Patents Represented by Attorney Panasonic Patent Center
  • Patent number: 8275251
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens includes a focus lens for changing a focus state of an object image, a driving unit for driving the focus lens, a lens controller for controlling the driving unit so as to move the focus lens forward and backward along the optical axis at a predetermined drive frequency, and a storage unit for storing therein drive frequency information representing a drive frequency at which the driving unit can control. A camera body obtains the drive frequency information from the interchangeable lens and performs control while referring to the drive frequency information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Isaka, Mitsuyoshi Okamoto, Kenji Kawazoe, Naotake Kitahira, Koji Shibuno
  • Patent number: 8270179
    Abstract: In a case where the first component and the third component are mountable on the first circuit board pattern of the first individual board and the second component is mountable on the second circuit board pattern of the first individual board, or in a case where the first component is mountable on the first circuit board pattern of the second individual board, and the second component and the third component are mountable on the second circuit board pattern of the second individual board, in the first and second individual boards, traces for the third component are provided so that electrical connections between the third component and the other components are identical between the case where the third component is mounted on the first circuit board pattern, and the case where the third component is mounted on the second circuit board pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Yamauchi, Haruya Sakuma, Masataka Saitoh
  • Patent number: 8270265
    Abstract: An optical pickup device or an optical disk device includes: a light source 11 that emits a laser beam toward an optical disk 25; an optical receiver 18 that detects light reflected from the optical disk 25; and an astigmatism-generating element 31 that generates light used for focus control in a condition where a focusing position on one of two perpendicular cross sections including an optical axis of the light reflected from the optical disk 25 is located ahead of the optical receiver 18 and a focusing position on the other cross section is located behind the optical receiver 18. The astigmatism-generating element 31 is a Fresnel mirror 31a configured to include a plurality of reflecting mirrors, and an imaginary surface 31d that connects the tips of the reflecting mirrors is curved in a concave shape toward a light incidence side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Yoshinaka, Masaharu Fukakusa, Mayumi Tsukamoto, Satoshi Nagata, Eizo Ono
  • Patent number: 8259404
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yumiki, Hideo Onishi, Yoshiharu Araki, Fumio Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8251136
    Abstract: A control device accommodating unit (15) is provided in a section (50) accommodating an indoor air blower (7) adjacently to an indoor air flow-in port (16), and an impeller (7c) of the indoor air blower (7) is sequentially opposite to the indoor air flow-in port (16) and the control device accommodating unit (15) by rotation of the impeller (7c), and a space (51) is formed between the indoor air flow-in port (16) and the control device accommodating unit (15). In this configuration, it is possible to obtain a cooling device decreased in drop of air flow rate and drop of cooling performance due to mounting a control device (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shibata, Nobuyuki Yasui, Mutsuhiko Matsumoto, Kouji Sinzaki, Toshikazu Yamaguchi, Naoyuki Funada, Keisuke Tuzi, Takahiro Sahasi, Satoshi Ousaka, Keisuke Hagimoto
  • Patent number: 8253823
    Abstract: There are provided a camera body capable of operating a drive unit of an interchangeable lens at a low drive sound level, an interchangeable lens, and an imaging apparatus including such a camera body and an interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Shibuno, Takashi Abe, Koji Hashigami
  • Patent number: 8251602
    Abstract: An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Koji Shibuno, Hidekazu Nakajima, Michihiko Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 8254772
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of lenses movable along an optical axis, a plurality of drivers configured to drive the plurality of lenses, respectively, and a synchronism loss detector configured to detect a loss of synchronism of one of the plurality of drivers. The one of the plurality of drivers is a driver that drives a lens which is heaviest in the plurality of lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Honjo, Hideo Onishi
  • Patent number: 8249416
    Abstract: A BD-ROM 100 and a local storage 200 contain dynamic scenarios (programs) such as a Java application and a Movie Object. A dynamic scenario reads profile information from PSR 31 of the playback apparatus and judges whether or not the playback apparatus is an audio-only type. If it is judged that the playback apparatus is not the audio-only type, an interactive screen is displayed to perform a control to play back a digital stream according to an operation made onto the interactive screen. If it is judged that the playback apparatus is the audio-only type, a control is performed to play back a digital stream according to an operation that is made without use of the interactive screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yahata Hiroshi, Tomoyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 8249442
