Patents Assigned to Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 7672017
    Abstract: A multi-spectral camera is provided which includes an image pickup optical system which forms an image of a subject. A wavelength selecting device receives light beams from the image pickup optical system and outputs a light beam having a selected wavelength. A wavelength switching device selectively switches the selected wavelength of the wavelength selecting device. An image pickup element receives the light beam output from the wavelength selecting device and outputs image data. A spectroscope receives the light beams from the image pickup optical system and outputs spectral data. And a subject characteristic calculating unit calculates a spectral data characteristic of the subject from the spectral data output from the spectroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Komiya, Kensuke Ishii, Nagaaki Ohyama, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Takashi Obi
  • Patent number: 7646414
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having function for synthesizing image signals corresponding to a plurality of frames of different exposure amounts to generate wide dynamic range, synthesized image is provided with: at least two control means among a taking control means based on a normal taking mode, a taking control means based on a forced wide dynamic range taking mode, and a taking control means based on an automatic wide dynamic range taking mode for selectively generating wide dynamic range, synthesized image automatically on the basis of object information or information set for the image taking; and means for selectively setting one image taking mode out of the taking modes respectively corresponding to the two control means. It is thereby possible to take image by selecting one image taking mode from at least two taking modes among the normal taking mode, the forced wide dynamic range taking mode, and the automatic wide dynamic range taking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Koseki, Hidetoshi Fukuda, Takumi Momose, Minoru Kakinuma, Osamu Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7591598
    Abstract: A camera includes a dust-proofing member which has a transparent portion through which a visible light component is transmitted. The transparent portion is opposed to the front of an image pick-up device at a predetermined interval. A vibration member is arranged at a peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member and vibrates the dust-proofing member. A sealing part seals a space between the image pick-up device and the dust-proofing member. And a spring pressing member presses the dust-proofing member at a periphery thereof toward the sealing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takizawa, Sumio Kawai
  • Patent number: 7589780
    Abstract: A camera is provided that includes a dust-proofing member that has a substantially circular or polygonal plate-shape and that includes a transparent portion at an area having at least a predetermined length in a radial direction from the center thereof, and that is opposed to the front of an optical device at a predetermined interval. A member for vibration is arranged at a peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member and applies vibrations to the dust-proofing member. A sealing structure is arranged outside a peripheral portion of the optical device or an adjacent portion thereof, and forms a substantially sealed space portion including an air gap portion formed by opposing the optical device and the dust-proofing member, and sealing the space portion at a peripheral side of the optical device and the dust-proofing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takizawa, Sumio Kawai, Motoaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7574042
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a photographing condition estimation unit for estimating a photographing condition of the input image based on photometric information and focal information. A Y/C separation unit separates the input image into a luminance signal and a color difference signal; a luminance correction unit extracts an edge from the luminance signal and corrects the luminance signal by a gradation conversion curve; a color difference correction unit corrects the color difference signal based on luminance signals obtained before and after the gradation correction and a theoretical limit characteristic of color reproduction; a skin color correction unit performs skin color correction depending on the photographing condition; and a Y/C synthesis unit synthesizes the luminance signal and the color difference signal obtained after the correction. Gradation correction is performed on the input image such that appropriate hue and saturation are achieved while emphasizing a main object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Tsuruoka, Kazuhito Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20090147102
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic camera for generating an image having a wide dynamic range by synthesizing two image pickup signals of different exposure amount generated by using an electronic shutter function and means for shutting off light, shading of image pickup signals resulting from difference in charge accumulating time among the pixels of image pickup device due to operation from opened state to closed state of the means for shutting off light being corrected by a shading correction means to form a synthesized image without an occurrence of false color due to shading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Kakinuma, Hidetoshi Fukuda, Hiroaki Koseki, Osamu Inagaki, Kuniaki Saito
  • Patent number: 7545437
    Abstract: A digital camera for an optical apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a solid-state imaging device which picks up an image of a target object, a solid-state imaging device cooling part configured to cool the solid-state imaging device, and a sealing part which includes a printed board for wiring for electric signals, and seals the solid-state imaging device and the solid-state imaging device cooling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hasegawa, Hideyuki Masuyama, Yoshihiro Ue
  • Patent number: 7542084
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for outputting image signals by effecting photoelectric conversion of images formed at an optical system by an image sensor having a color filter array having various spectral transmittance disposed on a front surface thereof includes an image size setting means for setting one selected from a plurality of previously provided image reducing rates for determining an image size of image signals output from the image sensor; and a readout control means for controlling pixel locations at which image signals are read out from the image sensor, wherein the readout control means reads out image signals from the image sensor in accordance with a readout rule corresponding to the image reducing rate set by the image size setting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090086038
    Abstract: A highly thermal conductive member is filled in a gap between a base portion and a movable portion of a spring stage in an image shift type imaging apparatus. Heat from a heat generating surface of a cooling element is conducted from the movable portion to the base portion through the highly thermal conductive member, and it is further conducted to an inner lid and discharged to the outside of an imaging apparatus housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji KARAKI
  • Patent number: 7511715
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a color image projection unit and a screen. The color image projection unit includes a converter which receives image signals of three primary colors, and converts the received image signals of three primary colors into image signals of four or more primary colors, and a color image projector which includes a plurality of image projection devices having respective primary colors, and which receives the image signals of four or more primary colors, and projects the received image signals of four or more primary colors onto the screen. The color image projector is capable of physically adjusting positions of the image signals of four or more primary colors, which are projected onto the screen such that the positions of the image signals are coincident with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenro Ohsawa, Nagaaki Ohyama, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Takeyuki Ajito
