Patents by Inventor Dai Shintani
Dai Shintani 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: 8665360Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body to which the interchangeable lens can be mounted, either directly or via an adapter. A lens microcomputer of the interchangeable lens is configured to hold lens information including information related to a focal point detection method. A body microcomputer of the camera body is configured to select a focal point detection method on the basis of lens information. The body microcomputer is configured to select a contrast detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is compatible with a contrast detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select a phase difference detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is not compatible with a contrast detection method, and the adapter is compatible with a phase difference detection method.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo, Norikazu Katsuyama
-
Patent number: 8662767Abstract: A camera body includes a housing, an imaging element and a body mount. The body mount is fixed to the housing, and has a portion to which an adapter can be mounted. The body mount is disposed at a position away from the light receiving face of the imaging element by the amount of a flange back. A lens back of an interchangeable lens unit is longer than the flange back. The flange back is shorter than the length obtained by subtracting the adapter length, which is the length of the adapter in the optical axis direction, from the lens back.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kenichi Honjo, Hiroshi Ueda, Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8654216Abstract: A camera system includes a lens unit, a mount, a camera body, and a control unit. The lens unit includes at least one lens unit operation portion and changes the magnification of an optical image electrically. The mount supports removably the lens unit. The camera body includes at least one camera body operation portion. The control unit controls the lens unit so as to change the magnification of an optical image electrically in response to either one of the operation of the camera body operation portion or the operation of the lens unit operation portion. The control unit controls the lens unit so as to execute an operation that is different from the operation which changes the magnification of an optical image, in response to the other of the operation of the camera body operation portion or the operation of the lens unit operation portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Dai Shintani, Akira Koga, Koji Shibuno
-
Patent number: 8654224Abstract: A composite imaging element is provided that includes a first imaging element and a second imaging element. The first imaging element has a plurality of first opto-electrical conversion parts, a first light receiving surface, and a first circuit part. The first opto-electrical conversion parts are configured to receive light with a first basic color and a second basic color different from the first basic color. The first opto-electrical conversion parts are also configured to convert light received by the first opto-electrical conversion parts into a first electrical signal. The first light receiving surface is formed by the first opto-electrical conversion parts. The first circuit part transmits the first electrical signal. The second imaging element has a plurality of second opto-electrical conversion parts and a second circuit part. The second opto-electrical conversion parts receive light emitted from the first opto-electrical conversion parts.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8648962Abstract: A camera body allows the mounting of a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject, and includes a body mount, an imaging element, a capacitor, and a housing member. The body mount allows a lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element includes a light receiving face arranged to receive light passing through the lens unit, and converts an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The capacitor is disposed more to the imaging element side than the body mount in a direction of the light passing through the lens unit. The housing member accommodates the imaging element and the capacitor. The camera body has no mirror box.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8619186Abstract: A camera body allows the mounting of a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject, and includes a body mount, an imaging element, a capacitor, and a housing member. The body mount allows a lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element includes a light receiving face arranged to receive light passing through the lens unit, and converts an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The capacitor is disposed in the depression formed near the outer peripheral portion of the imaging element, and stores electrical charges. The housing member accommodates the imaging element and the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8593563Abstract: The present disclosure provides an imaging device in which an additional member for switching an installation state of an IR cut filter does not have to be provided and which can flexibly use infrared light. An imaging device (1) receives light and performs photoelectric conversion. The imaging device (1) includes a first photoelectric conversion portion (10) configured to receive light including infrared light and allow the light to pass therethrough, second filters (26) configured to filter infrared light from the light which has passed through the first photoelectric conversion portion (10), and a second photoelectric conversion portion (20) configured to receive light transmitted through the second filters (26).Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8576334Abstract: A camera body is provided that includes a base member, a body mount, a focal plane shutter and a fastening member. The body mount is configured to support an interchangeable lens. The fastening member is configured to fasten the focal plane shutter unit to the base member. The body mount, the base member, and the focal plane shutter unit are disposed between a subject side of the camera body and a user side of the camera body in that order. The focal plane shutter unit is fastened to the base member that faces toward the user side of the camera body.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Publication number: 20130258179Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a hot shoe to which one of a plurality of peripheral devices including an external strobe is selectively attachable. The imaging apparatus further includes a USB controller, a flash controller configured to output a flash control signal for controlling the external strobe, and a video signal controller configured to output a video signal. An apparatus-side connector to be electrically connected to a peripheral-side connector provided in a corresponding one of the peripheral devices upon attachment of the corresponding one of the peripheral devices to the hot shoe is provided in an inner region of the hot shoe or an adjacent region outside the hot shoe. The apparatus-side connector includes a USB terminal, a flash terminal, and a video terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Dai SHINTANI, Koichiro MURATA, Takahiro IKEDA
-
