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: 8077233
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of performing phase difference detection while allowing light to enter an imaging device is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) configured to perform photoelectric conversion on received light and allow light to pass therethrough and a phase difference detection section (20) configured to perform phase difference detection on received light which has passed through the imaging device (10). The imaging device (10) includes a color-purpose light receiving section (11b, 11b, . . . ) including color filters (15r, 15g, 15b) and configured to obtain color information and an brightness-purpose light receiving section (11b, 11b, . . . ) configured to obtain brightness information and receive a larger amount of light than the color-purpose light receiving section (11b, 11b, . . . ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Takanori Yogo
  • Patent number: 8068728
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus which can perform phase difference detection while causing light to enter an imaging device is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) for receiving light to perform photoelectric conversion, the imaging device (10) being configured so that light passes through the imaging device (10), a phase difference detection unit (20) including a line sensor (24a) for receiving the light which has passed through the imaging device (10) to perform phase difference detection, and a condenser lens (21a), provided between the imaging device (10) and the line sensor (24a), for bending an optical path of the light which has passed through the imaging device (10) to direct the light to the line sensor (24a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Masato Murayama
  • Publication number: 20110279716
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai SHINTANI
  • Publication number: 20110249150
    Abstract: A camera includes an imaging device; a phase difference detection unit configured to, in parallel with receipt of the light from the subject by the imaging device, perform phase difference detection using the light to detect a defocus amount of the subject; a focus lens group; a body control section configured to move the focus lens group based on the defocus amount detected by the phase difference detection unit to bring the subject into focus; and an image display section for selecting a subject to be in focus from subjects included in an image signal. The body control section is configured to, when the subject to be in focus is selected, move the focus lens group to bring the selected subject into focus. The body control section adjusts a focusing time depending on the defocus amount detected before the movement of the focus lens group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo
  • Patent number: 8031412
    Abstract: An imaging optical system O supported by a lens barrel 3 includes a second lens group G2. The second lens group G2 includes a fourth lens 54 and a black light shielding portion 54d formed by printing. The light shielding portion 54d is a film-shaped portion formed on the surface of the fourth lens 54, and blocks harmful light in the imaging optical system O. The light shielding portion 54d includes a synthetic resin. The light shielding portion 54d is disposed in a non-effective optical area of the fourth lens 54. The effective light path of the imaging optical system O is determined by the light shielding portion 54d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai Shintani
  • Publication number: 20110234884
    Abstract: An imaging device is provided that includes a first imaging element, a second imaging element, and a focal point detector. The first imaging element includes a first opto-electrical converter configured to convert light into an electrical signal. The second imaging element is configured and arranged to receive light incident on and passing through the first opto-electrical converter. The second imaging element includes a second opto-electrical converter configured to convert the light coming from the first opto-electrical converter into an electrical signal. The focal point detector is configured to perform focal point detection based on first image data obtained by the first imaging element and second image data obtained by the second imaging element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Dai SHINTANI, Koji SHIBUNO
  • Publication number: 20110176799
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai SHINTANI
  • Patent number: 7978240
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging unit: including an image sensor with a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, the pixels having color pixels where color filters are disposed, and white pixels where the color filters are not disposed; a sampling circuit section for sampling pixel signals generated in the image sensor; and a main controller for controlling the image sensor and/or the sampling circuit section to sample the pixel signals generated in the white pixels or the pixel signals generated in the color pixels sequentially in a time-series manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihito Kido, Jun Minakuti, Haruki Nakayama, Dai Shintani, Tsutomu Honda
  • Publication number: 20110164172
    Abstract: A camera body 100 comprises a body mount 150, a CMOS image sensor 110, a shutter unit 190, and a shutter controller 145. The body mount 150 allows the lens unit 200 to be mounted. The CMOS image sensor 110 is configured to convert an optical image of a subject into an electric signal. The shutter unit 190 is disposed between the body mount 150 and the CMOS image sensor 110, and is configured to block the optical path between the lens unit 200 and the CMOS image sensor 110. The shutter controller 145 is configured to control the shutter unit 190 to maintain the shutter unit 190 in the open state in a state in which the supply of power is halted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Masato Murayama
  • Publication number: 20110164871
    Abstract: A focal plane shutter device is disclosed that includes a shutter base plate, a front curtain, a first urging member, a rear curtain, a second urging member, and a charge mechanism. The shutter base plate defines an opening. The front curtain is moved between different positions by the first urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The rear curtain is moved between different positions by the second urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The charge mechanism applies a first force to resist an urging force by the first urging member and a second force to resist an urging force by the second urging member. The first force applied by the charge mechanism terminates at a different time than the second force applied by the charge mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai SHINTANI
