Having Lens Converter Or Extension Tube Patents (Class 396/71)
  • Patent number: 7813632
    Abstract: System and method for modifying an optical assembly with another image modifying device by using an adapter assembly to connect or couple three image modifying devices together. The adapter assembly includes two adapters that have collars to hold a night vision monocular between them, and to each connect with a camera and lens, respectively, modifying a camera-lens assembly for use in night time photo surveillance. Attachment members on each adapter may include mechanical and/or electrical connectors to couple or connect the adapters to each other, and/or to electrically connect the camera with the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nocturnal Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Laganas, Charles Ronald Musgrove
  • Patent number: 7783182
    Abstract: A lens unit has a photographing lens, and is secured removably to a camera main body. An accessory conversion lens device is settable on the lens unit. The lens unit includes a reception unit for receiving accessory device data from the conversion lens device. A determiner checks propriety of the conversion lens device according to accessory device data received by the reception unit, and produces checking information. A transmission unit transmits the checking information to the main body. Specifically, the lens unit has an image pickup element. Also, the conversion lens device includes an RFID tag for storing the accessory device data. The reception unit includes an RFID tag reader for wireless reception. Also, the main body includes an LCD panel to display for outputting alarm information. A main body controller drives the LCD panel if the checking information represents lack of the propriety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Tokiwa, Yoshihiro Ito, Takeshi Misawa, Takehiko Senba, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7769283
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system including a focus lens unit, a branching optical unit disposed at the image side of the focus lens unit, a focus-state detecting unit including a focus detecting element having a focus detection area that receives light beams from the branching optical unit, and detecting a focus state by using the focus detecting element, an actuator that drives the focus lens unit in an optical axis direction thereof, a controller that controls the actuator, in accordance with an output from the focus-state detecting unit, and a movable image-side optical unit disposed at the image side of the branching optical unit. The controller changes the size of the focus detection area of the focus detecting element within a range in accordance with the position of the image-side optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuji Nurishi
  • Patent number: 7720368
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for enhancing a projected image to reduce the optical depth of field, and create a more desirable film-like image. The present invention provides a multi-function imaging element for enhancing a projected image that includes a focusing screen that minimizes light hot spots in an image projected on the focusing screen and filters ultraviolet rays. The focusing screen can be static, moving, oscillating or rotating. The ultraviolet rays are filtered using a coating on the focusing screen, or by a separate filter made of glass, plastic or film. Note that the multi-function imaging element can be integrated into an adapter, a camera, a video camera, a projector, a television, a monitor, or other image capture or display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Redrock Microsystems, LLC
    Inventor: James Hurd
  • Patent number: 7715702
    Abstract: A lens adapter is disclosed. The lens adapter includes: an adapter ring having a flexible fitting portion and an installation portion in which an optical component is mounted, the fitting portions being fitted over a fitting engagement portion of a lens ring mounted around a lens portion facing a front surface of an imaging apparatus; and a lock ring fitted over an outer surface of the adapter ring, the lock ring being manipulated so as to be moved between a locked position where the lock ring is opposite to the fitting portions fitted over the fitting engagement portion and flexure of the fitting portions is prevented and an unlocked position where the lock ring is retracted from the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Nobumasa Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7609953
    Abstract: A lens unit has a photographing lens, and is secured removably to a camera main body. An accessory conversion lens device is settable on the lens unit. The lens unit includes a reception unit for receiving accessory device data from the conversion lens device. A determiner checks propriety of the conversion lens device according to accessory device data received by the reception unit, and produces checking information. A transmission unit transmits the checking information to the main body. Specifically, the lens unit has an image pickup element. Also, the conversion lens device includes an RFID tag for storing the accessory device data. The reception unit includes an RFID tag reader for wireless reception. Also, the main body includes an LCD panel to display for outputting alarm information. A main body controller drives the LCD panel if the checking information represents lack of the propriety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Tokiwa, Yoshihiro Ito, Takeshi Misawa, Takehiko Senba, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7609963
    Abstract: A method of placing a grating material at an optimum distance from a sensor that will produce a reference spectrum on that sensor. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a device with a diffraction grating end will protrude into the empty lens well of a camera and with the camera inserted into a telescope eyepiece holder will focus both a image of an object, that the telescope is pointed to, and its spectrum onto the light sensor in the camera. This dual image, called a reference spectrum, allows the separation between the image of the object and a point in the image of its spectrum to be determined quickly. This separation distance to the spectral point within the spectrum is then a referenced distance. Once a reference distance is known it is then used to determine the wavelength of any other point or spectral line within the spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Roger Wayne Brown
