Patents by Inventor Akira Kubota
Akira Kubota 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).
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Publication number: 20100316365Abstract: The present invention further improves operability related to setting the position and size of a focus detection region. An image capturing apparatus of the invention is provided with an image sensor that photo-electrically converts an object image formed by an optical lens, a focus detection unit that detects the focus state of the object image using an image signal from a focus detection region that is a region that is a portion within a frame of the image sensor, a setting unit that sets one focus detection mode from among a plurality of focus detection modes in which the size and position of the focus detection region within the frame differ, and a storage unit that stores a focus detection region size and position for each of the plurality of focus detection modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira Kubota, Yasutaka Naka, Hiroyuki Ogino, Nobukazu Yoshida
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Publication number: 20100284678Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a diaphragm control unit configured to control an aperture value of a diaphragm, and an electronic shutter control unit configured to control an operation of an electronic shutter for adjusting a charge accumulation time of the image sensor by adjusting a driving timing of the image sensor, wherein, if driving of the diaphragm overlaps a charge accumulation time when the aperture value is changed from a first aperture value to a second aperture value, the electronic shutter control unit controls a time of charge accumulation corresponding to the second aperture value in the charge accumulation time such that a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the first aperture value is set and a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the second aperture value is set become approximately equal to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Kubota
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Patent number: 7809260Abstract: The present invention further improves operability related to setting the position and size of a focus detection region. An image capturing apparatus of the invention is provided with an image sensor that photo-electrically converts an object image formed by an optical lens, a focus detection unit that detects the focus state of the object image using an image signal from a focus detection region that is a region that is a portion within a frame of the image sensor, a setting unit that sets one focus detection mode from among a plurality of focus detection modes in which the size and position of the focus detection region within the frame differ, and a storage unit that stores a focus detection region size and position for each of the plurality of focus detection modes.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Kubota, Yasutaka Naka, Hiroyuki Ogino, Nobukazu Yoshida
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Patent number: 7783189Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a diaphragm control unit configured to control an aperture value of a diaphragm, and an electronic shutter control unit configured to control an operation of an electronic shutter for adjusting a charge accumulation time of the image sensor by adjusting a driving timing of the image sensor, wherein, if driving of the diaphragm overlaps a charge accumulation time when the aperture value is changed from a first aperture value to a second aperture value, the electronic shutter control unit controls a time of charge accumulation corresponding to the second aperture value in the charge accumulation time such that a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the first aperture value is set and a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the second aperture value is set become approximately equal to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Kubota
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Publication number: 20100208105Abstract: An image sensing apparatus executes a plurality of tone corrections respectively suited to different luminance distributions of images. The image sensing apparatus analyzes a luminance distribution of sensed image data, selects, based on an analysis result, at least one of a first tone correction which suppresses luminance saturation of image data, a second tone correction which converts luminance values of all luminance regions so that a maximum luminance value of sensed image data becomes a largest possible luminance value of the image data, and a third tone correction which multiplies a luminance value of a low-luminance region, which is set in advance, of sensed image data by a gain larger than gains of other luminance regions, as a tone correction to be implemented for sensed image data, and limits, when a correction based on the second tone correction is selected, implementation of a correction based on the third tone correction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Kubota
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Publication number: 20100194925Abstract: Receiving an instruction from a user to start sensing a still image, an image sensing apparatus performs scene determination based on an evaluation value of scene determination from an image sensed immediately after the luminance of the image converges to a predetermined range of a target luminance. The image sensing apparatus can accurately determine a scene of the image even the image sensor with a narrow dynamic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Kubota
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Publication number: 20100045843Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit to capture an image of an object, a selection unit to select one of a plurality of shooting modes of the imaging unit, a recording unit to record the captured image onto a recording medium, a switching unit to switch between a reproduction mode in which recorded image data is readout and displayed on a display device, and a shooting processing mode in which shooting processing is performed in the selected shooting mode and a reproduction control unit to cause the display device to display the read out image data. When the switching unit switches the mode to the reproduction mode, the reproduction control unit changes an operation that can be instructed in the reproduction mode according to the selected shooting mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shigeo Ogawa, Yuichi Nakase, Akira Kubota
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Patent number: 7619681Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image-capturing device which can include an imaging unit that performs photoelectric conversion on incident light that is formed on an imaging screen, a luminance-data extracting unit that extracts luminance data from data read from the imaging unit, and an exposure-adjusting unit that sets and controls an exposure value on the basis of set control values, corresponding to the result of comparing the luminance data with predetermined target luminance values.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Kubota
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Publication number: 20090041445Abstract: Subjects are detected in a captured image and a main subject is selected from the detected subjects. Focusing areas are set up that correspond to the detected subjects and focus detection is performed in the focusing areas that have been set up. When providing in-focus indication representing focus detection results, focus detection results associated with the particular focusing area among the focusing areas that corresponds to the main subject are displayed in a manner different from focus detection results associated with those focusing areas within the depth of field that correspond to subjects other than the main subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nobukazu Yoshida, Akira Kubota
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Publication number: 20090034954Abstract: The present invention further improves operability related to setting the position and size of a focus detection region. An image capturing apparatus of the invention is provided with an image sensor that photo-electrically converts an object image formed by an optical lens, a focus detection unit that detects the focus state of the object image using an image signal from a focus detection region that is a region that is a portion within a frame of the image sensor, a setting unit that sets one focus detection mode from among a plurality of focus detection modes in which the size and position of the focus detection region within the frame differ, and a storage unit that stores a focus detection region size and position for each of the plurality of focus detection modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira Kubota, Yasutaka Naka, Hiroyuki Ogino, Nobukazu Yoshida
