Patents by Inventor Masahiro Inata
Masahiro Inata 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: 20210165183Abstract: An actuator includes: a movable unit to hold an object to be driven; a fixed unit to support the movable unit thereon to make the movable unit rotatable; and a structure for supporting the movable unit with respect to the fixed unit. The structure includes: a sphere; and a pair of holding members to clamp the sphere between themselves. A space is left to let the sphere roll while shifting a center position thereof with respect to at least one of the pair of holding members.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Yasuaki KAMEYAMA, Hironori TOMITA, Masahiro INATA, Katsunobu SUZUKI
-
Patent number: 10633102Abstract: A screen device includes a screen, a plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements, a plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements, a flying object, a support member, and a controller. The plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements are on the screen and are arranged at an outermost periphery, in a frame shape, of an area in which photoelectric conversion elements are arranged. The plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements are on the screen and are arranged inside the area at the outermost periphery covered by the plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements. The flying object is configured to be powered by electric power generated by the plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements. The support member connects the screen with the flying object. The controller is configured to control the flying object based on an evaluation of the electric power generated by the plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Yusuke Adachi, Motonobu Yoshikawa, Masahiro Inata, Norikazu Katsuyama, Ryo Okumura, Fumio Muramatsu, Naoto Yumiki
-
Patent number: 10200592Abstract: A camera body according to the present disclosure is a camera body to which a lens barrel including an optical system is detachable and reattachable, the optical system being configured to include a plurality of lenses. The camera body includes: a controller which controls the camera body; an image sensor which obtains an optical image formed by the optical system; and an image sensor driver which drives the image sensor in an optical axis direction of the optical system.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norikazu Katsuyama, Masahiro Inata
-
Patent number: 10073238Abstract: A lens barrel: an optical system; a focusing manipulation unit capable of changing a focal position of the optical system in a normal photographing area and in a macro photographing area where the focal position can be changed for an object located at a position shorter than a shortest distance position of the normal photographing area; a photographing mode switching unit for switching between a normal photographing mode and a macro photographing mode; and an index ring having a normal scale and a macro scale, the normal scale indicating an object distance in the normal photographing mode, and the macro scale indicating the object distance in the macro photographing mode. Then, the photographing mode switching unit switches a display position of the index ring between the normal scale and the macro scale, and the focusing manipulation unit changes the focal position displayed on the index ring by rotation manipulation.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenji Ikeo, Tsutomu Yoshikawa, Masahiro Inata, Hideo Onishi
-
Patent number: 10012817Abstract: A lens barrel in the present disclosure includes: a lens frame; a movable lens held in the lens frame; a guide member that moves the lens frame in a first direction; a driver including a drive coil and a magnet that move the lens frame with electric power being supplied to the driver; a drive circuit that drives the driver; and a switching circuit that short-circuits ends of the drive coil when the drive circuit is in a non-energized state.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Idemitsu, Hironori Honsho, Masahiro Inata
-
Publication number: 20180072428Abstract: A screen device in accordance with the present disclosure comprises: a screen that has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and receives image light from an image projection device; a power supply unit that supplies electric power generated by photoelectric conversion from the received image light by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a flying object that supports the screen and flies on the electric power supplied from the power supply unit; and a flight controller that controls flight of the flying object. An image projection system in accordance with the present disclosure comprises: the screen device; and the image projection device that projects the image light onto the screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: YUSUKE ADACHI, MOTONOBU YOSHIKAWA, MASAHIRO INATA, NORIKAZU KATSUYAMA, RYO OKUMURA, FUMIO MURAMATSU, NAOTO YUMIKI
-
Patent number: 9918004Abstract: A camera body, to which a lens barrel having an optical system can be attached, includes a controller that controls the camera body, an image sensor that captures an object image, and an image sensor actuator that drives the image sensor along an optical axis. The controller determines a change in an optical state of the object image captured by the image sensor and, in response to the determination, drives the image sensor actuator to move the image sensor to a predetermined reference position located within a movable range of the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Inata, Norikazu Katsuyama, Satoshi Matsui