  • Patent number: 7574124
    Abstract: An adapter lens has a front plate, an optical member, a side plate, an upper plate and a rear plate. The adapter lens can be detachably attached to an upper left-hand corner of a body included in a camera. The adapter lens is mounted on the camera with the front plate, the side plate, the upper plate and the rear plate in contact with a part of the front surface around the objective lens, an upper part of the side surface near the corner of the body, a part of the upper surface near the corner of the body, and an upper part of the rear surface near the corner of the body, respectively. A screw is passed through a through hole formed in connecting part of the rear plate and screwed into a threaded hole formed in a boss formed integrally with the side plate to hold the body between the front plate and the rear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7532812
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system including a focus lens unit, a branching optical unit disposed at the image side of the focus lens unit, a focus-state detecting unit including a focus detecting element having a focus detection area that receives light beams from the branching optical unit, and detecting a focus state by using the focus detecting element, an actuator that drives the focus lens unit in an optical axis direction thereof, a controller that controls the actuator, in accordance with an output from the focus-state detecting unit, and a movable image-side optical unit disposed at the image side of the branching optical unit. The controller changes the size of the focus detection area of the focus detecting element within a range in accordance with the position of the image-side optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuji Nurishi
  • Publication number: 20090110381
    Abstract: A means for fixing an auxiliary lens to the outside of the original lens of a camera body includes an annular base, an annular lens mount and an annular abutting base. The inner edge of the base protrudes upwardly to form a wall. The wall protrudes outwards to form a plurality of blocks. The inner edge of the lens mount is provided with a plurality of notches corresponding to the blocks. A first end surface of the abutting base extends to form a plurality of L-shaped elastic arms corresponding to the blocks and notches. The L-shaped elastic arm extends obliquely from the first end surface toward the lens mount. A gap is formed between the L-shaped elastic arm and the abutting base, so that the L-shaped elastic arm can be bent inwardly when compressed. When the camera body is combined with the auxiliary lens by rotation, the blocks pass through the notches to abut and compress the L-shaped elastic arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 7526190
    Abstract: An optical instrument including an AF circuit 12 for obtaining focus detection information, focus position detecting means 14 for detecting a position of a focus lens, an extender optical system 9, position detecting means 16 for detecting a position of the extender optical system 9, and a lens control portion 13 for generating a focus driving signal from the focus detection information, the focus lens position information and the position information, wherein driving of the focus lens is controlled by the focus driving signal via a focus motor 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kato
  • Patent number: 7522828
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens type camera system in which an intermediate accessory is removably attached between a camera body and a lens barrel includes a first CPU provided in the camera body, a second CPU provided in the intermediate accessory, and a third CPU provided in the lens barrel. The first CPU supplies a reset signal to the second CPU in association with attachment of the intermediate accessory, and the second CPU receives the reset signal supplied from the first CPU and supplies the reset signal to the third CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Doi, Mamoru Sakashita
  • Publication number: 20090060486
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens system includes an interchangeable lens capable of communication between the interchangeable lens and a camera body. The interchangeable lens includes a camera identifying unit that identifies a camera body from information obtained by the communication between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. In response to a data transmitting request instruction transmitted from the camera body through the communication, the camera identifying unit converts reply data into a format adapted for the camera body on the basis of an identifying result of the camera identifying unit, and transmits the reply data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuya Higuma
  • Patent number: 7460777
    Abstract: A reflective tube centered on a lens of a camera is used in covert wide-angle photography in which and at least one reflected annular image is rotated by 180° to register it with the open-hole (zero-order) image to obtain a wide-angle corrected image. Any exposure differences in reflected images are balanced (or matched to the zero-order image) and rotation of odd-order image(s) is done by dedicated electronics of the camera or a later computer program to align such images with the zero-order image while the photograph is taken of an object using a tube which is no longer than approximately 1/100th the distance of the photographic subject. The reflective tube can be a transparent material (such as Plexiglas®) whose outer surface is painted black to block stray light which would otherwise be transmitted by walls of the tube and to absorb second-surface reflections from inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen P. Hines
  • Publication number: 20080279542
