Patents by Inventor Yukihiro Tanizoe

Yukihiro Tanizoe 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: 8441559
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided for reducing noise which is derived from random noise contained in a correction signal used for correcting an image data and is newly generated on correction of the image data. The imaging apparatus drives vertical transfer registers with no signal charge from photoelectric transducers read out to the vertical transfer registers to obtain and store a correction signal into a field memory. The apparatus subtracts the correction signal from the image data by a subtractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Yasutoshi Yamamoto, Yoshimasa Okabe, Hiromasa Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 8223231
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus capable of creating RAW data subsequent to predetermined processing including distortion correction and reduction/enlargement processing of an image. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging device operable to create image data in a first color arrangement pattern (for example, Bayer array) by converting an optical signal to an electrical signal; a color arrangement conversion unit operable to convert a color arrangement pattern of the image data from the first color arrangement pattern to a second color arrangement pattern; an image processing unit operable to perform predetermined processing (enlargement, distortion correction and the like) on the image data converted by the color arrangement conversion unit; and a color arrangement reverse-conversion unit operable to convert reversely the color arrangement pattern of the image data processed by the image processing unit from the second color arrangement pattern back to the first color arrangement pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Tanizoe
  • Publication number: 20110181759
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided for reducing noise which is derived from random noise contained in a correction signal used for correcting an image data and is newly generated on correction of the image data. The imaging apparatus drives vertical transfer registers with no signal charge from photoelectric transducers read out to the vertical transfer registers to obtain and store a correction signal into a field memory. The apparatus subtracts the correction signal from the image data by a subtractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Yasutoshi Yamamoto, Yoshimasa Okabe, Hiromasa Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 7956907
    Abstract: An image capture device which can reduce low-frequency noise even circuitry of a small scale is provided. An image capture device includes: an acquisition section which is used to acquire sensitivity information concerning a sensitivity; an imager for generating first image data; a zoom section for changing a size of an image which is based on input image data, the zoom section outputting second image data which is obtained by reducing a size of an image represented by the first image data; and a noise suppression section for outputting third image data which is obtained by reducing noise in an image represented by the second image data. In accordance with the sensitivity information, the zoom section changes a zoom factor by which to reduce the size of the image represented by the first image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Yoshimasa Okabe, Yuuji Shigeta, Yasutoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7948531
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided for reducing noise which is derived from random noise contained in a correction signal used for correcting an image data and is newly generated on correction of the image data. The imaging apparatus drives vertical transfer registers with no signal charge from photoelectric transducers read out to the vertical transfer registers to obtain and store a correction signal into a field memory. The apparatus subtracts the correction signal from the image data by a subtractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Yasutoshi Yamamoto, Yoshimasa Okabe, Hiromasa Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 7920183
    Abstract: A visual processing section 120 is provided which performs visual processing on a pixel-by-pixel basis according to a predetermined function defining a relation between a pixel value of a target pixel which is a pixel under visual processing and a pixel value of the target pixel after subjected to the visual processing. An input signal processing section 150 is further provided which performs, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, at least one of signal processing to restore resolution of an image data input to the visual processing section 120 and signal processing to correct signal deterioration due to the visual processing. In the input signal processing section 150, the at least one signal processing is performed according to a gain determined by using the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mayu Ogawa, Yasutoshi Yamamoto, Yukihiro Tanizoe
  • Patent number: 7898581
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises an image pickup element that includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, and is operable in a first drive mode for reading a low resolution image based on an output of the photoelectric conversion elements or a second drive mode for reading a higher resolution image than the low resolution image, a drive unit that drives the image pickup element, a frame memory that stores image data read by the image pickup element in the first drive mode, an image enlarging portion that enlarges an image size of the image data stored in the frame memory, and a noise reduction unit that performs noise reduction on image data read by the image pickup element in the second drive mode, based on the image data enlarged by the image enlarging portion. This configuration enables high frame rate moving images to be obtained. Further, degradation of image resolution can be prevented, and random noise contained in images can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Tanizoe
  • Publication number: 20100045831
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus capable of creating RAW data subsequent to predetermined processing including distortion correction and reduction/enlargement processing of an image. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging device operable to create image data in a first color arrangement pattern (for example, Bayer array) by converting an optical signal to an electrical signal; a color arrangement conversion unit operable to convert a color arrangement pattern of the image data from the first color arrangement pattern to a second color arrangement pattern; an image processing unit operable to perform predetermined processing (enlargement, distortion correction and the like) on the image data converted by the color arrangement conversion unit; and a color arrangement reverse-conversion unit operable to convert reversely the color arrangement pattern of the image data processed by the image processing unit from the second color arrangement pattern back to the first color arrangement pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukihiro Tanizoe
  • Publication number: 20090147108
    Abstract: A CCD solid-state image sensor alternately outputs, pixel by pixel, N (where N is an integer of 2 or more) lines of image signal and a line of smear signal for correcting the N lines of image signal by switching an output line from one to another. an AD conversion section performs an AD conversion on the output signal from the CCD solid-state image sensor. A smear data separation section separates smear data from the sensor output data output from the AD conversion section and converts the separated smear data to corrective smear data corresponding to each image data. A subtraction circuit performs a smear correction by subtracting, from each image data, the corrective smear data corresponding to the image data. Smear correction is appropriately performed even if a high-brightness object moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshinori Okura, Yukihiro Tanizoe, Tomoharu Miyake
  • Publication number: 20090073278
