Patents by Inventor Hiromichi Sakamoto

Hiromichi Sakamoto 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: 20240085764
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to an accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to a direction in which the accessory is attached. The contacts include an attachment detection contact to detect an attachment of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, and a communication request contact for a communication request from the accessory to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection and communication request contacts are disposed between a contact closest one end and a contact closest to another end in the first direction. The attachment detection contact is disposed between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the one end. In the first direction, a distance between the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact is shorter than that between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Patent number: 11886099
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to an accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to a direction in which the accessory is attached. The contacts include an attachment detection contact to detect an attachment of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, and a communication request contact for a communication request from the accessory to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection and communication request contacts are disposed between a contact closest one end and a contact closest to another end in the first direction. The attachment detection contact is disposed between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the one end. In the first direction, a distance between the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact is shorter than that between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20230400754
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus detachably attached to an accessory via an accessory shoe includes contacts electrically connectable to the accessory via the accessory shoe and arranged in a row. The contacts include a first signal contact used to transmit a data signal in a communication between the electronic apparatus and accessory, a second signal contact used to transmit a clock signal in synchronization with the data signal in the communication, and a third signal contact used to receive a communication request signal from the accessory. The first and second signal contacts are arranged next to each other. The third signal contact is disposed on an opposite side of the second signal contact with respect to the first signal contact. A transmission of the data signal via the first signal contact is executed in response to a reception of the communication request signal via the third signal contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Yuhei Hattori, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Patent number: 11841608
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus which prevents occurrence of a malfunction even when multiple accessories are attached to the electronic apparatus directly or via an accessory connector. The electronic apparatus includes an attachment part to which an accessory connector is attachable or to which multiple accessories are attachable. On the accessory connector, multiple accessories are attachable. When multiple accessories have been attached to the attachment part or on the accessory connector attached to the attachment part, accessory information is obtained via the attachment part from each of the attached accessories. In a case where overlapping accessories with overlapping functions are found based on the accessory information, the overlapping function of at least one of the overlapping accessories is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuko Izaki, Hiromichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11796898
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus detachably attached to an accessory via an accessory shoe includes contacts electrically connectable to the accessory via the accessory shoe and arranged in a row. The contacts include a first signal contact used to transmit a data signal in a communication between the electronic apparatus and accessory, a second signal contact used to transmit a clock signal in synchronization with the data signal in the communication, and a third signal contact used to receive a communication request signal from the accessory. The first and second signal contacts are arranged next to each other. The third signal contact is disposed on an opposite side of than the second signal contact with respect to the first signal contact. A transmission of the data signal via the first signal contact is executed in response to a reception of the communication request signal via the third signal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuhei Hattori, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Patent number: 11646577
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a power receiving unit that receives power from an external device, a first voltage conversion unit that generates a first output voltage regardless of a variation of the input voltage, a second voltage conversion unit in which a second output voltage varies due to a variation of the input voltage, a voltage supply unit that steps up or down the first output voltage or the second output voltage and supplies the output voltage to a load circuit of the electronic device, and a control unit that performs control so as to supply power to the load circuit of the electronic device by switching to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit based on a voltage supplied to the load circuit of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiromichi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20230037909
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which an accessory is to be detachably attached includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to an attachment direction of the accessory. The plurality of contacts include an attachment detection contact that is used to detect an attachment of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, and a first clock contact that is used to communicate a first clock signal in communication between the electronic apparatus and the accessory. A potential of the attachment detection contact changes from a predetermined potential to a reference potential different from the predetermined potential after the accessory is attached to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection contact is disposed next to the first clock contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Kouji Ikeda, Kei Tohyama, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20230034017
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which an accessory is to be detachably attached includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to an attachment direction of the accessory. The plurality of contacts include first reference potential contacts that are contacts disposed at both ends of the plurality of contacts and are connected to a reference potential, and second reference potential contacts that are connected to the reference potential and are contacts disposed at both ends of part of the plurality of contacts other than the first reference potential contacts in a case where the accessory is connected to the part of the plurality of contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20230034671
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus to which an accessory is to be detachably attached includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to the accessory and arranged in a row. The contacts include a plurality of functional signal contacts to which signals having functions that are different functions according to a type of the accessory are connected, reference potential contacts, to each of which a reference potential is connected, and contacts that are used to supply power to the accessory or to communicate with the accessory. The functional signal contacts include a first functional signal contact and a second functional signal contact. A distance from the first functional signal contact to a reference potential contact closest to the first functional signal contact and a distance from the second functional signal contact to a reference potential contact closest to the second functional signal contact are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hiromi Hayasaki, Kei Tohyama, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Takayuki Shu, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20230029937
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an accessory shoe via which an accessory is to be detachably attached to the electronic apparatus. The accessory shoe includes a plurality of contacts that is electrically connectable to the accessory and arranged in a row, and include an attachment detection contact, a power supply contact, and a first reference potential contact that is connected to a reference potential. A potential of the attachment detection contact becomes the reference potential in a case where the accessory is attached to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection contact is disposed on one of both sides of the power supply contact, and the first reference potential contact is disposed on another side. The first reference potential contact is disposed outside the power supply contact in an arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20220393398