  • Patent number: 7972069
    Abstract: A camera body includes a body mount that supports an attachable lens unit, an imaging element that captures an optical image of a subject and generates image data, a shutter unit disposed between the body mount and the imaging element, a protecting plate that has a first condition of shielding an opening of the shutter unit and a second condition of retracting from the opening of the shutter unit, a motor that drives the protecting plate, a power source operable to supply power, and a camera controller that controls the motor before power supply from the power source is stopped, so that the protecting plate is in the first condition when the power supply from the power source is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai Shintani
  • Publication number: 20110141589
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai SHINTANI
  • Publication number: 20110103789
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: KENICHI HONJO, HIROSHI UEDA, DAI SHINTANI
  • Publication number: 20110102653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging unit including an imaging device for performing photoelectric conversion. There is provided an imaging unit with which the mechanical strength of an imaging device can be ensured while allowing light to pass through the imaging device so as to improve the usability in various operations using the imaging device. An imaging unit (1) includes a substrate (11a), a light-receiving portion (11b) provided on the substrate (11a), an imaging device (10) configured to photoelectrically convert light received by the light-receiving portion (11b) into an electric signal while light is allowed to pass through the imaging device (10), and a glass substrate (19) bonded to the imaging device (10) and allowing light to pass therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Takanori Yogo
  • Publication number: 20110032395
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging unit: including an image sensor with a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, the pixels having color pixels where color filters are disposed, and white pixels where the color filters are not disposed; a sampling circuit section for sampling pixel signals generated in the image sensor; and a main controller for controlling the image sensor and/or the sampling circuit section to sample the pixel signals generated in the white pixels or the pixel signals generated in the color pixels sequentially in a time-series manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihito KIDO, Jun Minakuti, Haruki Nakayama, Dai Shintani, Tsutomu Honda
  • Publication number: 20110001871
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of performing phase difference detection while allowing light to enter an imaging device is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) including light receiving sections (11b, 11b, . . . ) and a substrate (11a) on which the light receiving sections (11b, 11b, . . . ) are provided and which has through holes (18a, 18a, . . . ). The imaging device (10) is configured to perform photoelectric conversion on received light. The imaging unit (1) further includes a phase difference detection unit (2) configured to perform phase difference detection on received light which has passed through the imaging device (10) via the through holes (18a, 18a, . . . ).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo
  • Publication number: 20110001858
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo, Masato Murayama
  • Publication number: 20100329656
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of performing phase difference detection while allowing light to enter an imaging device is provided. The imaging unit (1) includes: an imaging device (10) configured to perform photoelectric conversion on received light and allow light to pass therethrough; a package (31) holding the imaging device (10); and a phase difference detection unit (20) configured to perform phase difference detection on received light which has passed through the imaging device (10). The package (31) has openings (31c, 31c, . . . ). Light which has passed through the imaging device (10) passes through the openings (31c, 31c, . . . ). The light which has passed through the imaging device (10) passes through the package (31) via the openings (31c, 31c, . . . ), and enters the phase difference detection unit (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Dai Shintani
  • Publication number: 20100328503
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of performing phase difference detection while allowing light to enter an imaging device is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) configured to perform photoelectric conversion on received light and allow light to pass therethrough and a phase difference detection section (20) configured to perform phase difference detection on received light which has passed through the imaging device (10). The imaging device (10) includes a color-purpose light receiving section (11b, 11b, . . . ) including color filters (15r, 15g, 15b) and configured to obtain color information and an brightness-purpose light receiving section (11b, 11b, . . . ) configured to obtain brightness information and receive a larger amount of light than the color-purpose light receiving section (11b, 11b, . . . ).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Takanori Yogo
  • Publication number: 20100329655
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus which can perform phase difference detection while causing light to enter an imaging device is provided. An imaging unit (1) includes an imaging device (10) for receiving light to perform photoelectric conversion, the imaging device (10) being configured so that light passes through the imaging device (10), a phase difference detection unit (20) including a line sensor (24a) for receiving the light which has passed through the imaging device (10) to perform phase difference detection, and a condenser lens (21a), provided between the imaging device (10) and the line sensor (24a), for bending an optical path of the light which has passed through the imaging device (10) to direct the light to the line sensor (24a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Masato Murayama