrate than the second shaft end. An arm is coupled to the first shaft end of the rotor shaft to transmit an opening and closing driving force to the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshimi Fukasawa
  • Patent number: 7585122
    Abstract: An adjustable aperture construction for a camera comprises at least two electrodes, and an electrical circuit for applying a voltage to the electrodes in order to create an electric field between the electrodes. In addition the construction comprises a center unit with a hole in the middle as an aperture, where the center unit is made of an electroactive material and placed essentially between the electrodes. The center unit is then deformed, expanded or retracted by applying the electric field between the electrodes using the electrical circuit thereby adjusting the aperture in the center unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Marko Eromāki
  • Patent number: 7568849
    Abstract: A light quantity adjusting device prevents possible violent vibration resulting from an external force. The light quantity adjusting device includes a substrate having an optical path aperture, a blade movably placed on the substrate to restrict the quantity of light passing through the optical path aperture, and an electromagnetic driving device for drivingly opening and closing the blade. The electromagnetic driving device includes a rotating shaft, an arm integrated with the rotating shaft, and a transmission pin provided on the arm. The blade has a cam groove formed therein and engaging the transmission pin. The cam groove includes a continuous groove having a driving area that crosses a pivoting direction of the transmission pin at a predetermined angle to displace the blade and a non-driving area that crosses the pivoting direction of the transmission pin at a substantially right angle to reduce displacement applied to the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiko Hayakawa, Kenji Masuyama, Takahiro Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 7563041
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable wireless terminal with a camera module, which includes a camera lens assembly installed in a main board of the portable wireless terminal, an object photographing opening formed corresponding to the camera lens assembly on a case frame of the portable wireless terminal, and a liquid crystal panel fixed in the object photographing opening and constructed so that the liquid crystal panel's brightness is adjustable by a selective application of a driving power source of the portable wireless terminal to liquid crystal of the liquid crystal panel, whereby the camera module can be efficiently used by a shutter function of the liquid crystal panel and a security function in a security zone is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Bum-Suk Kang
  • Patent number: 7544002
    Abstract: An optical device includes: a sealed container having edge walls facing each other in a thickness direction of the container and a side wall connecting both of the edge walls; a first liquid with polarity or electrical conductivity and sealed within the container; a second liquid that is sealed within the container and does not mix with the first liquid; and a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage across the first liquid. The first liquid and the second liquid have equal specific gravity, and transmissivity of the first liquid is lower than the transmissivity of the second liquid. An interface between the first liquid and the second liquid changes shape in response to a voltage applied by the voltage applying unit. A light transmission path that passes through the edge walls and extends in a direction of the thickness of the container is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Keita Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7431518
    Abstract: An optical device and a lens unit each include a liquid container containing an insulating liquid and an electroconductive liquid which are mutually immiscible and optically transparent and have different refractive indices. The optical device and the lens unit also have a gas-absorbing material in or around the liquid container. The gas-absorbing material absorbs gas generated by energization. The optical device and the lens unit can maintain their optical characteristics even if voltage is repeatedly applied. An imaging apparatus includes an optical shooting system having the optical device. The imaging apparatus takes pictures by capturing object light coming through the optical shooting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignees: FUJIFILM Corporation, FUJINON Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kato, Tetsuya Ohtsuka, Hitoshi Miyano
  • Patent number: 7430370
    Abstract: An optical element and a lens unit each includes: a liquid container transmitting light at least in a predetermined optical axis direction, the liquid container containing an insulating liquid and an ionic liquid being mutually immiscible and optically transparent, and having different refractive indices; a first electrode contacting the ionic liquid in the liquid container; and a second electrode insulated from the ionic liquid in the liquid container. The ionic fluid is not subject to electrolysis and does not evaporate easily even at high temperature. Accordingly, the optical element, the lens unit and an image taking apparatus having the optical element can maintain high light-transmission and optical characteristics over a long period even in a high temperature environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: Fujinon Corporation, FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kato, Tomonori Masuda, Hitoshi Miyano
  • Patent number: 7419314