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Patent number: 7445687Abstract: A tire component is fabricated by the steps of forming a narrow belt by arranging a plurality of cords and embedding the cords in a rubber layer, cutting the belt into strips of a predetermined length, and successively arranging and joining a necessary number of the strips such that edge parts of adjacent strips overlap each other with the outermost cord in the edge part of one of the adjacent strips overlying the outermost cord in the edge part of the other strip. The strips can be surely joined without requiring advanced techniques, without wasting materials and without increasing weight. Thus a desired annular tire component can be accurately formed in a desired circumference. The cords are arranged in each strip in a width equal to a length shorter than a length equal to an integral division of the predetermined circumference of a tire by a length corresponding to an increase in the diameter of the tire component.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2003Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Nobuyuki Suda, Akira Kubota
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Publication number: 20080267608Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a diaphragm control unit configured to control an aperture value of a diaphragm, and an electronic shutter control unit configured to control an operation of an electronic shutter for adjusting a charge accumulation time of the image sensor by adjusting a driving timing of the image sensor, wherein, if driving of the diaphragm overlaps a charge accumulation time when the aperture value is changed from a first aperture value to a second aperture value, the electronic shutter control unit controls a time of charge accumulation corresponding to the second aperture value in the charge accumulation time such that a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the first aperture value is set and a brightness of an image signal output from the imaging unit when the second aperture value is set become approximately equal to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Kubota
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Patent number: 7301575Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a camera which properly, effectively controls lens collapsing operation and is excellent in usability and the like, and a control method therefor. To achieve this object, the camera includes a power source which supplies power for camera operation, a collapsible lens for performing photographing, and a controller which controls the extension and storage operations of the collapsible lens. The collapsible lens is driven and controlled in accordance with a camera operation mode. The camera has a designation function of designating a collapsing control method for the collapsible lens. The controller drives and controls the collapsible lens in accordance with a collapsing control method designated by the designation function. The collapsing control method includes an auto mode and an always lens extension mode. When the power source is turned off in the always lens extension mode, storage operation of the collapsible lens is inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Kubota
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Patent number: 7250935Abstract: A force-feedback supply apparatus and an image correcting method are provided in which sites to which a force-feedback is supplied can be properly displayed in accordance with a virtual reality image by correcting the virtual reality image in consideration of a thickness of a force-feedback supply section. In the force-feedback supply apparatus and an image correcting method, joint angles of a force-feedback supply means when a user's hand and fingers are at a reference posture and at a real grasp position are detected by means of encoders arranged in joint sections, positions of the user's fingertips at each posture are calculated on the basis of the detection data, the joint angles at a virtual grasp position are calculated, quantity of deviation in the joint angles between the real grasp position and the virtual grasp position is calculated, and a conversion rule for correcting the virtual reality image is determined on the basis of the quantity of deviation.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Akira Kubota, Shigemi Sato
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Publication number: 20070146320Abstract: An information input system includes a projector capable of projecting an operation screen image for making an input operation of information to a computer, and an image pickup device capable of sending picked-up image data acquired by picking up the operation screen image to the computer, wherein, as a predetermined position on the operation screen image is designated with a designating unit as the input operation, the designated position is detected as an input operation position on the basis of the picked-up image data, and a pointer is displayed at the detected input operation position by the projector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Akira Kubota
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Patent number: 7187893Abstract: A recording medium carrier system of an image forming apparatus is constituted by independent units as a paper supply cassette, a paper feed unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, and a paper ejecting unit. An intermediate transfer unit in the transfer unit is provided with an intermediate transfer belt to which a toner image formed on a photoconductive drum is primarily transferred at a primary transfer position and which secondarily transfers the toner image on a recording medium at a secondary transfer position, and a driving roller for circulating the intermediate transfer belt. The primary transfer position is arranged close to the driving roller.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2002Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshiya Takahata, Akira Kubota, Tatsuro Osawa, Nobumasa Abe, Takehiko Okamura, Hiroshi Ito, Tahei Ishiwatari, Toshihiko Yamazaki
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Publication number: 20060125952Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image-capturing device which can include an imaging unit that performs photoelectric conversion on incident light that is formed on an imaging screen, a luminance-data extracting unit that extracts luminance data from data read from the imaging unit, and an exposure-adjusting unit that sets and controls an exposure value on the basis of set control values, corresponding to the result of comparing the luminance data with predetermined target luminance values.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2005Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Kubota
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Patent number: 7022396Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality biaxially oriented film exhibiting an excellent electromagnetic conversion property, traveling durability, magnetic head traveling performance, etc. as a magnetic recording medium. The object of the present invention is achieved by a biaxially oriented film including a polymer alloy composed of polyester (polymer 1) and a thermoplastic resin (polymer 2) other than the polyester as essential components, wherein micro protrusions having a height of 2 to 50 nm are formed at a density of 1,000,000 to 90,000,000/mm2 on at least one surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.Inventors: Akira Kubota, Shoji Nakajima, Yukari Nakamori, Tetsuya Tsunekawa
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Publication number: 20060061652Abstract: A stereoscopic image display system includes: an image display unit that displays a parallax image composed of a right eye image and a left eye image; glasses having a transmission portion for a right eye transmitting only the right eye image of the parallax image and a transmission portion for a left eye transmitting only the left eye image of the parallax image; an inclination detection unit that detects an inclination of the glasses; a parallax image generation unit that generates the parallax image in accordance with a detection result from the inclination detection unit; and a display unit that displays the parallax image generated by the parallax image generation unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: March 23, 2006Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Shigemi Sato, Akira Kubota, Tomio Sonehara
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Patent number: D526425Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Kubota