Patents by Inventor Hirofumi Honda

Hirofumi Honda has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240113577
    Abstract: A rotor includes stacked core plates, a hole, and a magnet inserted into the hole. A holding core plate has a through hole as part of the hole, a protrusion protruding inwardly from an inner surface of the through hole and being in contact with the magnet, and a displacement permission portion located in an opposite direction to a protrusion direction of the protrusion and permitting displacement of the protrusion in the opposite direction. The rotor includes at least one of a magnet-side chamfered portion in which the front side edge portion of the magnet is chamfered or a protrusion-side chamfered portion in which the tip end edge portion of the protrusion is chamfered. A sum of lengths of the magnet-side and protrusion-side chamfered portions is equal to or longer than a length of the protrusion in the protrusion direction as the rotor is viewed from the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Yosuke TANAKA, Takeshi HONDA, Hirofumi MUTO, Hideki TSUJI, Yuya DANJO
  • Publication number: 20240113576
    Abstract: A rotor includes core plates, a hole, and a magnet in the hole. The core plates include a first core plate and a second core plate frontward of the first core plate. The first core plate includes a first hole, a first protrusion protruding inward of the first hole, and a first portion located in an opposite direction to a protrusion direction of the first protrusion as viewed from the axial direction and permitting deformation of the first protrusion in the opposite direction. The second core plate includes a second hole, and at least one of a recess recessed in the opposite direction and overlapping the first protrusion as viewed in the axial direction, or a second portion located in the opposite direction with respect to the first protrusion as viewed in the axial direction and permitting deformation of an inner surface of the second hole in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Yosuke TANAKA, Takeshi HONDA, Hirofumi MUTO, Hideki TSUJI, Yuya DANJO
  • Publication number: 20230283903
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes an optical zoom control unit configured to perform optical zoom, an electronic zoom control unit configured to perform electronic zoom, and a main control unit configured to control the optical zoom control unit and the electronic zoom control unit. The main control unit sets at least one of a start position and an end position of a first range in which the optical zoom and the electronic zoom are simultaneously performed based on a target zoom position and a specified zooming time specified by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Atsushi KATO, Hirofumi HONDA
  • Patent number: 11678052
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on an optical image stabilization performance, and a correction unit configure to provide an electronic image stabilization. The correction unit changes a gain of the correction unit based on information on a shutter speed and information on the image stabilization performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirofumi Honda
  • Patent number: 11424703
    Abstract: In a motor control device, a rotational phase detection unit detects a rotational phase of a rotor of a stepping motor, and a driving waveform generation unit generates a driving waveform for driving the stepping motor. An advance angle control unit detects a phase difference (advance angle) between a rotational phase of the rotor and a phase of the driving waveform and controls an amplitude or a period of the driving waveform generated by the driving waveform generation unit to perform advance angle control. The advance angle control unit controls an amplitude of the driving waveform by determining a target advance angle based on a variation (advance angle change rate) of an advance angle with respect to a variation of an amplitude in accordance with a change in the advance angle when the amplitude of the driving waveform is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Tomohiro Sugaya
  • Publication number: 20210409586
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on an optical image stabilization performance, and a correction unit configure to provide an electronic image stabilization. The correction unit changes a gain of the correction unit based on information on a shutter speed and information on the image stabilization performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventor: Hirofumi Honda
  • Publication number: 20200403541
    Abstract: In a motor control device, a rotational phase detection unit detects a rotational phase of a rotor of a stepping motor, and a driving waveform generation unit generates a driving waveform for driving the stepping motor. An advance angle control unit detects a phase difference (advance angle) between a rotational phase of the rotor and a phase of the driving waveform and controls an amplitude or a period of the driving waveform generated by the driving waveform generation unit to perform advance angle control. The advance angle control unit controls an amplitude of the driving waveform by determining a target advance angle based on a variation (advance angle change rate) of an advance angle with respect to a variation of an amplitude in accordance with a change in the advance angle when the amplitude of the driving waveform is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Tomohiro Sugaya
  • Patent number: 10715064
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a stepping motor includes at least one processor which function as a control unit configured to control the stepping motor through a first control method or a second control method by using a control signal, wherein the memory configured to store a plurality of locus data indicating a relationship between an advance angle and a rotation speed of the stepping motor at each waveform of the control signal, the advance angle being a phase difference between a phase corresponding to a rotation position of the stepping motor and a phase of the control signal, and wherein the control unit select one piece of locus data from the plurality of locus data stored in the memory before switching a control method between the first control method and the second control method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Honda
  • Patent number: 10376899
    Abstract: A magnetic-matter removing apparatus includes: endless chains arranged to run in circles between inside liquid containing a magnetic matter and above the liquid; magnetic-matter attracting means supported on the endless chains for attracting the magnetic matter in the liquid with a magnetic force; a drum arranged above the liquid, having a magnetic force stronger than the magnetic force of the magnetic-matter attracting means, and configured to detach the magnetic matter attracted to the magnetic-matter attracting means from the magnetic-matter attracting means and attract the magnetic matter; and discharging means for scraping the magnetic matter attracted to the drum and discharging the magnetic matter to outside the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Horiguchi, Norihiko Ikenaga, Hirofumi Honda
  • Publication number: 20180331640
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a stepping motor includes at least one processor which function as a control unit configured to control the stepping motor through a first control method or a second control method by using a control signal, wherein the memory configured to store a plurality of locus data indicating a relationship between an advance angle and a rotation speed of the stepping motor at each waveform of the control signal, the advance angle being a phase difference between a phase corresponding to a rotation position of the stepping motor and a phase of the control signal, and wherein the control unit select one piece of locus data from the plurality of locus data stored in the memory before switching a control method between the first control method and the second control method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventor: Hirofumi Honda
  • Patent number: 10113888