    Abstract: Optical lens attachments and cameras are disclosed. The attachment comprises a coupling mechanism for mating engagement with at least one of a camera and an optical lens. A barrel is coupled at one end to the coupling mechanism. A negative lens unit is coupled to the other end of elongated barrel. A diopter lens is disposed between the barrel and the coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism, the diopter lens, and the barrel are aligned with an optical axis. Also disclosed is a double swivel optical system, comprising a negative lens unit, a mirror oriented at an angle to the optical axis of the negative lens unit, a roof prism for rotating incident light rays by 90 degrees and inverting an image, a rotation mechanism permitting rotation of the negative lens unit about a vertical axis, an image rotator comprising a prism that can invert an image, the prism disposed within the image rotator, and another rotation mechanism permitting rotation of the roof prism about an optical axis of the image rotator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: GLOBAL BIONIC OPTICS LTD
    Inventor: James Albert Frazier
  • Patent number: 7352387
    Abstract: To provide a camera that is suited to shoot both a demagnified image and a magnified image. The camera includes a housing body 11 containing a CCD 15, and a lens barrel 12. An abutted member 20 having an objective lens 40 therein is engaged with the lens barrel 12 and a rotatable manually-controlled member 30 is fitted around that lens barrel. The abutted member 20 moves back and forth in the direction of an optical axis K in response to the rotation of the manually-controlled member 30. A user moves the objective lens 40 back and forth by moving the abutted member 20 back and forth to shoot either a demagnified image or a magnified image. A demagnified image is photographed with the abutted member 20 contained in the lens barrel 12. A magnified image is photographed with the abutted member 20 projected from the lens barrel 12. An end of the abutted member 20 is positioned so that the focal point of the objective lens 40 falls on the center thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Scaler Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20070196090
    Abstract: An adapter lens has a front plate, an optical member, a side plate, an upper plate and a rear plate. The adapter lens can be detachably attached to an upper left-hand corner of a body included in a camera. The adapter lens is mounted on the camera with the front plate, the side plate, the upper plate and the rear plate in contact with a part of the front surface around the objective lens, an upper part of the side surface near the corner of the body, a part of the upper surface near the corner of the body, and an upper part of the rear surface near the corner of the body, respectively. A screw is passed through a through hole formed in connecting part of the rear plate and screwed into a threaded hole formed in a boss formed integrally with the side plate to hold the body between the front plate and the rear plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7260322
    Abstract: A camera system according to this invention comprises an interchangeable lens unit, an intermediate adapter, and a camera body unit. An AF sensor detects the defocus amount of the interchangeable lens unit. The interchangeable lens unit incorporates a data storage section. The data storage section stores first AF correction data and second AF correction data. The first AF correction data is determined by the optical characteristic of the interchangeable lens and associated with the type of the light source illuminating the object of photography. The second AF correction data is determined by the optical characteristic of a system composed of the interchangeable lens and the intermediate adapter and associated with the type of the light source illuminating the object of photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Ide, Hideyasu Takato
  • Patent number: 7193651
    Abstract: A camera system has a camera with a photosensitive member that records optical images; and a lens apparatus removably mounted on the camera and forming an optical image with an image taking optical system including a focus lens. Focus control of the focus lens is changed in accordance the photosensitive member. A control circuit controls a lens driving unit and sets a driving pattern in accordance with information stored in a photosensitive member information storage circuit, and controls the lens driving unit based on focus adjustment state detected by a focus detection unit. An in-focus state can be achieved with focus accuracy suited for a photosensitive member in a combination of different cameras provided with different photosensitive members and interchangeable lenses common to these cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatake Kato
  • Patent number: 7085485
    Abstract: The present invention provides an intermediate adapter capable of being mounted on a first camera on which a first interchangeable lens is mounted and a second camera on which the first interchangeable lens and a second interchangeable lens are mounted. The second interchangeable lens includes a protruding portion protruding toward an image plane from its mount reference surface whose protruding amount is larger than that of the first interchangeable lens and has a flange back equal to that of the first interchangeable lens. The first camera has a first wall portion inside its mount and prevents mounting of the second interchangeable lens by the protruding portion of the second interchangeable lens contacting the first wall portion. The second camera includes a second wall portion provided inside its mount at a position retreated from the protruding portion of the second interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Sugita, Masahisa Tamura, Atsushi Koyama
  • Patent number: 7006141
    Abstract: A method for modifying the spectrum of light rays passing through an objective lens to an electronic camera that includes providing an interference type filter within the objective lens. The interference type filter may be a coating on a separate optical element added to the objective lens or on a normal optical component of the objective lens. The interference filter coating is located along the optical axis where the light rays are substantially collimated and have a minimum light ray incidence angle with respect to the coating surface, which angle should not exceed 15 degrees for any of the light rays passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Panavision, Inc.