    Abstract: A visual processing section 120 is provided which performs visual processing on a pixel-by-pixel basis according to a predetermined function defining a relation between a pixel value of a target pixel which is a pixel under visual processing and a pixel value of the target pixel after subjected to the visual processing. An input signal processing section 150 is further provided which performs, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, at least one of signal processing to restore resolution of an image data input to the visual processing section 120 and signal processing to correct signal deterioration due to the visual processing. In the input signal processing section 150, the at least one signal processing is performed according to a gain determined by using the function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Mayu OGAWA, Yasutoshi YAMAMOTO, Yukihiro TANIZOE
  • Patent number: 7499086
    Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus comprises an image capturing element which performs image capturing while utilizing a plurality types of color filters which are arranged based on repetition of a pattern determined in advance, a color change detecting part which detects a color change regarding the result of the image capturing while considering the pattern, and an adder and a core processing part which generate a luminance signal regarding the result of the image capturing based on the result of color change detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Yasutoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7382402
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging device which outputs a plurality of digital signals each of which indicating an amount of light irradiating on a corresponding one of a plurality of pixels arranged in two dimensions, a pre-processor which reduces an amount of data of the plurality of the digital signals output by the imaging device, a processor which processes digital signals, a memory which stores the digital signals, and a memory controller which stores the plurality of the digital signals output by the pre-processor in the memory and reads the plurality of the digital signals from the memory to output the plurality of the digital signals to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Yamamoto, Tomoaki Tsutsumi, Yukihiro Tanizoe
  • Publication number: 20080049124
    Abstract: An image capture device which can reduce low-frequency noise even circuitry of a small scale is provided. An image capture device includes: an acquisition section which is used to acquire sensitivity information concerning a sensitivity; an imager for generating first image data; a zoom section for changing a size of an image which is based on input image data, the zoom section outputting second image data which is obtained by reducing a size of an image represented by the first image data; and a noise suppression section for outputting third image data which is obtained by reducing noise in an image represented by the second image data. In accordance with the sensitivity information, the zoom section changes a zoom factor by which to reduce the size of the image represented by the first image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihiro TANIZOE, Yoshimasa OKABE, Yuuji SHIGETA, Yasutoshi YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20070257997
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises an image pickup element that includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, and is operable in a first drive mode for reading a low resolution image based on an output of the photoelectric conversion elements or a second drive mode for reading a higher resolution image than the low resolution image, a drive unit that drives the image pickup element, a frame memory that stores image data read by the image pickup element in the first drive mode, an image enlarging portion that enlarges an image size of the image data stored in the frame memory, and a noise reduction unit that performs noise reduction on image data read by the image pickup element in the second drive mode, based on the image data enlarged by the image enlarging portion. This configuration enables high frame rate moving images to be obtained. Further, degradation of image resolution can be prevented, and random noise contained in images can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihiro TANIZOE
  • Publication number: 20060119712
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging device which outputs a plurality of digital signals each of which indicating an amount of light irradiating on a corresponding one of a plurality of pixels arranged in two dimensions, a pre-processor which reduces an amount of data of the plurality of the digital signals output by the imaging device, a processor which processes digital signals, a memory which stores the digital signals, and a memory controller which stores the plurality of the digital signals output by the pre-processor in the memory and reads the plurality of the digital signals from the memory to output the plurality of the digital signals to the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Yamamoto, Tomoaki Tsutsumi, Yukihiro Tanizoe
  • Publication number: 20060092283
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided for reducing noise which is derived from random noise contained in a correction signal used for correcting an image data and is newly generated on correction of the image data. The imaging apparatus drives vertical transfer registers (302) with no signal charge from photoelectric transducers (301) read out to the vertical transfer registers (302) to obtain and store a correction signal into a field memory (7). The apparatus subtracts the correction signal from the image data by a subtractor (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Yasutoshi Yamamoto, Yoshimasa Okabe, Hiromasa Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 7019781
    Abstract: A digital camera with interchangeable displays having a built-in display device and an image output terminal for transmitting image signals to an external monitor device, characterized in that it has a plurality of means for processing the image, outputting a suitable image to the built-in display device or to the external monitor device by switching between the means for processing the image on the basis of prescribed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Shigeo Sakaue, Kazuyuki Inokuma, Toshiya Fujii
  • Patent number: 6992716
    Abstract: A digital camera with interchangeable displays having a built-in display device and an image output terminal for transmitting image signals to an external monitor device, characterized in that it has a plurality of means for processing the image, outputting a suitable image to the built-in display device or to the external monitor device by switching between the means for processing the image on the basis of prescribed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Shigeo Sakaue, Kazuyuki Inokuma, Toshiya Fujii
  • Publication number: 20050168600
    Abstract: A pseudo signal may be sometimes generated while obtaining a luminance signal. An image signal processing apparatus comprises an image capturing element 1 which performs image capturing while utilizing a plurality types of color filters which are arranged based on repetition of a pattern determined in advance, a color change detecting part 15 which detects a color change regarding the result of the image capturing while considering the pattern, and an adder 19 and a core processing part 20 which generate a luminance signal regarding the result of the image capturing based on the result of color change detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Yasutoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6753917
    Abstract: A digital camera with interchangeable displays having a built-in display device and an image output terminal for transmitting image signals to an external monitor device, characterized in that it has a plurality of means for processing the image, outputting a suitable image to the built-in display device or to the external monitor device by switching between the means for processing the image on the basis of prescribed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Shigeo Sakaue, Kazuyuki Inokuma, Toshiya Fujii