    Abstract: A shoe apparatus attachable to and detachable from an accessory shoe apparatus of an electronic apparatus in a first direction includes a plurality of connection terminals arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a shoe engagement portion engageable with the accessory shoe apparatus, and a terminal protecting portion configured to project from the shoe engagement portion toward a tip side in the first direction and to protect the plurality of connection terminals. The plurality of connection terminals are exposed in a direction orthogonal to the first and second directions from the terminal protecting portion, and include slopes that tilt in an exposed direction from inside to outside in the second direction on both sides in the second direction of the terminal protecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Okano, Kenji Ishii, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kei Tohyama
  • Publication number: 20220345615
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first control unit communicable with the accessory by a first communication method, and a second control unit communicable with the accessory by a second communication method. The first control unit acquires control information on the second communication method from the accessory. The second control unit determines a control method for communication with the accessory based on the control information acquired by the first control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Rui Nabeshima, Hiromichi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20220342287
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus which prevents occurrence of a malfunction even when multiple accessories are attached to the electronic apparatus directly or via an accessory connector. The electronic apparatus includes an attachment part to which an accessory connector is attachable or to which multiple accessories are attachable. On the accessory connector, multiple accessories are attachable. When multiple accessories have been attached to the attachment part or on the accessory connector attached to the attachment part, accessory information is obtained via the attachment part from each of the attached accessories. In a case where overlapping accessories with overlapping functions are found based on the accessory information, the overlapping function of at least one of the overlapping accessories is restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Yuko Izaki, Hiromichi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20220082905
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to an accessory and arranged in a first direction orthogonal to a direction in which the accessory is attached. The contacts include an attachment detection contact to detect an attachment of the accessory to the electronic apparatus, and a communication request contact for a communication request from the accessory to the electronic apparatus. The attachment detection and communication request contacts are disposed between a contact closest one end and a contact closest to another end in the first direction. The attachment detection contact is disposed between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the one end. In the first direction, a distance between the attachment detection contact and the communication request contact is shorter than that between the communication request contact and the contact closest to the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Yuhei Hattori, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20220082910
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus detachably attached to an accessory via an accessory shoe includes contacts electrically connectable to the accessory via the accessory shoe and arranged in a row. The contacts include a first signal contact used to transmit a data signal in a communication between the electronic apparatus and accessory, a second signal contact used to transmit a clock signal in synchronization with the data signal in the communication, and a third signal contact used to receive a communication request signal from the accessory. The first and second signal contacts are arranged next to each other. The third signal contact is disposed on an opposite side of the second signal contact with respect to the first signal contact. A transmission of the data signal via the first signal contact is executed in response to a reception of the communication request signal via the third signal contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Yuhei Hattori, Hiromichi Sakamoto, Kei Tohyama, Takayuki Shu, Hiromi Hayasaki, Kouji Ikeda, Kenji Ishii, Yoshinobu Okano
  • Publication number: 20210218332
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a power receiving unit that receives power from an external device, a first voltage conversion unit that generates a first output voltage regardless of a variation of the input voltage, a second voltage conversion unit in which a second output voltage varies due to a variation of the input voltage, a voltage supply unit that steps up or down the first output voltage or the second output voltage and supplies the output voltage to a load circuit of the electronic device, and a control unit that performs control so as to supply power to the load circuit of the electronic device by switching to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit based on a voltage supplied to the load circuit of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventor: Hiromichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10326285
    Abstract: A charging device that charges a battery device is provided. The battery device includes a memory that stores first degradation information indicating a degradation state of the battery device. The charging device includes: a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of the battery device; and a control unit that (a) receives the first degradation information from the battery device, (b) determines degradation progress information indicating a progress degree of the degradation state of the battery device, by using a voltage detected by the voltage detection unit, (c) generates second degradation information indicating a degradation state of the battery device, by using the degradation progress information and the first degradation information, and (d) transmits the second degradation information to the battery device to cause the battery device to store the second degradation information in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9478352
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first power receiving unit that wirelessly receives power from a power supply apparatus, and a control unit that supplies, to the power supply apparatus, data for controlling supply of power from the power supply apparatus according to a mode of the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromichi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20160226271
    Abstract: A charging device that charges a battery device is provided. The battery device includes a memory that stores first degradation information indicating a degradation state of the battery device. The charging device includes: a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of the battery device; and a control unit that (a) receives the first degradation information from the battery device, (h) determines degradation progress information indicating a progress degree of the degradation state of the battery device, by using a voltage detected by the voltage detection unit, (c) generates second degradation information indicating a degradation state of the battery device, by using the degradation progress information and the first degradation information, and (d) transmits the second degradation information to the battery device to cause the battery device to store the second degradation information in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventor: Hiromichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9012015
    Abstract: In a laminated glass, a plastic film is sandwiched between two sheets of resin intermediate film, and an infrared reflective film is formed in the plastic film by alternatively laminating resin films of different refractive indexes. The plastic film on which the infrared reflective film is formed meets any of the following conditions: (A) thermal shrinkage of 0.5 to 3% in the 90 through 150° C. temperature range, (B) modulus of elasticity in the range of 30 through 2000 MPa in a temperature range of 90 through 150° C., and (C) a rate of elongation of the plastic film of 0.3% or less when 10 N tensile force per 1 m width of the plastic film is exerted in the 90 through 150° C. temperature range. This laminated glass is a curved infrared ray reflective laminated glass, with high transmissivity to visible light, high reflectivity in the infrared ray region, excellent insulating effect, and will transmit various electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiromichi Sakamoto, Atsushi Takamatsu, Kensuke Izutani, Isao Nakamura