    Inventors: Iain A. Neil, John J. Galt
  • Patent number: 6980368
    Abstract: An optical adapter comprises an adapter body and a lens member. The lens member is a cylindrical lens having one or more curved surfaces, and has a function to extend an optical image in a horizontal direction. A taking lens and a viewfinder are arranged vertically, and the optical axes of the taking lens and the viewfinder coincide with each other in the horizontal direction. When the adapter body is attached to the front side of the lens-fitted photo film unit, the front surfaces of the taking lens and the viewfinder are covered with the lens member. The center of the lens member in the horizontal direction coincides with centers of the taking lens and the viewfinder in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kamata
  • Patent number: 6922525
    Abstract: A control module between to a lens barrel and a camera body contains a focus driver and an iris and associated aperture control. The control module interacts electronically and mechanically with the camera body and the lens barrel to position lens systems within the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: VPR Matrix, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Lee
  • Patent number: 6895180
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera support device including an attachment device for a camera fitted or capable of being fitted with a first lens, and a mechanism for rotating around an axis. The attachment device also includes a device for attaching an adapter lens, particularly a panoramic adapter lens, arranged to hold the adapter lens in line with the first lens without the need to attach the adapter lens to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: 6115187 Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Artonne, Christophe Moustier
  • Patent number: 6816673
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a main body pre-loaded with photo film. A taking lens is incorporated in the main body. A front cover covers a front of the main body, has a lens opening where the taking lens is disposed. An optical adapter is secured to the front cover and used for a specific photographing mode. The optical adapter includes a cylindrical lens for passing object light to become incident on the taking lens. A rotatable lens holder connects the cylindrical lens with the front cover. The lens holder is shiftable between a standard position and a specific position, and when in the standard position, offsets the cylindrical lens from the taking lens, and when in the specific position, sets the cylindrical lens in front of the taking lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Uchiyama, Takeshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 6798586
    Abstract: A corrector optic is provided, for use in a camera system that includes a thick prism in front of the focal plane. The corrector optic includes preferably two lenses to be aligned on the optical axis of the camera system. When coupled within the camera system, the corrector optic is disposed between the objective lens and the prism. A preferred corrector optic includes a positive lens having a convex surface facing the objective lens and a negative lens having a concave surface facing the prism, such that the lenses together reduce spherical and coma aberrations caused by imaging through the prism. Chromatic aberration is also reduced by choosing the negative lens material to have a higher index of refraction and higher dispersion than those of the positive lens material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Foveon, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Lyon, Mark E. McDonald, Timothy F. Slagle
  • Patent number: 6798985
    Abstract: A sterile, disposable camera system which is always sterilized for use and avoids the need to sterilize the camera or camera mounting system for re-usage includes a sterile camera unit which is easily, removably mounted on a sterile mounting apparatus which is constructed to be collapsible. The camera mounting system is disposable such that after the camera system has been used, the sterile camera unit is easily removed from the sterile mounting apparatus and the mounting apparatus can be discarded as waste. The mounting apparatus is arranged to support the sterile camera unit relative to a subject to be photographed such that the camera quickly obtains in-focus close-up photographs of subjects of interest. The system includes a mini-crowbar like tool for safe removal of the film cartridge after camera use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Albert A. Reff
  • Patent number: 6738570
    Abstract: A lens apparatus or optical instrument having a lens apparatus including a holding member that holds and moves a lens or a lens group in an optical axis direction, the holding member having a vent providing ventilation between the interior and the exterior of the lens apparatus, a water-repellent microporous member that covers the vent, and an appearance member disposed on the holding member, with a clearance provided between the appearance member and the holding member, so as to shield the water-repellent microporous member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuru Shinohara, Jun Sugita, Shigeki Satoh
  • Patent number: 6734912
    Abstract: In a TV lens system including a TV lens apparatus and a control unit, CPUs of the TV lens apparatus and the control unit monitor intervals between received data in serial communication in a digital control mode. If the data transmission stops for a predetermined time or the received data has an error, the CPUs determine that the communication is abnormal and switch the control modes of the TV lens system from the digital control mode to an analog control mode by operating switching devices. Display units show that the system has been switched to the analog control mode. If the CPUs detect the communication being abnormal, they may display abnormality of the communication on the display units to inform the user of the abnormality of the communication so that the user can switch the control modes by manually operating analog setting switches. Information indicating the abnormality of the communication is stored in an EEPROM, and presented to the user when the TV lens system starts to operate afterward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kanayama, Hiroyuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6707992
