Patents by Inventor Hironori Ueki

Hironori Ueki 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).

  • Patent number: 8761483
    Abstract: In a state where a subject 5 is not present, a pre-processing unit 7 changes the focal spot position that becomes the position of an X-ray tube 2, acquires the X-ray incidence rate of each detection module at each focal spot position, approximates the X-ray incidence rate of each detection module by the X-ray incidence rate of a module in which a reference detector is present, and stores the coefficient of an approximate polynomial in a storage unit 8. When a scanning of the subject 5 is performed, the X-ray incidence rate of each detection module is calculated using the X-ray incidence rate of the module in which the reference detector is present and the stored coefficient, and sensitivity correction data relating to each focal spot position is obtained using the calculated X-ray incidence rate when the scanning of the subject is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuro Suzuki, Fumito Watanabe, Hironori Ueki, Yasutaka Konno, Shinichi Kojima, Yushi Tsubota
  • Patent number: 8384885
    Abstract: A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miyuki Kono, Shin-ichiro Umemura, Takafumi Miyatake, Kunio Harada, Yoshitoshi Ito, Hironori Ueki
  • Patent number: 8280118
    Abstract: Provided is a biometric authentication device for identifying an individual based on a biometric pattern of the subject included in a picked up image. The biometric authentication device includes: a light guiding unit for outputting light from a surface thereof; a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit for adjusting, on a display pixel basis, an intensity of light output from the surface of the light guiding unit; an image pickup unit for picking up an image of the subject; a display light source for emitting light used as a backlight of the LCD unit; a detection light source for emitting light for irradiating the subject; and a control unit for controlling processing of the biometric authentication device The control unit turns on the detection light when the image pickup unit picks up a first image, which is used for authentication, and turns on the display light source when the LCD unit displays information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Ueki, Yasutaka Konno
  • Publication number: 20120177272
    Abstract: In a state where a subject 5 is not present, a pre-processing unit 7 changes the focal spot position that becomes the position of an X-ray tube 2, acquires the X-ray incidence rate of each detection module at each focal spot position, approximates the X-ray incidence rate of each detection module by the X-ray incidence rate of a module in which a reference detector is present, and stores the coefficient of an approximate polynomial in a storage unit 8. When a scanning of the subject 5 is performed, the X-ray incidence rate of each detection module is calculated using the X-ray incidence rate of the module in which the reference detector is present and the stored coefficient, and sensitivity correction data relating to each focal spot position is obtained using the calculated X-ray incidence rate when the scanning of the subject is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuro Suzuki, Fumito Watanabe, Hironori Ueki, Yasutaka Konno, Shinichi Kojima, Yushi Tsubota
  • Publication number: 20120170708
    Abstract: Scattered X-rays scattered by an object or a structure enter in a detector (a shift detector) for detecting the positional shift of an X-ray focal point and become a noise source, thereby deteriorating the positional shift detection precision. In particular, the estimation of the dose of scattered X-rays originating from the object is difficult prior to the measurement, and correction of the scattered X-rays is important in order to precisely calculate the positional shift of the X-ray focal point. In order to address this drawback, according to the present invention, a scattered X-ray detector 6 is provided which measures the dose of scattered rays entering in a shift detector 5 for detecting the positional shift of an X-ray focal point 9, and has a function that the output by the shift detector 5 is corrected using the scattered ray dose measured by the scattered X-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yushi Tsubota, Fumito Watanabe, Hironori Ueki, Yasutaka Konno, Shinichi Kojima, Atsuro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120165683
    Abstract: A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI. LTD.
    Inventors: Miyuki Kono, Shin-ichiro Umemura, Takafumi Miyatake, Kunio Harada, Yoshitoshi Ito, Hironori Ueki
  • Patent number: 8208600
    Abstract: There are provided an X-ray generating apparatus capable of switching X-ray beams of high energy and low energy to each other at high speed, and an X-ray CT apparatus capable of performing high-speed and high-quality multi-energy imaging by using the same. The X-ray generating apparatus is constructed by an X-ray tube 9 having two anodes 200a, 200b, a rotational anode 204 for radiating X-ray from an X-ray focal point by electron beams emitted from filaments of these cathodes, and two grid electrodes 202a and 202b for controlling emission of the electron beams, a tube voltage generator 9a and a tube voltage controller 9d1 for controlling an X-ray condition, a filament heater 9b and a tube current controller 9d2, a grid voltage generator 9c and a grid opening/closing controller 9d3, and a grid switching unit 9e. High energy X-ray and low energy X-ray are switched and emitted to an examinee every adjacent projection angles, thereby collecting projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tsumuraya, Hironori Ueki, Keiji Koyanagi
  • Publication number: 20120121157
    Abstract: A view image of high time resolution acquired in an imaging process of X-ray CT is displayed. In this display, by subtracting a background image obtained by forward projection calculation of a CT image from the view image, background is removed from the view image, and only a focused site is imaged. A transmission image of the focused site showing high display contrast and not easily influenced by a motion artifact can be thereby obtained. Thereby, in an X-ray CT device for diagnostic imaging, degradation of diagnostic ability due to motion artifacts can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Irie, Hironori Ueki, Keisuke Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 8149393
    Abstract: A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miyuki Kono, Shin-ichiro Umemura, Takafumi Miyatake, Kunio Harada, Yoshitoshi Ito, Hironori Ueki
  • Patent number: 7936983
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a light source layer having imaging light source units for radiating the imaging light containing a first wavelength on an object to be imaged, a detection layer having detection elements for detecting the light of the first wavelength radiated from the light source units, and a light-blocking unit interposed between the light source layer and the detection layer. The light source layer is held between the detection layer and the object to be imaged. The light-blocking unit is arranged in such a manner as to block the direct radiation of at least part of the light radiated from the light source units to the detection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Konno, Hironori Ueki
