Patents by Inventor Eiji Yamamoto

Eiji Yamamoto 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: 20160088207
    Abstract: An image adjustment apparatus includes a boundary calculation unit that calculates a boundary between a follow light region and a back light region in an image based on a position of a light source and an image adjustment unit that adjusts a state of the follow light region or the back light region with the boundary being a reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: EIJI YAMAMOTO, MASANORI MIKAMI, SHUNJI OKADA
  • Publication number: 20160054558
    Abstract: A light source unit for use with an endoscope. The light source including: a primary light source configured to emit primary light; and a first connector provided on an optical path of the primary light and to which each of a plurality of optical conversion units are attachable and removable. Wherein each of the plurality of the optical conversion units include an optical conversion element having an optical conversion function to convert optical properties of the primary light to generate secondary light and each of the plurality of the optical conversion units further having a second connector configured to detachably engage the first connector to transmit the primary light to the optical conversion element; and an optical conversion unit is selected from the plurality of optical conversion units based on the optical conversion function desired for the secondary light, the secondary light being an illumination light of the endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Ito, Eiji Yamamoto, Masahiro Nishio, Iwao Komazaki
  • Patent number: 9267788
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light source, a light supply light guide member optically coupled to the light source, detection light guide members, a light distribution unit to distribute light from the light supply light guide member to the detection light guide members, and a light separating detector to separate and detect the light guided by the detection light guide members. Each of the detection light guide members includes a characteristic detection portion whose optical characteristics vary in accordance with a physicochemical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Yamamoto, Hiromasa Fujita
  • Patent number: 9261261
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a light source device configured by an excitation light source, a light guiding member and a wavelength converter that are connected in order, and an operation check device. The system further includes: a connector configured to directly and physically connect the operation check device to a light signal emitting end which includes the wavelength converter; a detector configured to detect a light signal emitted from the light signal emitting end when the light signal emitting end and the operation check device are connected by the connector; and an operation determiner configured to determine the operations of the excitation light source, the light guiding member, and the wavelength converter by a detection result in the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Nishio, Takeshi Ito, Eiji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9228725
    Abstract: A light source unit includes a primary light source configured to emit primary light, and a connection portion provided on an optical path of the primary light and to and from which an optical conversion unit is attachable and removable, the optical conversion unit including an optical conversion element configured to convert optical properties of the primary light to generate secondary light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Ito, Eiji Yamamoto, Masahiro Nishio, Iwao Komazaki
  • Publication number: 20150374218
    Abstract: A wavelength converter is configured to convert wavelengths of plural primary light of different wavelengths emitted from primary light sources, respectively. When a special light observation mode to emphasize and display a specific observation target in an observation target is input into a mode input circuit, a light source is configured to successively light from an aperture of a same position, the primary light sources to successively irradiate the observation target with plural illuminating light including the light whose wavelength has been converted by the wavelength converter. An image acquiring section is configured to acquire images every time the observation target is irradiated with respective illuminating light, and to generate a special light observation image of the observation target based on the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro NISHIO, Takeshi ITO, Eiji YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20150369592
    Abstract: An optical bend measurement apparatus includes a light source unit configured to supply measurement light, an optical transmission body configured to transmit the measurement light, a optical characteristic change members provided in different portions of the optical transmission body, and a photodetection unit configured to detect light output from the optical transmission body. Each optical characteristic change member imposes a change of optical characteristics on light impinging on the optical characteristic change member depending on a bend quantity in a specific direction of a portion of the optical transmission body where the optical characteristic change member is provided. The photodetection unit separates and detects the light that has undergone the change of the optical characteristics to independently measure bend quantities in specific directions of the different portions of the optical transmission bodies based on intensities of the detected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromasa FUJITA, Eiji YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20150357903
    Abstract: An inverter system includes an inverter apparatus and a smoothing capacitor charging-power apparatus. The inverter apparatus includes a transformer and an inverter cell. The transformer includes primary windings and secondary windings. Each of the inverter cells includes a converter circuit, a smoothing capacitor, and an inverter circuit. The converter circuit is configured to convert an intermediate alternating-current voltage to a direct-current voltage. The smoothing capacitor is configured to smooth the direct-current voltage. The inverter circuit is configured to at least partially generate a phase voltage of a variable alternating-current voltage from the direct-current voltage smoothed by the smoothing capacitor. Electric power is to be supplied from a second power supply different from a first power supply to the smoothing capacitor charging-power apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicants: YASKAWA AMERICA, INC., KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Taisuke KATAYAMA, Eiji YAMAMOTO, Kenji MITSUDA, Hiroshi TAKAGI, Thomas Bryan SASADA
  • Publication number: 20150335232
    Abstract: A light source device to illuminate a target to be imaged by an imaging unit which includes N kinds of light detection elements which wavelength sensitivity regions are different each other includes a light source section, an insertion portion, an illumination light emitting portion and a light guide member. The light source section emits M kinds of narrow-band light which have different peak wavelengths, a difference between the peak wavelengths being equal to or more than an effective wavelength gap. The insertion portion is configured to be inserted into an internal space of an object. The illumination light emitting portion is provided in the insertion portion and which emits an illumination light. The light guide member guides the narrow-band light emitted from the light source section to the illumination light emitting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Ito, Eiji Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kamee
  • Patent number: 9182337