    Abstract: The position detection apparatus includes the first optical position detector used with an optical scale having periodic patterns. The first position detector receives lights from the periodic patterns when moving relatively to the optical scale with a movement of a movable member to generate first detection signals respectively changing at periods corresponding to periods of the periodic patterns. The second non-optical position detector generates a second detection signal changing with the movement of the movable member. The calculator produces a first position signal by using the first detection signals, produces a second position signal whose resolution is different from that of the first position signal, by using the second detection signal, and performs a calculation for combining the first and second position signals together to produce an absolute position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Daisuke Ishikawa, Toshihiko Tomosada
  • Patent number: 9843728
    Abstract: A focus control apparatus having a first mode in which a position of a focus lens is automatically changed, and a second mode in which the position of the focus lens is manually changed, the focus control apparatus comprises: a setting unit configured to set a first area in the first mode and a second area in the second mode; a focus detection unit configured to detect a focus state based on signals output from areas of an image capturing unit; and a focus control unit configured to control the position of the focus lens in the first mode, wherein upon switching from the second mode to the first mode again, the setting unit sets the first area based on a second area that has been determined to be in an in-focus state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyasu Hongu, Makoto Yokozeki, Hirofumi Honda
  • Publication number: 20160309089
    Abstract: A focus control apparatus having a first mode in which a position of a focus lens is automatically changed, and a second mode in which the position of the focus lens is manually changed, the focus control apparatus comprises: a setting unit configured to set a first area in the first mode and a second area in the second mode; a focus detection unit configured to detect a focus state based on signals output from areas of an image capturing unit; and a focus control unit configured to control the position of the focus lens in the first mode, wherein upon switching from the second mode to the first mode again, the setting unit sets the first area based on a second area that has been determined to be in an in-focus state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Hideyasu Hongu, Makoto Yokozeki, Hirofumi Honda
  • Publication number: 20160271621
    Abstract: A magnetic-matter removing apparatus includes: endless chains arranged to run in circles between inside liquid containing a magnetic matter and above the liquid; magnetic-matter attracting means supported on the endless chains for attracting the magnetic matter in the liquid with a magnetic force; a drum arranged above the liquid, having a magnetic force stronger than the magnetic force of the magnetic-matter attracting means, and configured to detach the magnetic matter attracted to the magnetic-matter attracting means from the magnetic-matter attracting means and attract the magnetic matter; and discharging means for scraping the magnetic matter attracted to the drum and discharging the magnetic matter to outside the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira HORIGUCHI, Norihiko IKENAGA, Hirofumi HONDA
  • Publication number: 20160258787
    Abstract: The position detection apparatus includes the first optical position detector used with an optical scale having periodic patterns. The first position detector receives lights from the periodic patterns when moving relatively to the optical scale with a movement of a movable member to generate first detection signals respectively changing at periods corresponding to periods of the periodic patterns. The second non-optical position detector generates a second detection signal changing with the movement of the movable member. The calculator produces a first position signal by using the first detection signals, produces a second position signal whose resolution is different from that of the first position signal, by using the second detection signal, and performs a calculation for combining the first and second position signals together to produce an absolute position signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Daisuke Ishikawa, Toshihiko Tomosada
  • Patent number: 9088709
    Abstract: At least either of a location and a size of a subject area that is detected from an image by a first detection unit is corrected based on information about an area corresponding to the subject area detected by the first detection unit, the area being included in an area that is detected from the image by a second detection unit and in which the subject area can be estimated. A particular subject area can be detected in an image with higher accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazunori Ishii, Hirofumi Honda
  • Patent number: 8830802
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided an information recording apparatus, such as a digital camera, arranged to record information on a detachably mountable storage medium, such as for example to record video data on the storage medium. In one version of the apparatus, when a connection of an AC adapter is cancelled, the storage medium is detected by a storage medium detection unit, and in a case where the storage medium is not mounted to the mounting unit, a warning is issued, for example in an audio output unit or a display unit. Accordingly, the user can find out that the storage medium is not mounted before the digital camera has been brought outside for use. Thus, it may be possible to prevent a failure in which the user first realizes that they forgot to mount the storage medium only when they are already away from home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichiro Matsushima, Yasushi Kasai, Hirofumi Honda
  • Publication number: 20140168479
    Abstract: At least either of a location and a size of a subject area that is detected from an image by a first detection unit is corrected based on information about an area corresponding to the subject area detected by the first detection unit, the area being included in an area that is detected from the image by a second detection unit and in which the subject area can be estimated. A particular subject area can be detected in an image with higher accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazunori Ishii, Hirofumi Honda
  • Patent number: 8711240
    Abstract: A data recording apparatus records data onto a recording medium having a flash memory in which data can be written in block units using a part of a recording region as an alternative block for a defect block in which normal data writing cannot be performed. The data recording apparatus causes a user to select one of plural recording modes including a first recording mode and a second recording mode in which an amount of data to be processed is larger than that of the first recording mode, then obtains data in the selected recording mode and stores the data onto the recording medium. If an alternative block remaining amount obtained from the recording medium is equal to or less than a threshold value, the data recording apparatus allows recording in the first recording mode and inhibits recording in the second recording mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naru Hamada, Keiichi Inoue, Hirofumi Honda, Toshinori Koba, Koji Ogaki
  • Patent number: 8627157
    Abstract: A storing apparatus, equipped with a control unit configured to control the writing of data into a memory and to communicate a notice to an external device with a communication unit if the remaining amount of substitute blocks becomes equal to or less than a threshold value specified by stored threshold value information, includes the control unit configured to change the threshold value information, used for the notice communicated by the control unit, by the use of threshold value information received from the external device with the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Naru Hamada, Toshinori Koba, Koji Ogaki, Keiichi Inoue