Patents by Inventor Ayako Nagase

Ayako Nagase 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: 9603511
    Abstract: The specific gravity of a capsule-type endoscope according to the invention is set to be lower than that of liquid in an organ, so that the capsule-type endoscope is floated on a liquid surface of the liquid. A center of gravity of the capsule-type endoscope is set to a position deviated from a center of a casing, so that the casing is maintained in a specific floating position while being floated on the liquid surface. A boundary between the casing and the liquid surface is formed within a projection plane, which is obtained by projecting the casing in the specific floating position perpendicularly to the liquid surface, at a position excluding an outer periphery of the projection plane Ka.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miho Katayama, Hironao Kawano, Ayako Nagase
  • Patent number: 8732546
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus for receiving a radio signal through an antenna. The radio signal is transmitted by a moving transmitting apparatus and has a frame configuration which includes at least a main information portion that includes information main part based on an image signal and an added portion that includes synchronization information and parameter information specific to the transmitting apparatus. The receiving apparatus includes a detecting unit that is configured to detect, from the received radio signal, an arrangement position of the parameter information in a frame configuration in which an error-correcting code is added immediately after the parameter information to be transmitted in a predetermined arrangement position of the frame configuration. A parameter information error correcting unit is configured to perform error correction on the parameter information with the error-correcting code that is added immediately after the detected arrangement position of the parameter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Fujita, Toshiaki Shigemori, Seiichiro Kimoto, Ayako Nagase, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 8632457
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to receive, with a high sensitivity, a radio signal transmitted within a short time before a capsule endoscope reaches the stomach of a subject and acquire, in a satisfactory state, information on the interior of the subject such as image data picked up by the capsule endoscope. The receiving apparatus according to the invention includes a plurality of receiving antennas including a specified receiving antenna for receiving a radio signal from a capsule endoscope before the stomach is reached, a switching controller, an arrival determining unit and a mode switching unit. The switching controller performs a control operation for switching to and maintaining the receiving antenna in an initial mode or a control operation for switching to the receiving antennas in a normal mode. The arrival determining unit determines whether the capsule endoscope has reached the stomach or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Ayako Nagase, Seiichiro Kimoto, Manabu Fujita, Toshiaki Shigemori, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 8622892
    Abstract: The in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an imaging unit which captures an inside of a subject, a transmission processing unit which wirelessly transmits the image information captured by the imaging unit, a power supply unit which supplies driving power for each unit of the apparatus, and a switching unit which detects an external input and switches a supply state of the driving power from the power supply unit. The apparatus also includes a mode setting unit which sets predetermined operation modes based on information of the external input which is input to the switching unit, and a control unit which controls the operation of each unit of the apparatus according to the operation mode set by the mode setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Kei Mitsuhashi, Ayako Nagase
  • Patent number: 8439822
    Abstract: A capsule endoscope includes a capsule-shaped casing and an imaging unit for taking an image of an inside of an organ in a state where the capsule endoscope is floating in liquid introduced inside the organ of a subject. Specific gravity of the capsule endoscope to the introduced liquid is ?; a plane divides the capsule endoscope such that a volume ratio is to be ?:1??. A straight line that connects a center of volume of a portion whose volume ratio is ? and a center of gravity of the capsule endoscope is substantially perpendicular to the plane. The center of gravity is present at a position farther distant from the plane than the center of volume. A surface of a boundary of a field of view that forms an angle of view of the imaging unit and the plane do not intersect outside the capsule endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Shigemori, Tatsuya Orihara, Hidetake Segawa, Hironao Kawano, Ayako Nagase
  • Patent number: 8345089
    Abstract: To acquire much accurate image information having no noise, without increasing load in the post-processing of the image information, a receiving apparatus 3 includes: a synchronization signal detector 34 that detects a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal; an image processor 35 that performs an image generation process of each frame based on the horizontal synchronization signal and the vertical synchronization signal detected by the synchronization signal detector 34; and an image deletion controller 36a that controls to delete an image of the current frame, when a horizontal synchronization signal within one frame detected by the synchronization signal detector 34 is not continuously detected by a first predetermined number or more, or when a horizontal synchronization signal within one frame detected by the synchronization signal detector 34 is not continuously detected by a second predetermined number or more, or when a vertical synchronization signal detected by the syn
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Shigemori, Ayako Nagase
  • Patent number: 8343039