-
Publication number: 20170289436Abstract: A camera body according to the present disclosure is a camera body to which a lens barrel including an optical system is detachable and reattachable, the optical system being configured to include a plurality of lenses. The camera body includes: a controller which controls the camera body; an image sensor which obtains an optical image formed by the optical system; and an image sensor driver which drives the image sensor in an optical axis direction of the optical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Norikazu KATSUYAMA, Masahiro INATA
-
Patent number: 9762789Abstract: An autofocus device includes: an imaging element; an imaging element driver; an imaging element driving controller; a detector; a focus determiner; and a speed parameter calculator. The focus determiner detects a focus position based on a contrast value. The speed parameter calculator calculates a speed parameter used to set a driving speed of the imaging element driver based on the contrast value. The imaging element driving controller performs first and second driving controls for detecting the focus position based on the speed parameter in an autofocus operation. Also, the imaging element driving controller sets, during the first driving control, a driving speed of the imaging element driver for the second driving control.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Matsui, Masahiro Inata, Norikazu Katsuyama
-
Patent number: 9557815Abstract: An electronic device 10 according to an embodiment includes: a display section 12 for displaying an operation area 45 including a reference area 41 and a non-reference area 42; a touch panel 11 provided on a display surface side of the display section 12; an informing section 13 for informing a user of an operation status of the user; a control section 33 and 20 for controlling the operation of the informing section 13; and a distinction section 16 for distinguishing between a first operation where the user searches for the reference area 41 on the touch panel 11 and a second operation which is a key input operation to the operation area 45. The control section 33 and 20 controls the operation of the informing section 13 based on a result of distinction by the distinction section 16.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yusuke Adachi, Akira Koga, Masahiro Inata, Ryo Okumura, Naoto Yumiki
-
Patent number: 9501146Abstract: An exemplary electronic device includes: a housing; a display configured to display an operation area; a touch screen panel configured to detect at least an input operation made by a user to the operation area; a first vibrator configured to vibrate at least one of the display and the touch screen panel; a second vibrator configured to vibrate the housing; and a vibration controller configured to control vibration of the first vibrator and the second vibrator in accordance with the input operation of the user to the touch screen panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Inata, Yusuke Adachi, Akira Koga, Ryo Okumura, Naoto Yumiki
-
Publication number: 20160282579Abstract: A lens barrel in the present disclosure includes: a lens frame; a movable lens held in the lens frame; a guide member that moves the lens frame in a first direction; a driver including a drive coil and a magnet that move the lens frame with electric power being supplied to the driver; a drive circuit that drives the driver; and a switching circuit that short-circuits ends of the drive coil when the drive circuit is in a non-energized state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Koji IDEMITSU, Hironori HONSHO, Masahiro INATA
-
Publication number: 20160234422Abstract: A camera body, to which a lens barrel having an optical system can be attached, includes a controller that controls the camera body, an image sensor that captures an object image, and an image sensor actuator that drives the image sensor along an optical axis. The controller determines a change in an optical state of the object image captured by the image sensor and, in response to the determination, drives the image sensor actuator to move the image sensor to a predetermined reference position located within a movable range of the image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Masahiro INATA, Norikazu KATSUYAMA, Satoshi MATSUI
-
Publication number: 20160219213Abstract: An autofocus device includes: an imaging element; an imaging element driver; an imaging element driving controller; a detector; a focus determiner; and a speed parameter calculator. The focus determiner detects a focus position based on a contrast value. The speed parameter calculator calculates a speed parameter used to set a driving speed of the imaging element driver based on the contrast value. The imaging element driving controller performs first and second driving controls for detecting the focus position based on the speed parameter in an autofocus operation. Also, the imaging element driving controller sets, during the first driving control, a driving speed of the imaging element driver for the second driving control.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Satoshi MATSUI, Masahiro INATA, Norikazu KATSUYAMA
