Category Archives: Nikon Patents

More Nikon patents filed in Japan

By [NR] admin | Published: June 7, 2010

Patent application 2010-026469 (filed in February 2010) is about a built in rear lens cover – similar to the body mount/sensor cover patent discussed here – the corer is deployed automatically once the lens is removed. The interesting part here is that the lens release button is located on the lens (item 54 in the first drawing) and […]

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Patent for a new Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens

By [NR] admin | Published: June 2, 2010

After the surge of Nikon patents application filed in the US last year, it seems that Nikon is very cautious lately – I can hardly find any interesting entries. Most of the patents are filed in Japan and I am starting to monitor the Japanese patents website on a regular bases. Please note that patents […]

Also posted in Nikon Lenses | Tagged | 49 Comments

Nikon EVIL patents from Japan

By [NR] admin | Published: May 30, 2010

This could be the future Nikon EVIL mount: The Japanese patent website is a mess. I cannot link directly to the individual patents, in addition the text is computer translated. Here is the main description of Nikon patent 2010-044203 which defines an electronic mount contact system for an EVIL camera (electronic viewfinder mirrorless interchangeable lens): […]

Also posted in Nikon 1 | 53 Comments

Patent application for AF in a video/TV camera with interchangeable lenses

By [NR] admin | Published: May 6, 2010

Last year Nikon filed a patent application #20100110236 for an autofocus in a video/TV camera with interchangeable lenses. Here are some quoted text from the patent application- note that they used the word “inexpensive”: “The present invention relates to an autofocus apparatus and a camera that are used for a camera, mainly for a video […]

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Nikon patent shows an oddly shaped LCD screen

By [NR] admin | Published: April 29, 2010

Update: this screen could be from the Nikon E3 DSLR model back from 1998 (thanks Kyrken). Patent application 20100103283 is for reducing the power consumption in a camera and has a drawing of an oddly shaped LCD screen. I wonder what shape must the camera have in order to accommodate an LCD screen like that. […]

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The latest Nikon patents

By [NR] admin | Published: April 24, 2010

Patent Application 20100091161 is for built in phase detect autofocus. Patent Application 20100091184: “The present invention relates to an image processing technique that displays a plurality of still images as smooth movie.” Patent Application 20100100276: “The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a drive recorder system mounted on a vehicle for imaging and recording […]

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USPTO approved Nikon’s patent for a 35mm f/1.4 lens

By [NR] admin | Published: April 12, 2010

Nikon’s patent application for a 35mm f/1.4 lens was reported back in August last year (patent application 20090086340). On February 16, 2010 the USPTO approved the patent for this lens (7663816): Specifications: f = 36.000 FNO = 1.45 ω = 31.53 Y = 21.6 TL = 131.135 Bf = 38.02909

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Nikon patents of the week

By [NR] admin | Published: April 8, 2010

Patents gives us a glance on what’s on the mind of Nikon’s engineers, nothing more. In the past, Nikon has filed patents for new products before their announcement (example: the 85mm f/3.5 DX Micro lens). I will continue to monitor all new patent applications with the hope to discover signs of a new product. Here are my findings […]

Posted in Nikon Patents | 72 Comments