    Abstract: A capsule medical device includes a capsule casing that contains an illumination board, an imaging board, a transmission board, and a control board on which functional components are mounted, and a sheet-like battery that supplies power to the functional components. The sheet-like battery is rolled up to be a pole shape and located between cutout parts of the imaging board, the transmission board, and the control board and the inner wall of the capsule casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Hidetake Segawa, Ayako Nagase, Hironao Kawano, Seiichiro Kimoto
  • Patent number: 8184148
    Abstract: A capsule endoscope 3 is inserted into a subject and transmits a capsule ID, which is received by an RF receiving unit 11 of a receiving apparatus 2. A capsule ID detecting circuit 19 detects the capsule ID. A control unit C recognizes a type of the capsule endoscope 3 based on the detected capsule ID, and changes over a threshold of received field strength of a receiving antenna. Thus, a content of processing for the capsule endoscope 3 is changed over, and a selection controller C1 selects a receiving antenna for an image receiving period from receiving antennas A1 to An.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Shigemori, Manabu Fujita, Ayako Nagase, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 8175559
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to be able to ensure detecting whether an open-circuit occurs to a feeder within short time with simple configuration. A receiving apparatus 2 according to the present invention receives image information transmitted from a capsule endoscope 3 through a coaxial cable and a receiving antenna selected and switched to from among coaxial cables 9a to 9d connected to receiving antennas 8a to 8d, respectively by a changeover switch 20. The receiving apparatus 2 includes a changeover switch 22, an open-circuit detecting circuit 23, and a control unit 26. The changeover switch 22 branches the coaxial cables 9a to 9d near the changeover switch 20, and selects and switches to one of the branched coaxial cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: Olympus Corporation, Olympus Medical Systems, Corp.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Homan, Ayako Nagase, Seiichiro Kimoto, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi, Manabu Fujita, Akira Matsui, Toshiaki Shigemori
  • Patent number: 8135371
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus (2) includes a radio unit (2a) and a main receiving unit (2b) detachably connected with each other, the radio unit (2a) stores radio unit ID information (12a) as identification information to identify the radio unit itself, the main receiving unit (2b) stores a process condition table (16a) in which process conditions corresponding to the radio units are stored, the main receiving unit (2b) includes a setting controller (C1b) which serves as a setting controller that sets the process condition of the main receiving unit (2b), the setting controller (C1b) acquires the radio unit ID information (12a) from the radio unit (2a), selects the process condition of the main receiving unit (2b) corresponding to the acquired radio unit ID information (12a) from the process condition table (16a), and sets the selected process condition as the process condition of the main receiving unit (2b), so that, when a replaceable unit detachably connected to a shared unit is replaced with another replaceable
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Ayako Nagase
  • Patent number: 8133169
    Abstract: An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an imaging unit which is introduced inside a subject and picks up image information inside the subject, an illuminating unit which illuminates an imaging portion imaged by the imaging unit, a transmission processing unit which performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit to an external apparatus. A light-control unit determines light-control amount information based on brightness of the image information acquired by the imaging unit, and performs a control of light control of the illuminating unit according to the light-control amount information. Further, the transmission processing unit performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit along with the light-control amount information used for the control of light-control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Ayako Nagase, Junichi Uchida
  • Patent number: 8131030
    Abstract: Each of detecting circuits 36a, 36d, 36f, and 36h detects a key signal such as a horizontal synchronization signal, a vertical synchronization signal, a capsule ID, a WB coefficient, and error information, i.e., a key signal superposed on RF signals received by an RF receiving unit 33. Each of determining units 36b, 36c, 36e, 36g, and 36i determines whether an image is valid or invalid based on the result of detection. A recording deciding unit 36k decides whether to record the image information in a storage unit 35 or not based on the result of determination. Thus, a receiving apparatus 3 can stop recording the image information received when a trouble occurs, thereby preventing defective images from mixing into the recorded image information, and preventing a recorded image size from becoming large, whereby necessary images can be recorded within a predetermined examination time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Fujita, Toshiaki Shigemori, Seiichiro Kimoto, Ayako Nagase, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 8041422
    Abstract: An in-body information acquiring apparatus includes a function executing unit that realizes a predetermined function inside a body of a patient. A power-supply circuit includes a power unit that includes a cell and that outputs a first current and a first voltage; and a converter that converts the first current to a second current, which is a current required to operate the function executing unit for a predetermined time, and converts the first voltage to a second voltage, which is a voltage required to operate the function executing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takemitsu Honda, Toshiaki Shigemori, Seiichiro Kimoto, Ayako Nagase, Katsuyoshi Sasagawa, Hatsuo Shimizu, Tetsuo Minai, Tsutomu Nakamura, Hiroshi Suzushima, Noriyuki Fujimori, Tatsuya Orihara, Katsuya Suzuki, Masayuki Hashimoto, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Publication number: 20110252291