Patent number: 8531595Abstract: A camera body allows the mounting of a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject, and includes a body mount, an imaging element, a capacitor, and a housing member. The body mount allows a lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element includes a light receiving face arranged to receive light passing through the lens unit, and converts an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The capacitor is disposed in close proximity to an outer peripheral portion of the imaging element, and stores electrical charges. The housing member accommodates the imaging element and the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8508858Abstract: A lens barrel includes an optical system, a first frame, a second frame, a third frame, a rectilinear frame and a cam frame. The first frame supports the optical system. The second frame supports the optical system and restricts rotation of the first frame about an optical axis of the optical system. The third frame supports the optical system and restricts rotation of the second frame about the optical axis of the optical system, and the rectilinear frame restricts rotation of the third frame about the optical axis of the optical system.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8482657Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a function of enabling focus detection at high speed while exposing an image sensor to light. Imaging apparatus 1 has: a first photoelectric converting element (image sensor 10) that converts an optical image formed on an imaging plane into an electrical signal for forming an image signal; and a second photoelectric converting element (phase difference detecting sensor 20) that receives light having passed through the first photoelectric converting element and converts light into an electrical signal for distance measurement.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8472799Abstract: An imaging device includes an optical system, a camera housing defining an opening with an interior storage space, and a flash mechanism connected to the housing. The flash mechanism is movable between an exposed state and an unexposed state. The flash mechanism has a first arm, a second arm, and a light emitting component attached to the second arm. The first arm is located at a first rotational position in the exposed state and is configured to rotate around a first axis located within the interior space. The second arm is located at a third rotational position in the exposed state and is configured to rotate with respect to the first arm around a second axis located closer to the subject than the first axis in the exposed state.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Norikazu Kaneda, Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8416340Abstract: A camera body includes a body mount, a first imaging sensor, an information acquisition section, and an imaging sensor selector. The information acquisition section is configured to acquire imaging sensor information from the interchangeable lens unit. The imaging sensor selector selects a first imaging sensor as the selected imaging sensor on the basis of the imaging sensor information when an interchangeable lens unit that guides an optical image to the first imaging sensor is mounted to the body mount, and selects a second imaging sensor as the selected imaging sensor on the basis of the imaging sensor information when an interchangeable lens unit having this second imaging sensor is mounted to the body mount.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8390733Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body to which the interchangeable lens can be mounted, either directly or via an adapter. A lens microcomputer of the interchangeable lens is configured to hold lens information including information related to a focal point detection method. A body microcomputer of the camera body is configured to select a focal point detection method on the basis of lens information. The body microcomputer is configured to select a contrast detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is compatible with a contrast detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select a phase difference detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is not compatible with a contrast detection method, and the adapter is compatible with a phase difference detection method.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo, Norikazu Katsuyama
-
Patent number: 8384815Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device for performing photoelectric conversion to convert light from an object into an electrical signal; a phase difference detection section for receiving the light from the object to the imaging device while the imaging device receives the light, and performing phase difference detection; a focus lens group for adjusting a focus position; a focus lens position detection section for detecting a position of a focus lens; and a control section for calculating an object distance based on an output of the focus lens position detection section and an output of the phase difference detection section and automatically selecting one of a plurality of shooting modes according to the calculated object distance.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8373795Abstract: A camera body allows the mounting of a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject, and includes a body mount, an imaging element, a shutter, a shutter drive device, and an electronic viewfinder. The body mount allows a lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element includes a light receiving face arranged to receive light passing through the lens unit, and converts an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The shutter is disposed between the body mount and the imaging element, and arranged to block light passing through the lens unit. The shutter drive device controls the exposure time of the imaging element by driving the shutter. The electronic viewfinder includes an eyepiece, a viewfinder image display unit configured to electronically display an image of the subject, and a viewfinder optical system arranged to guide the subject image displayed by the viewfinder image display unit to the eyepiece.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8368806Abstract: A camera body allows the mounting of a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject, and includes a body mount, an imaging element, a capacitor, and a housing member. The body mount allows a lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element includes a light receiving face arranged to receive light passing through the lens unit, and converts an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The capacitor is disposed above the imaging element and more to the imaging element side than the body mount in a direction of the light passing through the lens unit. The housing member accommodates the imaging element and the capacitor. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving face, at least part of the capacitor is disposed within a region bounded by the outer edge of the body mount.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8348526Abstract: A focal plane shutter device includes a shutter base plate having an opening part, a front curtain, a first elastic member, a rear curtain, a second elastic member, and a drive unit. The front curtain is movable between a first and second position to cover and uncover the opening. The first urging member is configured to move the front curtain between the first and second positions. The rear curtain is movable between a first and second position to cover and uncover the opening. The second urging member is configured to move the rear curtain between the first and second positions. The drive unit is configured to resist the first and second urging members. The drive unit is also configured to hold the front curtain at the second position when resisting the first urging member and hold the rear curtain at the first position when resisting the second urging member.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Dai Shintani
-
Patent number: 8319870Abstract: An imaging apparatus with improved convenience, which can perform various types of processing using an imaging device while performing phase difference detection, is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) for performing photoelectric conversion to convert light into an electrical signal, the imaging device (10) configured so that light passes through the imaging device (10), a phase difference detection unit (20) for receiving the light having passed through the imaging device (10) to perform phase difference detection, a focus lens group (72) for adjusting a focus position, and a body control section (5) for controlling the imaging device (10) and controlling driving of the focus lens group (72) at least based on a detection result of the phase difference detection unit. The body control section (5) performs a focus operation based on a detection result of the phase difference detection unit during exposure of the imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo, Masato Murayama