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens camera system having a camera body, a photographing lens, and a rear converter, the camera body and photographing lens communicating with each other via a first group of contacts and a second group of contacts, respectively, includes a group of relay channels via which the first group of contacts are electrically connected with the second group of contacts, in a state where the rear converter is mounted between the camera body and the photographing lens; a memory in which rear converter data is stored; and a controller which reads the rear converter data from the memory. The memory and the controller have a function to send the rear converter data to the camera body while the camera body and the photographing lens communicate with each other via the first group of contacts, the second group of contacts, and the group of relay channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Uenaka, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Masahiro Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6694096
    Abstract: A device for use in a camera system including a camera, an optical characteristics modifying converter, and an optical assembly having an image stabilizing unit for stabilizing an image in response to the output of a vibration sensor for detecting a shake in an apparatus includes activating means for activating the stabilization operation by the image stabilizing unit in response to a predetermined operation in a predetermined operation portion of the camera, a determining means for determining whether an optical characteristics modifying converter without image stabilization function is incorporated in the camera system, and decision means for deciding whether to perform an activating operation by the activating means based on a determination by the determining means. The operation of a image stabilizing unit is determined by the incorporation of the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Imada
  • Publication number: 20030234330
    Abstract: A mount for supporting a camera having a lens with a first optical axis includes a plate configured for attachment to the camera. The first optical axis passes through the plate. A platform through which light may pass has first and second sides, the second side being opposite the first side. The first side of the platform is spaced from the plate and positioned such that the first optical axis passes therethrough. A support rod has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The first end is attached to the second side of the platform such that the longitudinal axis and first optical axis are generally aligned. An optic having a reflective surface and a second optical axis is attached to the second end of the support rod such that the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: James K. Anders
  • Patent number: 6407774
    Abstract: An adapter device for an interchangeable lens of a camera having a signal conversion circuit for converting an automatic exposure control signal generated from the output from a video signal processing circuit of a video camera which is capable of performing an automatic exposure control into an automatic exposure control signal which is adapted to an interchangeable lens system for a still camera capable of performing an automatic exposure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Mabuchi, Seiya Ohta
  • Patent number: 6356307
    Abstract: A lens control device comprising a variator lens group for zooming, a focusing lens group for compensating for a change introduced into the focused position as a result of a zooming operation by the variator lens group, a conversion lens group for changing a focusable shifting area of the variator lens group from a first area to a second area, a computing circuit for determining driving information for driving the focusing lens group during the shifting of the variator lens group, based on focused position data, according to object distance, of the focusing lens group relative to the position of the variator lens group, and a control circuit for shifting the variator lens group from the first area to the second area in response to the mounting of the conversion lens group and for controlling a computing operation of the computing circuit so that a focused position of the focusing lens group is determined when the variator lens group moves within the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroto Ohkawara, Masahide Hirasawa, Taeko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6349003
    Abstract: A camera having a manually operated zoom lens system, in which the magnification of the lens system is adjusted by manual rotation of a part of the lens systems. The camera includes a lens system having at least first and second optical elements, the first optical element being movable relative to the second optical element, a mechanism for moving the first optical element relative to the second optical element, and a rotatable element for operating the mechanism to change the magnification of the lens system. The camera further includes a view finder with adjustable magnification for providing a view representative of the image captured by the lens systems. The view finder includes first and second optical elements, the first element being moveable relative to the second element to change the magnification of the view finder and a mechanism for moving the first optical element relative to the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Tiffen Company LLC
    Inventor: Chi Yin Ko
  • Publication number: 20010048479
