Patents by Inventor Hiroaki Niwa
Hiroaki Niwa 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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Patent number: 11977707Abstract: Each of first electrode sections forming a transmission electrode includes a first main line and a plurality of first auxiliary lines. Each of second electrode sections forming a reception electrode includes a second main line and a plurality of second auxiliary lines. With the transmission and reception electrodes and overlapping each other, the first main line and the second main line intersect with each other at one point, and a cell region is unclosed. The cell region is surrounded by two or more types of thin wires selected from a group consisting of the first main line, the first auxiliary lines, the second main line, and the second auxiliary lines.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiromitsu Niwa, Kota Araki, Akihiro Yamamura, Hiroaki Nishiono
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Patent number: 11839013Abstract: The radiation imaging apparatus is provided that includes a radiation detector including a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels being capable of detecting radiation as electric signals are arranged, the radiation transmitted through an AEC sensor used for performing automatic exposure control of radiation irradiated from a radiation generating apparatus, a notifying unit for performing threshold value reached notification to the radiation generating apparatus, if a dose value of the radiation incident on the pixel array reaches a threshold value, and a threshold value setting unit for setting the threshold value in second radiation imaging in which automatic exposure control of the radiation by the radiation detector is performed after first radiation imaging in which the automatic exposure control of the radiation by the AEC sensor is performed, based on pixel values related to the electric signals detected by the plurality of pixels in the first radiation imagingType: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroaki Niwa
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Publication number: 20230160839Abstract: A radiation source applies radiation to a subject. A radiation generation apparatus controls the radiation source. A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of image signal output pixels that outputs image signals based on the radiation applied from the radiation source and a plurality of dose detection pixels that detects a dose based on the radiation applied from the radiation source, and includes a control unit that controls driving of the radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation irradiation timing. The control unit includes a prediction unit that predicts an irradiation time from a result of detection of an integrated irradiation amount by the dose detection pixels, and a drive control unit that changes at least one of the number of frames to be captured and an offset correction processing method based on the prediction result.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2022Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventor: Hiroaki Niwa
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Publication number: 20230036641Abstract: The radiation imaging apparatus is provided that includes a radiation detector including a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels being capable of detecting radiation as electric signals are arranged, the radiation transmitted through an AEC sensor used for performing automatic exposure control of radiation irradicated from a radiation generating apparatus, a notifying unit for performing threshold value reached notification to the radiation generating apparatus, if a dose value of the radiation incident on the pixel array reaches a threshold value, and a threshold value setting unit for setting the threshold value in second radiation imaging in which automatic exposure control of the radiation by the radiation detector is performed after first radiation imaging in which the automatic exposure control of the radiation by the AEC sensor is performed, based on pixel values related to the electric signals detected by the plurality of pixels in the first radiation imaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventor: Hiroaki Niwa
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Patent number: 11382590Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes an imaging area including a plurality of conversion elements configured to convert a radiation into an electrical signal, a detection element provided in the imaging area and configured to detect the radiation, a reading unit configured to read signals of the conversion elements and the detection element, and a control unit configured to execute radiation exposure amount control in capturing a radiation image by a control method selected from a first control method and a second control method based on an imaging condition in capturing the radiation image, the first control method controlling an exposure amount based on the reading result of the detection element read by the reading unit during radiation irradiation, the second control method controlling the exposure amount based on a pixel value of the radiation image, the radiation image being based on the signals of the plurality of conversion elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Niwa, Akiya Nakayama, Yuichi Nishii
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Patent number: 10856833Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a radiation source configured to generate radiation, an image capturing unit configured to perform image capturing by detecting the radiation, and a processing unit configured to be communicable with the image capturing unit, wherein the processing unit performs a first operation which evaluates response time in communication with the image capturing unit, and a second operation which sets a control timing of the radiation source based on an evaluation result of the response time obtained in the first operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroaki Niwa