  • Patent number: 7505015
    Abstract: A field sequential color display apparatus for sequentially displaying RGB field images so that a color frame image can be observed, comprising: an LCD display device for displaying RGB field images; a timing generation/control circuit for controlling the order of RGB field images to be displayed on the LCD display device; a pixel shifting unit for causing the beam of each pixel displayed on the LCD display device to be shifted by each frame image so as to enhance the resolution of image observed by a viewer; and an optical system for making it possible to display an image before shifted at the pixel shifting unit and an image after the shift. Among the RGB field images, the G field image having highest spectral luminous efficiency is displayed at an intermediate order within the frame images so that leakage thereof is not caused by the pixel shifting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoto Shimada
  • Publication number: 20090067695
    Abstract: An image processing system is used for dentistry. Upon creating a false tooth of a patient (59), a plurality of illuminating light of LEDs with different wavelengths emit light and a photographing apparatus (1A) photographs a tooth portion of the patient (59), thereby obtaining image data. The image data is sent to a dentistry filing system (2A) serving as a processing apparatus, and color reproducing data is obtained by calculation. The color reproducing data is sent to a dentistry factory (55) via a public line. Data is searched from a database (56) for calculating a ceramic compounding ratio, compound data of the ceramic false tooth is obtained, matching the color of the tooth portion of the patient (59), and the false tooth approximate to the tooth color of the patient (59) is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOMIYA, Toru Wada, Osamu Konno, Takeyuki Ajito, Tomoyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7502067
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic camera for generating an image having a wide dynamic range by synthesizing two image pickup signals of different exposure amount generated by using an electronic shutter function and means for shutting off light, shading of image pickup signals resulting from difference in charge accumulating time among the pixels of image pickup device due to operation from opened state to closed state of the means for shutting off light being corrected by a shading correction means to form a synthesized image without an occurrence of false color due to shading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kakinuma, Hidetoshi Fukuda, Hiroaki Koseki, Osamu Inagaki, Kuniaki Saito
  • Publication number: 20090051803
    Abstract: A camera includes a dust-proofing member which has a transparent portion through which a visible light component is transmitted. The transparent portion is opposed to the front of an image pick-up device at a predetermined interval. A vibration member is arranged at a peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member and vibrates the dust-proofing member. A sealing part seals a space between the image pick-up device and the dust-proofing member. And a spring pressing member presses the dust-proofing member at a periphery thereof toward the sealing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki TAKIZAWA, Sumio Kawai
  • Patent number: 7489349
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image pickup section for converting an object light into image signals of Bayer RGB array; a color information detecting section for obtaining color information of the object from the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a first luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on G signals of the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a second luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on all color signals of the image signals; a selector for providing an output by switching between outputs of the first and second luminance data generating section; and a selection signal generating section for generating selection signal for controlling the switching of the selector based on color information obtained at the color information detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kohashi, Junzo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7486329
    Abstract: A focusing state signal output apparatus comprises, an optical detection part configured to detect a reflected light from a sample, and an output part configured to output an a focusing state signal, which is a signal showing a focusing state of the sample, has inverse sign on both sides of a focused position and shows continuous change of a voltage level crossing a zero at the focused position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Endo
  • Patent number: 7479986
    Abstract: A highly thermal conductive member is filled in a gap between a base portion and a movable portion of a spring stage in an image shift type imaging apparatus. Heat from a heat generating surface of a cooling element is conducted from the movable portion to the base portion through the highly thermal conductive member, and it is further conducted to an inner lid and discharged to the outside of an imaging apparatus housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Karaki
  • Publication number: 20090016602
    Abstract: A multi-spectral camera is provided which includes an image pickup optical system which forms an image of a subject. A wavelength selecting device receives light beams from the image pickup optical system and outputs a light beam having a selected wavelength. A wavelength switching device selectively switches the selected wavelength of the wavelength selecting device. An image pickup element receives the light beam output from the wavelength selecting device and outputs image data. A spectroscope receives the light beams from the image pickup optical system and outputs spectral data. And a subject characteristic calculating unit calculates a spectral data characteristic of the subject from the spectral data output from the spectroscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOMIYA, Kensuke Ishii, Nagaaki Ohyama, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Takashi Obi
  • Patent number: 7474343
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image pickup section for converting an object light into image signals of Bayer RGB array; a color information detecting section for obtaining color information of the object from the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a first luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on G signals of the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a second luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on all color signals of the image signals; a selector for providing an output by switching between outputs of the first and second luminance data generating section; and a selection signal generating section for generating selection signal for controlling the switching of the selector based on color information obtained at the color information detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kohashi, Junzo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7474276
    Abstract: A display system includes a host apparatus having a video interface circuit and a display apparatus operated by feed of a video image and power from the host apparatus, and also has a communication function for receiving and transmitting data between the host apparatus and the display apparatus. In the display system, the display apparatus transmits power consumption data thereof stored in an EEPROM to the host apparatus and processes the power consumption data thereof which is received by the host apparatus, thus controlling power of the display system including the host apparatus and the display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taro Endo, Nobuo Miyairi, Takanori Ishizawa, Ryotaro Hanayama, Seiji Nakashima