    Abstract: An insertion module inserted into inside of an observed object includes a light-source light emitting module, around its distal end, configured to emitted light from a light source and a detector, provided close to the distal end, configured to detect a light quantity of incident visible light. A controller controls the light source such that a null signal is transmitted from the light-source light emitting module, the null signal being characteristic for detection of the position of the distal end and obtained by making at least light of a predetermined wavelength region have an absence of visible light. The detector performs detecting operation in a period in which the null signal is transmitted. A determination module performs determination relating to the position of the distal end, based on detection information outputted by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kamee, Eiji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9146097
    Abstract: An optical bend measurement apparatus includes a light source unit configured to supply measurement light, an optical transmission body configured to transmit the measurement light, a optical characteristic change members provided in different portions of the optical transmission body, and a photodetection unit configured to detect light output from the optical transmission body. Each optical characteristic change member imposes a change of optical characteristics on light impinging on the optical characteristic change member depending on a bend quantity in a specific direction of a portion of the optical transmission body where the optical characteristic change member is provided. The photodetection unit separates and detects the light that has undergone the change of the optical characteristics to independently measure bend quantities in specific directions of the different portions of the optical transmission bodies based on intensities of the detected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromasa Fujita, Eiji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9131576
    Abstract: A light source device includes a light source unit configured to emit primary light and an illumination unit configured to optically convert the primary light to secondary light and then emit the secondary light. The light source device further includes a connector configured to allow the light source unit and the illumination unit to be attached to and detached from each other. Furthermore, the light source device includes an information transmitter configured to transmit illumination unit information to the light source unit, the illumination unit information being information regarding the illumination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Nishio, Eiji Yamamoto, Takeshi Ito
  • Patent number: 9086340
    Abstract: A tubular insertion device includes a tubular insertion portion including a flexible portion in a predetermined part, bending sensors distributed and arranged in the flexible portion, and an operation support information calculating unit. The operation support information calculating unit extracts operation support information including at least first external force information regarding an external force applied to the tubular insertion portion by a combinational calculation based on detection information from the bending sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Eiji Yamamoto, Ryo Tojo, Jun Hane, Jun Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20150092035
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, an illuminating unit, and an image-characteristic setting unit. The imaging unit images an object to acquire an image of the object. The illuminating unit includes a light source configured to apply illumination light beams different in optical characteristics to the object. The image-characteristic setting unit sets the image characteristics of the image data, then refers to light source characteristic information, and sets to the illuminating unit, the intensity, distribution pattern, spectrum distribution or polarization characteristic of at least one illumination light beam. The imaging unit acquires effectively image data having the image characteristics set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji YAMAMOTO, Hatsuo SHIMIZU, Takeshi ITO
  • Patent number: 8923024
    Abstract: A series-connected multi-level power conversion device according to an aspect of embodiments includes a multi-winding transformer and a power conversion unit. The multi-winding transformer has a relationship that n secondary windings respectively connected to n single-phase power converters in the same output phase have a voltage phase difference of 60/n degrees and a relationship that the m secondary windings respectively connected to the m single-phase power converters corresponding to the m output phases have a voltage phase difference of 60/m degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Taisuke Katayama, Ryuji Suenaga, Kazuhiro Umeo, Eiji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140332675
    Abstract: An optical sensor has a light source, a characteristic light-guiding member, a characteristic changing part, a detecting unit, and an optical connecting unit. The optical connecting unit has a light branching unit configured to branch the light emitted from the light source to the characteristic light-guiding member, and branches the light guided by the characteristic light-guiding member to the detecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromasa FUJITA, Eiji YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140336462
    Abstract: An insertion portion detection device provided with a light source unit which emits measuring beam to an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical shape of an insertion portion to be inserted into an insertion target and to be a detection target, an optical pattern detection unit which receives reflected light from the outer circumferential surface and which sequentially acquires image data in a predetermined range of the outer circumferential surface including given optical patterns so that at least some of the optical patterns correspond to the image data, and a displacement amount calculation unit which detects a corresponding optical pattern from the image data and calculates at least one of an insertion amount of the insertion portion and an amount of rotation around the central axis of the cylindrical shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo TOJO, Eiji YAMAMOTO, Jun HANE
  • Patent number: 8885377
    Abstract: A matrix converter according to an embodiment includes a control unit generates a highest phase-to-phase voltage among load side phase-to-phase voltages by controlling bidirectional switches that connect phases with respect to the highest phase-to-phase voltage and phases with respect to a highest phase-to-phase voltage among AC-source side phase-to-phase voltages. Moreover, the control unit generates a middle phase-to-phase voltage among the load side phase-to-phase voltages by controlling bidirectional switches that connect phases with respect to the middle phase-to-phase voltage and phases with respect to a middle phase-to-phase voltage among the AC-source side phase-to-phase voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Eiji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140328063
    Abstract: A light source system includes an intermediary adapter which mechanically connects a first light source module, a first irradiation module, a second light source module and a second irradiation module, a first connection mechanism which connects the first light source module and the intermediary adapter and a second connection mechanism which connects the second light source module and the intermediary adapter. The first irradiation module and the second irradiation module are interchangeably connected to the intermediary adapter in the same plane of the intermediary adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro NISHIO, Takeshi ITO, Eiji YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140328047
    Abstract: A light source device includes a primary light source unit and a light converting unit. The primary light source unit includes a primary light emitting portion. The light converting unit includes a light converting member and a secondary light emitting portion. In the two-dimensional shape of the secondary light emitting portion projected on a surface perpendicular to the optical axis of primary light, the length of the minimum width of the two-dimensional shape passing through the center of gravity of the two-dimensional shape is different from the length of the maximum width of the two-dimensional shape passing through the center of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAMEE, Eiji YAMAMOTO, Takeshi ITO