-
Patent number: 9389390Abstract: An imaging device comprises an imaging optical system with a plurality of lenses, a focusing manipulation component, an imaging state switching manipulation component, and first, second, third, and fourth restrictors. The focusing manipulation component can be turned to change the focal position formed by the imaging optical system. The imaging state switching manipulation component can be turned to move lenses and switch between the first imaging state and the second imaging state. When the imaging state switching manipulation component is turned, the range over which the focusing manipulation component can be turned is switched from a first range that is restricted by first and second restrictors, to a second range that is restricted by third and fourth restrictors and that is at least partly shifted from the first range.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenji Ikeo, Masahiro Inata, Hideo Onishi, Takayuki Hayashi
-
Patent number: 9372323Abstract: Embodiments of a lens barrel may comprise an imaging optical system with a plurality of lenses, a cylindrical focusing manipulation component, a stationary frame, and a restrictor. The focusing manipulation component changes the focal position of the imaging optical system by turning operation around the optical axis of the imaging optical system and to set the distance up to a second imaging region that is at least partially different from a first imaging region, and to move at least some of the lenses of the imaging optical system to switch between first and second imaging states. The restrictor restricts the rotatable range of the focusing manipulation component. When the focusing manipulation component is turned, its rotatable range is switched from a first rotatable range to a second rotatable range.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenji Ikeo, Masahiro Inata, Hideo Onishi, Takayuki Hayashi
-
Publication number: 20160041365Abstract: A lens barrel: an optical system; a focusing manipulation unit capable of changing a focal position of the optical system in a normal photographing area and in a macro photographing area where the focal position can be changed for an object located at a position shorter than a shortest distance position of the normal photographing area; a photographing mode switching unit for switching between a normal photographing mode and a macro photographing mode; and an index ring having a normal scale and a macro scale, the normal scale indicating an object distance in the normal photographing mode, and the macro scale indicating the object distance in the macro photographing mode. Then, the photographing mode switching unit switches a display position of the index ring between the normal scale and the macro scale, and the focusing manipulation unit changes the focal position displayed on the index ring by rotation manipulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: KENJI IKEO, TSUTOMU YOSHIKAWA, MASAHIRO INATA, HIDEO ONISHI
-
Patent number: 9182821Abstract: An electronic device 10 includes a touch panel 11, a vibration section 13 configured to vibrate a touch panel 11, and a control sections 20 and 33 configured to control the vibration section 13 based on an existence state of persons other than an operator of the electronic device 10 and being near to the electronic device 10.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Yusuke Adachi, Masahiro Inata, Ryo Okumura
-
Publication number: 20150296120Abstract: An imaging system includes: an imaging device; and a terminal device configured to remotely operate the imaging device in response to an input received from a user of the terminal device. The imaging device includes an imager configured to capture an image; and a transmitter configured to transmit the image to the terminal device. The terminal device includes a receiver configured to receive the image transmitted from the transmitter. The imaging device is removably attachable to the terminal device. The transmitter of the imaging device is configured to start communication with the receiver of the terminal device when the imaging device and the terminal device are in proximity to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Naoto YUMIKI, Yoichi SUGINO, Masahiro INATA
-
Publication number: 20150277080Abstract: Embodiments of a lens barrel may comprise an imaging optical system with a plurality of lenses, a cylindrical focusing manipulation component, a stationary frame, and a restrictor. The focusing manipulation component changes the focal position of the imaging optical system by turning operation around the optical axis of the imaging optical system and to set the distance up to a second imaging region that is at least partially different from a first imaging region, and to move at least some of the lenses of the imaging optical system to switch between first and second imaging states. The restrictor restricts the rotatable range of the focusing manipulation component. When the focusing manipulation component is turned, its rotatable range is switched from a first rotatable range to a second rotatable range.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Kenji IKEO, Masahiro INATA, Hideo ONISHI, Takayuki HAYASHI