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Publication number: 20200205767Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes an imaging area including a plurality of conversion elements configured to convert a radiation into an electrical signal, a detection element provided in the imaging area and configured to detect the radiation, a reading unit configured to read signals of the conversion elements and the detection element, and a control unit configured to execute radiation exposure amount control in capturing a radiation image by a control method selected from a first control method and a second control method based on an imaging condition in capturing the radiation image, the first control method controlling an exposure amount based on the reading result of the detection element read by the reading unit during radiation irradiation, the second control method controlling the exposure amount based on a pixel value of the radiation image, the radiation image being based on the signals of the plurality of conversion elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: Hiroaki Niwa, Akiya Nakayama, Yuichi Nishii
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Publication number: 20190145911Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a radiation source configured to generate radiation, an image capturing unit configured to perform image capturing by detecting the radiation, and a processing unit configured to be communicable with the image capturing unit, wherein the processing unit performs a first operation which evaluates response time in communication with the image capturing unit, and a second operation which sets a control timing of the radiation source based on an evaluation result of the response time obtained in the first operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventor: Hiroaki Niwa
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Patent number: 9823361Abstract: A radiation imaging control apparatus, which is communicable with a radiation imaging apparatus including a radiation sensor and capable of acquiring an X-ray moving image, includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via Ethernet communication, a second communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via at least a pair of bidirectional serial optical communication lines, a first control unit configured to cause the first communication unit to transmit a first signal for setting at least one parameter to the radiation imaging apparatus, a second control unit configured to cause the second communication unit to output data of the X-ray moving image received from the radiation imaging apparatus to an image processing unit, and transmit a second signal for some settings to the radiation imaging apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Niwa, Shigeo Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20160139279Abstract: A radiation imaging control apparatus, which is communicable with a radiation imaging apparatus including a radiation sensor and capable of acquiring an X-ray moving image, includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via Ethernet communication, a second communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via at least a pair of bidirectional serial optical communication lines, a first control unit configured to cause the first communication unit to transmit a first signal for setting at least one parameter to the radiation imaging apparatus, a second control unit configured to cause the second communication unit to output data of the X-ray moving image received from the radiation imaging apparatus to an image processing unit, and transmit a second signal for some settings to the radiation imaging apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Hiroaki Niwa, Shigeo Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9279893Abstract: A radiation imaging control apparatus, which is communicable with a radiation imaging apparatus including a radiation sensor and capable of acquiring an X-ray moving image, includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via Ethernet communication, a second communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via at least a pair of bidirectional serial optical communication lines, a first control unit configured to cause the first communication unit to transmit a first signal for setting at least one parameter to the radiation imaging apparatus, a second control unit configured to cause the second communication unit to output data of the X-ray moving image received from the radiation imaging apparatus to an image processing unit, and transmit a second signal for some settings to the radiation imaging apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Niwa, Shigeo Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8785870Abstract: An imaging apparatus including: a plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion element and a sample hold circuit; a plurality of signal lines configured to read from the plurality of pixels an electric signal held in the sample hold circuit therein; a imaging control unit configured to perform a first control for applying the held electric signal to the plurality of signal lines, and a second control for sequentially applying to the signal lines the electric signal obtained corresponding to light received by each of the plurality of pixels and reading the electric signal, after the first control has been performed; and a generation unit configured not to create image data based on the electric signal applied to the signal line by the first control but to create the image data based on the electric signal read via the signal line by the second control.