    Abstract: A flash unit includes a flash device operable to emit flash, a storage member operable to store the flash device, a cover with which the storage member is covered from above, and to which the flash device is attached, a first link member that is turnably connected to the storage member at one end and turnably connected to the cover at another end, and a retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yasuda, Tetsuya Mori
  • Patent number: 8240997
    Abstract: Centrifugal impeller (14) of centrifugal air blower (1) has main plate (15); a plurality of blades (18); ring-shaped plate (20); and a cylindrical wall (22). The blades (18) are circumferentially disposed on the side of the outer periphery of front side (17) of main plate (15). Ring-shaped plate (20) is attached to tip sections (19) of blades (18). Cylindrical wall (22) is disposed on the back side (21) of the main plate (15) so as to be concentric therewith. The structure above provides centrifugal impeller (14) and centrifugal air blower (1) with improved air-blow efficiency and noise-reduced operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Shirahama, Hitoshi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8237852
    Abstract: A camera body includes an imaging unit operable to generate image data by capturing an object image, an acquisition unit operable to acquire optical data of the interchangeable lens from the interchangeable lens, a correction unit operable to correct the image data generated by the imaging unit based on the optical data acquired by the acquisition unit, a detection unit operable to detect state of mounting/demounting the interchangeable lens to/from the camera body, and a display unit operable to display an image based on the image data. After detecting that the interchangeable lens is completely mounted to the camera body, when the detection unit detects that the interchangeable lens is being demounted from the camera body, the display unit stops displaying the image based on the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Shibuno, Taizo Aoki, Takao Watanabe
  • 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: 8233779
    Abstract: An AV Clip generated by multiplexing video and graphics streams is recorded on a BD-ROM. The graphics stream includes a plurality of DSs (Display Sets) which are each a group of segments used for graphics display. ODSs (Object Definition segments) belonging to a DS include a referenced ODS and a non-referenced ODS. The non-referenced ODS is an ODS that is not referenced by a PCS (Presentation Composition Segment) included in the display set. An END segment is provided immediately following a last ODS of the sequence of the referenced ODS and the non-referenced ODS in the display set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph McCrossan, Tomoyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 8228393
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of recording a moving image and a still image includes a recording unit for recording image data of the moving image or the still image generated by an imaging unit in a recording medium, and a display unit for displaying first capacity information related to recordable time of the moving image to the recording medium when recording the moving image and displaying second capacity information related to number of still images recordable in the recording medium when recording the still image. Even after the recording of the moving image is completed, the display unit continuously displays the first capacity information until a predetermined time passes. Even after the recording of the still images is completed, the display unit continuously displays the second capacity information until the predetermined time passes. After the predetermined time passes, the display unit displays either one of the first capacity information and the second capacity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Taizo Aoki, Yuki Ueda
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8223254
    Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes an imaging unit, a contrast detection unit, a defocusing amount detection unit, and a body microcomputer. The contrast detection unit is configured to detect a contrast value from an image signal of a subject acquired by the imaging unit, and is configured to detect the focal state of an optical image on the basis of the contrast value. The defocusing amount detection unit is configured to detect the focal state of the optical image by phase difference detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select either the contrast detection unit or the defocusing amount detection unit on the basis of lens information on the interchangeable lens side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu Katsuyama, Kenichi Honjo
  • Patent number: 8218069
    Abstract: The camera body includes an imaging element, a hot shoe, an internal light source, and a camera controller. The imaging element is configured to convert an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal, and is configured to produce image data for the subject. The hot shoe allows the flash device to be mounted. The internal light source is arranged to shine light on the subject. The camera controller is configured to calculate an evaluation value on the basis of the image data produced by the imaging element, and is configured to perform video autofocusing on the basis of the evaluation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Honjo, Hideki Yoshida, Keizo Ishiguro, Takayuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: D664666
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Koya Kurokawa
  • Patent number: D665097
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Koya Kurokawa