  • Patent number: 7924969
    Abstract: The dual energy X-ray CT apparatus automatically optimizes a map for separation to achieve a high degree of separation accuracy and a reduction of dose. An X-ray attenuation coefficient acquired in the dual energy X-ray CT system is applied to a map for separation which represents a relationship between the X-ray attenuation coefficient and a composition of an object, thereby separating the composition of the object. The map formation unit for separation calculates an existing probability of each composition for each combination of multiple types of X-ray attenuation coefficients, and determines the composition having the largest existing probability as the composition corresponding to the combination of the X-ray attenuation coefficients, thereby forming the map for separation. This configuration allows a formation of the map for separation with respect to each imaging condition, and high degree of accuracy in separating composition can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Yamakawa, Hironori Ueki
  • Patent number: 7893396
    Abstract: A compact biometric device includes a first light source for emitting light irradiated onto a subject; a first light guide whose surface is inputted with light radiated from the subject and outputs the light from the subject; a second light guide for guiding and irradiating the light emitted from the first light source onto the subject; a photo sensor to detect light output from the end of the first light guide means as a signal; a liquid crystal display installed between the subject and the surface of the first light guide; and a control unit for controlling the display on the liquid crystal display; and a signal processor unit for processing the signals detected by the photo sensor unit. The control unit controlling the liquid crystal display to change the position where light emitted from the subject is input onto the surface of the first light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Ueki
  • Patent number: 7864306
    Abstract: A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miyuki Kono, Shin-ichiro Umemura, Takafumi Miyatake, Kunio Harada, Yoshitoshi Ito, Hironori Ueki
  • Patent number: 7809110
    Abstract: An X-ray detection technology capable of suppressing a decrease in a signal-to-noise ratio derived from external noise even in a case where it is hard to intercept electromagnetic-wave noise, and offering a wide dynamic range is realized, and an X-ray imaging device utilizing the technology is provided. An electromagnetic-wave noise signal to be mixed in a signal detected by an X-ray detector 2 is inferred from electromagnetic-wave noise signals measured by reference detectors 10A and 10B according to the method of least squares. Noise removal calculation is performed in order to minimize the decrease in a signal-to-noise ratio derived from the electromagnetic-wave noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Hironori Ueki
  • Publication number: 20100226474
    Abstract: The dual energy X-ray CT apparatus automatically optimizes a map for separation to achieve a high degree of separation accuracy and a reduction of dose. An X-ray attenuation coefficient acquired in the dual energy X-ray CT system is applied to a map for separation which represents a relationship between the X-ray attenuation coefficient and a composition of an object, thereby separating the composition of the object. The map formation unit for separation calculates an existing probability of each composition for each combination of multiple types of X-ray attenuation coefficients, and determines the composition having the largest existing probability as the composition corresponding to the combination of the X-ray attenuation coefficients, thereby forming the map for separation. This configuration allows a formation of the map for separation with respect to each imaging condition, and high degree of accuracy in separating composition can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Keisuke Yamakawa, Hironori Ueki
  • Publication number: 20100183117
    Abstract: There are provided an X-ray generating apparatus capable of switching X-ray beams of high energy and low energy to each other at high speed, and an X-ray CT apparatus capable of performing high-speed and high-quality multi-energy imaging by using the same. The X-ray generating apparatus is constructed by an X-ray tube 9 having two anodes 200a, 200b, a rotational anode 204 for radiating X-ray from an X-ray focal point by electron beams emitted from filaments of these cathodes, and two grid electrodes 202a and 202b for controlling emission of the electron beams, a tube voltage generator 9a and a tube voltage controller 9d1 for controlling an X-ray condition, a filament heater 9b and a tube current controller 9d2, a grid voltage generator 9c and a grid opening/closing controller 9d3, and a grid switching unit 9e. High energy X-ray and low energy X-ray are switched and emitted to an examinee every adjacent projection angles, thereby collecting projection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tsumuraya, Hironori Ueki, Keiji Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 7742561
    Abstract: The present invention is designed to overcome the disadvantages of X-ray imaging having difficulty in high-sensitivity measurement and of optical imaging having difficulty in high-spatial-resolution measurement, when used for diagnostic purposes. The present invention provides an imaging apparatus including an X-ray tube, a detector having sensitivity to X-rays and light, and a processing unit that processes the result of detection. In the imaging apparatus, the processing unit processes, as a first signal, a signal detected by the detector during an irradiation period in which an X-ray source provides X-ray irradiation, and processes, as a second signal, a light signal detected by the detector during a period other than the irradiation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Ueki
  • Patent number: 7734006
    Abstract: In the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention, the setting device sets X-ray irradiation condition candidate by at least one combination of a tube current and tube voltage for power to be supplied to the X-ray source by the use of an X-ray absorption coefficient of said scanning subject site of the object, and the control device makes the display device selectably display each of the set X-ray irradiation condition candidates which is provided for a diagnosis of a requested tissue of the object, to take control such that a tomographic image of the object is taken according to the selected X-ray irradiation condition candidate. According to the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to set a scanning condition in view of absorption or transmission of X-rays specific to and different among each tissue of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Miyazaki, Koichi Hirokawa, Hironori Ueki
  • Publication number: 20100135539
    Abstract: A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Miyuki Kono, Shin-ichiro Umemura, Takafumi Miyatake, Kunio Harada, Yoshitoshi Ito, Hironori Ueki
  • Publication number: 20100134610
    Abstract: A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Miyuki Kono, Shin-ichiro Umemura, Takafumi Miyatake, Kunio Harada, Yoshitoshi Ito, Hironori Ueki