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazumasa Matsumoto, Kanako Dowaki, Yuichi Naito, Hidehiko Saito, Hiroaki Niwa, Takashi Yamazaki, Shigeo Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20140029721Abstract: A radiation imaging control apparatus, which is communicable with a radiation imaging apparatus including a radiation sensor and capable of acquiring an X-ray moving image, includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via Ethernet communication, a second communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via at least a pair of bidirectional serial optical communication lines, a first control unit configured to cause the first communication unit to transmit a first signal for setting at least one parameter to the radiation imaging apparatus, a second control unit configured to cause the second communication unit to output data of the X-ray moving image received from the radiation imaging apparatus to an image processing unit, and transmit a second signal for some settings to the radiation imaging apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: Hiroaki Niwa, Shigeo Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20130327950Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: a reception unit configured to receive imaging parameters; and a setting unit configured to set, in accordance with a binning size and frame rate included in the imaging parameters, at least one of: a combination of a digital binning size and an analog binning size which form the binning size; and a non-destructive read out count within a range in which imaging is configured to be performed at the frame rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Hiroaki Niwa, Hidehiko Saito
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Patent number: 8497485Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor in which a plurality of area sensors arranged adjacent to each other to form an image sensor. A control circuit controls timing for reading out image data from each of the plurality of the area sensors based on area sensor arrangement information concerning the arrangement of each of the plurality of the area sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroaki Niwa
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Publication number: 20120105665Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor configured to include a plurality of pixels in its image pickup area; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters configured to share a plurality of analog signals read out from the plurality of pixels to perform analog-to-digital conversion to the analog signals allocated thereto; and a control unit configured to read out the analog signals from the pixels within a partial area in the image pickup area for the analog-to-digital conversion. The number of pixels allocated to the analog-to-digital converters performing the analog-to-digital conversion to areas near a center position of the partial area is smaller than that allocated to the analog-to-digital converters performing the analog-to-digital conversion to areas far from the center position of the partial area.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazumasa Matsumoto, Yuichi Naito, Hidehiko Saito, Takashi Yamazaki, Hiroaki Niwa
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Publication number: 20120104267Abstract: An imaging apparatus including: a plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion element and a sample hold circuit; a plurality of signal lines configured to read from the plurality of pixels an electric signal held in the sample hold circuit therein; a imaging control unit configured to perform a first control for applying the held electric signal to the plurality of signal lines, and a second control for sequentially applying to the signal lines the electric signal obtained corresponding to light received by each of the plurality of pixels and reading the electric signal, after the first control has been performed; and a generation unit configured not to create image data based on the electric signal applied to the signal line by the first control but to create the image data based on the electric signal read via the signal line by the second control.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazumasa Matsumoto, Kanako Dowaki, Yuichi Naito, Hidehiko Saito, Hiroaki Niwa, Takashi Yamazaki, Shigeo Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20100246770Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor in which a plurality of area sensors arranged adjacent to each other to form an image sensor. A control circuit controls timing for reading out image data from each of the plurality of the area sensors based on area sensor arrangement information concerning the arrangement of each of the plurality of the area sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroaki Niwa
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Publication number: 20100166446Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; a fuser having a heating unit to which an alternating voltage is applied from an alternating power supply so as to perform heating; a zero-cross pulse generating unit that generates a zero-cross pulse; a voltage estimating unit that estimates the alternating voltage on the basis of a width of the zero-cross pulse; a temperature detecting unit that detects the temperature of the fuser; a heating control parameter setting unit that sets a heating control parameter for controlling the heating unit on the basis of the alternating voltage estimated by the voltage estimating unit and the temperature of the fuser; and a heating control unit that controls the heating unit on the basis of the heating control parameter set by the heating control parameter setting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroyuki NAGANAWA, Hiroyuki TSUJIHARA, Hiroaki NIWA, Shiro UENO
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Patent number: 7538327Abstract: An electronic apparatus having a cable connector unit that makes it possible to attach and detach a connector for connecting a cable for the purpose of performing data communication with an external apparatus includes a lock mechanism for maintaining a connection with the connector in a lock state. The electronic apparatus is capable of detecting a predetermined specific operation on the attached connector. If the specific operation is detected, then pre-processing necessary to detach the connector safely is executed. By releasing the lock mechanism in response to completion of pre-processing, the cable can be removed.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroaki Niwa