    Abstract: A lens control device comprising a variator lens group for zooming, a focusing lens group for compensating for a change introduced into the focused position as a result of a zooming operation by the variator lens group, a conversion lens group for changing a focusable shifting area of the variator lens group from a first area to a second area, a computing circuit for determining driving information for driving the focusing lens group during the shifting of the variator lens group, based on focused position data, according to object distance, of the focusing lens group relative to the position of the variator lens group, and a control circuit for shifting the variator lens group from the first area to the second area in response to the mounting of the conversion lens group and for controlling a computing operation of the computing circuit so that a focused position of the focusing lens group is determined when the variator lens group moves within the second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: HIROTO OHKAWARA, MASAHIDE HIRASAWA, TAEKO TANAKA
  • Patent number: 6268899
    Abstract: A lenticular imaging product comprising: a lenticular lens element having an array of lenticules; and means for encoding characteristics of the lenticular lens element for use in processing the lenticular lens element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James L. Edwards, Roger A. Morton
  • Patent number: 6229961
    Abstract: A nearby photography adapter includes a photographic range and camera-to-subject distance indicating frame, a flashlight correcting auxiliary plate, and a distance knob interfering projection. The photographic range and camera-to-subject distance indicating frame is a member mounted on a base plate and collapsed from being erect and usable. The distance knob interfering projection is formed as an integral part of the base plate. When a distance knob on a photographic lens frame is set to a nearby photographic position and the photographic range and camera-to-subject distance indicating frame and auxiliary plate are standing erect, the photography adapter can be attached to a camera and nearby photography can be carried out. Advantageously, with the nearby photography adapter, the photographic range and the camera-to-subject distance can be indicated reliably. Furthermore, the nearby photography adapter can be put away neatly with the components stowed during normal photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Torikoshi, Sumio Kawai, Yuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 6212334
    Abstract: A supplementary optical system for a camera which is inserted between a photographic lens and a camera housing and which comprises a relay system for projecting an image of the photographic lens onto a film or a video recording material, wherein the relay system produces more than one image and a zoom lens is disposed on the camera body. The supplementary optical system permits focusing and other camera controls to be operated near the camera housing. Additionally, this invention can be converted for performing different tasks in a simple manner due to the employment of path bending units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Cine Photo Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Weigel, Wolfgang Roessel
  • Patent number: 6157781
    Abstract: A lens barrel which is detachably mountable on a camera body comprises a lens system and a low-pass filter, wherein the low-pass filter is detachably mountable with respect to an optical path of the lens system. An accessory which is provided between a camera body and a lens barrel and which is detachably mountable on the camera body and the lens barrel, comprises a lens and a low-pass filter. A camera system comprises a camera body and a lens barrel which is detachably mountable on the camera body, wherein the lens barrel has a low-pass filter which is detachably mountable with respect to an optical path of a lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Konno, Masayoshi Kiuchi
  • Patent number: 6058269
    Abstract: An attachment lens optical system equipped with an oscillation isolating feature for extending a focal length of a camera lens comprises, in order from the object side, a negative power first lens group having three lens elements, a negative power second lens group having three lens elements, and a third lens group having two lens elements, at least one of the first to third lens groups being movable in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the attachment lens optical system so as to cancel an image oscillation caused due to a shake of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhisa Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 6052534
    Abstract: The close-up photographing apparatus includes a range determining frame having a guide plate at a front end thereof. A frontal opening defining a photographic object area is formed in the guide plate. The range determining frame allows a photographic object placed in the frontal opening to be at an optimum distance for a best photographing result. The guide plate allows the apparatus to be placed flat on a table or the like supporting a photographic object. The apparatus further includes a strobe light for lighting the object in the frontal opening, and an aperture member defining a small aperture opening which achieves a large depth of field and a proper photographic exposure in cooperation with the strobe light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Goko International Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Goto
  • Patent number: 5950016
    Abstract: A recyclable camera and film combination for a camera recycling system is disclosed. The camera comprises a film cartridge chamber with a lid, a rotatable dial manually rotated in the same, direction flame by frame, for every shot, both in controlling the initial loading of the film and in winding up the film. Also included are means for automatically rewinding the film in response to the rotation of the dial after the last frame in the film has been shot, means for controlling the lid so as to automatically open when the entire film is rewound into the film cartridge, means for counting the number of film cartridges loaded into the cartridge chamber, and means for making the controlling means inoperative, whereby the lid does not open for the removal of the film cartridge loaded in the cartridge chamber when the counting means reaches a predetermined number of film cartridges and thus prevent the cartridge chamber from receiving any further film cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Aerospace Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5950017