    Abstract: An optical density changing element comprising: an anode; and a cathode, wherein at least one of the anode and the cathode comprises a first compound that changes a spectral absorption spectrum of the first compound in a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm by providing an electron to or receiving an electron from the at least one of the anode and the cathode, and wherein at least one of the anode and the cathode comprises a second compound that does not change a spectral absorption spectrum of the second compound in a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm by providing an electron to or receiving an electron from the at least one of the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kaneiwa, Ryuji Shinohara, Atsushi Matsunaga, Yoshio Ishii
  • Publication number: 20080175585
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light amount adjustment apparatus, including: a light amount adjustment member; a rotatable magnet formed in a disk shape; a driving arm configured to be pivoted by rotation of the magnet to operate the light amount adjustment member; a core having a pair of confronting portions positioned so as to sandwich the magnet from an outer circumference side and a connecting portion configured to connect end portions of the confronting portions to each other; a coil through which one of the portions of the core extends; and a base member having the core attached to the base member and supporting the magnet for rotation on the base member. The base member has a plurality of attaching projections provided at least at two places of the base member for attaching the core to the base member. The attaching projections have a small projection for fitting with the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Ohkuma
  • Patent number: 7339649
    Abstract: A lens barrel and imaging device advantageous for making unnatural brightness variation in an image, due to a liquid-crystal light control element, less noticeable, while reducing the size of an optical system, are disclosed. A lens barrel comprises an optical system, a rectangular planar liquid-crystal light control element, and an imaging element. An object image captured by the optical system is guided to the imaging element through the control element comprising a liquid crystal layer sealed in between a pair of alignment layers and containing rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules. A sensor unit of the imaging element has a rectangular imaging area. Light rays guided from the optical system to the imaging element diverge away from an optical axis. An orientational direction of the control element is substantially parallel to the shorter sides of the imaging area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Imai, Masayasu Mizushima, Shuji Shimizu, Yutaka Sato, Hiroyuki Tabei
  • Publication number: 20070297791
    Abstract: A light quantity adjusting device includes a substrate having an optical path aperture, a blade located on the substrate to adjust the quantity of light passing through the optical path aperture, and an electromagnetic driver that drivingly opens and closes the blade. The electromagnetic driver includes a rotor shaft, an exciting coil, and a frame that rotatably bears the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft includes a pointed first shaft end and a cylindrical second shaft end. The frame has a conical bearing recess that supports the first shaft end and a cylindrical bearing hole that supports the second shaft end. The electromagnetic driver is located so that the first shaft end of the rotor shaft is closer to the substrate than the second shaft end. An arm is coupled to the first shaft end of the rotor shaft to transmit an opening and closing driving force to the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: NISCA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshimi Fukasawa
  • Publication number: 20070286597
    Abstract: Cameras such as electronic video surveillance cameras use an iris to adjust the total amount of light reaching the sensor element. An electrically adjustable iris composed of a magnetic fluid disposed within an aperture construction assembly allows the optical aperture to be adjusted dynamically and allows for more rapid change to optimum aperture settings for varying external lighting conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: William Hopper
  • Patent number: 7213984
    Abstract: To provide an optical density-changing element which has excellent properties that it can be brought into a colored state by applying only a low voltage, that it shows a rapid response speed and becomes completely colorless when restored to a bleached state from the colored state, and which can undergo a change in optical density in response to an applied voltage, the optical density-changing element includes, on each of an anode and a cathode, a material capable of at least one of donating and accepting an electron and, as a result of at least one of donating and accepting the electron, undergoing a change in absorption spectrum in a visible region and a material undergoing substantially no change in absorption spectrum in the visible region, with potentials of these materials satisfying a specific relation defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kaneiwa, Ryuji Shinohara, Atsushi Matsunaga, Kiyoshi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7186039
    Abstract: An imaging optical system includes an image forming optical system forming an image of an object, an imaging device placed in the proximity of the image of the object, a liquid crystal element placed at a preset position on the optical path between the object and the imaging device; and an optical element placed on the object side of the liquid crystal element. The optical element is constructed of a medium in which the transmittance of light at a wavelength of 500 nm is 20% or more and which exhibits different refractive indices with respect to light, the directions of vibrations of which are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Mihara
  • Patent number: 7181134
    Abstract: An optical element comprises: an electromotive force-generating element that generates an electromotive force in response to electromagnetic wave; and an optical density-changing element that changes its optical density according to the electromotive force, the optical density-changing element comprising: at least one of metal sulfide and metal nitride; and a material that causes a change of the optical density and adsorbs to said at least one of metal sulfide and metal nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kaneiwa, Ryuji Shinohara, Atsushi Matsunaga, Kiyoshi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6702483
