Patents by Inventor Aihiko Numata

Aihiko Numata 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: 20200294214
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a visible light image and an invisible light image, a determination unit configured to determine a region on an image based on the visible light image or the invisible light image acquired by the acquisition unit, and a combining unit configured to generate a composite image such that a combination ratio of the visible light image is larger than a combination ratio of the invisible light image in the region determined by the determination unit, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the visible light image for which an exposure is adjusted such that a region of the visible light image that corresponds to the region determined by the determination unit has an appropriate exposure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20200177781
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor; an optical filter having a first filter region that selectively passes light in a first wavelength band; and a calculation circuit that calculates an in-focus position of a focus lens based on a signal obtained from the image sensor. The calculation circuit estimates a first component in the first wavelength band and a second component in a second wavelength band of light received by a second pixel region of the image sensor excluding a first pixel region of the image sensor, based on a first signal obtained from the first pixel region that receives light passed through the first filter region and a second signal obtained from the second pixel region, and calculates an in-focus position with respect to a predetermined shooting distance based on the estimated first and second components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20200154087
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus that can obtain an optimum image in accordance with a region of interest of a user is provided. An image processing apparatus comprises an image synthesis unit configured to synthesize a visible light image and an infrared light image and generate a synthesis image; a region specifying unit configured to specify a region in the synthesis image; and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate the saturation of the synthesis image in a region specified by the region specifying unit. The image synthesis unit changes the synthesis ratio of the visible light image and the infrared light image in the synthesis image in accordance with the saturation that has been evaluated by the evaluation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20200137293
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a focus controller, an image sensor, an angle controller configured to change an angle of an imaging plane of the image sensor, an evaluation value acquirer configured to acquire a contrast evaluation value in a first evaluation area of the image sensor during a focus control, and to acquire a contrast evaluation value in a second evaluation area different from the first evaluation area during an angle control, and an exposure controller configured to control an exposure condition of the image sensor. The exposure controller determines a first exposure condition so as to provide a correct exposure value to the first evaluation area during the focus control, and determines a second exposure condition different from the first exposure so as to provide a correct exposure value to the second evaluation area during the angle control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20200111192
    Abstract: Provided are a synthesis processing configured to that synthesize a first image acquired by a first imaging unit and a second image acquired by a second imaging unit of which an imaging range overlaps a part of an imaging range of the first imaging unit and generates a wide-angle image and an extraction unit configured to extract a region of interest within an imaging range in which the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit perform overlapping imaging on the basis of at least one of a third image, acquired by a third imaging unit, which includes at least a part of the imaging range in which the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit perform overlapping imaging in an imaging range thereof and a state of the third imaging unit when the third image is captured. The synthesis processing unit adjusts an amount of positional shift between the first image and the second image in the region of interest, and generates the wide-angle image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20200098148
    Abstract: To provide an image processing device which is user-friendly and is able to acquire an optimum image in which a user's intention is reflected based on various kinds of parameter setting by the user, the image processing device includes: a combination processing unit configured to combine a visible-light image signal and an infrared-light image signal to generate a combined image signal, and a parameter setting unit configured to set a parameter other than combination ratios of the visible-light image signal and the infrared-light image signal in the combined image signal. The combination processing unit changes the combination ratio in accordance with a change in the parameter when the parameter setting unit changes the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20200077007
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus capable of improving the quality of an image captured using illumination. A multi-eye image capture section has image capture sections that capture images in different image capture ranges partially overlapping with each other to generate a wide-angle image. A single-eye image capture section captures an image in part of the image capture ranges of the multi-eye image capture section and changes an image capture direction. When performing image capture using illumination, the exposure level of a first image capture section of the multi-eye image capture section, having an image capture range overlapping with the image capture range of the single-eye image capture section is controlled to be lower than the exposure level of a second image capture section having an image capture range not overlapping with the image capture range of the single-eye image capture section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20200033701
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, an angle controller configured to change an angle between a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of an imaging optical system and an imaging plane of the image sensor, an illuminator; and an illumination controller configured to change an optical axis direction of the illuminator based on the angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20190222734
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus, comprising: a first imaging section having a plurality of imaging sections arranged so that parts of their image capturing ranges overlap; a second imaging section configured to generate a detailed image by capturing a part of an image capturing range of the first imaging section; a combining section configured to generate a wide-angle image by combining images captured by the plurality of imaging sections; a transfer section configured to transfer the wide-angle image; and a control section configured to control a maximum charge accumulation time period that can be set to the plurality of imaging sections in the first imaging section to be greater than a maximum charge accumulation time period that can be set to the second imaging section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20190174075
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a solid-state imaging element including a first pixel and a second pixel, the first pixel being higher in sensitivity than the second pixel in a first wavelength range of visible light, the second pixel being higher in sensitivity than the first pixel in a second wavelength range of visible light, and further the first pixel being higher in sensitivity than the second pixel in a wavelength range of near-infrared light, a first cut filter provided on a light entry side of the solid-state imaging element and configured to cut visible light, and at least one processor or circuit configured to generate an image from pixel signals acquired by the solid-state imaging element, wherein the at least one processor or circuit determines a pixel signal to be used for generating the image, according to brightness of an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20190132559