    Abstract: A sterile, disposable camera system which is always sterilized for use and avoids the need to sterilize the camera or camera mounting system for re-usage includes a sterile camera unit which is easily, removably mounted on a sterile mounting apparatus which may be constructed to be collapsible. The camera mounting system is disposable such that after the camera system has been used, the sterile camera unit is easily removed from the sterile mounting apparatus and the mounting apparatus can be discarded as waste. The mounting apparatus is arranged to support the sterile camera unit relative to a subject to be photographed such that the camera quickly obtains in-focus close-up photographs of subjects of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Albert A. Reff
  • Patent number: 5877811
    Abstract: This invention discloses an interchangeable lens type video camera for deciding lens specifications on a camera side and changing control data transmitted from the camera side to a lens unit in accordance with specifications of the lens unit, thereby performing optimal control. A video camera is also disclosed in which an adapter for mounting a lens unit on the video camera is arranged, and control data outputted from the video camera side to the lens unit is corrected in accordance with lens characteristics, thereby performing the same operation as in a case wherein a video camera lens is mounted on the video camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryunosuke Iijima, Toshiaki Mabuchi, Seiya Ohta
  • Patent number: 5790902
    Abstract: A device includes a zoom lens having a focusing lens the position of which varies according to a zooming operation, a first moving part arranged to mechanically move the focusing lens according to the zooming operation, and a second moving part arranged to move the focusing lens in such a way as to electrically correct any shift of focus that results from the movement of the focusing lens caused by the first moving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Mizouchi, Masatake Kato, Masaharu Eguchi, Hideki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5781807
    Abstract: A kit for modifying a digital camera of the type including a built in flash, to perform close-up photography includes a mounting plate attached to a camera around a camera lens, a lens plate having a secondary lens selectively attachable to the mounting plate so that light entering the camera lens is first magnified by the secondary lens. A bracket assembly is selectively attachable to each lens plate to indicate the location of the focal plane and the size of the image frame. A flash attachment adapted for close-up photography includes a flash output window, a power switch, a mode switch and a flash intensity switch. The flash attachment is secured to the camera and wired thereto so that the mode switch may control which flash unit, the flash of the camera or the close-up flash, activates. The flash intensity switch is a rheostat and controls the amount of light emanating from the flash source to the subject, according to the distance between the camera and the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Lester A. Dine, Inc.
    Inventors: William Glassgold, Donald Musso
  • Patent number: 5734935
    Abstract: The mounting of an interchangeable lens having a predetermined or lesser back focus and an intermediate adapter is limited by camera bodies and the intermediate adapters. A camera system has two kinds of bodies having metal backs of the same dimension and body side mounts of the same shape, a plurality of interchangeable lenses having a common lens side mount engageable with the body side mounts, and a plurality of intermediate adapters between the interchangeable lenses and the camera bodies. The first body has an escape portion in the body side mount over the mounting range of the interchangeable lenses or the intermediate adapters so that the mounting of all the interchangeable lenses and all the intermediate adapters may be possible. The second body has a flange portion in the body side mount so that the mounting of an interchangeable lens having a predetermined or greater back focus and an intermediate adapter mountable only on this interchangeable lens may be possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Imanari, Yuji Ihara, Hiroshi Tanioka
  • Patent number: 5731920
    Abstract: A lens 2 is mechanically connected to an image processor 3 having a different mount from that of the lens 2 via a converting adapter 1. A computer 4 is electrically connected to the converting adapter 1 and the lens 2 via electrical terminals 6 and 7. A command transmitted from the computer 4 is converted by an internal converter 8 of the converting adapter 1. The computer 4 controls an internal actuator 2c of the lens 2 by transmitting a command through communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Katsuragawa
  • Patent number: 5727236
    Abstract: An optical system having the features of a wide angle lens, a deep field lens and a close focusing lens is comprised of an objective lens, a field lens and a relay lens aligned on an optical axis in that sequence for the objective lens to form an intermediate image at or near the field lens and for the field lens and relay lens to transmit that same image to a smaller final image at the plane of the film of a film camera or charge coupled device of a video camera. The objective lens preferably has a fixed focal length and a wide open aperture for forming the intermediate image of a larger size than is otherwise normal for an objective lens of that focal length. Preferably, the relay lens has the iris and focusing mechanism whereby the objective lens and field lens are not required to be used for aperture control and focusing. The optical system provides an extended optical axis for accommodating lighting of a near object being photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: James A. Frazier