    Abstract: An optical device capable of controlling its optical transmittance. The optical device has a first liquid conductive or having a polarity and a second liquid. The first and second liquids are substantially equal in refractive index but differ in transmittance. The first and second liquids do not mix with each other. The first and second liquids are sealingly contained in a container in such state that the boundary therebetween has a predetermined shape. When a voltage is applied between these liquids through electrodes formed in such a place or condition as to avoid interference with passage of a bundle of rays incident upon the optical element, the output of the applied voltage is selected under control to change the shape of the boundary, thereby changing the quantity of transmitted light in the bundle of rays traveling through the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Tsuboi, Ichiro Onuki, Goro Noto, Eriko Kawanami
  • Patent number: 6493513
    Abstract: A shutter device for a camera includes a shutter blade for providing an exposure by opening/shutting a photographic light path, and a shutter drive lever for driving the shutter blade. The shutter device includes a shutter release button. A photometric switch is turned on in response to depression of the shutter release button. A photometric circuit is operated by turning on of the photometric switch, for measuring object brightness. An aperture stop changeover mechanism changes over an aperture stop of the photographic light path according to the photographic light path. A delay structure such as a delay lever detects completion of actuation of the aperture stop changeover mechanism and responsively moves the shutter drive lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Noguchi, Hirokazu Yokoo, Takashi Imamura, Yuji Mikami
  • Patent number: 6443638
    Abstract: A flash lever for actuating a flash switch is interlocked with a stop plate via a spring. When a picture is taken without a flash, photographing is performed in a state that a small stop opening of the stop plate is disposed at an optical path. When the flash lever is moved to an ON position in order to take a picture with the flash, the flash switch is turned on to activate a flash circuit and a photometry circuit. At this time, the stop plate is evacuated from the optical path so that photographing is performed only through a fixed stop opening. If luminance of a subject is large in this condition, an electric current is supplied to an electromagnet to pull an iron plunger therein for returning the stop plate to the original position. In virtue of this, photographing is performed through the small stop opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 6336753
    Abstract: An optical device used for an optical filter or the like capable of controlling a light transmittance or light reflectance in a visible light region, a fabrication method thereof, a driving method thereof and a camera system are provided, including the optical device comprising a working electrode and a counter electrode in which an electrolyte is disposed in contact with both of the electrodes and light is controlled electrochemically by controlling an electric field applied to the electrolyte, and a first layer of the counter electrode present on the side of the electrolyte comprises a metal having a lower ionization tendency than that of a metal deposited at the working electrode, an optical device having a reference electrode having no direct concerns with oxidation/reduction reaction of the working electrode and the counter electrode for measuring the potential for one or both of the electrodes, a method of fabricating an optical device having a counter electrode and a reference electrode comprising a si
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kihira, Toru Udaka
  • Publication number: 20010017985
    Abstract: An optical device capable of controlling its optical transmittance. The optical device has a first liquid conductive or having a polarity and a second liquid. The first and second liquids are substantially equal in refractive index but differ in transmittance. The first and second liquids do not mix with each other. The first and second liquids are sealingly contained in a container in such state that the boundary therebetween has a predetermined shape. When a voltage is applied between these liquids through electrodes formed in such a place or condition as to avoid interference with passage of a bundle of rays incident upon the optical element, the output of the applied voltage is selected under control to change the shape of the boundary, thereby changing the quantity of transmitted light in the bundle of rays traveling through the optical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Takayuki Tsuboi, Ichiro Onuki, Goro Noto, Eriko Kawanami
  • Patent number: 5634163
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film (31). An exposure is taken through an exposure opening (43) upon depression of a shutter button (14) to a full depressed position. A halfway position of the shutter button is less deep than the full depressed position. A power source switch (44) is switched on upon movement of the shutter button to the halfway position. A photometric circuit (50, 60) receives light of an object, and for generating a changeover signal when brightness of the object is a predetermined brightness or more. The photometric circuit is rendered effective when the power switch is switched on. A changeover plate (46a) has a stop-down opening (46b) which is formed therein, and has a size smaller than the exposure opening. The changeover plate is movable between an inserted position and a retracted position. The stop-down opening of the inserted position is superposed on the exposure opening to intercept a periphery of the exposure opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kamata