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus that can prevent beforehand that a portable recording medium is erroneously ejected during examination, and can prevent body cavity image data from being lost and the portable recording medium from being damaged is provided. When an ejection operation of the portable recording medium is detected (step S103: Yes) during a recording operation (step S101: Yes), a warning unit is operated before the portable recording medium is ejected to give a warning to a user so as not to perform the ejection operation (step S105). Accordingly, the portable recording medium can be prevented beforehand from being ejected during the recording operation, thereby preventing body cavity image data from being lost and the portable recording medium from being damaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manabu FUJITA, Toshiaki SHIGEMORI, Seiichiro KIMOTO, Ayako NAGASE, Akira MATSUI, Kazutaka NAKATSUCHI
  • Patent number: 8036615
    Abstract: A portable simplified image display apparatus and a receiving system are provided, which can sensuously know the state of received strength of radio signals transmitted from a body-insertable apparatus, in either case of before examination or during examination. A viewer (7) includes a detector that detects received strength of a radio signal transmitted from a capsule endoscope (2) and a notifying unit that notifies the detected state of received strength in a display pattern such as a picture display of a capsule (41). Therefore, in either case of before examination or during examination, the state of received strength of radio signals transmitted from the capsule endoscope (2) can be sensuously known according to the notification result of the state of received strength. If it is during examination, supplementary observation can be performed based on an excellent received image by searching a site having strong received strength, thereby enabling contribution to satisfactory examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignees: Olympus Corporation, Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Kimoto, Manabu Fujita, Ayako Nagase, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi, Akira Matsui, Toshiaki Shigemori
  • Patent number: 8002693
    Abstract: A condition for determining that an examination by a capsule endoscope 3 (body insertable device) completes is set in advance. When a predetermined time period has passed since the examination starts, and when received electric-field strength of receiving antennas A1 to An detected during a predetermined time period is not higher than a predetermined value, the examination is determined to have been completed. An examination completion determining unit C1 determines whether the condition is satisfied or not. According to the result of determination, a notification controller C2 makes a notifying unit 15 notify that the examination completes, and a power supply controller C3 stop power supply to a radio unit 2a. Thus, unnecessary power consumption is prevented and the completion of the examination by the body insertable device is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation, Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Shigemori, Manabu Fujita, Ayako Nagase, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 7912434
    Abstract: To realize a receiving system that can excellently receive radio signals before and after a body insertable device, which is a radio signal source, is inserted into a subject, the receiving system has a first receiving antenna (1), a second receiving antenna (2), and a receiving apparatus (3). The first receiving antenna (1) is used when the body insertable device is outside the subject. The second receiving antenna (2) is used when the body insertable device is inserted into the subject. The receiving apparatus (3) performs a receiving processing on radio signals received through the first receiving antenna (1) or the second receiving antenna (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichiro Kimoto, Manabu Fujita, Toshiaki Shigemori, Ayako Nagase, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 7880765
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives an image signal, identification information on a transmitting apparatus, and color adjusting information that are radio transmitted from the transmitting apparatus; a lock controller that locks the color adjusting information when the receiving unit receives at least one of consecutively repeated identical color adjusting information and consecutively repeated identical identification information during a predetermined period or when the receiving unit most often receives at least one of the identical color adjusting information or the identical identification information during the predetermined period; and an image processing unit that performs image processing on the received image signal based on the locked color adjusting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Shigemori, Seiichiro Kimoto, Manabu Fujita, Ayako Nagase, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Publication number: 20100224201
    Abstract: A body-insertable apparatus is inserted into a subject body and travels through the subject body and includes a magnetic field generator that generates a constant magnetic field; a covering member that covers the magnetic field generator and that is made of a biocompatible material; and a container that houses and seals the magnetic field generator covered by the covering member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsumi Hirakawa, Seiichiro Kimoto, Ayako Nagase, Katsuyoshi Sasagawa, Katsuya Suzuki, Takemitsu Honda, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Publication number: 20100130822
    Abstract: The specific gravity of a capsule-type endoscope according to the invention is set to be lower than that of liquid in an organ, so that the capsule-type endoscope is floated on a liquid surface of the liquid. A center of gravity of the capsule-type endoscope is set to a position deviated from a center of a casing, so that the casing is maintained in a specific floating position while being floated on the liquid surface. A boundary between the casing and the liquid surface is formed within a projection plane, which is obtained by projecting the casing in the specific floating position perpendicularly to the liquid surface, at a position excluding an outer periphery of the projection plane Ka.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Miho KATAYAMA, Hironao KAWANO, Ayako NAGASE