    Abstract: A first imaging unit according to the present embodiment acquires a wide angle image. A second imaging unit according to the present embodiment captures a part of a capturing range of the first imaging unit and comprises a drive mechanism capable of changing a capturing direction. A control unit controls a frequency of acquiring the wide angle image based on at least one of a state of the second imaging unit and information included in a detail image captured by the second imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20190132501
    Abstract: A first imaging unit according to the present embodiment has a plurality of imaging units arranged such that capturing ranges partially overlap with each other and generates a combined image in which images captured by the plurality of imaging units are connected and combined to each other by a combining processing unit. A second imaging unit according to the present embodiment captures a part of a capturing range of the first imaging unit. A control unit according to the present embodiment controls exposure levels of the plurality of imaging units based on at least one of a state of the second imaging unit and information included in an image captured by the second imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 10165215
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an imaging apparatus having a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels including: a first photoelectric converter; a first pixel memory; a first transfer unit configured to transfer charges from the first photoelectric converter to the first pixel memory; a second photoelectric converter; a second pixel memory; a second transfer unit configured to transfer charges from the second photoelectric converter to the second pixel memory; and a switch adapted to control an electric connection state between the first pixel memory and the second pixel memory, wherein the exposure time of the first photoelectric converter is longer than the exposure time of the second photoelectric converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 10070078
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor acquires signals through sequential reading, in signal lines disposed along a column direction, of signals from pixels disposed in the form of a matrix. The solid-state image sensor has a plurality of first pixels that are disposed in the form of a matrix in the solid-state image sensor; and a plurality of second pixels having an in-pixel memory and disposed in the form of a matrix in columns different from those of the plurality of first pixels in the solid-state image sensor. A difference in exposure timings of the second pixels between adjacent rows is caused to be different from that of the first pixels between adjacent rows, through reading of signals from the plurality of second pixels after holding in the in-pixel memories for a predetermined charge retention time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 10051213
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes first and second ranging pixels that detect an incident light beam in the solid-state image sensor by separating the incident light beam in a first and second direction, respectively. The angle between the second direction and a column direction is smaller than the angle between the first direction and the column direction. A difference in exposure timings of second ranging pixels disposed in different rows is made smaller than that of first ranging pixels disposed in different rows, by causing to vary, for each row, a time over which charge is held in the in-pixel memories, in the plurality of second ranging pixels disposed in different rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 10043275
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a distance calculation unit configured to calculate distance information on the basis of a first image and a second image; and a blur addition unit configured to add a blur to original images based on the first image and the second image, using the distance information calculated by the distance calculation unit and to move a focus plane by a predetermined refocus distance. The blur addition unit adds the blur to a first original image when the refocus distance is equal to or less than a threshold and adds the blur to a second original image, which is an image having an effective F-number greater than an effective F-number of the first original image, when the refocus distance is greater than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 9998691
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is provided in which ranging signals can be acquired while acquiring imaging signals having different sensitivities from each other, and also preventing ranging precision from deteriorating. A pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion region and a second photoelectric conversion region that have different sensitivities from each other and are arrayed in parallel in a first direction, and a first barrier region that is sandwiched between the first photoelectric conversion region and the second photoelectric conversion region. The first photoelectric conversion region includes a first photoelectric conversion portion and a second photoelectric conversion portion arrayed in parallel in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a second barrier region sandwiched between the first photoelectric conversion portion and the second photoelectric conversion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 9627427
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state image sensor in which degradation in image quality can be reduced. The solid-state image sensor includes an optical isolation layer between a pupil dividing unit and a plurality of photoelectric conversion units. The optical isolation layer includes a plurality of high-refractive-index areas and a low-refractive-index area having a lower refractive index than that of the high-refractive-index areas. The high-refractive-index areas are disposed above the photoelectric conversion units, and the low-refractive-index area is disposed between the high-refractive-index areas. The refractive index changes stepwise at the boundaries between the high-refractive-index areas and the low-refractive-index area. The refractive index difference of the stepwise changing portion is 0.15 or more. A value obtained by multiplying the physical thickness of the optical isolation layer by the refractive index of the high-refractive-index areas is 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Publication number: 20170077154
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a microlens, a waveguide unit having a core and a cladding and capable of propagating light transmitted through the microlens, and a pair of photo diodes and configured to carry out photoelectric conversion of light guided by the waveguide unit. Each of the pixels includes an absorption unit that is electrically independent, and the absorption unit has an optical absorptance with respect to a light beam to be photoelectrically converted by the pair of photo diodes higher than an optical absorptance of the core and of the cladding. An optical distance between the absorption unit and an interface of the cladding and the core on the side toward the microlens is no greater than a wavelength of the light beam to be converted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata
  • Patent number: 9565381
    Abstract: A ranging pixel located in a peripheral region of a solid-state image sensor includes a microlens having a center axis that is shifted relative to a center axis of the ranging pixel, a first waveguide, and a second waveguide. The first waveguide is disposed on a side of the center axis of the ranging pixel that is in a direction opposite to a direction (projection shift direction) obtained by projecting a shift direction of the microlens onto a straight line connecting a center of the first waveguide and a center of the second waveguide, and the second waveguide is disposed on another side of the center axis of the ranging pixel that is in a direction identical to the projection shift direction of the microlens. In addition, at least one of the difference between the refractive indices of the core and the clad and the cross-sectional area of the core is greater in the first waveguide than in the second waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Aihiko Numata