Patents by Inventor Kazufumi Mizusawa

Kazufumi Mizusawa 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: 20230073944
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Norihiro IMAMURA, Tsuguhiro KORENAGA, Kunio NOBORI, Takeo AZUMA, Kazufumi MIZUSAWA
  • Patent number: 11533455
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Kunio Nobori, Takeo Azuma, Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Publication number: 20210235043
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Norihiro IMAMURA, Tsuguhiro KORENAGA, Kunio NOBORI, Takeo AZUMA, Kazufumi MIZUSAWA
  • Patent number: 11006081
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Kunio Nobori, Takeo Azuma, Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Publication number: 20200351473
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro KORENAGA, Kunio NOBORI, Takeo AZUMA, Kazufumi MIZUSAWA
  • Patent number: 10757370
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Kunio Nobori, Takeo Azuma, Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Publication number: 20180109763
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Norihiro IMAMURA, Tsuguhiro KORENAGA, Kunio NOBORI, Takeo AZUMA, Kazufumi MIZUSAWA
  • Patent number: 9876992
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihiro Imamura, Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Kunio Nobori, Takeo Azuma, Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Publication number: 20150319409
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus in an embodiment includes lens optical systems each including a lens whose surface closest to the target object is shaped to be convex toward the target object, imaging regions which respectively face the lens optical systems and output a photoelectrically converted signal corresponding to an amount of light transmitting the lens optical systems and received by the imaging regions, and a light-transmissive cover which covers an exposed portion of the lens of each of the lens optical systems and a portion between the lens of one of the lens optical systems and the lens of another one of the lens optical systems adjacent to the one of the lens optical systems, the cover having a curved portion which is convex toward the target object. The optical axes of the lens optical systems are parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: NORIHIRO IMAMURA, TSUGUHIRO KORENAGA, KUNIO NOBORI, TAKEO AZUMA, KAZUFUMI MIZUSAWA
  • Patent number: 8237795
    Abstract: The driving assistance device is adapted to have the first guide marker occupy a first position to ensure that the roadside occupies the first position in superimposed relationship with the first guide marker, at the time of making a judgment that an angle of the vehicle to the roadside is equal to a predetermined value, after the vehicle is moved toward the space in reverse gear with one maximum steering angle, and to have the second guide marker occupy a second position to ensure that the roadside occupies the second position in superimposed relationship with the second guide marker, at the time of making a judgment that the second guide marker is superimposed on the roadside, after the automotive vehicle is moved toward the space straight in reverse gear and the vehicle is parked, after the vehicle is moved toward the space in reverse gear with the other maximum steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazufumi Mizusawa, Tatsuto Ryuugou
  • Patent number: 7916899
    Abstract: A parameter selection section selects one from a plurality of image synthesis parameters stored in a parameter storage section according to an output of a vehicle state detection section. An image synthesis section reads out camera images from frame memories according to the selected image synthesis parameter and generates a synthesized image showing a state of vehicle surroundings. A moving object detection section detects, in the thus generated synthetic image, a moving object region estimated as a region where a moving object is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Nobori, Masaki Sato, Kazufumi Mizusawa, Hirofumi Ishii
  • Patent number: 7756618
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a drive assisting apparatus capable of displaying a high-precision predicted locus in a camera picture in a superimposing manner while suppressing an increase of cost in a minimum value, and further, capable of displaying loci on a screen up to edges of the screen with respect to all of locus data irrespective of adjusting amounts of display positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Publication number: 20100165105
    Abstract: A projection model storage section stores position information of a plurality of points on a predetermined projection model. A computation section references the projection model storage section and acquires position information of a virtual image correspondence point of a point corresponding to a pixel of the virtual image in an area on the projection model specified as a target of the virtual image by an output range specification section. The computation section finds the pixel of a real image corresponding to the virtual image correspondence point, acquires a mapping table indicating the correspondence between the pixels of the virtual image and the pixels of the real image, and records the mapping table in a mapping table storage section. An image synthesis section references the mapping table storage section and converts an image input from an image pickup section into a virtual image viewed from a predetermined virtual eye point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Publication number: 20100141764
    Abstract: A parameter selection section selects one from a plurality of image synthesis parameters stored in a parameter storage section according to an output of a vehicle state detection section. An image synthesis section reads out camera images from frame memories according to the selected image synthesis parameter and generates a synthesized image showing a state of vehicle surroundings. A moving object detection section detects, in the thus generated synthetic image, a moving object region estimated as a region where a moving object is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunio Nobori, Masaki Sato, Kazufumi Mizusawa, Hirofumi Ishii
  • Patent number: 7693303
    Abstract: A parameter selection section selects one from a plurality of image synthesis parameters stored in a parameter storage section according to an output of a vehicle state detection section. An image synthesis section reads out camera images from frame memories according to the selected image synthesis parameter and generates a synthesized image showing a state of vehicle surroundings. A moving object detection section detects, in the thus generated synthetic image, a moving object region estimated as a region where a moving object is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Nobori, Masaki Sato, Kazufumi Mizusawa, Hirofumi Ishii
  • Patent number: 7599771
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a parking assisting apparatus for assisting a vehicle driver in parking a vehicle more easily than the conventional apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 7554573
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a driving assistance system capable of displaying a picked-up image near a vehicle as a less-distorted image on a monitor. A driving assistance system according to the present invention comprises an imaging means (2) for picking up a surrounding image of a vehicle (1) on a road surface, an image translating means (3) for executing an image translation by using a three-dimensional projection model (300), which is convex toward a road surface side and whose height from the road surface is not changed within a predetermined range from a top end portion of the vehicle (1) in a traveling direction, to translate the image picked up by the imaging means (2) into an image viewed from a virtual camera (2a), and a displaying means (4) for displaying an image translated by the image translating means (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 7538798
    Abstract: A subject of the present invention is to form simply a mapping table, which transforms a picked-up image of a real camera into an image viewed from a virtual viewpoint, by a small amount of computation. An image transforming system of the present invention has an imaging means (10) for picking up a real image, a coordinate recording means (32) for recording a three-dimensional position on a projection model corresponding to a previously-computed pixel position of a virtual camera, a means for computing a positional relationship between the virtual camera and the imaging means (10), means (20)(30) for forming and recording a mapping table, which transforms the real image into an image viewed from the virtual camera, based on information of the positional relationship and information of the three-dimensional position recorded in the coordinate recording means (32), and a means (40) for mapping the real image by using the mapping table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kazufumi Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 7512251
    Abstract: A parameter selection section selects one from a plurality of image synthesis parameters stored in a parameter storage section according to an output of a vehicle state detection section. An image synthesis section reads out camera images from frame memories according to the selected image synthesis parameter and generates a synthesized mage showing a state of vehicle surroundings. A moving object detection section detects, in the thus generated synthetic image, a moving object region estimated as a region where a moving object is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Nobori, Masaki Sato, Kazufumi Mizusawa, Hirofumi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20090067677
    Abstract: A parameter selection section selects one from a plurality of image synthesis parameters stored in a parameter storage section according to an output of a vehicle state detection section. An image synthesis section reads out camera images from frame memories according to the selected image synthesis parameter and generates a synthesized image showing a state of vehicle surroundings. A moving object detection section detects, in the thus generated synthetic image, a moving object region estimated as a region where a moving object is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Nobori, Masaki Sato, Kazufumi Mizusawa, Hirofumi Ishii